Running in New Orleans
 

I'm used to running while on vacation, neat way to see different cities. I am female, and wondered if it's relatively safe to run alone on the streets of NO early in the morning, say down by the riverwalk, and down Canal street from the NO Marriott. Most cities feel safer in the morning, but just wondered what the rest of you think.

Thanks!

Just returned from NOLA, stayed at the Omni.
Jogging safely early morning should be no issue.
Early morning, most are either working, or working out their hangovers = asleep. The street washers, food/drink deliveries, construction crews will be on the streets, but there's little danger because there are so many people on the streets and areas you mentioned. The bad guys don't like witnesses.

In fact, the riverfront is a great place to run. Just don't run too early, too fast or look too guilty or you might be taken for a criminal running from the scene. That could result in getting shot.

I am a woman, and I live in the French Quarter and frequently run in the mornings before daybreak. I have been doing this for 3 years and have never had a problem. As always, keep your eyes open and use common sense. If you run with music, keep the volume down low enough do that you can still hear what's going on around you. When it's still dark, it is safe if you stick to the most well-travelled streets: Canal, Decatur, Chartres and Royal -- and of course, Bourbon. ;-) (In the dark, I like to see lots of cars on the streets, pedestrians and city workers around. It's when I find myself alone on a street that I start to get nervous.) When I am running alone in the very early morning before daylight, I do not run on the Moonwalk or along the river in Woldenberg Park (from the Aquarium to the Moonwalk). Once the sun rises, anywhere in the Quarter or along the river is fine.

Just returned from NOLA and a one of my girlfriends who is a hardcore fitness gal did not bother doing any running because it was just too hot. Try to do it early on before the baking starts!

just got back from NO, and although i don't run, i enjoyed my coffee and beingets (sp>) watching the river and the runners!

as others have posted. just use common sense, there ARE homeless folks in the area but it's never been a problem, i've been there twice and enjoyed my coffee each time! it does get hot early tho. i'd try and be done by 7.

Thanks for your helpful responses! I did kind of figure that the late night partiers would be fast asleep early in the am. I am not looking forward to the heat, although summers where I live are hot and humid too, sometimes early. I look forward to my little jaunts in NO soon!

Thanks again!

OK, so no one told me how stinky it would be running in the morning in NO! Whew! You can't ever get used to it! Although it IS present at all times of day... However the running was pleasant and a good way to check out different areas of the FQ, riverfront, etc. And, boy, was the humidity and heat in full force while we were there. My first time to NO - it's like nowhere else I've ever been. Amazing.