Hi! I'm planning a trip to New Orleans, specifically the French Quarter for some time other than at Mardi Gras. I like everything that I've heard and read about it but do not like large crowds. My questions is; "Other than at Mardi Gras, is overcrowding a problem in the French Quarter?" As a reference point, I would say that it is overcrowded if you can't walk down the street or sidewalk for a block or so without having to continually adjust your path to one side or the other to avoid other pedestrians.

My sincere thanks to all who reply!

Robert

We usually go to New Orleans for Quarter Fest, so I think it's probably a busier weekend than some. But, New Orleans can handle huge crowds without it seeming too crowded.

The streets in the Quarter usually aren't all the crowded. Some time Decatur has quite a few people, and there are lots of window shoppers on Royal during the day.

If you don't want crowds, absolutely avoid Bourbon street at night, especially on the weekends. NOLA.com has a web cam of Bourbon Street outside of one of the bars. You can set the time of day for the past 24 hours and see 'what's been happening'. Might give you some idea how crowded it can get.

There are so many bars/restaurants in New Orleans, that even during Quarter Fest, waits for tables were uncommon. If you're looking to eat at the top tier of restaurants, I'd make reservations before you get to the city.

Have a great trip.

We went to New Orleans about a week after Mardi Gras and I think it's a great time to visit because of the lack of crowds. If you avoid Bourbon, as we did, you'll never feel the crush of a crowd in the French Quarter.

We have gone in late September for the past few years and have not run into any outrageous crowds. Usually by then the summer humidity has started to break (somewhat) and it's before the rush of conventions in October start. Good luck and have fun!

Bourbon Street is always busy at night.

If you want to rest away from the crowds at night, stay at the Hyatt. It is not in the French Quarter, but provides a free shuttle to and from the Quarter. You can usually get good rates on Orbitz.

The Hyatt was not bad. We used the free shuttle service and it was great. We went this past December just before X'mas. French Quarter was busy but not packed. The Christmas lights and decorations in the area are beautiful!

Robert - I certainly understand your wanting to avoid crowds. Have you considered staying in a B&B? Two that come to mind are La Maison Marigny (lamaisonmarigny.com), which is on the quiet side of Bourbon Street and B&W Courtyards (bandwcourtyards.com)which is in the Faubourg Marigny, adjacent to the French Quarter. They both have great reputations and I'm sure you'd be happy with either.

You're kidding - right? The French Quarter is mobbed all the time... sometimes less than others, but not much, and you'll find yourself continually "adjusting your path" to avoid drunks, puke, and piss, not to mention all the tricksters ... other "pedestrians" will be the least of your worries. So, don't wear your best shoes.

You expect a very popular place not to be very crowded?

During Mardi Gras, it's mobbed. Otherwise, it's just very, very crowded all the time, day and night.

If you wish to visit a popular and busy sort of place, you're just gonna have to expect to "adjust your path" along the way.

Bill, just for the record, the Quarter was pretty quiet tonight. Not many people at all! Susan's suggestion of staying in the Marigny is a good one, as is the idea of the Hyatt. Both are a close enough but not in the middle of the craziness.

But, Robert does not wish to have to "avoid" ANY other pedestrians.

Robert, you should plan your walk down the street for 4AM. After...and before...

There's lots more to N'Awlins than the French Quarter. Why not stay elsewhere and just visit the French Quarter (when it's maybe deserted, if you're lucky, so you won't have to avoid any others).

There are certain streets that should be avoided so as to avoid "the crowds". Bourbon is one of them unless you want to travel Bourbon between perhaps St. Phillip and Esplanade. Royal and Chartes Streets should be fine
especially in the portions beyond the Cathedral and the Market up to Esplanade. Avoid some of the well-known places like Pat O'brien's and you should be fine. Make certain you aren't there during the Jazz Festival as well as Mardi Gras. Never travel up of down Bourbon Street in the early morning hours (7 am until noon). The stench will astound you. We once stayed in the Quarter and travelled back and forth to a conference at the Fairmont via Bourbon Street. The crowds were gone but their aftermath was just as difficult to bear. If you wish to avoid "other pedestrians" entirely perhaps the Quarter is not a place to consider for vacation.

Crowds in the quarter are like traffic jams in DC, meaning always! However; there are a few times of year least likely to be mobbed. First of all Summer time! Immediately AFTER Mardi Gras and most of December. Also fo note Summer and December happen to be the cheapest times to visit too.

How about the month of May? I want to go either in May for my birthday OR Sept. for out anniversary. Which would be better? Taking into consideration, weather.

You run the risk of hurricanes in September. I'd go with May.

If your definition of "overcrowded" is a place where, as you put it, "you can't walk down the street or sidewalk for a block or so without having to continually adjust your path to one side or the other to avoid other pedestrians" then yes, I'd say the French Quarter (the touristed part of it anyway) is "overcrowded."

I`ve been to New orleans 5 times. I Loved the French Quarter Festival which I believe is in April? Lots of fun without massive crowds. But, you still get great music all over the place. I liked Embassy suittes which is only a few blocks outside the quarter. We got VERY lucky and got room on 2 separate occassions for a mere $99 bucks. This included an awesome breakfast each day.
Good Luck! have Fun!

Robert-
I just returned from a long weekend in N.O. Bourbon Street was crowded, but not completely mobbed. It's very easy to avoid...Royal Street, one block over, was fantastic. There were lots of galleries and little shops, and it was far from crowded. Chartres, another block over, was nearly dead. As long as you avoid Mardi Gras and Jazzfest, you can very easily avoid huge crowds just by NOT walking on Bourbon Street. Though you should walk Bourbon at least once, perhaps early, like right after dinner...it's interesting!

Pam, thanks for answering. Point well taken about Sept. May it is--

We've got our reservations for September (same as the past 7-8 years) and my DH won't change to May when I'd like to go. - stubborn man........ <grin>
Anyway, please let us know how your trip went and if the weather cooperated. Have fun!!