Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans: Everything You Need to Know in 2023
Planning to visit New Orleans and looking for the safest places to stay?
New Orleans, also known as “The Big Easy” and “The Crescent City” is Louisiana’s biggest and most visited city. It’s known for its architecture, food, jazz music scene, and celebration of Mardi Gras.
Unfortunately, however, it’s also known for not being the safest city in the world.
With that being said you CAN travel to New Orleans safely. Having lived fairly close to New Orleans my entire life, I have visited numerous times as a child, an adult, and a mom.
In this article, I will help guide you in planning your trip to New Orleans, so you feel much more confident about visiting this fascinating city!
Here are the safest places to stay in New Orleans.
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Is New Orleans Downtown Safe?
The Downtown New Orleans area consists mainly of the French Quarter, the Central Business District, and the Garden District. These areas for the most part are safe.
However, with that being said they are not completely safe. Just as you would in any other big city, exercise caution and you should be fine.
Areas to Avoid in New Orleans
Most visitors to New Orleans are traveling for leisure or business, so the following areas are not necessarily areas that you would be visiting.
However, the following places are areas to avoid in New Orleans because they have the most crime and are considered the more dangerous neighborhoods: Pines Village, Wake Lake Forest, Central City, Pines Village, Seventh Ward, Saint Claude, and Saint Roch.
Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
The safest places to stay in New Orleans are the French Quarter, the Central Business District, the Arts/Warehouse District, and the Garden District.
No matter if you’re traveling solo, with your significant other, with a group of friends, or visiting New Orleans with your kids, keep reading to find out the best area for YOU to stay in for your trip to New Orleans.
Map of Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
The map below will give you a good idea of the layout of New Orleans and where the safest neighborhoods to stay in New Orleans are.
Click on the map and zoom around to see exactly where the French Quarter, Central Business District, Arts/Warehouse District, and Garden District area are in relation to each other.
French Quarter
One of the Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
The French Quarter is what most people think of when they think of New Orleans. It is the heart and cultural center of the city. And because of this, it is one of the most popular areas to stay in New Orleans.
But not only is it the most popular and visited area in New Orleans, but it is also one of the safest places to stay in New Orleans.
Staying in the French Quarter puts you in close proximity to most of the city’s attractions including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market, Café Du Monde, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Butterfly Garden & Insectarium, Bourbon Street, and The Riverfront.
Plus, you’ll be within walking distance of many world-renowned restaurants, great shopping, and art galleries.
For those that want to be in the center of everything, the French Quarter is the best place to be.
Where to Stay in the French Quarter
The following are excellent options for hotels in the French Quarter of New Orleans. You cannot go wrong with any of these. I have stayed at all 3 and they are all fabulous!
Hotel Monteleone
Why Stay At Hotel Monteleone:
- one of the most well-known hotels in New Orleans
- charming, historic hotel located in the heart of the French Quarter
- known for its rotating bar, Carousel Bar
- heated rooftop swimming pool
- full-service spa
- great for all; couples, families, and solo travelers
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
Why Stay At Royal Sonesta New Orleans:
- luxury French Quarter hotel located on Bourbon Street
- lush courtyard and pool
- The Jazz Playhouse, a jazz club
- PJ’s Coffee
- best for couples, groups of friends, solo-traveler
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Why Stay At Bourbon Orleans Hotel:
- located in the heart of the French Quarter
- quintessential New Orleans/ French Quarter hotel
- beautiful courtyard pool area
- great for all; couples, families, solo travelers
Canal Street
One of the Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
Canal Street is an excellent area to stay in New Orleans. Canal Street is technically part of the Central Business District but it’s the dividing line between the French Quarter and the Central Business District, so I’m including this area separately.
Also, when I’m referring to staying on Canal Street, I’m talking about the area between the Saenger Theatre and the Mississippi River. I don’t recommend staying on the other side of the Saenger Theatre on Canal Street.
Staying on Canal Street is my favorite area to stay in New Orleans! Why you ask?
Staying on Canal Street puts you in close proximity to everything the French Quarter has to offer, but also the Riverfront, Saenger Theatre, The Aquarium of the Americas, and the Central Business District.
Here on Canal, you’ll also find Canal Place, an upscale shopping mall with Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany & Co, Tory & Burch, Louis Vuitton, and Lululemon.
Where to Stay on Canal Street
The following are excellent options for hotels on Canal Street. I have stayed at all three of these hotels and you cannot go wrong with any of these. They are in fabulous locations for seeing the best of what New Orleans has to offer.
New Orleans Marriott
Why Stay At New Orleans Marriott:
- prime location on Canal Street
- excellent all-around property
- steps from the French Quarter
- short walking distance to Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
- great for all types of travelers- couples, solo travelers, groups of friends, families
- 👶👧a top pick for those traveling to New Orleans with kids
The Saint Hotel, Autograph Collection
Why Stay At The Saint Hotel, Autograph Collection:
- excellent location on Canal Street
- steps away from Bourbon Street and the Saenger Theatre
- Marriott property, but not your typical Marriott; it has a chic-edgy vibe
- great for couples, solo travelers, or groups of friends ( I do not recommend this hotel for those with kids.)
The Roosevelt New Orleans
Why Stay At The Roosevelt New Orleans:
- gorgeous hotel with all the amenities
- great location, within walking distance to French Quarter and Central Business District
- rooftop pool
- my favorite hotel to stay/visit during the Christmas season; the lobby here is turned into a Christmas wonderland with thousands of lights and Christmas trees
- great for couples and families with kids
Central Business District
One of the Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
The Central Business District is more than just a “business district” in New Orleans. This area is also where you’ll find the Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center.
If you’re visiting New Orleans to see the NFL team, the New Orleans Saints, or the NBA team, New Orleans Pelicans, then the Central Business District is the perfect place to stay.
There are also big entertainment acts that perform at Caesars Superdome and the Smoothie King Center, so if you find yourself coming to New Orleans for this, the Central Business District is the closest place for you to stay in New Orleans.
Where to Stay in the Central Business District
The following are excellent options for hotels in the Central Business District.
Hyatt House New Orleans Downtown
Why Stay At Hyatt House New Orleans Downtown:
- located in the heart of Downtown New Orleans
- excellent location for those visiting Superdome or Smoothie King Center
- perfect for those needing spacious rooms/suites or an extended stay
- connects to the Hyatt Regency New Orleans
- great for all types of travelers
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Why Stay At Hyatt Hyatt Regency New Orleans
- excellent location for those visiting Superdome or Smoothie King Center
- connected to Hyatt House New Orleans
- heated outdoor pool/sundeck/bar
- Starbucks
- great for all types of travelers
Windsor Court
Why Stay At Windsor Court:
- elegant hotel in an area away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but still within walking distance of the French Quarter
- rooftop pool
- Windsor Court Spa
- great for couples and families
Arts/Warehouse District
One of the Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
The Arts/Warehouse District is the area of the Central Business District that is closest to the Mississippi River.
In the Arts/Warehouse District, you’ll find art galleries, boutique shops, great restaurants, the National WWII Museum, and the Convention Center.
Where to Stay in the Arts/Warehouse District New Orleans
The following are excellent hotel options in the Arts/Warehouse District in New Orleans.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
Why Stay At Hilton New Orleans Riverside:
- excellent location on the Riverfront
- walking distance to the French Quarter, Audubon Aquarium, the National WWII Museum, and the New Orleans Morial Convention Center
- hotel is connected to the Riverwalk Outlets
- The HealthClub by Hilton includes a fitness center and indoor tennis courts, racketball, volleyball, and basketball courts
- 2 outdoor pools
- great for all types of travelers
- 👶👧 top pick for those traveling to New Orleans with kids because of its proximity to the Aquarium of the Americas and connection to Riverwalk Outlets
Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans-Convention Center
Why Stay At Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans- Convention Center:
- across the street from Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
- free shuttle to the New Orleans cruise port
- outdoor pool
- free hot breakfast
- excellent hotel for Convention Center visitors and those cruising out of New Orleans
Uptown & Garden District
One of the Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
The Garden District located in Uptown New Orleans is another one of the safest places to stay in New Orleans.
This area is known for its historic grand mansions, oak tree-lined streets, Magazine Street, and the famous St Charles Streetcar.
Uptown is also where you’ll find the Audubon Zoo, one of the best zoos in the U.S., Audubon Park, and Tulane University.
Although the Garden District is one of the safest places to stay in New Orleans, I don’t recommend staying here if this is your first visit to the city. This is because it is away from the must-see spots in the French Quarter.
However, if your coming back to New Orleans on a repeat visit the Garden District is an excellent serene place to stay. It’s also the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to shop and explore Magazine Street.
Where to Stay in New Orleans Garden District
The following are excellent options for hotels in the Garden District of New Orleans.
The Pontchartrain Hotel
Why Stay At The Pontchartrain Hotel:
- located in the heart of the Garden District
- an elegant/Old-World vibe
- 2 restaurants, a coffee shop, and a rooftop bar
- great for all types of travelers
Hampton Inn New Orleans/St Charles Ave
Why Stay at Hampton Inn New Orleans/St Charles Ave:
- St Charles Avenue Streetcar line in front of the hotel
- easy walk to Magazine Street for shopping and dining
- free hot breakfast
- outdoor pool
- great for all types of travelers
Final Thoughts: Safest Places to Stay in New Orleans
The safest places to stay in New Orleans are the French Quarter, Central Business District, Arts/Warehouse District, and Garden District.
If you’re a first-time visitor to New Orleans, I recommend staying in the French Quarter, the Canal Street area of the Central Business District, or the Arts/Warehouse District. If you’re a repeat visitor to New Orleans and looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Garden District is an excellent place to stay.
I hope after reading this guide, you feel much more confident about traveling to New Orleans!
Have fun and eat lots of beignets!
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