New Orleans, Louisiana is a culturally rich destination in the southern part of the United States. The city is located on the Mississippi River and is known for its slow-paced bayous and delicious Cajun cuisine. The popular city has been nicknamed the “Big Easy” for its easy-going lifestyle and a popular dance hall of the same name that existed there in the 1900s. As the birthplace of jazz and a catalyst for blues, this description is fit for the city. Travelers can enjoy snazzy music playing from every corner of the city and even visit the New Orleans Jazz Museum while in town.
New Orleans is also popularly known for its world-class food, significant music culture, shopping, and festivals like Mardi Gras and Essence Fest that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. While the city’s welcoming culture is famous worldwide, it also has a nightlife scene that is perceived by some as dangerous. So is New Orleans the right destination for a safe vacation?
Official Travel Advisories
Currently, there are no known travel advisories for New Orleans and surrounding parishes. New Orleans is located on the Gulf Coast and is a vibrant city. Especially in tourist areas like the French Quarter, tourists will be relatively safe as long as they exercise common sense precautions such as not flashing expensive items or large amounts of cash, or drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. Likewise, being mindful of how much alcohol is consumed, and avoiding unsafe scenarios is also important. Just as you would with any major city, exercise regular caution.
The crime rate for the city is above the national average rate, therefore travelers should exercise caution when visiting the Big Easy. However, the more serious crimes occur outside of tourist areas, so travelers are considered safe while visiting New Orleans. Many of the riskier areas are not central, so tourists are less likely to encounter dangerous situations if they exercise caution.
Is New Orleans Safe for Tourists and Solo Travelers?
The best way to stay safe in New Orleans is to practice common sense behaviors. For example, avoid heading into desolate or dimly lit areas when it’s dark outside. Don’t leave valuables unattended in public places. Avoid accepting items from strangers and be mindful of situations or encounters that might be used as distractions to give thieves a chance to steal your valuables. The consensus for New Orleans’ safety level is that it is most commonly enjoyed by partygoers but can also be enjoyed by families that are selective about the areas and times they explore the city.
Common Scams to be Aware of in New Orleans
As with anywhere else that’s a tourist destination, petty crimes like scams or overcharging for taxis tend to be the biggest scams tourists might experience. Specifically, visitors are more likely to experience pan handling and pickpocketing scams. For example, New Orleans is known for its vibrant musical scene, including street performers.
A common scheme in New Orleans is the rap scam. In this scam, a street performer seems welcoming and friendly, extolling the benefits of the Crescent City. But then they start performing and even freestyle incorporating details provided to them by unsuspecting tourists. While this seems innocent enough, once the performance ends, that rapper is going to be looking for “donations” from the crowd.
Other scams unsuspecting visitors are likely to encounter in New Orleans are of the common street card variety. From three card Monte to obvious low brow jokes that are funny from preschoolers but not when payment is expected. Common jokes-turned-scams include betting to guess where a person’s shoes are from, or to spell their names. In most cases, the answer is something obnoxious like “your shoes are on your feet” or “your last name is spelled L-A-S-T-N-A-M-E.” They’ll not likely take any money from you, but the conversations can be troublesome. The best way to avoid these obvious scams is by not getting roped into conversations with overly friendly strangers. Politely decline and keep it moving.
How to Stay Safe in New Orleans in 2024
Use common sense when traveling around New Orleans. While the French Quarter tends to be fairly safe, be mindful of accepting drinks from strangers, engaging in bets with overly friendly locals, or accepting items from total strangers. Similarly, avoid carrying valuables when outside of the hotel.
If there’s concern about being overcharged for taxis, rely on ride sharing apps to get rides too and from attractions that aren’t within a walkable distance. Similarly, for excursions, book tickets through reputable platforms.
Where to Stay in New Orleans
Areas like Bourbon Street offer around-the-clock nightlife and classic French Quarter charm. A visit to Bourbon Street, for the novelty of it, is encouraged but travelers may want to see the area during daylight hours. The historic street is technically not off limits to kids but also has many popular bars and strip clubs, so children can not be admitted into adults-only spaces.
Downtown New Orleans is a nice tourist destination that is perfectly safe for visitors of all ages. The downtown area (or Central Business District) is a safe and convenient place for families to travel because of its accessibility. The area offers the most restaurants and activities for families to keep their little ones entertained. The Audubon Aquarium and Caesars Superdome are close-by options for free time activities.
The Garden District is a historic section of uptown New Orleans that exudes antique charm and beauty. The streets are lined with grand historic mansions and exemplary gardens. The Charles Avenue Streetcar is a popular activity for travelers who want to explore the architectural grandeur of the Garden District. For only a few dollars, families can book a ride and leisurely sightsee in the area, a secure and well-lit neighborhood.
Best Time to Visit New Orleans
If Mardi Gras is the key attraction, then traveling to New Orleans between January through mid February is the best bet. Mardi Gras always takes place on a Tuesday since the name is French for “Fat Tuesday.” The official Mardi Gras date floats on calendars but always precedes Ash Wednesday which immediately follows it and marks the kickoff of Lent, the six-week period of penitence heading into Easter that is one of the holiest seasons for practicing Christians and especially Catholics. New Orleans is the main center for Mardi Gras festivities as there are parades, bead throwing, and more — all located around the French Quarter with Bourbon Street as the main event.
For travelers that don’t want the hustle and bustle, any time outside of the Mardi Gras festival is ideal. If cheaper travel is the goal, then a summer trip is best — just know that the weather is going to be very hot and humid giving New Orleans’ Gulf Coast location.
People Also Ask
Is it safe to walk in the French Quarter at night?
The French Quarter is arguably one of the most popular attractions in New Orleans not only for its vibrant nightlife but for many of the historical buildings located on and adjacent to the strip. Walking in the French Quarter both during day or night is relatively safe for tourists, but always exercise common sense and caution.
What is the best area in New Orleans to stay?
The French Quarter is understandably the most popular area since it’s centrally located to the most popular attractions in the city. However, other ideal areas that are still tourist-friendly include the Marigny Bywater district, as well as Mid-City, Uptown/Garden District, and Central Business District.
Is it better to stay on Bourbon Street or French Quarter?
Bourbon Street is in the French Quarter, which is the most popular tourist destination in New Orleans. But a better question to ask is if you want to be in the thick of the activity, or want an area that’s a bit quieter. There are plenty of hotels that are adjacent to the French Quarter but won’t make you feel like you’re in the middle of the revelry — especially late night when you just want to sleep.
Is New Orleans safe to visit right now?
While New Orleans does have a high crime rate, most of the violent crimes occur outside of tourist zones. As long as tourists stick to heavily trafficked areas and avoid flashing large sums of cash or valuables, becoming a victim of crime is unlikely.
Should You Visit New Orleans?
As one of the world’s most iconic destinations that holds city-wide events and celebrations, New Orleans is a historic city that represents the collision of French, Spanish, African, and American cultures. While February tends to be the most popular time to visit because of Mardi Gras, the party really doesn’t stop just because the calendar month changes. The key to having an enjoyable and safe visit to New Orleans is staying alert and planning according to the different areas travelers want to explore. Being cognizant of timing, location, and age is important when visiting New Orleans.
