Bywater

New Orleans, United States

Overall Safety
Moderate
3.5 / 5
Based on 12 Safety Metrics

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Summary

Artistic neighborhood with street art, cafes, and good restaurants. Fine for daytime walking but too quiet and residential at night - use rideshare after dark.

Artistic and quirkyResidential and authenticStreet art and muralsLocal restaurants and cafesDaytime exploration recommended
Details

Bywater is the artsy neighborhood - colorful shotgun houses with murals, small galleries, indie coffee shops, restaurants focused on local ingredients. More residential and local than the French Quarter. You'll see actual New Orleanians instead of tour groups. During the day you can walk around looking at street art, vintage shops, and cafes. Connects to the French Quarter by foot during daylight. Once the sun sets and businesses close, the streets empty out fast. Limited street lighting in many areas, and you'll be walking past houses instead of active businesses. Restaurants and bars are spread out, not clustered like Frenchmen Street, so you're walking through quiet residential blocks between destinations. Use Uber or Lyft at night. Skip public transit after dark.

Safety Ratings

Daytime Safety

Good

Night Walking Safety

Moderate

Harassment Risk

Moderate

Public Transport Safety

Moderate

Pickpocketing Risk

Moderate

Scam Risk

Low

Police Visibility

Moderate

Emergency Services

Good

Evening Venues

Good

Solo Dining

Excellent

Drug Activity

Low

Homelessness Visibility

Low

Getting By in English

Excellent
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Recommended Places

Cafes

  • Hi-Volt Coffee
  • Who Dat Coffee
  • Cake Café

Restaurants

  • Elizabeth's
  • Pizza Delicious
  • Bacchanal Wine

Bars

  • Bacchanal Wine
  • The Country Club
  • Parleaux Beer Lab

Other Spots

  • Crescent Park
  • Street art murals
  • Dr. Bob's Art Studio
Impressions & Tips

"Liked the artsy vibe during the day, took Uber at night"

"Restaurants are relaxed about solo diners"

"Real New Orleans without tourist crowds"

"Too quiet and dark at night for walking alone"

"Good if you want to skip the French Quarter chaos"

Similar Neighborhoods in New Orleans

Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers

Marigny

4.0
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Night Walking SafetyModerate
Daytime SafetyGood
Harassment RiskModerate
Transport SafetyGood
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Mid-City

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Night Walking SafetyModerate
Daytime SafetyGood
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Residential and authenticLocal restaurantsCity Park access+2

Residential neighborhood with City Park, local restaurants, and lower prices. Safe during the day but too quiet at night - use rideshare. You'll travel to other areas for nightlife.

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CBD / Warehouse District

4.0
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Night Walking SafetyModerate
Daytime SafetyExcellent
Harassment RiskLow
Transport SafetyGood
Business districtArts and museumsUpscale dining+2

Business and arts district with museums and upscale restaurants. Safe during business hours but empties out at night - use rideshare instead of walking long empty blocks.

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Safety Reminder

Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.

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