Used to visit twice a year but crime is so bad we don't go anymore. Take someone who knows the city with you. Not really many safe places yet. Watch your 6 CONSTANTLY!
The tourist areas like the Quarter used to be safe. Not anymore....Read the Times Picayune online. Murders, rapes and lots of armed robberies in the Quarter these days.

We go to New Orleans regularly, at least once a year or more. We love the quirkiness, the street performers, the music and the food. We walk around at night in the French Quarters sometimes in the wee hours of the morning and have never had any trouble. Of course I don't get intimidated very easily either.

We never go to Bourbon street and instead hang out mostly near Frenchman street and enjoy the Jazz bars. If you can find Jayna Morgan and the Sazarac Sunshine Band playing you should give them a listen. Jayna is a friend of ours and is an old school lounge singer of the highest regard with a great Jazz ensemble backing her up.

We always stay in the Faubourg Marigny at a place called Royal Street Courtyard. It is a Bed and Breakfast and ranges anywhere from $90 to about $120 a night and includes a light breakfast [Cereal, fruit, bagels, etc... with some of the best coffee you've had.] Each room has its own private bathroom and is very historic with a lot of character. It has a nice courtyard in the back to relax, have a drink, or soak in the hot tub after a long day of walking around the French Quarter.

We get there, park the car right out front, unload our luggage and usually never have to get back in the car until we get ready to leave. Everything is within walking distance.

Phillip and David are the two guys who own and run the place, and I'll let you put two and two together, but they are very nice and super knowledgeable about new Orleans history and all the places to go and the places to avoid. There are a lot of great restaurants, bars and coffee shops right in the Marigny.

PM me and I can give you some more recommendations for some hole in the wall type restaurants where the food is good and the tourist count is low.

Just go, cut loose, don't live in fear and you will have a blast. We travel all over, New Orleans is a one of a kind city and one of our favorite places to go.

Hattiesburg aint much safer...been going downhill fast since Katrina

I'll tell you where to stay---stay away

We take a summer trip to a large metro every summer and N.O. was probably the worst city we have been to. If you really gotta' go, the Hampton Inn near the convention center is really nice and reasonably priced. The only catch is that their parking is all valet and about $20 per day. They do have some limited, metered parking right outside the front door.

Keep in mind half of these guys are scared to go to Birmingham. Just do like you are doing and ask questions about safe areas. Some of these guys with local knowledge have given you good advice. Don't veer off the main streets after dark.

New Orleans is statistically safer than Birmingham. Just stay in the French quarter or nearby and you'll be fine. The monteleon is nice and just off the main streets, if you want to go cheaper I've stayed at the courtyard mariott 2 streets or so off bourbon and it was really nice, located in an old loft building. One of the guys with us used his AAA discount and it was like $87 a night.

I feel very safe there, walking from the Mississippi all the way to the super dome and around the French quarter. The only thing that sucks about New Orleans is the god awful drive through Mississippi. Have a good time.

x2

I go to NOLA about once per month for work. I usually stay around the quarter. I am aware that things are worse now but haven't experienced it. I usually stay at the Courtyard or Hampton Inn, one is on St Charles and the other is on Carondelet. I've also stayed at the Ritz, Pierre Marquette, Hilton and Marriott in the quarter but they are more expensive. My advice is be aware of your surrounding and try not to get separated from the crowd and make yourself an easy target. Have fun!

Anywhere else.

This is your answer.

X3 check out Jackson square as well

We went to NO a couple of years back for our anniversary and stayed at Hotel St Marie, 1 block off of Bourbon St. Nice, old hotel, and for it to be so close to Bourbon St, it was quiet also.

We took the kids the following spring while they were out on Spring Break. We stayed at the Marriott across from the Riverwalk then. It was a nice, up to date motel, but it was a decent walk to the French Qtr.

The Royal Sonesta, the ritz, the Hilton on canal are the places I have stayed. Only had one bad experience in the 15 or so times I have been to New Orleans and that was 16 years ago with a cab driver.

We just stayed at the Weston for a wedding. We had a great time. It was my first time to visit NOLA. We did Bourbon street Friday night and we were able to walk to Jackson square with a short walk. Here was our view.

That is downright cruel.

The Market district is probably nicer than most places. I wouldn't stay close to the quarter if it were me.

Dr. B

I'm down there at least 5-6 times/year on business.

I always stay in the central business district. Close enough to walk to the quarter to get a late meal or beer.

Never had any problems. I've even taken the family a few times. Its like anywhere else....just don't be stupid.

I usually stay at Prytania Park, which is just a block away from the St. Charles street car. Great rates and free parking. Always felt safe there. It's close to the WW2 museum and also fairly close to the zoo.

Had a friend get mugged there during Thanksgiving.

You better hurry. They are removing statues and renaming places.

Removing Statues