Hurricane Katrina recently left New Orleans in ruins, but it is now gradually rebuilding.
Many people are concerned about how safe it is to travel to New Orleans, and while these worries are typically justified, they are frequently exaggerated.
This article will address some of the most frequent concerns travelers have before visiting New Orleans and offer advice on how to stay safe while there.
Should I Visit New Orleans?
Due to a number of factors, the City of New Orleans has developed a bad reputation for its criminal activity, but in reality, it is relatively safe for tourists and visitors.
We advise against openly carrying expensive items, such as cameras or even a well-known brand of purse, as this may make you a target for small-time theft. Try to pass for a local by becoming one.
Safety Tips For Tourists In New Orleans
To keep you safe and prevent any issues at all, we do have a few suggestions. As you explore New Orleans, keep these suggestions in mind.
1. Regulate Your Drinking
You might have come to New Orleans hoping to temporarily forget about the rules of life. The best course of action is to moderate your alcohol intake.
Without a doubt, pickpockets and other petty thieves prefer to prey on excessively inebriated pedestrians. Avoid creating a victim mentality.
2. Take A Taxi Or Pedicab At Night
We advise taking a cab or rideshare to get around the city after dark even though it’s typically much simpler to walk around places like the French Quarter.
In the event that you choose to walk, stick to busy streets like Decatur, Royal, and Bourbon.
3. Look Like You Belong
Even if you aren’t traveling to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, beads are likely to be the main souvenirs that come to mind.
Unfortunately, tourists who purchase and wear beads outside of the carnival season are usually recognized by small-time thieves as tourists.
In the same way, carrying plastic hand grenade cups or donning tacky t-shirts are inappropriate.
4. Travel In Groups
Pickpockets and other small-time offenders are less inclined to approach large gatherings of people they know.
Verify that you are not the only group or individual on the street you are on if you are traveling alone or with just one or two other people.
A number of our walking tours are also available. You will travel with other people, including solo travelers, on these pay-what-you-wish tours.
5. Stay In Well-lit Areas
Avoid any dark alleys at night when you’re in New Orleans, even though this piece of advice may seem obvious.
If you want to stay safe, stick to the well-lit parts of the city. Having said that, the likelihood of getting into trouble on one of these alleys in the French Quarter, for instance, is practically zero but still considerably higher than on the main illuminated strips.
6. Keep Luggage And Valuables Stored Away
Pickpockets might find it simple to steal your belongings if you’re walking around the city with a bag or backpack that’s hidden from view.
Keep valuables out of your bags’ easily accessible areas as one preventative measure, but you can also use a luggage storage service.
There are options for storage that last only an hour or two.
Which New Orleans Neighborhoods Are Safe For Tourists?
The majority of the time, no matter where they go in this city, tourists and visitors to New Orleans won’t encounter any crime. Nevertheless, some areas will be safer than others, so if you have any worries, we advise staying in these areas.
Is Public Transportation Secure In New Orleans?
The city’s historic Streetcars are a fun way to see the city if you need a break from walking around it. Public transportation in New Orleans is thought to be safe. There are four main lines that pass through the city’s historic sites, with the St. Charles Line serving as its own well-liked tourist destination. It’s worthwhile to download the NORTA GoMobile app, which provides you with up-to-date timetables, enables you to plan your route in advance, and will enable you to buy tickets before you set out to explore the city.
It’s best to call an Uber or Lyft rather than walk to and from your accommodation at night, especially if you’re traveling alone.
Watch Out For Petty Crime
Given that the French Quarter is one of the tourist hotspots in the city, it also happens to be where most opportunist thieves operate, and consequently where most petty crime occurs. Take extra precautions when visiting this area because purse snatching and pickpocketing do happen occasionally. Having said that, there’s no need to deteriorate into a front-backpack-wearing, paranoid mess. You should be fine as long as you keep hold of your purse and don’t have your wallet protruding from your back pocket.
In this area of the city, con artists have reportedly been active. The most typical type of con involves someone approaching you and pretending to bet with you on something before requesting money. Also known to operate here are fake petitioners. If someone stops you on the street, as a general rule, politely explain that you are running late and don’t have time to stop and make sure you are keeping an eye on your belongings.
Stay Safe During Mardi Gras
The famous Mardi Gras Festival starts in New Orleans, and everything is turned up to eleven. During the festivities, you might feel lulled into a false sense of security, but the typical risks that come with living in a big city still exist. It’s important to keep in mind that you’ll need to be extra cautious when it comes to small-time crimes like pickpocketing due to the massive influx of revelers, drunken street parties, and general mayhem. Naturally, staying on the main streets, limiting your alcohol intake, and not walking home alone at night will all ensure your safety.
Are Single Travelers Safe In New Orleans?
New Orleans is a fantastic destination for solo travelers because of its adventurous spirit and eclectic mix of arts and culture. It’s a backpacker haven with plenty of cheap fun to be had, and lone nomads will love exploring the colonial streets and meeting the interesting locals. In New Orleans, traveling by herself is also secure, but tourists should exercise caution.
If you travel alone to New Orleans, it’s likely that you’ll run into friendly locals and other solo travelers. But lone travelers draw more attention and put themselves at greater risk for misdemeanor crime. Males are more likely to bother female travelers who are traveling alone, especially in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras when many partygoers are intoxicated.
After dark, it is not advisable to walk alone, and even if you are with a companion, you should avoid areas that are poorly lit. If you’re traveling alone, you should stay away from sketchy areas at all costs; this advice applies to both sexes. The fact that carjackings and vehicle break-ins are frequent in New Orleans makes driving problematic.
Pickpockets and con artists are always present where there are intoxicated tourists. Even with all the crowds that hang out until the early hours, places like Bourbon Street and the French Quarter can still be dangerous for solo travelers. As in any large city, use common sense and always be aware of your surroundings.
When Is The Ideal Time To Visit New Orleans?
The best time to visit New Orleans is from February to May, when Mardis Gras celebrations are in full swing and the weather is comfortable without being oppressively hot. If the carnival is not your thing, December and January are great times to visit the city because the weather is pleasant and the cost of living is low. Remember that the summertime can be swelteringly hot, and that this is also when hurricane risks are at their peak.
Conclusion
You must be aware of your surroundings, just like in most cities. You are generally safe in the majority of touristy areas, including the French Quarter’s Bourbon Street, Royal Street, and the Warehouse District. Having said that, proceed with caution after sunset. I would already advise utilizing a taxi to return to your hotel at night. People who wander off alone at night while completely inebriated are the ones who are attacked and robbed.
