"Bad" Areas in New Orleans
 

My husband and I will be staying in New Orleans the last week of July this year (I know, I know, HOT!!). We are trying to get a better idea of the areas we should not stay in. We plan on walking just about everywhere (or take the streetcar) so we would like a location we feel like we could walk through after a night of partying. We've read about some of the areas already, but need more specifics. We also can't afford top-of-the-line...Any suggestions would be appreciated!

If you stay in the heart of the Quarter, you will be fine. It's rarely deserted and everything is a short walk. I'd avoid staying on the fringes of the Quarter (near upper Canal, Esplanade or Rampart) if you are planning on walking late at night after drinking. The areas around the river and Jackson Square are a good bet. Try Place d'Armes - it's right smack in the center of things and usually has good rates in the summer. Also, remember that summer is low season here and places like the Marriot tend to run $89 specials. The Marriot's in a pretty good location, too.

Meg gave you good advice. Also, check out the Quality Inn Maision St. Charles. It is right on the streetcar line. We paid $59.00 per night plus tax, and you get a great deal thru the internet. This hotel is between the beautiful sights of the Garden District and about 1 1/2 miles from the FQ. There is also a free shuttle service from the hotel to the new Casino, the FQ, the River Center. It is worth a try. Also, La Madeleine is an excellent cafe and bakery. My group enjoyed it very much, and it is located adjacent to the hotel. They make the best quiche in town, and many of the locals in the area frequent it. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip.

I agree with the previous post on the Place d'Armes. Great location with above average rooms for the Quarter.

Hi Karen. The bad areas are mainly around the Armstrong Park at N. Rampart. The rule of thumb is, if you venture on foot toward the Lake, you make a mistake! <BR> <BR>Stay inside the French Quarter. Along St. Charles Avenue is very safe. <BR> <BR>I agree with the lady who posted about Maison St. Charles. It is an EXCELLENT hotel. It is close to everything, quiet, has a lovely pool and a small bar on the property. Also, La Madeleine is the restaurant attached and there are awesome. <BR> <BR>There is only so much to see in the French Quarter. Bourbon St. is mostly strip bars. Jackson Square is the most interesting area, and then if you enjoy flea markets, go down to the French Market. <BR> <BR>Do visit the Zoo and the Riverbend by taking the streetcar; take a Garden District walking tour. <BR> <BR>I have lived down here for 30 years. <BR> <BR>Enjoy yourself!

New Orleans is pretty awful all over. Where there aren't sodomites, there are angry Zulus, Zimbabweans and Mau Maus. It is the danger capital of the South. And watch out for the Frenchies.

Geez Jimbo, didn't mean to ruffle any feathers! My husband is still laughing over that reply! By the way, even though I said I was looking to stay out of the bad areas, I do want to find a vampire or two. Do I have a split personality? <BR>I just found out there is a convention the week we're going - no wonder the hotel prices I'm getting aren't very good! We're kind of stuck to that week, though. Thanks for the offer, "Advertising John"!!! I'll let you know...

Wow. All this time I've lived in the New Orleans area and I've YET to run into a Zimbabwean... and just curious...do "sodomites" make a city dangerous? I think not. I'm a lot more concerned about rednecks than I am Zimbabweans or sodomites, my friend!

Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to New Orleans each and every year, and many of them are repeat guests. Guess it's not as awful as Jimbo thinks! Besides, he's just trying to rile people up. If he wants to stay away from NO, I'm okay with that. (To each his own!) Everyone else should come on down!!

Riling aside, there is no denying that New Orleans has a very high violent crime rate, one of the worst in the country. Almost all of the crime is perpertrated by Americans of West African antecedants. As for the homosexuals, they are not violent but they are a demoralizing element in society. Every straight person to the right of Abu Mumia Jamal lovers can't stand to be around them too much.

Zimbabwe is in southern Africa, Jimbo, not west Africa. Of course, I assume you were trying to be offensive in the first place and didn't care much about geography! <BR> <BR>Much of the crime in large US cities occurs in the poorest neighborhoods. In N.O., these areas happen to be black. In some cities, they may be white, latino, mixed, whatever. The point is that visitors to New Orleans rarely experience any kind of personal crime, so your diatrabe against gays and blacks is not only offensive it's also misplaced.

I know Zimbabwe is in southern Africa, Mr. Nospam. May I quiz you, Regis style, on a geography question? Here goes. Which African nation is not north of Victoria Fall? a)Gabon b)Namibia c)Niger d)Mali.

WHEREVER you are in New Orleans, be sure and be aware of your surroundings and the people around you, at all times. Whoever said St. Charles Ave. is safe is wrong, it may be safer than some areas, but I would still be careful, especially (and this goes for anywhere)at night. In the Quarter, of course Bourbon , Royal, and all of the other heavily traveled streets are the safest. Be careful not to wander off Bourbon to far, especially to the north. New Orleans is strange, in that you can have million dollar homes on 1 block, i.e. St Charles, and a block or two away may be a crack house. As a tourist, you will stick out like a sore thumb(more than likely), and that will make you a target, espcially in the Quarter. <BR> <BR>Not trying to scare you away, but its the facts. Dont tour the cemetaries alone, and stay out of Armstrong Park (north of the quarter). <BR> <BR>Have Fun

Jimbo, I used to live in Cape Town so I know quite a bit about Africa. Your use of "Zimbabweans" was your childish way of saying "blacks" and it's pretty rude and boorish. Namibia is the answer to your question although anyone with a globe could have answered it. <BR> <BR>I won't respond to this thread again because it serves no purpose. You've said what you think, and now so have I. Please post constructive travel advice! <BR> <BR>ps - I use "nospam" because I don't care for spam e-mail. The regulars on this board know who I am! <BR>

Dear John, <BR> You show your ignorance of the United States when you claim that anyone on the globe could have answered my silly geography question. Any civilized, schooled person on the globe SHOULD be able to answer it. However, the average American's knowledge of geography could be fit on the head of a needle. This is quite true of Americans with college degrees, as several studies have revealed. I would guess that half the posters at this site woulod have gotten the question wrong.

Jimbo, John said anyone WITH a globe. And he's right.

Thanks for the catch, Bryant. My reading comprehension was a little off. The rest of my point still stands.

The crime rate here has gone down dramatically in recent years. Like any other city, there are bad areas, but the tourist areas like the French Quarter are the most heavily patrolled areas. I live in the Quarter - close to Armstrong Park and feel perfectly safe here. I don't wander the streets alone at night, though. My rule is, if I feel uncomfortable about something or someone on the street, I just turn around or call a cab. Just a little common sense will see you through a visit to any place in the world. <BR> <BR>As a straight person living in the heart of the gay district, I must tell you that I am quite comfortable being around my gay friends. Anyone's sex life is no one else's business. <BR> <BR>I agree with Bill about the rednecks.

I lived in New Orleans for a while, and I dont remember seeing many rednecks. White trash, plenty, but not rednecks. and I dont recall seeing many murder suspects or convicts who were rednecks.

Dear Meg, <BR> The next time you see a fireman, plumber, roofer, soldier, carpenter or policeman, why don't you call him a redneck. Liberals like you are a piece of work. You look down your noses at "rednecks" but when you are in distress you are always willing to plead to a "redneck" for help. I bet that if you were ever assaulted as you strolled through the French Quarter, you'd want a "redneck" cop real fast rather than one of your soft, homosexual pals.

Hi Karen; <BR>I just got back from a week in NO French Quarter (first time) with our kids ages 18 and 20. Had a great time. Stayed in a neat place that does not advertise but had some openings for 1 week stays. Email me if you're interested. Walked everywhere in the FQ. Never felt unsafe, but did not venture north of Bourbon at night. And we were always in by midnight (we're early people). <BR> <BR>Took the free ferry to Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World and enjoyed it. Found there was plenty to do for a week with shopping and tours and eating. <BR> <BR>My only complaint is the smell, between the mules and the "remains" of partying, it can get pretty ripe during the day. Thankfully it rained one day and washed a lot of it away. <BR> <BR>Interestingly, I posted to this site before we went and started a riot too. Noticed that other posts don't carry quite the level of interest/sensitivity that NO does! Have fun. <BR>

There has been some very useful information here - thanks especially to the resident NO contingent! I was looking at the French Quarter Courtyard - do you know it? It looksf very nice, but I'm afraid it might be in the area that everyone warns against, though.

My best friend is an officer on the NOPD, and he told me that as a tourist you'll be fine if you stay in the French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny or Central Business District AND exercise the same precautions you would in Chicago, Denver, Miami, etc. (Cab late at night, staying sober, etc) He said the biggest problem is tourists not knowing how to respond when people ask for money and feeling "threatened" by it. His suggestion: "no thanks" and walk on without engaging in conversation. <BR> <BR>

Jimbo, I don't classify someone as a "redneck" because of the job they do. I have friends who are cops, firemen, contractors, plummers, electricians, etc. When I say redneck, I mean someone who is racist, sexist, ignorant, with no class, and is unpleasant to be around. I grew up in Mississippi, so I KNOW rednecks - and I assure you it has nothing to do with the way you make your money. It's how you act and treat other people.

Triple T - I have heard of the French Quarter Courtyard but I don't know much about it. I looked it up in the phone book for an address but couldn't find it. Do you have a street address? I'll be glad to find out what I can for you.

I just made a tentative reservation at the French Quarter Courtyard, as a matter of fact, and also would like to know opinions about it. I got a *great* rate. The address I was given was 161 Ursulines <BR>I was told it is 1 1/2 blocks from Bourbon Street. Any comments would be helpful. By the way, thanks to all of you who have helped me so far!!

We have stayed all over the French Quarter and have walked all over it too, since there's no place to park a car, so no need to have one there. We have never felt threatened. It's one of the most fun places in the US we think. The food is fabulous and so is the music. Enjoy yourself, and don't be too concerned!

I ran a search and came up with a French Quarter Courtyard Hotel in the 1100 block of Rampart. The 161 Ursulines address you posted confused me. The addresses coming from the river start in the 500 block (rumor has it that the first 4 blocks fell into the river...),- and the highest addresses in the Quarter running from the river go into the 1000 block - then you hit Rampart which ends the Quarter - so I'm drawing a total blank on where that may be. If the Rampart address is the right place, it looks like a nice place. A lot of people will warn you about Rampart - it's not a comfortable or particularly safe place to walk at night. If you take a cab coming and going at night ($5 - $7 to anywhere in the French Quarter), you will be fine. Just use good judgment and be aware of your surroundings. I live a few blocks away. Many people think the residential section of the Quarter is dangerous because it's quieter and the streets aren't packed with tourists. <BR> <BR>I will keep checking, though, to see if there is, in fact, a another "Courtyard" in the Quarter. Please let me know if you need more help.

I make a trip once a year to New Orleans. Rule of thumb stay away from unpopulated areas. Just use common sense. I've stayed at the Inn on Bourbon and I absolutely love it. The rates aren't real cheap, but it's real close to everything, if you can't walk it you can take a streetcar. A balcony on Bourbon cost 169.00 weeknights, 189.00 Fri/Sat, double. I look at it as free and safe entertainment. Don't worry about the heat, just drink lots a water. I'm going in August, talk about hot! Have a great time, it's a great place!

UP!

All areas are bad -- stay away. If you do go, see Jackson square during the day and then go hide under your bed for the rest of the trip.

Bob is SO smart. Obviously a redneck! I just walked 12 blocks in the Qtr and was TOTALLY safe.

Dear Meg, <BR> By your definition of a redneck, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and almost all pre-1960s male was, or is, a redneck. For that matter, your average white male, whether they work as an engineer, policeman, businessman, carpenter etc., etc., have views closer to John Rocker's than to your wonderfully liberal, tolerant and condescending views. By the way, do you have that insipid bumper sticker Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of beauty glued to your rear bumper?

OK, it helps if I can read my own writing...the French Quarter Courtyard is 616 Ursulines...but I still can't find anything on it. The only one I can find is that one by the same name on North Rampart.

Jimbo - you are the only one here who appears to have condescending views. I don't see how I can have tolerant views and yet be condescending at the same time. Luckily, the friends I have - whether they are cops, firemen, attorneys, electricians, doctors - WHATEVER they may be - do NOT share the same views as you or John Rocker.

Karen - I'm not familiar with the hotel at 616 Ursulines, but that is a nice location. It's close enough to walk anywhere in the Quarter, but far enough off Bourbon and the high traffic areas to be quiet at night. I'm leaving town for a week, so this will probably be my last post for a while. Have a happy 4th.

OK everyone...I do believe all this research has turned my brain to mush! I had to clear up this confusion on this hotel I have reservations at so I called them and lo and behold...the name of the hotel is actually French Quarter Guesthouse at 616 Ursulines St. <BR>NOW has anyone ever heard of it?

Karen, call them back and ask if they are "legal", or licensed by the city. There are many "illegal" operations in the Quarter!

When people complain about what has happened to this site, this is it. Smart-ass answers, pointless and rambling side-posts, and general ill will. We all have a sense of humor, but come on. <BR> <BR>Anyway, I agree about Rampart. Also, when in the FQ at night and you venture close to its outskirts, you will definitely know what looks safe and what doe not.

The plot thickens...I made a reservation at the French Quarter Guest House, or so I was told. When I got my confirmation, it said "Hotel Villa Convento." I called the BBB and they show the Hotel Villa Convento listed at the 616 Ursulines address, but not the French Quarter Guest House. I called the hotel back, and again they answered "French Quarter Guest House!" I asked them what was up, they said I am booked at the Hotel Villa Convento, but would be happy to book me at the French Quarter Guest House across the street, but that it had smaller rooms. Weird situation, but they did send me a brochure and it looks nice and appears to be in a nice location. Anyway, anyone ever hear of this one?