Why is New Orleans so dangerous

Safety Index:

Let the good times roll in New Orleans, Louisiana, commonly referred to as NOLA.

This Cajun slice of Louisiana life is filled with parties, history, and wild nights – and that’s even before Mardi Gras season starts!

New Orleans is known for its distinct neighborhoods that go beyond the French Quarter, which is what most people are familiar with when they think of the city.

The Garden District is a calmer side of the city with gorgeous homes and lush landscapes.

Frenchman’s Street is still lively but without the chaos (and smell) of Bourbon Street.

Treme is the oldest African American neighborhood in the city, with culture and history worth seeing.

The riverfront brings activity from paddleboat tours to outlet shopping with some of those amazing beignets on top of it.

Art lovers should see the Warehouse District with galleries and trendy shops and cafes.

If you want to visit during Mardi Gras, you can visit up to a month ahead of time, but the parades start a few weeks before Ash Wednesday.

Check the calendar because Fat Tuesday is on a different day every year.

Expect prices to go up and bookings to sell out months ahead of time the closer you get to Fat Tuesday.

The weekend before is especially packed.

To get out of the city, you can take tours of historical battlefields or take a swamp boat ride to see alligators.

Ghost tours are popular here with the incredible number of sinister and otherworldly stories that haunt this historic city.

Be prepared for sensory overload in most of the NOLA city area.

There’s always live music, something cooking, and loud crowds.

It’s a lot to take in, so plan ahead of time.

You’re on a good start with this safety article.

Warnings & Dangers in New Orleans

OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM

There's a strong, solid medium risk here due to the crime rates and the ongoing potential for crimes of opportunity. I've been to NOLA several times, and it's truly a unique test of personal safety skills and situational awareness.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : LOW

You can easily get around NOLA without having a car, but there are plenty available. There's a street car and bus system that gets you to all the hot spots. Shuttles are available to and from the airport. Parts of the city are walkable, but some neighborhoods are too far away for tired feet to handle.

PICKPOCKETS RISK : HIGH

Treat this with a high risk. I would never walk any NOLA streets with a normal purse. I bring a small crossbody bag with just one credit card, my ID, and I keep cash stored somewhere out of sight, but not with my purse. Not only should you be wary of large crowds, which you really can't avoid in places like Bourbon Street, but you'll be hounded by homeless people begging for money. They aren't aggressive in a physical sense, but they won't give up with a simple "No" and might follow you for a while, begging even more desperately.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : MEDIUM

Hurricanes and flooding are the biggest concerns here. If there is a hurricane approaching, get out of town or cancel your trip. NOLA is below sea level, and even heavy tropical storms can cause a lot of problems. Tornadoes and thunderstorms can happen too. Hurricane Season runs from June through November, with a heightened alert from August to October.

MUGGING RISK : HIGH

Robbery rates are nearly four times higher than the national average, and that number has gone up since the official data reported in 2020. While many robberies are in bad neighborhoods among people who know each other, there's always a risk if you walk down the wrong alley or are showing off valuables, you could be targeted. Treat this with a high risk.

TERRORISM RISK : LOW

NOLA is always considered a top potential target for its booming economy and wild lifestyle. There's a lot of law enforcement presence from Homeland Security down to the local level, but you'll need to be vigilant and attentive during your stay. Every lit bit of information can help.

SCAMS RISK : HIGH

You should also treat this with a high risk because a lot of people here are looking to make money, and they are in your face about it. Don't ask anyone on the street to take your picture because they might try to charge you for it before giving you your phone back. If you are approached by someone who seemingly wants to "give" you a shot, they'll demand a payment - up to $20 a shot - on the spot. Don't trust anyone who isn't part of the tourism industry, like a concierge or business manager. Tip kindly for good information.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : MEDIUM

I'm a woman, and I've gone to NOLA several times, once alone and twice with female friends. Even on a Sunday morning at 8:00 am, I was harassed by endless homeless people wanting food and was cornered at one point. I didn't feel unsafe, but I felt incredibly uncomfortable. After dark, stay on well-lit streets. I know that's a cliche, but it is SO true here. There are too many alleys and dark corners here to feel safe at night. Always travel with a buddy if you can.

TAP WATER RISK : LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows one violation that wasn't an emergency and was resolved. All other standards were fully compliant. If there is any flooding before or during your visit, don't use tap water until you confirm there isn't a water quality issue. You can also follow @SWBNewOrelans on Facebook to keep up with water quality information.NOTE: The Mississippi River was at historic lows in late 2022, which impacts many cities along the route - including New Orleans. This could affect water quality, as salt water from the Gulf is pushed into the riverbed. There's no end in sight for the record low river levels, and you should check the status before you arrive. For tourism questions on the river, email .

Safest Places to Visit in New Orleans

Neworleans.com is the official tourism website for the city, and I strongly recommend using this website for attraction information if you aren’t going through the website for a specific attraction.

There are just too many potential third-party scam sites out there.

When you’re in Jackson Square near the French Quarter, you’ll be drawn to the Cabildo and St. Louis Cathedral.

Even if you aren’t a religious person, it is worth taking a peek at the intricate work of this stunning house of worship.

The Cabildo is a museum full of New Orleans’s history and artifacts.

I don’t want to ruin the tour, but you will be amazed at the history of this building that has been here since the late 1790s.

The National World War II Museum might now have the vibrant atmosphere you expect in NOLA, but it’s a treasured piece of history honoring the great veterans who served and sacrificed in the war.

You’ll find interactive exhibits, audio tours, and unique mementos from soldiers here.

The Audobon Zoo and Aquarium of the Americans give you a two-for-one tourism experience since they are right next to each other.

They do have separate admission prices.

Be sure to check the schedule closely because prices are different each day, and you’ll save money the earlier you book.

These are located in the Garden District, so you can also explore that unique area before or after your adventure.

Seeing NOLA on a tour gives you the safety of a group and the experience of a local to learn more and make the most of your time.

There’s literally a tour for everything here.

Even haunted tours cater to different elements, like vampires, voodoo, haunted places, cemetery tours, etc.

You can get tours of Mardi Gras warehouses where the preparation is always underway for the next celebration.

Steamboat tours are available on the Mississippi River and can be just for a jazz cruise and dinner or take you to plantations.

I took the Steamboat Nachez tour, and I loved it.

We had a great lunch with sunny skies and plenty of time to explore a plantation with a really funny tour guide.

The only tour advice I would give is to check your bank statements after the charge clears.

We had one ticket charged multiple times, and whether it was a simple error or intentional, we were able to get the situation resolved.

Even if you don’t take the Mardi Gras tour, you can still visit Mardi Gras World near the riverfront.

Self-guided tours are available for safety and convenience.

This attraction even offers an on-demand free shuttle to get there and back to your hotel!

Places to Avoid in New Orleans

Anyone who knows about Hurricane Katrina knows the 9th Ward and Lower 9th Ward were devastated when the levees failed, and the neighborhood still hasn’t and probably never will recover completely.

Do NOT go there to treat it as a tourist opportunity.

I say that first and foremost, out of respect for the people who live there and the people who lost everything there.

It’s also not the safest place, especially if you are there for that insensitive reason.

The 7th Ward is also a dangerous part of town you have no business being in.

The tourism guide for NOLA lays out all the options you have, and if you start driving around aimlessly, you’re likely going to end up in a dangerous neighborhood.

In some parts of the city, the danger is on a block-by-block basis.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid the neighborhoods around I-10.

I have been to NOLA for work projects, and quite honestly, so neighborhoods just made me sad and wondering what we can do to help underserved communities.

Here’s a bit of information that comes from the simple act of sharing information – not from a viewpoint one way or the other.

The proliferation of Airbnbs and other short-term rentals has taken over many neighborhoods.

This has forced out people who call them home because landlords realize they make more money off ongoing tourism than rental residents.

The complaint from neighbors is that this is ruining communities and driving out generations of families that call a certain place home.

This is just something to consider if you are looking at a short-term rental instead of one of the many hotels.

Safety Tips for Traveling to New Orleans

1. Let’s get one thing out of the way. Bourbon Street, and some surrounding streets, stink. It smells so bad you can almost taste it. That is a mix of alcohol, urine, and vomit – and Lord knows what else. There’s no getting around it, and it’s futile to complain about it. Even on a beautiful Sunday morning on my way to House of Blues Gospel Brunch, I lost my appetite.
2. People will be in your face here. While it’s not always a direct safety threat, you shouldn’t get into verbal arguments or push back hard. Firmly say “No” and go into a local business if you need to get away from someone.
3. Keep wallets in front pockets or hidden pockets. Anything in a backpack or back pocket could easily be manipulated by a pickpocket. If you are carrying a purse, walk with your hand over the seam so nobody else can stick their hand in it.
4. Pay attention when crossing the street, especially on Canal Street. With car traffic, the trolley, and lots of people, it feels like chaos and can be dangerous if you aren’t paying attention.
5. This is an old city, so watch where you walk. I tripped over cracked sidewalks or random cobblestones more than once. Avoid sandals or flip-flops unless you want grimy feet with the aforementioned body fluids on them.
6. If you are driving in New Orleans, be prepared for some of the most narrow streets you’ve ever seen. You’ll also have to navigate around cars and vans parked on the street. Many roads are one-way streets, so you must be ultra-vigilant when driving. It’s not uncommon for a drunk person covered in beads to jump in front of a car without realizing it.
7. Use NOLA 311 to get a direct line of contact with the city. You can report issues like potholes, ask safety questions, or get local event information. You just need to dial 311 to get in contact, but if, for some reason, that doesn’t work, call (504)539-3266.
8. The state of Louisiana wants to know about any fraud or scam attempts you might encounter. Call 1-844-50-FRAUD (1-844-503-7283) to report suspicious activity and be as detailed as possible. If you have photos or videos of the scammer, ask for an email so you can send them.
9. Bookmark Routewise on your computer or mobile device to check for upcoming parades that could block streets or delay traffic. Any company or organization can book a parade that will shut down or block certain roads. Police assist with the roadblocks, so there’s really no way around them.
10. Call 911 for emergencies, but the non-emergency number for NOPD is (504)821-2222. The police force is broken down into districts, and the area around the Fench Quarter is the 8th district. You can find contacts for each district on the NOPD website.

So... How Safe Is New Orleans Really?

New Orleans is facing both a police officer shortage and rising violent crime rates, including an increase in homicides that is staggering in 2022.

Here’s one example – in the 24 hours of Labor day, three people were killed in five shootings, four armed robberies happened, along with five carjackings.

The police department is also struggling to find enough officers needed to keep the community safe.

In a new step, the department is now looking to hire dozens of civilians to take over some less dangerous parts of the policing requirements, like parking tickets and paperwork.

Overall, from 2020, which is the last year NOPD gave official crime data:

• Violent crime was 3.4 times higher than the national average.
• Robbery was 3.6 times higher.
• Rape was 5 times higher.
• Theft was 3 times higher.

I’m from St. Louis, so dangerous cities aren’t really going to phase me much.

I know how to handle myself, and I know the places to avoid.

That said, New Orleans can be a sensory overload, and the moment I’d stop to admire a cool building, a panhandler would approach.

I turned around so many times from shady people arguing on a street that I lost count.

You just have to be completely aware of your surroundings at all times.

Stay confident and firm, and exude a “don’t mess with me” attitude without being mouthy.

Don’t give any signs you are so intoxicated you might be an easy mark.

As much as possible, stay with a group of people you know.

You can have a safe time in NOLA, whether it’s a family vacation or the height of Mardi Gras.

Just stay in the tourist areas and don’t let your guard down for a minute.

Be especially vigilant during parades because that’s when pickpockets will be working the crowd.

How Does New Orleans Compare?

Useful Information

• Visas - The U.S. State Department website offers a "Visa Wizard" to get you quick information about the requirements for a visa. Since there are different types of U.S. Visas, this is much easier than reading through pages of documents. Common reasons for denial include false information, lack of all required information, and criminal history. Be sure to pay attention to document details and never lie about any information.
• Currency - The U.S. Dollar flows freely here, and despite what you might have heard, you can't pay for anything with beads. You'll be able to widely use credit cards, but you'll want some cash for tipping. Never assume the person you are tipping can offer change, so have a mix of $1 and $5 bills.
• Weather - December through February can be a little chilly, but not enough to need a winter coat. A warm jacket and jeans will work just fine. Wear closed-toed shoes as much as possible, or your feet will get very dirty. The rest of the year, be prepared for stifling humidity and excessive sweating, especially if you're drinking a lot or eating a lot of fried foods.
• Airports - Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about 30 minutes from the French Quarter. You can also go to Baton Rouge, which is about 90 minutes away, but NOLA has the larger airport.
• Travel Insurance - There are SO many things that can lead to accidents, falls, cuts, and other health issues that you should ensure you have some kind of health protection if you need assistance. Driving in NOLA is also very white-knuckled, so get as much rental car insurance as you can afford. Before booking your flight, ensure you know what protection you have if travel gets canceled due to an approaching hurricane.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

New Orleans Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 13° C

Feb 14° C

Mar 18° C

Apr 21° C

May 25° C

Jun 28° C

Jul 29° C

Aug 29° C

Sep 27° C

Oct 22° C

Nov 17° C

Dec 13° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Is it safe to walk in New Orleans at night?

When did New Orleans become dangerous?

What should you not wear in New Orleans?