Is Storyville safe?
New Orleans, Louisiana · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Storyville as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Storyville
“Go with care. While the historic Storyville footprint (now largely the Bienville Basin development adjacent to the French Quarter and Tremé) is culturally significant and centrally located, elevated rates of property crime and opportunistic street crime require vigilance. Stick to main thoroughfares like Basin and N. Rampart Streets and avoid poorly lit interior corridors at night.”
About the area
Once America's most famous legalized red-light district, Storyville today consists largely of the mixed-income Bienville Basin residential community alongside historic cemeteries and municipal buildings. Its position between the French Quarter and Tremé makes it a frequent transit edge for tourists exploring New Orleans musical and cultural heritage.
- Historic
- Urban Core
- Transit-Adjacent
- Mixed-Income
Walking and biking in Storyville
Walk score: 93/100 · Bike score: 86/100
The neighborhood connects directly to the Lafitte Greenway at Basin Street and features multiple Blue Bikes NOLA bikeshare docking stations.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate walking distance to the French Quarter, Armstrong Park, and Tremé
- Revitalized mixed-income housing stock replacing older, deteriorated public housing units
- High level of central transit connectivity via multiple streetcar and bus lines
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain significantly above national and state medians
- Elevated risk of vehicle break-ins, street muggings, and petty theft after dark
- High neighborhood poverty and limited commercial amenities within the residential core itself
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately high, with individuals and occasional small encampments congregating near the I-10 overpass corridors and along unmonitored green spaces near Basin Street.
What Storyville is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and generally calm with commuters, tour groups, and municipal workers moving along Basin Street.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Bustling with pedestrian traffic heading toward Armstrong Park and the French Quarter, requiring standard urban awareness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity thins out off the major avenues; stick to illuminated thoroughfares like Rampart and Basin.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety risk rises markedly; foot traffic drops away from the French Quarter and isolated streets should be avoided.
Transit, parking and getting around
Operated by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the neighborhood is served by the Rampart-St. Claude Streetcar line and major bus routes including the 8, 51, and 52 running along Basin and Rampart Streets.
Street parking is largely metered and tightly restricted; paid surface lots are available near Basin Street Station and along the French Quarter periphery, typically charging $15 to $35 per day.
Things to do in Storyville
- Explore the historic tombs and cultural lore at nearby St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
- Walk across Basin Street to experience live brass bands and monuments in Louis Armstrong Park
- View historic markers commemorating the birthplace of early New Orleans jazz pioneers
Local favorites
- Basin St. Station · Visitor Center & Cultural Center · 4.3★ (320)Historic railway terminal offering educational exhibits, local gifts, and tour departures.
- Bar Tonique · Cocktail Bar · 4.7★ (1150)Intimate, craft-focused cocktail lounge right across N. Rampart Street from historic Storyville.
- Fritzel's European Jazz Pub · Live Music Venue · 4.7★ (2350)Historic traditional jazz joint located a short walk away on Bourbon Street.
Neighborhoods near Storyville
Common questions about Storyville
Is Storyville safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Storyville a good place to live?
On safety, Storyville scores 54/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Storyville?
Walk score 93/100 and bike score 86/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Storyville are safer?
Mid-City (66), French Market (64), Broadmoor (New Orleans) (64) score higher nearby.
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