I’ve not been to New Orleans but just got back from Charleston , SC.
Can’t imagine NO having anything on Charleston.
A French Quarter filled with great restaurants, beautiful architecture that appears similar to the picture I’ve seen on NO, and seems safe.
People , single women, walking blocks to their cars , everyone laughing, having a good time.
Did I mention the food.
Charleston has its own particular charm, but it is a bit different. Since NOLA was and is far larger and with a heavy French influence, there’s a lot more to see (and it wasn’t substantially damaged during the Civil War). Where they are similar is the large Black population and underclass.