I am going down to New Orleans in April with my boyfriend who will be attending a conference. Since he will be in the conference, I will be on my own during the day. I am concerned about the level of safety in New Orleans. Do you think it will be safe for me to walk around on my own in the French Quarter during the daytime?

See N.O. trip report below. Perfectly safe in the French Quarter.

Absolutely safe (just like any other large city) in the French Quarter and any other tourist-heavy area.

Enjoy!

I wouldn't have any qualms about walking around the FQ alone during the day either - and a am a very short, small woman. If this were my trip, I would also head uptown - check out the Garden District, Audubon Park, and some other things, maybe Magazine St. The Faubourg Marigny is also an interesting neighborhood.

Don't be afraid, but don't be stupid, either. Pay attention to your surroundings, stay where the people are, all of the usual safety stuff. Also, remember that a lot of the doorways are recessed, so a street that looks empty may or may not really be empty. You should be fine.

Thanks for responses. I feel alot better about the trip now. Also thanks for the tips on where to go and about the recessed doorways. I will definitely be safe about things, but it's nice to hear that overall the area should be fine. Thanks again!

Like J Correa I, too, am a small, short woman and have had no problem wandering the Quarter during the day. I always walk to the French Market from our hotel (Ramada Inn on Bourbon) and I believe it's about a mile each way....at least it feels like it when I'm loaded down with treasures that I HAD to have from there!

Just got back fro NO. Boubon Street is always well secured and no problems there. Heading east form Bourbon you should use caution. N O east side is still very devasted from Katrina - gone in some areas. But Bourbon Street down to the convention area is always safe.