French Quarter Reviews

My friends and I visited the French Quarter one afternoon. There was so much to see and do. Bourbon Street has lots of bars, restaurants, and street musicians. You can hear music coming out of each doorway as you walk by. There is a lot of small stores if you're looking for souvenirs. Outside of Bourbon Street, there is beautiful architecture and many museums to check out. We also walked to see St. Louis Cathedral and the beautiful park in front of it. We also made our way to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 for a tour of the cemetery.

Was skeptical after reading reviews on TripAdvisor about how battered and rundown this area is. Was pleasantly surprised to see a very lively and busy streets filled with tourists. Still has several buildings that have been restored post Katrina. Spent close to 3 hours walking around the area. Do explore the boutiques and restaurants in this area. Parking is expensive so plan accordingly.

Visited New Orleans for 2 days as part of a trip. NEVER again. For use of better words, it was an absolute dump. It stank, it was dirty, it felt very unsafe, and it generally had freaky vibes.

I live in London so I’m no stranger to being street wise and wild things but I couldn’t wait to get out this city.

Famous city district= loved walking the streets and hearing the music. Great structures and a great vibe. Yes, the streets and sidewalks were in need of help, but hey... it was a fun time. Take your time, eat, party and enjoy!

The French Quarter is simply a must visit whilst in New Orleans. The sights, sounds and Music of the French Quarter is simply amazing. Don't just stay on Bourbon, or Royal Streets, meander through the many cross streets and enjoy the experience holistically, you wont be disappointed.

We stayed near the French Quarter was very easy for us to explore
There were some remedial works going on at some of the streets do not a lot of pavement access
Thus area is very different during the day and evening
It is extremely vibrant with an abundance of interesting shops
The houses are amazing and so interesting and different
I loved how historic they area
I loved the street selling art, there us do much choice and it suit all budgets
Do visit these shops as they sell a ,or of local art
At no punt did I feel unsafe exploring this area
At night it’s very lively

We got there at 11 o’clock in the morning and it was deserted. Had the place to ourselves. We then took a trolley out to St. Louis cemetery number three and when we got back to have lunch it was a totally different experience. Loud and fun we decided to eat just appetizers and not go into a food coma lol it was awesome.

So many great restaurants. So many great shops. Lots of great hidden gems here. Take a tour, any tour. So many to choose from and all are great. Hear the locals revel in their stories of history day and night. The area is kept clean daily. A great walking area with lots of sights to see.

Stayed in New Orleans after getting off a cruise, was really looking forward to Bourbon Street and French Quarter. Having young children, we felt the French Quarter was a great and safe place to walk. Tons of restaurants and shops.

The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, is like stepping into another world altogether! This historic district is a vibrant melting pot of culture, music, and delicious cuisine. The colorful architecture, with its iconic wrought-iron balconies, oozes charm at every corner. Beignets and coffee at Café du Monde are a must-try, and the live jazz pouring out of the numerous bars and clubs adds to the city's unique atmosphere. But, and here's the downside, it can get pretty rowdy, especially in the evenings. If you're looking for a peaceful and quiet getaway, the French Quarter might not be your cup of tea. The streets can get crowded, and the party vibe can be overwhelming at times, but that's also part of what makes it so uniquely New Orleans!

Travelling to New Orleans for 3 days at the start of our holiday, then 3 days at the end.
The French Quarter is a very busy place and definitely lots to see and do and on almost every corner there’s some musicians some very entertaining others ummm I’ll leave that for you to decide :-))))
Just beware of the uneven roads and pavements there’s definitely some BIG potholes out there!!!

A fun place to visit. We stayed in the Quarter so we walked everywhere and heard some great music of all genres. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars. I never made it to the late night time. Vibrant to say the least. A must go to if you are visiting NO for the first or 100th time. Lots of fun, good foods, music, and drinks.

So much to see! Great for walking, photo's and shopping. Ate Beignets and New Orleans snow cones. Loved the open air music.

Having never been to New Orleans before my wife and I decided on a whim to spend NYE there during a road trip. Our expectations were pretty low and honestly we were kind of apprehensive. We couldn’t have been more wrong. We had an amazing time walking the French Quarter, experiencing Bourbon street, and meeting great people. Normally I would expect bar tenders and wait staff to be pretty grumpy during NYE but each one we came across were completely helpful, friendly, and engaging. Fireworks at midnight were amazing. The outdoor party across from Jackson Square was kinda eh so we just passed it by. All in all I’d recommend and we’re definitely back.

LOVED it so much to see and do and hear. An my wife just loved the broch she got from Oscar great little shop he has. Music and food and people (all kinds of)

I found New Orleans ‘ French Quarters very disappointing, lacking quality, degraded, and sad. The ideological change this city has undergone over the past five years has impacted this area for the worse: Social degradation/decomposition, depravity, homelessness, and surprisingly Le Cafe du Monde taken over by Asian charging $5 for a reheated disgusting coffee made in a coffee machine 🤣🤣🤣New Orleans -French Quarters-Bourbon Street has much to desire to be what it used to be 20 years ago or so. I left the city overwhelmed by a feeling of regret. We had dinner in a restaurant located outside downtown since we were afraid of unhygienic conditions around. Thanks God I was passing through on my way to the Emerald Coast of Sunshine State Florida. I will never be back.

We used to live near to New Orleans and visited often so we thought we’d go this year to the place we love. It’s gone downhill. The historic beauty of the quarter is still there but it’s hard to see it underneath the squalor that exists there , in terms of the druggies and homeless. There is not much music or street entertainment on the corners anymore and the sidewalks are in such disrepair they are dangerous to walk on especially for the older generation. Some things have not changed such as the beautiful Jackson Square and watching the shops negotiating the bend in the huge Mississippi River. Maybe I just should have retained the NOLA I loved in my memory.

We are both jazz fans and grew up in awe of visiting New Orleans one day.
HUGE disappointment.
Dont misunderstand, the city is as nice as any other and on the river, makes it a winner.but......it was the French Quarter everyone goes for.
Several things....Small area, Smelly ( urine) Stained ( urine) lots of homeless folk blowing brass and making noise.
If you are there then it is an education BUT....dont go out of your way.!

The French Quater is exactly as described in magazines. We were able to walk Bourbon and Royal Streets. The only disappointing factor is we expected to see jazz bands along the way. While there were only a few bands out, they were NOT jazz related. However, it was quite an experience and we would do it again.

Tired old and dirty. That’s the French quarter. A market that’s well past it’s best and huge queues for anything worth seeing. Vastly overrated

Beautiful buildings but watch your step!! This area is bustling and full of history. Be sure to take in the architecture and details on the old buildings. We stopped in at Pat O’Brein’s for a hurricane. It was a neat bar that was very lively!!!

I enjoyed the architecture. There's quite a few streets of shopping and food/drink choices. Some pretty good entertainment too. There are various tours available- ghost tours, carriage rides, etc.

Highly recommend exploring the French Quarters in New Orleans because of the really cool buildings. Lots of local art galleries that you can go inside and explore.

Everyone needs to see the French Quarter and Bourbon St at least once. Well, I’ve done that and I won’t be back.
1. Parking was $10+/hour anywhere I could find
2. Driving through and sightseeing is unrealistic, as the traffic and wandering pedestrians make it slow and dangerous.
3. Walking (in the evening in daylight) feels unsafe, and this coming from an experienced city traveler.
4. Smells: trash, vomit, pee, and poop.
5. Sights: drunken crowds, families protectively clinging together while trying to take in the experience, long lines for decent establishments, people tossing things from balconies
6. Tastes: we found yummy beignets and a decent slushy at a fenced off outdoor cafe with a guard and outdoor music
7. Sounds: chaos in the street, and good live music in our courtyard cafe

The French Quarter in New Orleans is a lively adventure. It's like stepping into a world of music, history, and vibrant colors. You'll find charming streets, delicious food, and a party atmosphere. If you're up for a unique and unforgettable experience, the French Quarter is the place to be.

Visiting the French Quarter was a bucket list item but the reality fell short. The beautiful old buildings are hard to appreciate because the streets are lined with vehicles and the narrow sidewalks are filled with people. If you want to take photos be ready to be a target for every hustler in the area to hit you up. While we never felt like we were in danger we definitely felt "watched" by the people just hanging out. Many of the shops were nice and the food was good but like many other people we felt the area was pretty dumpy. We've visited many large cities in our travels but never felt as on edge as we did walking this area. I definitely did not feel the "romance with the city" that is portrayed in countless shows and movies.

Crowded but cleanest I’ve ever seen this city and street!! Loud, but expected. Good drinks, not near as much nudity as I remember seeing before or painted on clothes I guess. Overall, really impressed by how they’re keeping the place so clean.

Well men exposing themselves to children on the street. Is what you like then fine. It's disgusting and immoral and the authorities stand back and do nothing. Drunk men having sex in doorways as well. Does remind me of sodom and garora in ancient times.

There’s a lot of history in this area of New Orleans. The streets are filled with people walking. Horse carriages and cars everywhere. Go during the day for sightseeing or at night for partying.

This area is fine early morning through dinner time, but late afternoon to late at night, it's loaded with drunks and drugs.

If you want to see this area, get up are the crack of dawn, grab coffee and stroll through. Be mindful of the people in the streets, sidewalks and doorways ... and the smell that would make one feel they are walking through a sewage treatment plant.

The streets and sidewalks are HORRIBLE. It's not at all handicapped accessible.

We had a great time. Both day and night! Shopping during the day was fun and the nightlife was unbeatable.

A must see in New Orleans, pros and cons but a must. Some great shops and restaurants. Can be overwhelming!

I visited the French Quarter for my Birthday. The area has seemed to have declined since my last visit a few years ago. More derelicts and homelessness noticed. Really shocked at increased prices compared to previous visits but that's inflation for you. The Quarter seems to be getting less cared for and I'm not sure why. This was a short visit to the city this time around. Was hoping to see more improved shops and eating spots, may be next time. Still love you NOLA.

Truly a unique town. The oldest jazz club on Bourbon street, Fritzel's, was entertaining as an old world charm club with fantastic music. Also, another visit is Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street which is an outdoor venue with a jazz band and drinks. Jackson Square is worthy of a visit. All the side streets in the French Quarter are interesting and the architecture is amazing. Definitely worth a visit.

We have visited the French Quarter several times and are well aware of the "seedy" side.....it's to be expected. Unfortunately, things are getting pretty bad. We walked through about 8 on a Tuesday night.....it reeked of urine, marijuana, and stale beer. There were groups on bikes riding recklessly through pedestrian areas and other groups loudly playing drums on paint buckets. Several people were passed out in doorways. Other than the station, we didn't see any police. It did not feel safe.

Get a hotel I. The french quarter and you will be near everything. So much to see and do. Can’t see it all in just 4 days. Many great bars and restaurants to try

It was a lot of funto return to New Orleans! Last there in 2019!Interesting city and very unusual characters! However, ladies are advised not go out alone in the evenings!!

It's the crazy party every night on bourbon street.
A fauna most colorful for all tastes.
Country rock jazz music etc ...
Your choice

Went on a carriage ride, it was really interesting and we learned alot.

We had just got off the Mississippi Riverboat ride and headed to Jackson Square and found a good horse and driver.

Walking in the French quarter you can’t help but be in awe of the architecture. The wrought iron, the buildings are all so beautiful and well taken care of. The locals are friendly and helpful. I could spend a week wandering the French Quarter and find something new to marvel at each day.

Amazing and interesting history. Has everything you would want to see and experience. It was wonderful to self navigate beyond Bourbon street.

We did a lot of walking and sightseeing. The music was fabulous. Ate at a couple places. This was in early to mid October and some business' were getting ready for halloween.

I was surprised how many homeless people are all over in the french quarter. And so many people in the city on drugs or some other stuff. I didnt like to stay out in the nights.

It is the oldest neighborhood in the city. New Orleans grew around him until it became what it is today.
Most of the historic buildings around Bourbon Street were built in the 18th century during the period of Spanish rule.
Architecture, life and gastronomy are the three strong points of this peculiar neighborhood that you have to experience and see at least once in your life.
Raconets.

We ended up removing this from our bucket list, but Bourbon Street was a disappointment. First of all, for the home of jazz, most of the bars on the street were playing hip hop music instead of jazz. The street was dirty. Jackson Square did not disappoint and the Cafe du Monde lived up to its reputation. Nice to travel on a streetcar for 40 cents one way, but everything in the city was very expensive. Hotel valet parking was $48, food was overpriced, public parking was $41.00. Overall, nice place to see in a day or two, but no need to return to it.

If you’re considering bringing your young children, honestly, don’t!

The French Quarter, at some point, might have been this wonderful place with great architecture and vibrant culture - not anymore!

Every corner you have the smell of wee*! Larger groups, which to some might be intimidating, openly smoke. It seems to be allowed - okay moving on, but! And here’s the big but! What is simply unacceptable and not only at Toulouse Station - the orange needle caps all over the ground. We’ve stumbled over more than 5 used needles next to the tracks! Same to be found near French Market.

Homeless people on every corner! Jackson Square, French Market, down Canal Street. The Patrol driving through the streets of the French Quarter doesn’t seem to help at all!

The city itself is trying to contain the filth by pressure washing the sidewalks here and there, but there’s still vomit and feces everywhere.

Btw - Cafe du Monde! Horrible service!

I may note that we toured the Quarter mainly during the morning and not evening. It’s not a place for children and to all the parents pushing a stroller through bourbon street during the evening - just wow!

If you like to smell the stench of pot every few feet, like to have salespeople rudely try to force “hypoallergenic” face cream on you even when you say you’re allergic to everything, feel the need not to have to cross the street in certain places to stay away from unsafe/up to no good people (not necessarily homeless people who have no choice) then New Orleans is the place for you!!! You have to walk miles away from the center of the French Quarter to go closer to the outskirts of the neighborhood to experience any true jazz or “quintessential” New Orleans vibe. There are about 10 blocks on Bourbon Street that are not suitable for a normal red blooded American to travel down after dark.

We love the live music & many venues to choose from. Most do not require a cover fee. We like the traditional Zydeco music the best and the venues that have Zydeco bands. Many people in the streets in the French Quarters- walking zone. I believe it is quite safe due to all the people.

It's nice strolling through the French Quarter. Plenty to see. Even more shops to browse through.

I really enjoy this wonderful city and the people that I encounter. The food was that I had at various locations was delicious. I especially enjoyed the young people that I met.

My wife had been wanting to go to New Orleans for many years and we finally got to go there. What a disappointment! The French Quarter was dirty and seedy. The music, for a city that is supposed to be the birthplace of jazz, also disappointed. All we heard coming from the bars was Hip Hop and Rap. Talk about limiting your clientele. Parking was on par, if not more than places like midtown Manhattan. Our hotel, across from the Harrah's Casino, charged $36/day for valet parking.

The whole place smelled like pot. There were guys in what felt like every other doorway asking "massage"? yeah, no. So many panhandlers and people who clearly need way more help than a couple bucks. It felt unsafe. The cathedral was cool and there were some super nice people in stores/restaurants. But that was about it. We finally left because there's only so much you can take of crumbling sidewalks, potholes filled with water and human misery everywhere. It was ike visiting a third-world country, and paying through the nose for that privilege.

We spent 4 days here. The French Quarter is unlike any other place you have been. So much history on these streets. Modern buildings have gone up around it, but this part of NOLA remains timeless. The cuisine is authentic creole/cajun, and if you enjoy seafood, you’re in the right place. Bourban Street during the daytime is family friendly-but about 4pm, it turns into party central. ADULT party central. Anything goes. If you like to drink and party, you will have a blast. Just be prepared to not be shocked because it gets wild. Walking is the best way to get around this area of the city, as the streets are narrow, and congested, with occasional jazz bands walking through, along with the horse drawn carriage tours. The locals are friendly and colorful.

The French quarters is Littt!!! Honestly it doesn't matter when u go. Mardi grass, essence festival, French quarter festival, doesn't matter..... this place is a vibe. 7pm to 2am the street is shur down, music is playing, drinks are being poured, people dancing, singing, jazz bands. It's wonderful. I love it

We visit several parts of the quarter. We listened to some jazz street bands. Then took a horse and carriage toor of the French quarter. There really is two parts of French Quarter. The party place (not really for me) then the residential part. The architecture is beautiful and rich in history

The NOLA Dept of Bums has been hard at work. Last year it was one bum per block. Now each and every business has it's own! The bums that you aren't stepping over are busy rushing at you waving bags of "weed" in your face (smelled more like oregano than skunk oddly enough). Used to be just Bourbon St, but now it's most of the French Quarter. After a decade of NOLA being our go-to for a good time, it's becoming San Francisco in a hurry. Visit now, while you can.

I visited the French Quarter while in New Orleans. It was great seeing street performers as you were walking down the sidewalks. They also have plenty of shops and restaurants to check out!

The good: The French Quarter is an awesome place to see the old historical buildings that NOLA is known for. There are street performers everywhere which was super cool to see and experience, especially the jazz performers that give off a true New Orleans experience. Tons of shops and restaurants to go to, you can spend several hours walking around and still won't get through all of it.

The bad: Although I never particularly felt unsafe, there are a lot of homeless people and drugged out people that sometimes heckle you. The city really needs to step in and get these folks under control. A lot of the streets reek of garbage and piss. Bourbon street is overrated.

I recommend visiting the French Quarter during the day and avoiding it at night. If you watch your surroundings and walk with a group you will be fine and have a great time.

Been going here since 1970. The place is of great historical significance and worth a visit. The architecture alone is worth your time although N.O. is very corrupt and money talks the quarter somehow survives.

This place is wild! Not for the faint of heart! It was an amazing trip. Loved Fisherman St. Very cool bars and local artists and the best music in town! Be prepared to walk a lot, wear comfortable shoes

We found a self guided walking tour from online, that gave us the flexibility to do it on our own pace. The French Quarter after all, is the "heart" of New Orleans. So much history. So many beautiful and unique architecture to admire. Many restaurants, cafes, dessert shops, and of course bars bars bars. Many entertainment options as well, day or night.

Walking can be a little bit challenging due to the narrow sidewalks and uneven surfaces. Definitely need to be cautious for sure. We felt pretty safe during the day time as well as early evenings. Just be sure to stay to well lit areas and be vigilant about your surroudings.

A ''must do" when visiting New Orleans.

Best hospitality anywhere! Such friendly people. The negativity of human relations these days was nonexistent in the French Quarter. People were so laid back & happy. Prices are very reasonable. Very dog friendly town. I did not run into one mean person! Wonderful experience!

Visiting The French Quarter is like touring another country. Everyone is very loose and relaxed. Music on every corner. Voodoo is alive and well.

It is worth visiting to see the architecture, but it is very touristy. I recommend going in the morning before its too crowded.

The French Quarter in downtown New Orleans is one of the best and most unique cities in the world. Catholic Church, with Voodoo mixed with Cajun food and many interesting characters, shopping sites to behold. Great trip and great times all around!

Great food, drink and music.totally laid back.in March temp & humidity just right.People &city very welcoming.Felt happy and safe Can't wait to go back

Awesome- don’t listen to the haters. Yes there’s some smells. No worse than Beale street. But that’s a single street. The history. The love. The whole feeling here is just amazing. Peak was such a wonderful guide - so nice and fantastic. So friendly and knowledgeable. Really did her homework. I hope you get her but even she said everyone was great. But she’s the best 😁

The architecture in the French Quarter is absolutely stunning. We were only there for half a day but loved what we did see.

Parking is kind of a nightmare so next time we visit NOLA we will stay in the FQ so we can just walk around.

An absolute dump. I was here for two days prior to boarding a cruise. You couldn’t pay me to come back here. Weed smoking everywhere. Homeless everywhere. Poop smeared on the side of a building. Loud annoying music coming from slow rolling cars. Atv driving carelessly down main intersections. Southern hospitality- didn’t see it. Everything just seemed dirty.

One of my favorite places ever! The people and the food, excellent! So many great, local people and so much delicious food and drinks! Plus lots of history and great tours!

Visited French Quarter end of March for a couple days. Was expecting quaint village type atmosphere with amazing architecture, shops and restaurants. The architecture was awesome, however it's very run down, dirty, smelly and I felt uncomfortable walking around even during the day time. We saw people shooting up needles in their arms, a man pooping behind a statue of Louis Armstrong and homeless people fighting, yelling chasing people ect. I'm not a big drinker, but if I was I would not feel comfortable letting loose in this environment. We did like Garden District and downtown and really enjoyed the Paddle Wheel river boat cruise.

If you enjoy fresh air and cleanliness, do not visit here. It smelled like urine, vomit, trash, or cigarette smoke just about everywhere I went. The streets and sidewalks are in complete disrepair and absolutely filthy. There's a ton of homeless people, but I didn't have any problems with them and they were all pretty polite. Bourbon Street is just a bunch of bars and was much smaller than I expected. On the plus side, there is a lot of wonderful live music so if you find yourself here, check out Fritzel's European Jazz Club and grab tickets to a show at Preservation Hall; it's worth every penny. Also, I was fortunate enough to see a few second line parades pop up. Overall, the people here are very friendly and there's a ton of great food, but I would never visit here again.

I took a taxi into the French Quarter to find lunch. Afterward, a walk through the community enabled me to enjoy the brilliant subtropical architecture. Today was especially appropriate with 80F degrees in November. There were plenty of tourists out even in November, and this caused the taxi driver to comment that while drivers usually pay attention to traffic rules, pedestrians walk in the streets. The old world setting where the ground floor of a house or building is a business and the second, with the ubiquitous balcony, a residence gives the quarter its special charm.

There was a LOT of walking on this tour. Through dense city crowds. The guide often had to move himself or stop talking because of pedestrian activity. Our guide was more anecdotal with his narration than factual. For an architecture tour, there was very little information about the French Quarter architecture and was instead more of a colorful description of how New Orleans came to be, in a somewhat confusing story put together by our guide.

What a fun place! And day tripin different from night tripin. While a lot of NOLA is trying to recover from Covid, including the French Quarter, there are still a lot of restaurants, bars, hotels and museums opening. The streets and sidewalks are not perfect and smooth, but what do you want for 200 year old streets?!?
While there were a few people out of their luck and on the fringe, we felt safe day and night. Can't wait to come back and see all the stuff we didn't get to do this trip.

Was dirty,loud and smelled of urine.Did several tours and traffic was loud.History was interesting and food was good.Near the waterfront wasn't bad

The architecture is unique and timeless. If you are in a party mood at night it is fine as well. Just be prepared ,as many fellow reviewers have said, it is dirty, smelly grimy and feels unsafe. Best to go through quickly to Jackson Square for a quick stop at Cafe Du Mond then back along the water.

I love this quarter , the style is unique with all the balconies & the colo of the houses . Many restaurants

This place is so quaint, totally historic in every sense of the word, has such an atmosphere that is like no where else in the world! Top that of with great hotels , and truly amazing and very numerous restaurants! I could stay on Jackson Square for hours just enjoying the unique but very stimulating cacophany!

Sandy was such an informed tour guide. She had depth in her knowledge of the French Quarter. This tour was absolute excellent!!!

The French Quarter was amazing, much better and more fun than we’d anticipated as people in our 60s
Visitors to New Orleans should stay in the French Quarter, anywhere near Canal St, there’s lots of hotels but I wouldn’t recommend staying where we stayed at Crowne Plaza - it was old and grotty and the staff were rude!
We felt very safe during the day and at night in contrast to what we’d been told.
There’s so many great restaurants and bars in the French Quarter, just walk along Bourbon Street - the atmosphere is amazing. We had a ball.

Dirty. Did not feel safe at all. Many of the locals were nice, but were quick to warn you not to stray or be out after dark. Could be cool if the city took the time to invest in the city and tourism.

There’s everything you need in the French Quarter,good restaurants,jazz bands,entertainment all over the place,it’s really good to find a restaurant that has balcony seating,you get everything whilst having a meal,the streetcars are an excellent way of getting around,we go passes from the APP lepass then you just show the driver

Special part of town, I expected more of it. An awful lot of homeless people and little entertainment. Surely this should be the part where it all happens. I am not impressed

Always a unique and enjoyable place to visit. Love the shops, clubs, and people. The street performers make it even more enjoyable.

Confusing because of the beauty mixed with the ugly. Parts of the French Quarter had absolutely BEAUTIFUL historical architecture but then other parts of it were like a cesspool. For example, there was the beautiful Cafe Du Monde restaurant, then the flood walls and then the streetcar stop on the other side of the wall. We walked up to the stop and there was a homeless person sleeping on the ground with a dirty white bedsheet they had defecated in (you could tell because of the placement of the brown stain and the smell) laying partially underneath one of the benches at the streetcar stop. Also, right in front of the streetcar stop were MULTIPLE needle caps on the railway. There was an abundance of homeless people.

We took advantage of the all-day Jazzy Pazz Le Pass from the RTA and rode the streetcars and the ferry which you can utilize the Le Pass to help identify where the buses/streetcars/ferries are in real time.

The parking situation is a hot mess so I would highly recommend taking advantage of the Le Pass in New Orleans if you come. It’s very inexpensive for an all day pass and can give you access to all the buses, streetcars, and ferries! I would NOT recommend utilizing SpotHero for reserving a parking space ahead of time as I did this and I spoke with one of the workers at the 535 Chartres St. parking garage where we had reserved our spot and they said the booting company that will come by and boot people’s cars that shouldn’t be there doesn’t always recognize SpotHero and people have still gotten the boot on their car reserving through SpotHero. So, in the interest of not coming back to a boot on our car, we went ahead and paid through the premier parking QR code for that specific garage and we were not able to get a refund through SpotHero. I did ask the worker if I could speak with a manager to see if the problem with SpotHero had been fixed. She recommended calling the number of the booting company. I tried calling the number she recommended and it went to the company but I couldn’t reach anybody.

To no fault of New Orleans, we were there are on very hot day, which just made it not as enjoyable. The ferry was nice if you were on the first level to have the AC for a hot day. Would have been nice up top of it had not be such a hot day.

The street performers playing creole music in front of Cafe Du Monde was very cool!

Exploring the French Quarter in New Orleans was like stepping into a world of history, culture, and vibrant energy. The Quarter’s historic architecture, with its wrought-iron balconies and colorful buildings, provided a picturesque backdrop for wandering through cobblestone streets. The sounds of jazz music and the aroma of Creole cuisine filled the air. Exploring the unique shops, art galleries, and historic sites was a captivating experience. Be sure to visit Jackson Square, where you can admire the stunning St. Louis Cathedral. The lively atmosphere of the French Quarter is a testament to the city’s resilience and its love for music, art, and good food. Whether you’re strolling along the riverfront or enjoying a beignet

New Orleans has changed quite a bit the last time I was there several years ago, and it was the first time for my husband and adult son.

The homeless persons, beggars, and foul smells have quadrupled and would not have felt safe on my own.

Weather was perfect. There were many tourists so that was comforting. The food was fantastic, so was Jackson Square museums. The art scene is one note - loud, bold colors and topics.

Security was amplified everywhere. We walked though an impromptu office party on the street and saw a spontaneous parade too! Both unique to NOLA so that was fun.

We visited the garden district via St. Charles trolley - but the local cemetery was closed. The architecture throughout NOLA is wonderful even the restorations through the centuries and after hurricanes is something g to behold. So much culture and things to experience like eating beignets and listening to jazz being played around the city.

I don't feel like I've been to New Orleans unless I visit the French Quarter and Canal Street. The Quarter is always alive with action - particularly Bourbon St and Decatur. The French Market used to be better. It now has mostly vendors from out of the country - many who do not speak English and are selling imported goods.

Lots of walking, good exercise. Great sights, restaurants, and shops. Night life is crazy, way to loud for my old ears. Having a good time.

Great food! Great Music! Decadence everywhere. A walk down the French Quarter is an amazing experience. Every place offers go-cups so you can take your alcohol with you. You can drink on the streets, but you're not allowed to carry glass bottles. Which is understandable, nobody wants to step on broken glass. Street performers, loud music, food it's one big block party that constantly moving from corner to corner.

Love the French Quarter - so full of history and city culture.lots to do here. I think this is up there as one of my top favourite cities. Loved the architecture, Jackson square, the food, the atmosphere. Dined on one the many balconies and loved it. Such a laid back casual vibe here. Went dancing on Bourbon Street (very much a Magaluf type experience but we loved it). Felt safe during the day and strangely at night too but they say don’t drink too much on Bourbon and keep your wits about you at night. We never saw any trouble but we were home by 1am and it was a Sunday night.

After reading the latest reviews we weren’t sure we wanted to go to the French Quarters. The next morning we thought we would drive down as it has been about 10 years since we last visited. They were busy washing the streets, picking up trash, never seen any homeless people sleeping in the streets. Wish we could have stayed longer.

We went on the back end of mardi gras and was decorated lovely. Great vibe and lots to do. There was a jazz band and loads of art work. Lots or bars and restaurants

It’s lost its luster, to say the least. I want to say/ hope it’s because we were there just a couple of weeks after Marci Gras that the streets were still filthy. The homeless..the putrid smell…too much. There are parts of NOLA that are still wonderful; Bourbon Street isn’t one of them. It’s our fourth and final trip there.

This is the most culturally vibrant place on the face of the earth.
It’s party all day, and all night. We absolutely loved it and are coming back.
Any movies you have seen that feature the French quarter are nothing like the real thing. Nothing could have prepared us for what this place is like. The jazz heritage, the food, the liberalism here. It’s such a free and expressive place.

Funny story, I was beckoned into a bar at about 6pm on my first day ….didn’t realise it was a strip club! Beware of being beckoned into places. I felt rude saying no so went along then spun around and swiftly left.

Despite this, we both felt incredibly safe. Massive police presence everywhere here. Police so polite and laid back.
Be prepared to do a lot of walking.
Do a ghost tour, to a voodoo tour. Go to a jazz club, try the food.
See the French market.
Be prepared to tip for most things.

One thing that shocked me was the alligators that they sell. Stuffed, farmed alligators. That threw me a little.

Anyway, this is by far and away our favourite destination.

Beautiful historical neighborhood with such warm, friendly, and hospitable people. Great place to window shop full of unique gifts, art, jewelry, antiques, pubs, restaurants, live music, etc. Local shop owner provided caveat about shady individuals and groups that prey on tourists. Seemed to be mainly on Bourbon Street. If you get a compliment on your shoes keep walking! Felt safe overall, but keep your head clear (I know this is a drinking town) or travel w/companion (s)

The Tour offers a captivating blend of rich history and vibrant culture, providing an nice experience into New Orleans' unique charm. This tour making it a must-do for any visitor.

I toured around the French Quarter and it was so mesmerizing seeing many of its buildings in real life almost one-to-one with the buildings of the fictional city of Saint Denis in Red Dead Redemption 2!

It is worth walking along Bourbon, Royal, Chartres, Decatur streets and feel the vibe of the city. Some landmarks that would evoke similarities in the game are Jackson Square, LaLaurie Mansion, Lafitte's Blacksmith Bar, New Orleans Police building, Latrobe's, etc. But walk along those four streets and you'll see the similarities in-game.

The French Market is also one-to-one with the French market in the game as well!

Certain parts are not for the faint hearted. Friday and Saturday nights was a ZOO! Go other nights. Lots of open pot smoking.

Must visit neighborhood when you visit New Orleans. A bunch of things to do and it is also very walkable.

We love music and history (and a good night out) so a few nights in NOLA at the end of our road trip seemed ideal. We stayed on Toulouse St (nice hotel) and did tours during the day and hit the music scene at night.
The FQ is busy all the time - really from 10am - 2am or later so if you stay in the heart of things, be aware. There was some great food, fascinating history and good music . Sadly there was also plenty of litter, drug addicts, homeless, graffiti and the worst maintained pavements (sidewalks) I’ve ever seen. If, like us, you come from a country where cannabis is illegal, the constant smell of weed in the streets is very unpleasant and unnerving. For all the fun, it also felt seedy and a little threatening at times.
It’s worth a visit but now we’ve been - I suspect we won’t be back. The city really needs to sort these issues if they want to attract higher spending tourists and non-US visitors. If you want to go but feel nervous, just stay a little back from the centre and keep your wits about you. 2 or 3 nights is enough.

It was ok. Crowded but I’m glad I came and experienced it. Tough getting a cab and if you’re older that would discourage some people. But glad I came.

We knew our first trip to New Orleans would not be complete unless we walked around the French Quarter. Armed with our list of must-taste treats like beignets, muffalettas and oysters we wandered around and had a wonderful time.

This is our fourth trip to NOLA in last ten years. We used to love the French quarter for window shopping, sightseeing etc. We were really looking forward to just hanging out and soaking up the sights.

But the sidewalks are terrible! You have to be careful even during the day to make sure you don’t trip or twist an ankle in the holes or raised bricks. You can’t sightsee when you have to keep your eyes on the sidewalks.

And to add insult to injury there are bolts embedded in the sidewalks at different areas. One of our party tripped on one of these bolts and went sprawling to the concrete. This area is not senior friendly. If you are mobility challenged in any way you should consider avoiding this area.

The French Quarter in New Orleans is like stepping into another world, and another century. It is always a joy to visit, whether it be Bananas Foster at Brennans, the Carousel Lounge at the Monteleone's or beignets and jazz at Cafe Beignet, you will not be disappointed. Be prepared with comfortable shoes as walking is the best way to enjoy the Quarter.

So friendly and easy to get around !! Uber fair prices and plenty nice folks to assist a traveler. The powder room was fabulous for a nail fix up and Brei was fantastic!

We enjoyed walking around the French Quarter- there were so many restaurants, bars, stores and things to see. We were only there for one afternoon.

The French Quarter is still very...well French. So that in itself makes it charming and a little different from the downtown of other US cities. The architecture is stunning and so many of these streets are photogenic. I also liked some of the smaller alleyways and the whole pirate history. I was lucky enough to have a very enthusiastic local guide on a walking tour and he really brought the whole place to life.
Great for a stroll, stop at a cafe or for some souvenir shopping - just don't go near Bourbon St.

Well passed it's sell by date as a tourist attraction.
Lots of homeless folk making a noise and calling it Jazz , lots of urine stained streets to walk around and sad parks.
The walk along the river is lovely but so are all river walks.
Is it worse than lots of other tired tourist venues....Yes sadly it is.

I have rarely enjoyed myself so much, only mistake we made on our 15 night day trip to southern US States was starting it in NOLA! No other city came close! Happily we went back for our last 2 nights! Bourbon Street absolutely needs to be on every bucket list

I am a little surprised to read so many disappointing reviews of the French Quarter. My wife and I stayed at the Hyatt Centric in the French Quarter for five nights recently and had a really enjoyable time. We booked lots of trips, including a bicycle tour of the French Quarter, a tour of St Louis Cemetery No.1 and a Cocktail History Walking Tour. Also, we went on a Street Art & Murals Tour and took in a show in the Orpheum Theatre. Of course, we listened to plenty of Live Jazz too. I purchased several pictures in the all too seductive galleries on Royal Street. Sure there were a few drunken people around at times, particularly after dark, but let's not get carried away. They didn't try to bother us and there were no more than in any other city centre area in my experience. There were also people begging and others who appeared to be under the influence of drugs, but nothing beyond what I have seen elsewhere, including my home city. There is so much that is good about the French Quarter that should be experienced and explored on foot - but do watch out for the potholes! Their reputation is completely warranted! Outside of the French Quarter, if it all really becomes too much for you, take a Red Canal Streetcar to City Park and enjoy free access to the Sydney & Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden or visit a plantation. Finally, we were in a queue to buy a $30 bottle of wine in a grocery near the French Market and the guy in front of us heard our accents, turned around, and insisted on buying the bottle for us. He said he wanted to spread the love! There's a first time for everything, I guess!

To me the French Quarter is the epitome of a visit to New Orleans. The area exudes an old world charm and I can identify the French and Spanish influences.
There are cafes, restaurants, bespoke shops and lots of bars throughout the Quarter. On Royal and Bourbon Street there are live jazz bands playing to add to the atmosphere, and some streets are pedestrianised at peak times.
The streets get very crowded from lunchtime until the early hours of the morning as the area is dedicated to partying. However, if you visit early in the morning, as I did on one visit, it's eerily quiet.
This is a must do on your visit to New Orleans.

I visited from Laurelx, and I discovered Bourbon Streey had so many famous estaurants within walking distance of the Four Points Hotel. Additionally, the numerous sites that could be traveled/seen in the city.

Great to have a walk but avoid Bourbon Street as it is full of people try to scam you and coctail prices are really ridicolous. 15 dollar for a small drink is the norm.

I’ve been coming ever other year for about 12 years but this time I’m disgusted. It smells like urine and pot, everywhere you go. People are walking around selling baggies of rolled joints There is no police presence and feels very seedy. It’s gross and it breaks my heart I used to love the French Quarter. I feel very sorry for the people who live here.

I really liked this neighborhood a little French. Beautiful shop, there is everything, the decorations of the houses, their stories tells the past. To do

The French Quarter is one area not to be missed. As its name suggests, the area was originally settled by French colonists and it is New Orleans' oldest neighbourhood, dating from 1718. Being settled by the French, the area's streets bear the names of Catholic saints and French royal houses, especially Bourbon Street which was named after the then ruling French royal family, the House of Bourbon. As a result of two large fires in the late 18th century, most of the area's buildings were destroyed. Rebuilt in brick, rather than wood, the buildings stll retained the distinctive balconies and galleries for which the area is famous. As our visit was near to Halloween, some of the balconies were decorated in an appropriate manner. It is very easy to spend a number of hours sightsseing in the safe streets of the French Quarter (we were astonished at the number of police cars we saw), being entertained by street acts. If you do not take a ride in one of the many conveyances on offer but only walk, be careful because, in some places, the pavements have not been maintained and there are a number of holes and raised slabs.

This place is filthy with predatory homeless people every where.

We came for the NOLA experience and got more than we bargained for. Having people blowing pot smoke in your child’s face at 10:00am is not my idea if a pleasant morning. Similarly seeing people smoke crack at the bus stop in the middle of the day isn’t favorable.

Dodging vomit and passed out drunks on the street with your family on the way to dinner isn’t very pleasurable neither is having to repeatedly tell homeless people to keep their hands off you as you walk down the street.

We enjoyed the French Quarter with its' diversity and style. The shops were interesting and unique. The street vendors were talented. Plenty to see. Cafe DuMonde is great!

Hop on a trolley or park at Crescent Park and walk to French Quarter. From Crescent Park, it is about 1.25 miles to the French Market. Make your way through the people and streets. Let yourself get lost and enjoy walking area. We didn't do a formal tour since there are so many resources to put your own itinerary together. We were surprised how clean the city is compared to what we had heard.

See this spot at night when the people and places are lit! So much fun to walk around and listen to music, have a few drinks, and walk through history.

The French Quarter in New Orleans is a captivating blend of historic charm and vibrant energy. Its cobblestone streets, adorned with iconic wrought-iron balconies, create a picturesque atmosphere. The lively music spilling out from jazz bars adds a delightful soundtrack to the experience. Exploring the eclectic shops and savoring the delectable cuisine, especially the beignets, makes it a memorable journey into the heart of this cultural gem. The French Quarter truly embodies the spirit of New Orleans, offering a rich tapestry of history, music, and culinary delights.

This place is horrible. Do not waste your money. The French Quarter is such a dump. Very dirty place. People passed out on the streets and openly smoking crack.

I know all the hype about the French Quarter. I also know hurricanes have not been kind to NOLA. But trash everywhere...the worst roads we have ever seen. Lots of boarded up buildings and graffiti seems to be the local past time. The homelessness was the saddest.
Can't easily drive through, but older folks can't do the walking so we took a city bus tour. Unfortunately, not much of the French Quarter was covered. I learned more watching a You Tube video...safer too.
This was my first visit -- my friend had been here 30 years ago. We were both disappointed.

I’ve been to New Orleans many many times. Unfortunately, most likely will not go back. The Quarter has gone totally ghetto! Music was awful (in most places). We watched several drug deals and crack smokers. On a plus outside of the quarter the food was amazing and the store/restaurant staff were so pleasant and helpful.

Absolutely great time. Was there on business but extended my stay and so glad I did. Very upbeat and fun! As a solo female traveler, I just kept vigilant and aware of my surroundings but didn’t feel unsafe.

It is the center and the hub of NOLA. Many of the restaurants and hotels are located there.
Bourbon is congested and rather sleazy. Other streets are quieter and nicer.

It was an interesting experience. During the day fairly quiet. At night loud and a whole different world. Singers, dancers, drunkies, and unique individuals. Nothing like I ever experienced before even through I’m originally from NYC.

Garth Brooks, another concert and Southern Decadence was in town which made things very crowded. It was hard to find parking and my husband was not able to walk much due to knee injuries so it was hard to enjoy certain areas. Most of the shops all sold the same merchandise which made shopping kind of boring. We loved seeing the buildings and the sites of the town.

French quarter is a stinking, run down and tacky place. Nothing is clean and the pavements are a disgrace. Potholes, missing paving, workers who obviously don't have any health and safety training. The only good thing we found was the steamboat ride. If you want to be around people who are drunk or high (probably both) then it is a place for you. Been there, done that, won't again!

Lively place with good good, good music and plenty of drinks. Easy to walk around the French Quarter.
We felt very safe during the day. Even after dark just be aware of surroundings.
Drinks were pricey as was most food. But it was so fun.

A fun place to visit. Great bars, great music and very loud. More for the tourists. Almost everyone in the bars were very nice and had time for you. If you’ve never been before it’s a must

A definite MUST when visiting NOLA. We stayed in a hotel on the fringes of the French Quarter. The first thing that I noticed was how dark the streets are at night. A local told me that it was due to hurricane damage. I didn't feel comfortable walking alone at night, but lucky for me my French Canadian spouse was happy to wander with me. Especially when we could have daiquiris to drink in the streets. The architecture is gorgeous, the people were friendly there are lots of cute shops to browse in and lots of touristy things to see and do. We will definitely be back again in the future!

This was my first time to the French Quarter. It was just ok. Shops in royal street were quite boring and bourbon street was dirty

An amazing, lively area. We were here for the French Quarter Festival Parade. It was one of the highlights of our trip. The buildings were absolutley stunning. I could walk around all day just enjoying the sights.

Nice time in the big easy. Use common safety precautions as there is a large homeless population. However, the majority of the people we saw causing disturbances were over served tourists!! Great people and landmarks are beautiful. Second time and would recommend going between October-April (not including February) to avoid the heat and crowd.

The French Quarter is like no other place in the country.
It’s a wild and crazy place. We really enjoyed our selves there. When in New Orleans a must place to visit.

The French Quarter is just something that you have to see when in New Orleans. Our lodging was in the Garden District and we visited the French Quarter on two afternoons. It was easy to get there using the St. Charles streetcar. We enjoyed taking in the sights. This is a great place for people watching.

OMG this area is just heavenly bliss. We stayed at a Hotel within the French Quarter. It was an easy walking to everything. The peacefulness of Chartres Street, the beautiful architecture, the cleanliness of the area too. This made our stay truly one to always remember. It was like a home away from home. We did walk down Bourbon Street, very noisey and busy but the crowds there were certainly enjoying themselves. The cafes, restaurants, tours just everything was perfect. Make sure you pop in to Croissant D’or OMG so good. And the best little laundromat ‘Suds dem duds’ on Bourbon street. Walking around the area is so easy to navigate, even we didn’t get lost. It truly is a wonderful place to visit, made it very hard leaving there. Thank you New Orleans

We had a great time touring the French Quarter. The food selections and live music choices were amazing. I don’t think children or teenagers would necessarily enjoy it, geared more for adults.

I was warned not to go. Unsafe. Pickpockets. People sleeping on the sidewalk. It is hot. It smells. Lots of drunks and party people. Loud. Note our hotel was a block away from the french quarter and it was serene.
So. . . Yes. It is all that. And so much more. The food is out of this world - probably the best in the country. The architecture is stunning. The atmosphere is festive and upbeat. I never felt unsafe (but I am from NY - I stay with the crowds). An incredible diversity of people and never once the feeling of political discourse felt everywhere else in the nation. I like hot weather. I love vampire bars and voodoo shops, and cemeteries for that matter. It was like a renaissance faire, where all these different subcultures somehow found a way to get along. The lore and history. There are always more stories. It was romantic, delicious, and exciting. Oh, and did I mention the food? This was our third trip. And we plan to return as soon as we can.

The French Quarter is definitely a must-do when visiting New Orleans. The atmosphere, music and food scream NOLA culture. Royal Street and Bourbon Street, along with Jackson Square are the must-visit areas, though all streets have something to see, buy or eat!
There are A LOT of homeless people around and quite a bit of drug use, but other than that we felt quite safe walking through the streets. There are a lot of boutique shops around as well, selling nice items! Take a while to have a decent look around and you won’t be disappointed. There are also lots of photo ops with the architecture and performers.

Pro: all the food choices! You are never a few metres from a restaurant or cafe. We tried a new place everyday and loved it.
Con: it can be a bit dirty/smelly in areas which have a lot of homeless people.
Tip: most days Royal Street is closed to cars and used as a pedestrian mall, and most nights Bourbon Street is the same! Makes looking around at all that’s to offer all the more easier.

Take away: worth a visit!

Was tasty, friendly, smooth... Definitely worth repeating... Young team doing who knows what. Congratulations. See you again

I thought I entered here during a heavy rain season.

What an interesting and lively place to drink and listen to live jazz music.

The food here is famous, unique, and very well seasoned.

It's been 17 years since my last visit to New Orleans and was extremely disappointed in how dirty and smelly the city continues to be. The smell of skunky pot is overwhelming.

My first trip to New Orleans was in 1987, when I was still in high school. It began a life-long love affair with the city and with the French Quarter especially. I've visited a dozen times or more over the years. It's been my favorite place on the planet for most of my adult life. I have so many wonderful memories there.

That is why the recent trip that my wife and I took in May was so heart breaking. I can't believe how The French Quarter has decayed. There are homeless people everywhere, people strung out on drugs or mentally ill (or both). There is absolutely no police presence in the quarter anymore, day or night. Bourbon street used to be exciting at night, now it's just frightening.

There is still wonderful food to be had, and great music to be heard, but it all takes place now in the backdrop of a city in decline. The whole vibe has changed. If you've been there years ago, you understand the vibe that I'm talking about. It was like no other place, and now it's gone.

Its party party party. You have to be there if only once. Soooo glad to have experienced it. Its crowded. Its noisy. Its alive. Its exciting.

It is the main area of downtown again orleans, has a lot of charm and ancient history, so it is very worth getting lost among its streets.
What I don’t like so much is that the main street (Bourbon street) already feels very consumed by tourism, since many bars are traps for tourists that real areas of good music.

What is there to say, its the French Quarter. Non stop food and drinks on every corner from the time you wake up. The day time is calm, and the night is one big party. I look forward to my next trip.

There’s a lot more to New Orleans than the French Quarter. It’s interesting to walk through, but unless you’re looking for adult partying, I could skip it.

Just a wonderful part of a very special city. Bourbon street brings something a little too obviously commercial and tacky to an otherwise magical town.

Very hot in September! Eh - no big deal, buy/bring a hand fan and a towel 🤣. Amazing vendors - unreal food and the sweetest people ever. Bring good walking shoes and take siestas in the heat of the afternoon. Hydrate with water even if you are enjoying the great adult bevies. NOLA, we will be back :)

The architecture and history is the only saving grace of this area. It’s dirty and nasty. The streets and sidewalks are so broken up and uneven that you’re constantly having to step over, up or around something. The homeless people are laying on the sidewalks sleeping at all times of day and night. When you get to the end where the French Market is it is beautiful and totally different vibe altogether.

The French Quarter has some really beautiful architecture and has a very unique feel. I loved walking around and seeing all the lovely buildings. There are great restaurants and very cool antiques shops mixed in with all the touristy shops and drinking culture grit. There are some interesting historical tours you can take to learn more about the area's history. There are also a lot of ghosts lurking about, too, so also consider taking a ghost tour.

Dirty, smelly, pot everywhere, frozen slushies and trinkets all over. Definitely historic, but not being kept up. Unfortunately the poor hygiene of the city takes away from the enjoyment of it's history.

NOLA was on my bucket list for years. All I can say is it’s now a checkmark. I will preface this by saying we only stayed one night and kept to the French Quarter. As we drove in, I was very concerned about our hotel’s neighborhood- graffiti, broken sidewalks, dilapidated buildings, broken bottles cemented to the top of walls. It improved somewhat, but the door to the hotel’s lobby was locked at 3 pm! That’s a first. Sidewalks were dangerous with large gaping holes, homeless people, human excrement, the smell of weed, and people yelling “i’m not tripping…” it was cool to see the architecture, music (but not jazz) on the streets, a lone musician playing on joint compound buckets, and the streets full of noise and activity. A bit too much for us, maybe fun for younger folks. We were watching our wallets, and noticed the entire evening that there was zero police presence. We were told Frenchmen Street had more laid back ambiance and authentic jazz music, but we didn’t make it there. The food we had at a recommended restaurant was so-so. Tried to drive by 2 cemeteries to have a quick peek, but both were walled in, including the gates at one, but the other did have a place to look. While searching for this opening, we drove into an open manhole, but thankfully no flat tire. Glad to get it off my bucket list, but never want to go again.

My 6th time here. Been here before Katrina and Multiple times after Katrina. I love it. And I always will.

Bright colors, lots of shops. Its kind of like taking a trip back in time. Fun, interesting, USA history around every corner. Bourbon Street is probably the most famous and a must see, but it is the dirtiest and smelliest(not in a good way- urine is urine)! Hang onto your belongings, lots of street "vagrants", feels like you are walking through an old skid row filled with carnies, beggars, scam artists... The rest of the French Quarter is fascinating; quaint shops, beautiful architecture, great food and smells, history for the asking, local art, markets, music, drinks. Some areas feel spooky- voodoo shops, ghost tours, cemetery tours...