OT: New Orleans

[JerseyNoles]

Was down for a conference this past weekend
Second time in 6 months as I was down there LDW for fb
Great city, culture, nice people, tremendous food, history, etc.

I didn't know it was the murder capital of the US (Uber driver told me)
If they cleaned it up a bit, I imagine the tourism would increase

I liked it, but will be back only for work / football games

 

[Kbee3]

Nobody goes there anymore.
It's too crowded.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

"Your Honor" on Showtime is set in NO. That's all I got. Like the series. Not a fan of the city.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

Was down for a conference this past weekend
Second time in 6 months as I was down there LDW for fb
Great city, culture, nice people, tremendous food, history, etc.

I didn't know it was the murder capital of the US (Uber driver told me)
If they cleaned it up a bit, I imagine the tourism would increase

I liked it, but will be back only for work / football games

I love the city, but it's easily the most dangerous tourist area in the country. The side streets (and alleys) immediately off of Bourbon Street see murders constantly - I'm talking 100 feet from Bourbon Street. And there's more pick pockets per capita than anywhere else.

 

[JayDogSmooth]

I love the city, but it's easily the most dangerous tourist area in the country. The side streets (and alleys) immediately off of Bourbon Street see murders constantly - I'm talking 100 feet from Bourbon Street. And there's more pick pockets per capita than anywhere else.

We were walking on Burbon, there’s police everywhere but it’s still debauchery and nobody is regulating anything (police included)

I’m surprised the stuff that goes on there is still permitted in 2023

Broussards was solid, but again dangerous right outside

Didn’t make it over to the garden district but looked on a map and it can’t be more than 2/3 miles away from canal / Burbon

I asked the Uber driver if it’s gated over there and she said no, but heavily patrolled so the riff raff doesn’t venture over

Still, I’m surprised the crime hasn’t spilled over into there as it’s super close

 

[RU4Real]

I've been to New Orleans a bunch of times. Many times.

The last time I was there, I was waiting for the shuttle to take me to the convention center at about 7:30 in the morning and there was this couple walking down the street toward me. Obviously been out partying all night.

They stop about 30 feet away from me and start making out... He's groping her, got his hand down her blouse, up her skirt... Then he spins her around, leans her up against the building and just starts banging her. Right there on the sidewalk.

N'Awlins, y'all.

BAM!

 

[newell138]

Did it look like this?

 

[RU4Real]

Did it look like this?

What the hell are they doing?

 

[e5fdny]

I love the city, but it's easily the most dangerous tourist area in the country. The side streets (and alleys) immediately off of Bourbon Street see murders constantly - I'm talking 100 feet from Bourbon Street. And there's more pick pockets per capita than anywhere else.

A very scary dude, really scary, told us when we were in the Quarter…”even I don’t go down there.”

Like @jaydogsmooth1 said, I’ll only be back for the Sugar Bowl or the Final Four.

 

[RuSnp]

I've been to New Orleans a bunch of times. Many times.

The last time I was there, I was waiting for the shuttle to take me to the convention center at about 7:30 in the morning and there was this couple walking down the street toward me. Obviously been out partying all night.

They stop about 30 feet away from me and start making out... He's groping her, got his hand down her blouse, up her skirt... Then he spins her around, leans her up against the building and just starts banging her. Right there on the sidewalk.

N'Awlins, y'all.

BAM!

It was easily closer to 830 in the morning.

 

[RU4Real]

It was easily closer to 830 in the morning.

Might have been. It seemed earlier because there was no one else on the streets.

Late rising town, I reckon.

All that aside, I like New Orleans for what it is. It's a dystopian hell hole. It's the perfect wide screen view of what happens if you focus an entire city's existence on drinking, eating and f*cking, set to some right proper music.

 

[dconifer0]

I was there last year. Fun, but as a jazz fan, I was disappointed. Most clubs are geared for young, "spring break" type travelers (with no musical taste, ha ha). Loud techno dance music was pouring out of every building. I thought there would be jazz everywhere. It's there, but you have to find it.

I got pretty good at throwing beads.

Fun city, though!

 

[RUnTeX]

It's a dystopian hell hole. It's the perfect wide screen view of what happens if you focus an entire city's existence on drinking, eating and f*cking, set to some right proper music.

Straight out of their chamber of commerce pamphlet, lol

 

[RUinPinehurst]

Muffaletta at Central Grocery. French Dip at Mother's. I do remember those sang-wiches. Haven't been there in a couple decades, though, easy.

 

[kupuna133]

Worked for a firm based out of New Orleans and would be down there quarterly for meetings. Had some great times down there. Ate some great food, and saw some amazing musicians. But there are very few places that are void of crime and violence. As an old colleague born and raised used to sav "There are safe streets in New Orleans not safe "neighborhoods". And even those streets can be dangerous.

I have a similar story to someone else in this thread. Was walking from my hotel room at the Windsor Court just off Canal to my office 4-5 blocks away. When I came upon a man bleeding from his head in the middle of Baronne st. This was 7 am (6am eastern still maintained market hours) in the central business district. I called 911. Cops came and were less than helpful. Thats when I found out what NOPD stands for.
NOT
OUR
PROBLEM
DUDE

 

[RU4Real]

Thats when I found out what NOPD stands for.
NOT
OUR
PROBLEM
DUDE

The NOPD led in the looting, post-Katrina.

In 1981, while stationed at Keesler AFB, I went to New Orleans with a bunch of friends to see the Stones at the Superdome. We drank all day in the Quarter, then went to the show.

At one point I'd more or less forgotten that I was sitting on the end of the row and, when dutifully passing the dutchie to the right-hand side, neglected to notice that the person on my right was a New Orleans cop standing in the aisle.

He took it, hit it and handed it back. Then he says, "Thanks, man. Hey, I got some blow if you guys are interested."

Like I said... dystopian hellhole.

 

[buffalochicken21]

I don't know what dimension some people are living in, but the French Quarter of New Orleans is tourist central and by and large, incredibly safe. I've spent at least 6 or 7 weeks in New Orleans over the last 10 years and I can tell you it is not anywhere near as dangerous as it's being made out to be here. I've walked all hours of the night through the French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater, Treme, the WareHouse District, the Garden District, Irish Channel, Uptown New Orleans without any problems whatsoever. The Garden District has particularly beautiful neighborhoods with multimillion dollar homes. To be honest with you, if I can accumulate the money I'm considering buying a second home there, so long as the flood insurance is manageable.

Sorry, but people aren't getting murdered left and right a block from Bourbon Street. That's just a total fabrication.

Now, by the numbers, NOLA definitely has its problems and is definitely going to be listed as a dangerous city. And I definitely can agree with dark, dangerous streets existing in otherwise safe neighborhoods. But my suspicion is 90% of the crime, deaths, thefts, drug deals are concentrated on the other side of Saint Claude Avenue and beyond in the Lower 9th Ward.

But as far as it being some crime riddled hell hole or some broken, liberal city over run by criminals and drug addicts, it is not that. At all.

My advice to anyone visiting there would be avoid Bourbon Street at all costs anyway, plenty of "real" New Orleans food and bars elsewhere in the French Quarter without leaving the main area.

 

[kupuna133]

The NOPD led in the looting, post-Katrina.

In 1981, while stationed at Keesler AFB, I went to New Orleans with a bunch of friends to see the Stones at the Superdome. We drank all day in the Quarter, then went to the show.

At one point I'd more or less forgotten that I was sitting on the end of the row and, when dutifully passing the dutchie to the right-hand side, neglected to notice that the person on my right was a New Orleans cop standing in the aisle.

He took it, hit it and handed it back. Then he says, "Thanks, man. Hey, I got some blow if you guys are interested."

Like I said... dystopian hellhole.

Yep watched an on duty NOPD officer, in uniform, walk into a bar/restaurant just off Canal during lunch. Goes behind the bar opens the cash register, takes out a handful of money and walked out the door. "Asked the waiter what that was about?" He said, "don't know what you're talking about." Then says. "Need protection around here."

 

[kupuna133]

My advice to anyone visiting there would be avoid Bourbon Street at all costs anyway, plenty of "real" New Orleans food and bars elsewhere in the French Quarter without leaving the main area.

I agree with this statement. As a person that has been to New Orleans no fewer than 50 times. The real New Orleans is off Bourbon and realistically outside the French Quarter.

 

[RULoyal]

I don't know what dimension some people are living in, but the French Quarter of New Orleans is tourist central and by and large, incredibly safe. I've spent at least 6 or 7 weeks in New Orleans over the last 10 years and I can tell you it is not anywhere near as dangerous as it's being made out to be here. I've walked all hours of the night through the French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater, Treme, the WareHouse District, the Garden District, Irish Channel, Uptown New Orleans without any problems whatsoever. The Garden District has particularly beautiful neighborhoods with multimillion dollar homes. To be honest with you, if I can accumulate the money I'm considering buying a second home there, so long as the flood insurance is manageable.

Sorry, but people aren't getting murdered left and right a block from Bourbon Street. That's just a total fabrication.

Now, by the numbers, NOLA definitely has its problems and is definitely going to be listed as a dangerous city. And I definitely can agree with dark, dangerous streets existing in otherwise safe neighborhoods. But my suspicion is 90% of the crime, deaths, thefts, drug deals are concentrated on the other side of Saint Claude Avenue and beyond in the Lower 9th Ward.

But as far as it being some crime riddled hell hole or some broken, liberal city over run by criminals and drug addicts, it is not that. At all.

My advice to anyone visiting there would be avoid Bourbon Street at all costs anyway, plenty of "real" New Orleans food and bars elsewhere in the French Quarter without leaving the main area.

New Orleans 2022 murder map shows 4 within 2 blocks of Bourban St.

 

[DanRU]

The NOPD led in the looting, post-Katrina.

In 1981, while stationed at Keesler AFB, I went to New Orleans with a bunch of friends to see the Stones at the Superdome. We drank all day in the Quarter, then went to the show.

At one point I'd more or less forgotten that I was sitting on the end of the row and, when dutifully passing the dutchie to the right-hand side, neglected to notice that the person on my right was a New Orleans cop standing in the aisle.

He took it, hit it and handed it back. Then he says, "Thanks, man. Hey, I got some blow if you guys are interested."

Like I said... dystopian hellhole.

Mid 90's, I attended a training conference hosted by the Charleston, SC Police Dept. I was speaking with one of their officers who had just transferred there from New Orleans PD. I asked if NOPD wasn't the most screwed up PD in the country and he said, "That's what I thought until I transferred here".

 

[e5fdny]

I have a similar story to someone else in this thread. Was walking from my hotel room at the Windsor Court just off Canal to my office 4-5 blocks away. When I came upon a man bleeding from his head in the middle of Baronne st. This was 7 am (6am eastern still maintained market hours) in the central business district. I called 911. Cops came and were less than helpful. Thats when I found out what NOPD stands for.
NOT
OUR
PROBLEM
DUDE

The NOPD led in the looting, post-Katrina.

In 1981, while stationed at Keesler AFB, I went to New Orleans with a bunch of friends to see the Stones at the Superdome. We drank all day in the Quarter, then went to the show.

At one point I'd more or less forgotten that I was sitting on the end of the row and, when dutifully passing the dutchie to the right-hand side, neglected to notice that the person on my right was a New Orleans cop standing in the aisle.

He took it, hit it and handed it back. Then he says, "Thanks, man. Hey, I got some blow if you guys are interested."

Like I said... dystopian hellhole.

Yep watched an on duty NOPD officer, in uniform, walk into a bar/restaurant just off Canal during lunch. Goes behind the bar opens the cash register, takes out a handful of money and walked out the door. "Asked the waiter what that was about?" He said, "don't know what you're talking about." Then says. "Need protection around here."

In late August of 2001 the Feds planned a big investigation of the Crescent City's PD.

Something happened a few weeks later that preoccupied them.

 

[kupuna133]

In late August of 2001 the Feds planned a big investigation of the Crescent City's PD.

Something happened a few weeks later that preoccupied them.

Heard something similar. Girlfriend from around that times, father was a judge in New Orleans. He told me they were going to blow the roof off of not only the NOPD but most of the officials that operated in that town. There was another investigation that got sidetracked by Katrina.

 

[Arizona Knight]

I travel a lot for work and have done so for decades and the one city in this country that has me super alert is New Orleans.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

Sorry, but people aren't getting murdered left and right a block from Bourbon Street. That's just a total fabrication.

They definitely are. The most common tactic is for a hooker to pick up a guy in a bar on Bourbon Street, separate him from his buddies/family, walk him to her "hotel" down a side street ... where he is immediately robbed at gunpoint by her associate (sometimes killed, sometimes not).

It actually came on the radar of the DOJ as a problem (and point of emphasis) in 2008 when it happened to a DEA Agent who was partying in a bar on Bourbon Street with a group of agents.

 

[dconifer0]

God’s truth. Last April we were walking onto Bourbon from downtown and most were walking at us. A few people said there’d been a shooting. Sure enough, fifty yards further we saw the legs of the victim, surrounded by responders, and blood on the sidewalk.

The street scammers are also annoyingly everywhere. I am rather mild mannered, but by the end, after being asked about my shoes for the hundredth time (I can’t remember how the scam goes), I went off on the dude. He just laughed at me and headed to the next mark…

 

[kupuna133]

God’s truth. Last April we were walking onto Bourbon from downtown and most were walking at us. A few people said there’d been a shooting. Sure enough, fifty yards further we saw the legs of the victim, surrounded by responders, and blood on the sidewalk.

The street scammers are also annoyingly everywhere. I am rather mild mannered, but by the end, after being asked about my shoes for the hundredth time (I can’t remember how the scam goes), I went off on the dude. He just laughed at me and headed to the next mark…

“I bet I know what street you got your shoes on?”

Damn scams been going on for 20 plus years.

 

[dconifer0]

“I bet I know what street you got your shoes on?”

Damn scams been going on for 20 plus years.

Yeah, that was it! He wanted to bet that he knew — and the answer is the name of whatever street we were standing on, right?

 

[dconifer0]

I did have a good trip, once we found some jazz clubs. Had to be on our toes, though.

 

[kupuna133]

Yeah, that was it! He wanted to bet that he knew — and the answer is the name of whatever street we were standing on, right?

Exactly. Its funny the first time and would be funny if there was only one person doing it. But when there are 20 people working the same scam in tandem within 15 feet of each other it kind of loses its charm.

 

[RUboston]

New Orleans is great for 2-3 nights. Food is fantastic. A very unique city but I can only take it for short visits. The shoe shining and scam artists hitting you up every five minutes when you are just walking around taking in the sights is very annoying. Our first time there, 1997, we stayed in the French Quarter at the Royal Hotel. Got up to go the bathroom at 2:00 a.m. or so, turned on the light, and two giant roaches scurried down the sink. Told the manager and he said "don't worry, those are palmetto bugs." After that we've stayed in the Garden District.

 

[Zak57]

The 12 year olds hawking "fire" on Bourbon was the funniest to me.

 

[SHUSource]

I don't know what dimension some people are living in, but the French Quarter of New Orleans is tourist central and by and large, incredibly safe. I've spent at least 6 or 7 weeks in New Orleans over the last 10 years and I can tell you it is not anywhere near as dangerous as it's being made out to be here. I've walked all hours of the night through the French Quarter, Marigny, Bywater, Treme, the WareHouse District, the Garden District, Irish Channel, Uptown New Orleans without any problems whatsoever. The Garden District has particularly beautiful neighborhoods with multimillion dollar homes. To be honest with you, if I can accumulate the money I'm considering buying a second home there, so long as the flood insurance is manageable.

Sorry, but people aren't getting murdered left and right a block from Bourbon Street. That's just a total fabrication.

Now, by the numbers, NOLA definitely has its problems and is definitely going to be listed as a dangerous city. And I definitely can agree with dark, dangerous streets existing in otherwise safe neighborhoods. But my suspicion is 90% of the crime, deaths, thefts, drug deals are concentrated on the other side of Saint Claude Avenue and beyond in the Lower 9th Ward.

But as far as it being some crime riddled hell hole or some broken, liberal city over run by criminals and drug addicts, it is not that. At all.

My advice to anyone visiting there would be avoid Bourbon Street at all costs anyway, plenty of "real" New Orleans food and bars elsewhere in the French Quarter without leaving the main area.

Thank you. I thought I was going nuts, wondering whether the city I've been to twice in the past few years (and gotten off the beaten path of Bourbon Street quite a bit) was the same place being described here.

It's not.

Yes, it's true that everyone in the French Quarter is trying to pick your pocket -- most figuratively but some literally -- but the vast majority of that is playful: "Where did you get those shoes?" will ring familiar to anyone who has ever been swindled out of ten dollars. You need to stay on your toes, but not for mortal fear of your life. That's silly.

The city is incredible, and with so many different types of areas. Yes, there are sections with high rates of violent crime -- the statistics are readily available -- but no one there is going to kill the golden goose of massive tourism. But the Garden District is beautiful and with some of the nation's best restaurants (Commander's Palace has a top-three national wine program, too). The neighborhoods are breathtaking, the universities are gorgeous, and even the cemeteries seem magical (take a tour with a local).

The French Quarter is its own thing. It's dirty and somewhat amoral and there is a lot of crap there -- the pulsing techno coming from the open fronts of many places doesn't do anything for me -- but there are a ton of great bars and restaurants and jazz clubs. Frenchmen Street has a good concentration, with different types of music and variations of jazz. One of my favorite things to do is day drink in a half-filled place and buy some struggling (but very good) band a round. They will love you for it.

 

[dconifer0]

Thank you. I thought I was going nuts, wondering whether the city I've been to twice in the past few years (and gotten off the beaten path of Bourbon Street quite a bit) was the same place being described here.

It's not.

Yes, it's true that everyone in the French Quarter is trying to pick your pocket -- most figuratively but some literally -- but the vast majority of that is playful: "Where did you get those shoes?" will ring familiar to anyone who has ever been swindled out of ten dollars. You need to stay on your toes, but not for mortal fear of your life. That's silly.

The city is incredible, and with so many different types of areas. Yes, there are sections with high rates of violent crime -- the statistics are readily available -- but no one there is going to kill the golden goose of massive tourism. But the Garden District is beautiful and with some of the nation's best restaurants (Commander's Palace has a top-three national wine program, too). The neighborhoods are breathtaking, the universities are gorgeous, and even the cemeteries seem magical (take a tour with a local).

The French Quarter is its own thing. It's dirty and somewhat amoral and there is a lot of crap there -- the pulsing techno coming from the open fronts of many places doesn't do anything for me -- but there are a ton of great bars and restaurants and jazz clubs. Frenchmen Street has a good concentration, with different types of music and variations of jazz. One of my favorite things to do is day drink in a half-filled place and buy some struggling (but very good) band a round. They will love you for it.

Yeah, there are a lot of anecdotal stories in here, including from me, but I never felt like it was that dangerous. We did discover Frenchmen Street, walkable from our loud location on Bourbon Street (rookie mistake to stay there). I even liked the French Quarter just fine once we got a few blocks away from Bourbon. There's interesting stuff on every corner.

The WWII museum was awesome. Funny though, I was recovering from a shoulder injury at the time, and often did certain stretches. After we left, realized belatedly that I had been standing in front of exhibits full of Nazis while raising my arm straight ahead in a "Heil, Hitler." I'm surprised nobody accosted me...

ETA: and of course, I am the opposite of an expert, having visited NOLA only once.

 

[HPNJRUfan]

Have been to NOLA twice (for New Years and for Jazzfest) and I can't wait until my next opportunity to visit, it really is a fun place... Stayed in the Lower Garden District both times, definitely some sketch and areas you'd want to avoid - but nothing a kid from NJ can't handle.

Plenty of anecdotal stories, and an abundance of good food, drinks, and music. If anyone ever has the chance, I also highly suggest getting outside of the city and going for an airboat ride - that was a highlight.

 

[kupuna133]

I travel a lot for work and have done so for decades and the one city in this country that has me super alert is New Orleans.

This in a nutshell. Yes New Orleans can be a dangerous city. But if you are alert and know how to navigate a city, you will be just fine. I haven't been in 5-6 years. But I cannot wait to get down there again! Wife and children have never been.

 

[JerseyNoles]

Looks like the must see's are:

1. WW2 museum
2. Garden district
3. Jazz clubs (preferably during the day)

I wanted to do a tour of the Superdome, but it doesn't look like the offer any.

 

[dconifer0]

Looks like the must see's are:

1. WW2 museum
2. Garden district
3. Jazz clubs (preferably during the day)

I wanted to do a tour of the Superdome, but it doesn't look like the offer any.

Garden District was great, lots of name-dropping (Manning family, Sandra Bullock).

I really liked the Hop-on-Pop (hop-on bus tour) because it gave me a good feel for the city layout.

I took a long walk to the Superdome, because I just had to see it. It was a ghost town, but glad I did it. I also enjoyed checking out the Mighty Mississip. The aquarium is just average, if you've been to all the typical ones in the northeast.

I think the jazz clubs will be good at night. For me, it was hard to find jazz. The overall atmosphere is much more "spring break" than "jazz city" in my view, unfortunately.

 

[JerseyNoles]

Garden District was great, lots of name-dropping (Manning family, Sandra Bullock).

I really liked the Hop-on-Pop (hop-on bus tour) because it gave me a good feel for the city layout.

I took a long walk to the Superdome, because I just had to see it. It was a ghost town, but glad I did it. I also enjoyed checking out the Mighty Mississip. The aquarium is just average, if you've been to all the typical ones in the northeast.

I think the jazz clubs will be good at night. For me, it was hard to find jazz. The overall atmosphere is much more "spring break" than "jazz city" in my view, unfortunately.

Love the hop on, hop off bus tours
Always try to do them b/c they do the driving, and it's a go at your own pace scenario

 

[buffalochicken21]

Thank you. I thought I was going nuts, wondering whether the city I've been to twice in the past few years (and gotten off the beaten path of Bourbon Street quite a bit) was the same place being described here.

It's not.

Yes, it's true that everyone in the French Quarter is trying to pick your pocket -- most figuratively but some literally -- but the vast majority of that is playful: "Where did you get those shoes?" will ring familiar to anyone who has ever been swindled out of ten dollars. You need to stay on your toes, but not for mortal fear of your life. That's silly.

The city is incredible, and with so many different types of areas. Yes, there are sections with high rates of violent crime -- the statistics are readily available -- but no one there is going to kill the golden goose of massive tourism. But the Garden District is beautiful and with some of the nation's best restaurants (Commander's Palace has a top-three national wine program, too). The neighborhoods are breathtaking, the universities are gorgeous, and even the cemeteries seem magical (take a tour with a local).

The French Quarter is its own thing. It's dirty and somewhat amoral and there is a lot of crap there -- the pulsing techno coming from the open fronts of many places doesn't do anything for me -- but there are a ton of great bars and restaurants and jazz clubs. Frenchmen Street has a good concentration, with different types of music and variations of jazz. One of my favorite things to do is day drink in a half-filled place and buy some struggling (but very good) band a round. They will love you for it.

Agreed. I think most of these annecdotal comments are coming from a different era or from folks who've never lived in a city before so they're walking into any city paranoid of the urban myths. I guess for New Orleans it's pretty key to spend less than 20 minutes on Bourbon street and not get so drunk you're going to make yourself vulnerable. I don't know why anyone would want to be there for any longer than that personally, but I definitely understand that when you're going somewhere you've never been before you're going to naturally want to see some of the tourist landmarks.

That's a great point about the neighborhoods though. Each one is so unique and you can practically see the lineage of immigrants that came from pretty much everywhere and collided their cultures together in the food, the music, etc. There is nothing else as eclectic, weirdly beautiful and culturally rich in the United States. And I agree, sitting in a bar in the early afternoon watching struggling musicians and drinking a cocktail is what life is supposed to be. It really reminds you how stressful and pointless your work life at home is, and in my opinion that's the mark of a great place for tourists.

I write for a living but I've gone down there a number of times to work on my own personal writing projects for weeks at a time. There is a story around every corner and behind every window in New Orleans. No place gets my brain turning the way that place does. I've been there for weeks and stayed dead sober, without a girlfriend or any other distractions, writing there and had an amazing time.

There is a reason why so many writers and artists have lived or chosen to die in New Orleans. Whatever 'it' is, it's got it.