Is New Orleans Safe for Women? Crime Rate in New Orleans

Safety in New Orleans depends on what neighborhood you are in and what time of day you go out. The French Quarter can be very fun during the day however at night it does get to be a little sketchy. Neighborhoods like mid city and the garden district are wonderful all day long.

Your mileage may vary. Being street smart, having a decent attitude, and being relatively self aware can go a long way. Crime of opportunity is the biggest threat. Be open to suggestions from servers/bartenders etc. They’ll largely steer you well.

There are areas that are okay. Times of the year that are more decent. Don’t come alone probably. Expect to hear gun shots. You will probably be safe overall, take the trolley etc. But after dark. Just don’t. Not a popular opinion, but honest. Bourbon street is and the main areas are full of drunks but safer in the crowd. It is the other areas that are unsafe.

New Orleans has its issues just like any other city. It’s mostly just important to be aware of your surroundings. I would recommend Ubers or Lyfts to travel around the city. Using the Streer car is safe as well. New Orleans has an issue with carjackings and vehicle breakins so I’d recommend not driving in if that can be avoided.

Solo travel

Overall I felt pretty safe in the areas I visited. However I was super cautious about what streets I walked down and what time of day it was. There was only one time that things felt a bit uneasy. I walked to a restaurant as the sun was setting so it was dark out when I left. It turns out it was not a great area. That was the only time I didn’t do lots of research on the area beforehand. I felt okay since I called someone the whole way back. I stayed at a hostel and felt very safe and comfortable there. I also did a free tours by foot tour and a paid bus tour. I had a great experience with both and never felt unsafe. I especially recommend the free tours by foot tours for a more personable feel. For transportation I used the street cars whenever I couldn’t walk. To explore areas further out I booked tours.

Solo travel

Safety depends on the area. However, it is a very welcoming place for all cultures and solo travel. Exceptional food. Great bars and lounges for all scenes whether you want upscale lounge, dive bar, or live music.