My friend and i are starting to get worried about our safety in new orleans because of things we keep seeing on the Net. Has anyone been there just lately? I know we should take taxis everywhere at night. .
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
I haven't been there post-Katrina, but a buddy of mine just returned from a business trip that was held in NOLA. It was his first time there, and he said it was fantastic. Great restaurants, friendly people, etc...He did say that the area outside of the French Quarter looked pretty dangerous at night, but then again, he was armed and so were the friends he was with (legally---law enforcement). I would think that if you are with someone in a busy area, it will be fine. But I wouldn't go venturing off by yourself anywhere into the areas that are still destroyed as you never knew what you might encounter.
Posted by a meyer (Member # 4954) on :
I was there in June. I was alone and as a 40+ yr male I felt very safe during the day. At night I felt safe around the French Quarter with all the activity around. The only time I felt uneasy was the few blocks between the French Quarter and my hotel where there weren't many people around other than a few people just "hanging out" on the sidewalks.
Taking taxis at night would probably be wise.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by travelplus (Member # 3679) on :
Just take the same precautions you would at home. Don't worry just have fun. Go to Burbon Street and take the trolly cars. The main thing is to try and travel with a partner. I hope you are staying in a central and safe location. If your up to it go to the Jazz Clubs and concerts throughout the city You can Google New Orleans Free Music or New Orleans free festivals. The museums are cool and the food is devine. Make sure you go for Cruillers and the good Cajun cooking.
I would print out cupons for New Orleans restaurants and activities Also be sure to take a tour of the New Orleans rail depot. Enjoy some railfainning.
Posted by travelplus (Member # 3679) on :
BTW I third that taking taxis at night is a wise idea and be sure to use the Taxi on your first day to get a sense of direction.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
New Orleans has never been a safe city within my lifetime. Take the advice given above very seriously. Go in groups if you can. There are areas that are creepy even in the daytime, particularly if you are alone. Stay in the touristy parts in your wanderings. Groups are a good idea even in the French Quarter at night.
Posted by HillsideStation (Member # 6386) on :
Last June we stayed at the Drury Hotel on Poydras near where it intersects with Carondolet. It's on the tip of the central business area and quite close to the station. The desk clerk suggest the Red Fish in the Latin Quarter for dinner. I'm not a big fan of the LQ so we ambled around the central business district around 2000hrs or so. Didn't find anything so we backtracked our route and found the Red Fish about a fifteen minute walk from the hotel. There were "beau coup" tourists in the are and the street car was running. We felt completely safe...maybe naively. BTW The Red Fish was EXCELLENT! Loud, boistrous, the food was first class and the price was moderate. Best regards, Rodger...planning to return to NOL this September.
Posted by Railroad Bill (Member # 5097) on :
Ms. Sojourner, Wife and I took a trip to NOL last October and found that during the day things seemed very safe. We stayed at the Quality Inn Maisson on the east end of the Garden District, walked around that area before dark. Took the St. Charles Streetcar, which stopped in front of the hotel, into downtown. Walked around French Quarter several times 8am-5pm, down by the river at Riverwalk, French Market, Jackson Square and up and down Canal Street. Lots of people around and was a great trip. City has been rejuvenated downtown and saw little evidence of Katrina except on the inbound CONO and outbound Crescent where the neighborhoods near the lake are still looking pretty bad. People in town told us to stay south of I-10 and not to venture into the northern neighborhoods unless in a group. Overall we had a great three days and want to go back to take the tours, see some museums, etc. We are not "night people" and did not venture into the French Quarter after dark. I would agree that a taxi is the best way to leave the station to get to your hotel and to travel at night. Food and live jazz bands were great. Hope you have a great trip Railroad and Mrs. Bill (1 week until SLC trip)
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
Thank you all so much for your input. I was getting a little worried because of so much negativity on the Net.
Bill, where did you hear live jazz in the daytime--at brunches, in bars, outdoors? A lot of the places with music I had been thinking of visiting seem to start late at night, when I don't think we'll want to be out!
Also, when people say take a taxi, I know at the train station there is a cab lineup, but otherwise, do you mean just hail one on the street? Because I had heard there were some dubious gypsy cabs around, but how do you avoid them when you are hailing cabs on the street?
Thanks again everyone!
Posted by travelplus (Member # 3679) on :
Go to a hotel and have the concierege call for a taxi. This is the safest way. Or you can program the number for the local cab found in your hotel's phonebook or concierge. Whenever you are ready to be picked up you can wait safely in the lobby of a nice hotel like the Hilton and wait. I do this all the time and its never failed. Just let the company know you are waiting in the lobby and give your name.
Posted by Railroad Bill (Member # 5097) on :
Ms. Sojourner, We had lunch at the French Market Cafe. It was an open air place with a tent like cover and a live six piece band playing great tunes. Traditional New Orleans' cuisine and po-boys. Outdoor and indoor dining to live jazz. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Weekend breakfast buffet. Open 7:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. 1000 Decatur. 504-527-5000
Also like the Cheesecake Bistro on St Charles Street in the Garden District.
Have a great trip. Railroad Bill
Posted by dmwnc1959 (Member # 2803) on :
Another sandwich born of New Orleans is definitely one of my favorites: the Muffaletta. In a word, delicious.
I've never heard of a Muffaletta sandwich, but in looking at the Wikipedia page, it sure looks tasty!!!
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
quote:Originally posted by smitty195: I've never heard of a Muffaletta sandwich, but in looking at the Wikipedia page, it sure looks tasty!!!
Yeah, they are good...kind of an olive-based spread on a specific kind of round baked roll. The definitive muffaletta is from a grocery in the middle blocks of Decatur, where all the Amtrak crews would flock on their work layovers to get a few of the famous sandwiches.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Muffuletta sandwiches could be GREAT -- except for the olives........... (I do not like olives!)
Posted by City of Miami (Member # 2922) on :
There are so many great places to eat in NOLA. The food alone is worth the trip. Croissant d'Or on Urseline St. is wonderful and lots of fun for breakfasts.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
And how's the cuisine on the City of New Orleans? The train, I mean. The Amtrak one. You know, the thing that rides on rails between Chicago and the big city in Louisiana.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
To answer my question: Yes, as long as one stays in the tourist areas and is careful at night, it seems safe. In fact, I did not feel unsafe
I did feel wet, though. It rained every day we were there. In the middle of the cemetery tour! When we left the St Charles streetcar to try to walk around the Garden District a bit! When we left the taxi to go into Tipitina's. And not just light misting . . . often it POURED. Also, I was a little less impressed with some of the faster food, though the pricier food was delicious. All in all, I liked but did not love New Orleans. Clearly, I have to go back!!!!
I'll give a full trip report in a separate strand when I have a chance.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
Did you get out into the Katrina-damaged areas at all? I understand they are running tour buses out there---did you get to see any of it?
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
No, the only tour we took was a walking tour of the cemetery nearest the French Quarter (St Louis #1 I think it's called--the one that includes Marie Laveaux's supposed tomb). But one can take a bus tour that encompasses the Katrina-damaged area too.
We went and came on the City of New Orleans (more on that in my trip report), and we did see damage on the approach to New Orleans--many trees snapped off, bayou structures smashed. But also quite a few water birds, a good sign; I believe right after hurricanes they are sparse as eggs are destroyed.