Is it safe to travel to new orleans for mardi gras next year?
I am planning a trip next year for Mardi Gras, but I have heard that New Orleans is still a very dangerous place for tourists. Would anyone who lives there or has been there recently confirm this? We are planning to go as a group and will probably rent a pair of SUV’s for the trip. I am concerned that the trucks may make us targets for being robbed.
October 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Oh My God. Do you think that no one else in New Orleans drives an SUV. I will admit that New Orleans has it’s problems, but if you plan on coming to the city for Mardi Gras, just be a smart traveler. Do as you would in any big city. Be aware of your surroundings, make reservations in an area that is safe, try to stay in the vicinity of the festivities, so that you don’t have to drive around a lot. I am going to assume that you are going to frequent Bourbon Street. You can get hotels in the French Quarter, within walking distance of everything. Do your research. Do not wait too long to make your reservations, they will be booked up soon.
If you are still very concerned my suggestion is to make sure you have insurance on the SUV’s, or, choose another destination for your vacation.
And, just FYI… I work in the heart and center of the Central Business District, 5 blocks from Bourbon Street, and I drive an SUV to work every day… a big red on at that, and have been for the past 5 years, and have never been robbed.
October 4th, 2009 at 3:50 am
you should be ok. When there are big touristy things like that, if you are where the tourist are, you are fine. In fact, when big events happen in New Orleans, the city is safer. Most crimes are mainly commited in drugs wars. No drugs, no problem.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
It’s no more dangerous than any other big city. It’s just that since Katrina, New Orleans is always in the news for the stupidest things.
There’s bad areas, and good areas. Be smart and go about your business. It would be a shame for you to miss out on Mardi Gras for some stupid fears the media seems to be planting in everyones heads.
Oh..and btw…I think it’s the law that everyone drive a truck here. It’s literally all I see. When you see the roads, you’ll thank heavens you have one.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
thats not a real question is it? it is completely safe. dont just stay in the french quarter though. definitely check out uptown and magazine street
October 11th, 2009 at 7:36 am
I’m assuming you’re white..
If you go to California, you wouldn’t go to Compton.
If you’re in New York, you wouldn’t go to Harlem.
Just don’t go in the ghetto and you’ll be fine. Unfortunately the good people who do live there have to put up with the killings most of all because the government is full of incompetents.
And do be sure to get out and explore the city. If you rent, be sure to get GPS systems, lol. Its a great place to visit, but very confusing, lol. You will love it. Have fun and use common sense!
October 13th, 2009 at 10:12 am
It is fairly safe in the French Quarter and CBD area, because the city wants tourist to come back with their fat wallets.Police patrols and presences is good in this area.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
I was recently in NOLA for 5 days. I felt very safe and saw no crime whatsoever. If you havent made hotel reservations yet, it may be very hard to find one at this point. Parking apparently is also a big hassle and pricey.
October 16th, 2009 at 12:35 am
you probably wont be in your trucks that long anyway, or at least you shouldnt be….pay the big bucks and get rooms right in the heart of the french quarter ’cause if you dont you will be frustrated as hell waiting in miles of lines when you come and go…just park the car when you get there and leave it…besides you will be walking alot and will want to regroup back at the room once in awhile..trust me, you dont want the hassle of long traffic lines, looking for parking spots(which are non-existant)
October 16th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Questions like yours about New Orleans typically draw many highly negative answers from people who don’t live here and who don’t know what they are talking about. That has NOT happened with your question – thanks to all who answered so far.
New Orleans is NOT a dangerous place for tourists or for almost all of the residents. Reality is that almost all of the violent crime happens within the illegal-drug community and you don’t have to worry about it unless you plan to buy or sell crack cocaine while you are here. That doesn’t mean the crimes are OK, and we as a City need to do something about it (mainly get a new set of elected officials), but YOU are extremely unlikely to be affected. Just use the same basic common sense you need in every city in the world and you will be fine.
You should re-think the getting the vehicles, but not because they might make you a target. The absolute top two problems during Carnival in New Orleans are traffic and parking. As another answer suggests, DON’T get the vehicles and stay in the city center instead. I recommend staying in or close to the French Quarter so you can use your hotel as a base, and then walk or take taxis to wherever you need to go. The city center (French Quarter, Central Biusiness District, Warehouse District) is moderately compact and walking is practical. There are also lots of taxis.
You are welcome to write if you would like more info about NOLA.
Also visit for more on Carnival.
October 19th, 2009 at 12:30 am
YES YES YES dont start nothing and there wont be nothing
October 19th, 2009 at 5:41 am
Yes, it is safe for tourist.
Why would SUVs make you a target?
Are you going to be this nervous when your here?
Calm down. Stop worrying and have fun.
October 19th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I went to Mardi Gras this year and my mom’s SUV was completely safe. Only thing I got was a parking ticket on the last day we were there….oops. Oh, and we already have reservations for next year’s Mardi Gras.
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Over a million people every year seem to think it’s safe….
October 25th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Skip the SUV’s. They won’t make you a target, but they will be far more trouble than they are worth. If you are going for Mardi Gras, you will not need them, you wouldn’t be able to find affordable parking and (speaking from experience) the streets in the quarter are not big enough for them. Take a taxi from the airport, it will be much cheaper in the long run. I rented an SUV when my sister was married in N.O. There was a major convention going on, two major football games and President’s Bush (senior) and Clinton were doing a fund raiser for Katrina relief. There were, roughly 60,000 additional people in the downtown/french quarter area as a result of these events. It took a hour to get from the edge of the Quarter to the hotel’s garage 4 blocks away. The quarter will be much, much more crowded during Mardi Gras. Stay in, or near the French Quarter.