Is the Frenchquarter in New Orleans safe for two 50-ish women traveling without a male companion?

NO CRIME RATE VERY HIGH

Yes during daylight hours only. Stay together at all times.

More now than ever.. just stay in the main area on Burbon Street..and go beack to the hotel before 2 am

not at night time alot of little alleyways to drag you into and do it to you

Yes. I live here and have had no problems. Stay in the well-lit areas, don't act like a tourist, and above all, have fun.

Like Inna and Pagan pointed out, you do have to be careful -- just like in any other city in the world. However, if anything, the crime is actually lower in the French Quarter now than before Katrina. People still go there to party at night and do tourist things during the day, but you don't have a crowd that fills the whole street on any given weekend night, as it was before. Large crowds always breed more crime, especially theft.

Just stay in well lit, common areas with people around, and get back to your hotel early enough that you're not the last two strolling down the street (this shouldn't be too hard to do, since there are usually some hardcore partiers out as late as can be).

I live about a half and hour from the French quarter (in a little city called Slidell) and myself, my husband and our three sons ages 7 and 4 yr old twins just went to the aquarium and then walked the French quarter today (11/26) and we were perfectly safe, cops were everywhere. I am sure at nite you would need to take extra precaution. Although the crime in New Orleans is definitely worse than before Katrina, it is not in the French quarter area it is now in places where there used to be no crime. Go, have fun, be safe and have a hurricane at Pat O's for me.

mainly, if you play it safe. At night dont walk in areas that are dead .. and not well lit. I usually go during the day ..sometimes at night. I take my purse with me during the day.. and at night IF ITS crowded. If i know there wont be too many people in the quarter that night.. i leave my purse hidden in the car or at home. .. and just put the few important things in my pockets. I've never had a crime problem in new orleans .. and have been going there for entertainment every weekend for years.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler !