Hi Everyone,
I'm a little hesitant now about a trip by boyfriend and I had booked to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras. All of the news articles calling NOLA a "lawless city" and citing devastating murder rates have really given me pause. Of course I'd love to visit and support the city, but "better safe than sorry" is also in the back of my mind. What are everybody's thoughts?

The police precense is SO overwhelming during large events you will be very safe.

Just do NOT go wandering off into areas where there are few people. It will be very obvious where you should go and not go. I am very vocal about the severe crime problems in N.O. but if you do not hook up with some strangers, or go off into areas where you should not be, there is no reason to worry.

Watch for pickpockets.
Really you should carry only the money/card you'll need + an ID.
I carry chapstick, too. I put it in a front pocket.
No fancy jewelry that can be ripped off on purpose or accidentally.
Don't get too drunk if you do not have someone who can stay sober enough to watch out for your interests.
Also, keep an eye out for explosive situations and move away fast if you sense any problems. For example, if you hear angry yelling it may indicate a brawl is about to break out.
It's all common sense, I suppose.
Just remember that many criminals at Mardi Gras do not look like criminals at all and your odds of being a target increase with every drink.

It also depends what part of Mardi Gras you are participating in. The uptown parades are family events. The drunkenness in the French Quarter is something else entirely

I have to add here, be careful you don't get yourself in a situation where you are near a barrier in tight crowd situations. One of my scarriest life events was getting nearly crushed against a barrier when the crowd pushed forward when Snoop Dog came out on one of the balconies with some of the Girls Gone Wild to throw beads!!!

NO is definitely NOT at it's best in Mardi Gras.

Besides pickpocketing being rampant, there is a huge amount of drunkenness, drug use and unpleasant/uncivilized behavior in the streets. Think of an out of control college kegger at 2am - combined with spring break run wild.

The major tourist ares are safe (although there are a lot of areas that aren't - your hotel will tell you where NOT to go) - but the whole French Quarter becomes quite unsavory.

If that's the type of party you're looking for - go then. If you want to really see New Orleans - go any other time.

Thanks so much for the precautions, everybody. I'm REALLY not into the drunken stupidity, but something's compelling me to experience Mardi Gras at least once in my life. I'd like to do another NOLA trip later to see NO in non-festival mode! Being pickpocketed would be unpleasant, for sure, but I'm most worried about being physically hurt or threatened. Thanks again, everyone.

As J Corera said - Mardi Gras is different in different parts of the city. Uptown is family oriented and a wonderful way to experience the real appeal of Mardi Gras. The French Quarter can easily get overwhelming and out of hand. In the 30 years I lived in NO - I went to the FQ only once for Mardi Gras day. Uptown was way more enjoyable .

We went to Mardi Gras last year. We didn't stay in New Orleans we were working in Long Beach mississippi and just went over for the day. We went to the uptown section it was fine we were there early in the morning to get our spot and stayed until 8:00. We were near a womens shelter and it was a great spot you piad $8.00 and all day you could use the bathrooms and they also had food available. If you didn't want to stay in New Orleans an option would be stay somewhere in Mississippi.

Mardi Gras is what you make it.

You can stay along the parade route on St Charles in the Garden District which is family oriented. There are plenty of restaurants in the area. Magazine Street is great too for restaurants/bars, shops etc.

Since the Hurricane, it is not nearly as crowded as years past. Also, in 2008, it is Feb 5th which is very early. This also means smaller crowds.

I was in the French Quarter Mardi Gras 2006 & 2007 during the day and found it very pleasant. It is easy to stay away from Bourbon St and still have fun. I find the costumes extremely amusing.

Come on down.

miss_tom, perhaps a trip to Latin America to participate in Carnaval would be closer to the type of experience you are wanting.

Keith

Of course, everything has changed since Katrina but I will tell you that I have visited New Orleans many times since Katrina and feel very safe. We have taken our children to Mardi Gras for many years, staying in the Garden District and catching all the parades on St. Charles Avenue. That is a very safe, family-oriented area which is still lots of fun for tourists. There are several hotels in this area which you may want to check out.

Last year we decided to stay in the Warehouse District at the Marriott's Renaissance Arts Hotel. This was a perfect choice since the parades pass right out in front. Several neighborhood restaurants are near by plus you're close enough to the Quarter to experience that if you choose.

Keep in mind that Mardi Gras is extremely early next year which will probably mean cold weather for us. If you do decide to come, be sure to bring an extra suit case for the "loot" that you will catch!!!

Don't get sick or injured. NO has lost a third of its physicians and half of its hospitals are still closed. The ones that are open are overwhelmed. Mardi Gras will increase the strain on the medical system. The government is offering large incentives to get new physicians to practice in NO and thereabouts.

Miss Tom

Here is a website with positive information.

http://www.nola.com/mardigras/