staying at the Marriott Courtyard New Orleans Downtown/Iberville (90 Iberville St). Friends staying at the Quarter House at 129 Chartres St. When I mapped it - seems like its only 4 blocks away. Is this a safe walk from one place to the other?

Sure, it wouldn't concern me.

Yeah, that's totally fine. Just walk straight down Iberville. The location of the Marriott, which I think is actually 910 Iberville, is getting close to Rampart Street - the neighborhood changes drastically on the otherside of Rampart, so stay on the river side of Rampart.

I've just returned. If you are thinking of taking any tours book with: http://www.celebrationtoursllc.com/citytour.html
and ask for Leslie. She knows her city well & had great pictures to show us.

my mistake the Marriott Courtyard is at 910 Iberville st. thanks for your imput. just wanted to know if its safe walking or should I taxi.

If I was out late and by myself, I would probably take a taxi back to the hotel, but no problems during the day or with other people. Or if I was by myself and saw a group walking that direction, I would just walk with them.

I'd be more worried about the reaction I'd get from the cabbie if I got in his cab and asked for that short of a trip.

The French Quarter is one of the most (if not THE most) highly policed areas of the country. We knew that statistically, but saw it in action one night years ago when out of nowhere came uniformed police, undercover police, and all sorts of other agents who flocked toward a couple of men who were slammed to the pavement and handcuffed. It was a little surreal, but highly comforting to those of us who were staying nearby. There's no place I'd feel more comfortable staying than the French Quarter.

New Orleans has the highest murder rate of any major American city, and it is somewhat unique among American cities that I've visited, in that there are some very dangerous neighborhoods located right next to the main tourist area. There are a lot of dangerous-looking characters walking around in and near the Quarter, and I really wouldn't rank the Quarter among the more highly policed areas of the country. There are always plenty of cops on Bourbon Street and Canal Street, but otherwise very few around, particularly on the more deserted streets.

I don't say this to be alarming -- I visit New Orleans frequently, and I don't worry about my safety. After the last comment, I just wanted to suggest that the OP remember to be prudent, i.e. keep an eye on his or her surroundings, and avoid flashing cash or expensive items in public, etc. I think november_moon's assessment of 910 Iberville is right on target. On the lake side of Bourbon Street, Iberville gets pretty deserted, pretty quickly. Which actually makes it a decent place to look for a parking space sometimes at night. But if you're alone and it's late at night, you might want to wait for a group to tag along with before walking that last block and a half past Bourbon.

One of my favorite restaurants is very close to the Marriott Courtyard, by the way: http://louisianabistro.net

You can get a taxi for even a very short ride. This is what I would do if it were late at night and you were not sure of the area. Walk into a hotel or business and call a taxi. Have some phone numbers already in your phone. My sister has back problems so when we visit the French Quarter, she will often get a taxi for less than a mile and meet us. Not a problem. You are paying them.

The OP is talking about a 3 block walk.

Brian, I was in NO with my son staying at the W and got a cab ride across the street to the casino. It was raining and the cabi did think we were idiots D)

Yeah, I've never had any trouble with cabbies in NO taking me a few blocks. I think they are used to that.