Is it safe to visit New Orleans this December?

In My Humble Opinion
1

My roommate and I were planning on taking a holiday trip to New Orleans at the end of December. I was (am) very excited about this trip. I love New Orleans, but I haven’t been since 2001, and I realize things are very different now.

But now it seems like every time I open up a magazine or talk to a friend that’s lived there, all I hear about is how violent and unsafe it is now. One of my friends who just moved back recounted how one of his friends and child were assaulted and shot for no reason. Also, I realize the recent storms have not exactly helped the situation. It’s starting to make me paranoid and second guess our trip.

I don’t want to be foolish and give these incidents more weight than their worth, but I also don’t want to put me and my roommate in an unsafe situation. We aren’t set on NOLA, and everything that we’ve reserved so far can be canceled.

We are two mid-20s females. We don’t expect to stay out at night, being more the wake-up early and mainly walk around and go to museum types, but then again we aren’t going to be staying in “nice” places either. Mostly hostels and friends-of-friends couch type deals, who all tend to be of the more… dirty, vegan musician types. It’ll almost always just be us two exploring, no one to really show us around.

Is this a good idea or am I just being ridiculous in thinking it’s really that much more dangerous?

2

Honestly, I think you’re right to be very cautious. Not necessarily cancel your trip cautious, but maybe rethink some of your plans. I lived in NO in the late '80s, early '90s, when it was also very high crime. The kind of crime you described was not uncommon then. Crime got a little better when the economy improved, but obviously has gotten worse again after Katrina.

Just because it is early in the day doesn’t mean criminals aren’t out. In fact, one of my relatives who came to visit me, and was under my strict advice about all kinds of safety precautions, got mugged on his way to get coffee at McDonalds at 6am.

The key to safety IME was staying in places with lots of people. I would actually feel safer in the French Quarter at midnight on a Saturday than I would at 6 am walking down a deserted street to McDonalds. New Orleans has its own logic.

The parts that make me uncomfortable about your plan are that you don’t know what the neighborhoods are like where you are staying (and I can almost guarantee they are at most 2 blocks from really bad neighborhoods if they are affordable to musician types) and you don’t have a few locals to show you around. I’d recommend budgeting to stay somewhere more tourist-central and/or lining up some locals to show you around.

3

My wife and I went to Tulane as well in the early through mid-1990’s. A sense of danger is just a byproduct of the culture and always will be. We took our small daughters back last November and had a great time. There were no problems at all. New Orleans isn’t especially dangerous as long as you maintain a healthy sense of paranoia. People will try to approach you and do not even acknowledge their presence.

Do not let any group of young black males ever approach you especially if you are in an area isolated from other people (I know it sounds racist but the sky is blue as well). Duck into the nearest bar or whatever else you can find if that starts happening. The touristy areas of the French Quarter look lawless but they aren’t really. There is a bigger police presence there than first meets the eye. However, the backwaters of the French Quarter can truly be dangerous so make sure you have your paranoia suit on tight before you wander.

I would definitely go but, as you know, New Orleans is very different from other American cities and has different rules.

4

I live an hour from New Orleans, or did until I headed to central MS to go back to school. Anyway, in the French Quarter and the Garden District I never worried too much. There’s tons of people around and I’ve never had any problems – knock on wood. And I’m an early-twenties white female. I even got lost a couple of times in grungy looking neighborhoods and got out with no problems. Crime is the worst in Central City since the Lower Ninth Ward was taken out of commission.

As always in NOLA, use your brain. I know this sounds like it should be simple, but with tourists, all too often, it’s not. Don’t get drunk and stumble around in a back alley with a titty hanging out. Look like you know where you’re going. Don’t stop and talk to hawkers. If you get lost go into a big impressive-looking hotel and ask nicely for directions. I know some people who keep a decoy purse or wallet on them in case of mugging. Stick a few bucks in it, give it to the mugger, and flee. If someone tells you they know where you got your shoes, say, “Yeah, on my feet on Bourbon St. (or wherever you are)” and walk away.

Wiki travel has a good section on New Orleans.

5

Thank you all for the answers! I really appreciate it. I think I was over-reacting mostly because I seemed to be getting these bad reports all at once and from friends - I don’t really know how post-Katrina is and I guess my imagination got carried away.

I’ll talk to my roommate to see if we can’t find some lodging closer to the Quarter to cut out foot travel we might otherwise, and I guess we’ll need to try to develop more of a plan instead of our usual “just wander around and explore” tactics. I still really want to go. Thanks again!

6

In May I stayed at Degas House on Esplanade, and a friend was living on Esplanade at Claiborne. (The latter is about a 15-minute walk from the French Quarter.) No worries, but I was advised that if I was returning from or going to the Quarter after dark, I should take a cab (about $5).

7

Native checking in. New Orleans is a large American city. There tends to be a significant criminal element in large American cities. People who don’t have their wits about them tend to be targeted by criminals. People who have their wits about them can also be targeted by criminals. That said, here’s my $.02-worth.

A significant amount of the violent crime in New Orleans is gang and drug and turf related. In the vast majority of these types of crimes, the victims know their assailants. Assuming that you’re not going to be trying to score some crack, chances are you won’t be in the neighborhoods where this type of activity is prevalent.

We do occasionally have tourists and visitors become victims of violent crime (as in a beating, stabbing, or shooting), but it’s very very rare. In the vast majority of those cases, the victim did not have his/her wits about him.

Avoid dark, unpopulated areas at night. Observe your surroundings and avoid areas that look run-down. Avoid foot travel for long distances through areas you don’t know very well - - Garden District, Magazine Street, Canal Street, French Quarter okay. Central City not okay. Don’t accept rides from strangers. Don’t wander around drunk. Do look around you and look alert when in public areas. Don’t flash lots of cash or jewelry.

These guidelines will work in just about every large American city. And many smaller ones as well.

There’s no way to be totally safe anywhere you go. That said, I’ve followed these basic rules of thumb for the time I’ve lived here and have never had any trouble.

8

Our family went to NO in June for several days and had a nice time.

I never felt anxious about being a victim of anything. Of course, with a 10 and 12 yeear old, we weren’t cruising Bourbon Street at night. Most evenings we took the St Charles trolley home around 10 or 11 pm.

We had a heap of rain that last night and my brand new car got swamped in a flash flood. The B&B manager did not alert us about the impending flood or hip us to the fact that the pumps don’t work on her side of the street. She just sat up all night and watched the water rise. The car would not have been flooded if they had alerted us and told us to move the car across the street. So, that was kinda uncool.
The rest of the trip was fine, though!

9

What is the Big Easy known for? Think about it.

That’s right- Voudoun.

Always, Always make an offering to Legba before going out.

Carry a silver dime (real silver, not a current dime) on you at all times.

Always have chalk ready to draw the proper sigils in case of danger.

Avoid any and all contact with the Zobop. Those folks are dangerous.

Keep the Loa straight. Calling on Mistress Erzuli to strike down your enemies will just result in them being made sterile. Asking Chango to get you a woman could get her struck by lightening.

Remember that almost any Loa can be pacified with rum.

10

I’ve been there a handful of times since last winter (I even started a thread on it asking for advice). I walked around by myself, stayed out all night, went crazy, got back to the hostel safe at the end of the night. Not to say I didn’t make many decisions I regretted, but that’s New Orleans for you.

Ah. That might be a snag. As it would in any city.

For hostels, I would def. recommend India House. Marquette is bleh, more types who work in the city and want a cheap place to live as opposed to hostel-staying backpacking traveler types. India House has a very friendly staff, cool atmosphere, and there’s a cat that wonders around like she owns the place (51% of it!).

When I was there during the night hours I spent almost all of my time in the French Quarter. And a lot of that was on Bourbon Street or one of the well lit streets leading off it. Bourbon Street sometimes is like an adult Disneyland. Really. Lots of cops, uniform or in plainsclothes, keeping an eye on things. Lots of bartenders who’ve lived in the city long enough to know a thing or two. If you stick to the well-lit crowdy areas you’re safe. Even tho the Quarter’s really mobbed up (really mobbed up), they want tourism dollars and even more so post-Katrina.

One night when I was there I found a friendly bar I liked, some guys came up to chat with me being the obvious out-of-towner, made friends fast enough. Made the night more enjoyable. After they left one creepy dude kept being real friendly to me, buying me drinks, had absolutely everything in common with me (even the shit I made up :dubious:). Luckily, bartender caught on to it and kept an eye on him for me and was able to help me excuse myself the hell out of Dodge safely.

You’re going there in December when the tourism season hits a high note so the safety in numbers is good.

Most daytime places are alright, and navigating a cab/trolley is accessible. Obviously avoid the cemeteries at night (duh), they do group tours which is safe. I stumbled on some cool areas while I was there. And of course grocery stores sell liquor at 8AM and the bars are open 24/7 :slight_smile:

India House is maybe a fifteen minute walk from the Quarter. Or you can hop the trolley which runs right by it. Every cab knows it --it’s the place with the Christmas lights everywhere year-round. If you want to go out at night you’ll probably find some guests there to form a small crowd with you (maybe even a cute Australian boy).

Heed DocCathode’s advice. There is much wisdom there.

11

If it means anything, we took two trips there this summer, once with the kids, and only got shot once…:wink: Just kidding. We experienced no problems, early or late. The best advice is to put the number for United Cab in your cellphone (504-522-9771). Most locals will only use United. If you’re unsure about an area, just call a taxi.

The main problem you’ll probably endure as two females are the drunks on Bourbon St. There is better stuff to see off Bourbon, but you’ve been there before so I’m sure you know what you like.

I’ll most likely be back for Halloween.

Have Fun !

lfl

12

The reason most locals call United is because there’s very little competition. That said, I’d wear a suit of $100.00 bills and stroll at night through the worst of the projects screaming racial epithets before I’d call them.

I’ve nearly been run over by one of their cabs while walking legally in the crosswalk; I’ve been cut off by their drivers; cursed at by their drivers; and generally have a very very low opinion of them and their service. Calling to complain usually merits little more than a “meh”. Mind you, this over the span of several years, so it’s not like I’m a cab driver hatred magnet, and I don’t seem to have run-ins with other companies.

13

I’m not disagreeing with you, as you probably know better. The reasons I usually hear is that many drivers from other companies come from other areas and are not familiar with the greater NOLA area, whereas United tends to know their way around. I’ve also heard they’re slightly more honest than other companies (and twice I’ve left valuables in their cabs and had them returned). I guess it all depends on the drivers, so YMMV.

On my last trip, the hotel grabbed the taxis for me, none of them United. I wound up having to give them directions, once from Canal to Conti…the whole 4 blocks!

14

I don’t want to nit-pick you about taxis in my home town, but to some degree you’re right in that cabbies not familiar with the quirks of New Orleans proper are going to have a bit of trouble getting around without a bit of help. I don’t think United happens to have better drivers than any other company, but they are the main company in town as opposed to Metairie and Jefferson. As such, you’re more likely to find that United guys and gals can navigate better on their own turf and vice versa.

IMHO, you’ve been lucky. They get a good tip for bringing stuff back and cannot afford the ill-will of tourists.

I’m glad they’ve worked for you and that you’re happy with their service enough to recommend them.

15

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

And Skylark, India House was one of the places we were considering, so I’m glad you’ve given it high marks! A lot of people seem to think the same thing.

We’ll definitely make great use of the local public transportation… I’m pretty used to it in general, so hopefully it won’t be too confusing. I have terrible luck with taxis as a rule, so I’m sure they’ll all be equally awful. :slight_smile:

I’m starting to get all excited about this again. I can’t wait! I’m thinking the hardest part will be finding vegetarian places to eat, but I’ve got a list of some 20+ places from a veg friend, so hopefully no worries.

16

The streetcars are .125 for all routes. Transfers to a different line (say, Canal to St. Charles or Riverfront to Canal) are an additional .25. Or, check out the Visitour Passes. Just remember: schedules for the streetcars are more of a suggestion than anything. It’s 1920s technology after all. Also, the cars tend to be on time more frequently in the morning, so if you’re on a schedule for the art museum, do that earlier in the day rather than later if you have a time constraint.

17

Like I said, I’m not going to disagree with a local. My recommendation comes from several friends telling me about United, but it’s not like I did a lot of comparison, so I’ll certainly add your thoughts to my list before handing out the recommendation again. To be fair, most of the United conversations came up during Mardi Gras, when the Quarter is flooded with every cab driver in the state.

I’m not kidding about the cab that couldn’t find Conti & Bourbon from Canal & Royal:smack:

Look for me at Halloween…I’ll be the one in the wild costume :wink: