NBA AllStar Weekend (New Orleans, Ball: crime, hotels, neighborhood)

[ericka709]

Hello there -

I am strongly thinking about driving to NOLA from Houston to meet some girlfriends (who are coming in from other parts of the country) for AllStar Weekend.

Honestly, please don't hate me, but I'm concerned about crime in New Orleans.

Here are my questions, thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions:

*Is it as bad as it sounds/looks on TV?
*What parts of New Orleans should be avoided?
*Where will most of the "action" and fun be taking place?
*Where are the special events/parties being held?

[jaylon3000]

What Erica

Me and some of my friends are coming there also I wouldn't worry
we can't be scared of our own people. Just go and have fun you only live once
Moderator cut: sorry, no links of this type, please...it just opens you up for problems

[Ronald120]

• (*What parts of New Orleans should be avoided?) ≠ (*Where will most of the "action" and fun be taking place?)
  Namely...
  
• Downtown/CBD
• French Quarter
  • Bourbon Street

(*Where are the special events/parties being held?) = (*Where will most of the "action" and fun be taking place?)

...pretty much

*Is it as bad as it sounds/looks on TV?

...depends on who you ask. Those most fearful will make it out to be the worst place in the world. It isn't as bad as it is projected. However, you could learn a lot if people that you know real well/trust/are related to you take an active role in showing you around the city.


Hey, jaylon, pm me the link you put up. Just curious.

[NOLA24]

Do come!! We need people to see that the city isn't as bad as the media makes it out to be. I went to Colorado in the beginning of January and some people thought New
Orleans was still under water!! Hopefully, having All-Star Weekend in N.O.
will educate the country on New Orleans and encourage people to travel here.

No, it's not as bad as it seems on TV. Stick to places that are touristy--where there will be lots of people. As with any place, you should always be aware of your surroundings when walking around--just don't be naive--don't go anywhere alone, walk down dark alleys or deserted streets.

I'm thinking people will still be in party mode from Mardi Gras, even though All-Star weekend is 2 wks later. People coming in for All-Star Weekend may come early to party. So, Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, Jacks Brewery areas will be kickin.

The actual All-Star events(all-star games, skills challenges, celebrity game) will be in the New Orleans Arena which is next to the Superdome. The Jam Session will be held in the Ernest Morial Convention Center which is on Convention Center Blvd near the river. Both the arena and the convention center are about 1.5 miles away from the French Quarter. I'm not sure if you already have tickets to anything, but tix for the All-Star games are extremely expensive, so be sure to check that out. Tix for the Jam Session are about $20. I'm not sure about the Celebrity game--but you could check out NBA.com or ticketmaster.com for all tix.

French Quarter info-- FrenchQuarter.com: The Essential Guide to New Orleans' Oldest Neighborhood lots of info on things to do, places to eat, hotels, etc.--very helpful interactive map, too
Map of arena area--go to google maps or mapquest and type in New Orleans Arena, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Hope you make the trip!!

[imaterry78259]

NOLA metro please support the Hornets

[Vampgrrl]

Considering I saw tons of families including small children last weekend Uptown for parades and in the Quarter for Barkus, don't worry too much about it.

I find 90% of the worry over crime overblown..be smart like you would in any other city and you should be fine.

[Ronald120]

Vamp, are you talking about "Bacchus"??

[Sam I Am]

Originally Posted by Ronald120

Vamp, are you talking about "Bacchus"??

No, I think she meant Barkus Royal Ball...different than the parade.

[Vampgrrl]

No Barkus...Krewe of Barkus...it's a big dog Carnival parade..that was held last weekend.

[darylwi]

Yup, my mom is a freak for the dog parades.