I'm planning on staying at the Old Victorian Inn (New Orleans) in September. I've heard that the place is very nice however the location (914 N. Rampart) is a pretty dicey neighborhood. Has anyone stayed there that can comment on the place or the location. Could you walk to Bourbon St. day or night or should you take a cab?

I don't know the place but I would not stay on Rampart St. I grew up in the Quarter & still live in N.O. It is the fringe of the Quarter & walking there at night is not the best idea. The 900 block of any street in the Quarter is not going to be the busiest at night. Even Bourbon gets slow after the 800 block. The surrounding neighborhood behind Rampart is not a good one so creatures tend to "drift" from there which makes me nervous. Armstrong Park is near there & it has been the scene of some unpleasant tourist encounters in the past. Just be alert & you will be ok. Try to stay away from places listed as Faubourg Marigny. A jogger was assaulted in that area recently. Not every area is bad but some are places to be cautious about. It is really too far to go from there to the hot spots without taking a cab.

For the prices they list I would try somewhere else. Try checking this site for some ideas. http://www.bedandbreakfastnetwork.com/en/United_States/Louisiana/New_Orleans.html

If you do decide to stay where you planned just take cabs.

I completely agree with the above post. I would be very wary of staying on Rampart Street. We went over the the Funky Butt, which is on Rampart, one night and took a cab there any back. During the day, the area was ok, but at night it got a little sketchy.

Thanks for the info. I think I will move to other accomidations. I saw a good deal at Chateau Sonesta.

I agree about Rampart Street being a little IFFY at night...however, I humbly disagree with your comment about the Faubourg Marigny. Travel & Leisure Magazine listed the Marigny in it's April 2002 issue (America's Next Great Neighborhoods) www.travelandleisure.com
I live in the Mariigny, my neighbor, one of New Orleans most loved chef's, Paul Prudhomme lives across the street. I figure he can afford to live anywhere. I've been in the Marigny for 11 years and have never been a victim of crime. It was horrible that the jogger was attacked and shot...unbelievable, really, and we were all SHOCKED. Unfortunately, New Orleans is a city of the "haves" and the "have nots"....This horrible crime could have happened anywhere. Just as it would be inappropriate to condem a whole city as being bad because something bad happened there, you should not condem a whole neighborhood either. I would not live anywhere else in the city but the Marigny. I guess these days everyone needs to be "street smart" when you're traveling to other cities...Even when exploring your own city.

I agree that for us locals the area is ok because we are aware of what goes on. Don't get me wrong... I love all of the area. In fact I lived in the 1900 block of Burgundy once upon a time. It was sad to hear the jogger was shot about a block from where I lived. People from out of town are expecting charm & safety in a neat package. If they don't know to look out in certain areas then they aren't able to make the best decision.
You are right, crime can be in any area. I never felt unsafe in the Quarter as a kid or on Burgundy later.