The advice about not walking near Rampart Street is appropriate, especially after dark. That being said, you'll probably be okay in the daytime during business hours if you're walking with purpose and not dawdling into side areas. If the tour is being done through Save Our Cemeteries, it likely leaves from the Welcome Center at 501 Basin Street right by the cemetery. Walking straight up St. Louis Street from the French Quarter directly to and from the Center might be your best approach.

I'd also seriously consider contacting Save Our Cemeteries and/or your hotel concierge to confirm that this is the best walking approach to getting here, though my guess is that it is.

If all else fails, you could always take a taxi there and back.

I would not be concerned about it in the daytime, but would agree that it's best to know where you are going. Rampart didn't seems as bad as I'd remembered when we were there a couple years ago.

Anywhere you need a 'best approach', and have to be concerned about 'not dawdling into side areas', I'd suggest you take a taxi

Are you worried about possible muggings, robberies, or running into people coming out of one of the gay bars?

I agree that perhaps you should just take a taxi.

We were there last month and the area around Rampart definitely doesn't seem as bad as it used to - I noticed the same thing as Brian. I wouldn't hesitate to walk around there during the day time.

Thanks for the advice. I haven't been to New Orleans since I was a teenager (more than a few years ago), so what I was saying about the Rampart area is what I've read (quite possibly on this forum). We have had no trouble or fears walking around in NYC, Washington DC, or Chicago, so I don't really anticipate any problems. Just being cautious, I guess.

I would definitely take a taxi.

A coworker of mine was mugged in that area - evening, but early evening when it was still light. And might have been killed if a cop car had not come along. He was approached by two youths who pulled a gun, made him lie on the ground, took his watch and wallet and were threatening to shoot him for fun when the car turned the corner and they ran off. The cops made sure he wasn't injured and then told him he should not be in the area on foot,