Hi everyone,

I just came back from a trip to New Orleans last week. The city is incredibly beautiful, and despite the intense heat, I loved the atmosphere. However, I can’t shake off something strange and deeply unsettling that happened to me there, and I’m looking for some insights or similar stories.

On my second night, I was walking around St. Louis Cathedral and the French Market. Out of nowhere, I was hit by an overwhelming wave of stress and panic. My chest felt tight, my head was spinning, and I felt this powerful, primal urge to just run away as fast as I could.

The next day started fine, but then the nights at my hotel turned bizarre. I woke up multiple times in absolute panic, with my upper body completely paralyzed and tense. To make things weirder, I repeatedly heard the distinct sound of water running in the bathroom, but every time I checked, everything turned off.

What's fascinating is that it seemed highly location-dependent. I took a tour of the Bayou, and everything felt completely peaceful. I also visited the Tremé neighborhood, and felt great. In fact, right after coming back from the Bayou excursion, I was in top shape. But as soon as I walked back toward the French Market to grab some food, the exact same heavy malaise and panic hit me again out of nowhere. I had to leave the area immediately. Later in the trip, I decided to do a Voodoo tour... and the exact same intense anxiety and panic attack came roaring back instantly

Once I got home, I noticed two terrifying physical details that I cannot explain: I have a strange scratch on my back that I don't remember getting AND I have a burn mark on my right ankle. It has now turned into a massive scab, and I have absolutely no memory of burning myself or getting hurt during the trip.

This heavy, dark feeling of anxiety and panic didn't leave me until I finally boarded my flight back home. Now that I'm back, the anxiety is completely gone and I feel like myself again, but I'm left with these unexplained marks on my body.

I've never felt anything like this before. It truly felt like I was being targeted or overwhelmed by negative energies specific to certain parts of the city.

• Has anyone else experienced this sudden, overwhelming dread near the Cathedral or during specific tours in NOLA?
• What do you think happened ?

Thanks for reading.

Hi everyone,

I just came back from a trip to New Orleans last week. The city is incredibly beautiful, and despite the intense heat, I loved the atmosphere. However, I can’t shake off something strange and deeply unsettling that happened to me there, and I’m looking for some insights or similar stories.

On my second night, I was walking around St. Louis Cathedral and the French Market. Out of nowhere, I was hit by an overwhelming wave of stress and panic. My chest felt tight, my head was spinning, and I felt this powerful, primal urge to just run away as fast as I could.

The next day started fine, but then the nights at my hotel turned bizarre. I woke up multiple times in absolute panic, with my upper body completely paralyzed and tense. To make things weirder, I repeatedly heard the distinct sound of water running in the bathroom, but every time I checked, everything was bone dry and turned off.

What's fascinating is that it seemed highly location-dependent. I took a tour of the Bayou, and everything felt completely peaceful. I also visited the Tremé neighborhood, and felt great. But later in the trip, I decided to do a Voodoo tour... and the exact same intense anxiety and panic attack came roaring back instantly.

Once I got home, I noticed two terrifying physical details that I cannot explain:

1. I have a strange scratch on my back that I don't remember getting.

2. I discovered a burn mark on my foot. It has now turned into a massive scab, and I have absolutely no memory of burning myself or getting hurt during the trip.

This heavy, dark feeling of anxiety and panic didn't leave me until I finally boarded my flight back home. Now that I'm back, the anxiety is completely gone and I feel like myself again, but I'm left with these unexplained marks on my body.

I've never felt anything like this before. It truly felt like I was being targeted or overwhelmed by negative energies specific to certain parts of the city.

- Has anyone else experienced this sudden, overwhelming dread near the Cathedral or during specific tours in NOLA? What happened ?

Thanks for reading.

Hi there, french traveler here

Where can I watch the france vs morocco world cup match tomorrow ?

Thanks in advance !

Hi everyone.

Just wanted to share a feeling i’m having these days. I’m currently on a solo trip in New Orleans and have been in NYC the last week.

I’m visiting the US every year and have live a year in Chicago. However, this time i feel SO UNSAFE.

It started when I landed in nyc, i rented a airbnb near jamaica, queens. Soooooo many people on drugs and weird guys. 100 degrees outside. I thought well it’s just the neighborhood. 4 years ago I rented an Airbnb in Crown Heights and never felt that way.

Then the airbnb‘a was broken : a nightmare. I booked a room in a hotel located in chinatown for the night after.

Day was going great then… A black man, ~40 yo, fainted in front on my eyes near chinatown, I was so panicked. I asked him if he was ok and he could barely answer. People around me didn’t give a single f and that freaked me out. I still asked if he wanted me to call 911 but he said no (i’m european I always forget that care is so expensive). I was in shock. That made me soooooo anxious and couldnt stop thinking what if he dies ??? What if I faint and nobody helps me ??

There comes the big anxiety. I landed in Nola 2 days after. The weather is so hot but not worse than the heat wave in nyc. And since the other day, i don’t know why, i feel unsafe.

I had a 3 hours long panick attack yesterday, slept 2 hours, feared I was having a heart attack. I’m used to travel solo but never been so anxious during a vacation.

That sucks. I keep thinking “what if i have to call 911”

Hellooo,

I’m planning a solo trip to New Orleans this summer. I’m a 30F traveler from Europe, and I’d really appreciate some local feedback on my general plan. I will be staying in NOLA for 6 days.

For privacy and safety reasons, I’m not including my exact dates, and this is not the real order of my days, activities, or restaurants. I’m mostly looking for feedback on whether these places/activities are worth it, safe/logistically or if there are better alternatives.

I’m especially interested in history, local culture, architecture, food, live music, and neighborhoods that are interesting but still reasonable to explore solo.

Activities / museums / tours I’m considering

• French Quarter history and architecture walking tour
• New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
• Backstreet Cultural Museum
• Mardi Gras World
• Haunted French Quarter walking tour
• Half-day swamp/bayou tour outside the city
• Half-day visit to Whitney Plantation
• City Park + Besthoff Sculpture Garden
• Ferry to Algiers Point
• Walking around the Garden District
• Walking around Bayou St. John
• Exploring Marigny
• Some wandering around Tremé / nearby neighborhoods
• Low-key shopping/wandering in the French Quarter

Food / snacks / restaurants on my list

• Loretta’s Authentic Pralines
• Mandina’s
• Parkway Bakery & Tavern
• Hansen’s Sno-Bliz
• Neyow’s Creole Café
• Turkey and the Wolf
• Coop’s Place
• Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop for a drink
• Liuzza’s by the Track
• Clesi’s Seafood Restaurant
• Lil’ Dizzy’s
• Napoleon House
• St. Roch Market
• Bacchanal Wine

Live music / evening options

• Frenchmen Street, possibly The Spotted Cat or d.b.a.
• Maple Leaf Bar
• Preservation Hall
• Kermit’s Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge
• Bacchanal Wine
• Possibly a low-key evening depending on energy

Safety / logistics notes

• I’m planning to use rideshare at night, especially after live music.
• I’ll avoid walking alone late in quiet areas.
• I’m staying in a central hotel, but I’m not sharing the exact location.
• I know summer will be hot and humid, so I’m trying not to overpack the days too much.

Questions for locals / frequent visitors

• Are any of these places overhyped or not worth it?
• Are there any that are especially good or bad for a solo female traveler?
• Are there any neighborhoods or routes here where I should definitely use rideshare instead of walking/public transit?
• Are there any restaurants/activities I should swap out for better local options?
• Any live music spots you’d recommend over the ones listed?
• Is this list too ambitious for a summer trip, considering the heat?

Thanks so much! I’m not looking for a perfect fixed itinerary - more like a reality check on the list before I finalize things.

Hi everyone!

I’m planning a 10-day solo trip to the US in early July. I lived in the States for a year and I visit every summer, so I’m not a newbie, but I’m stuck on my destination this year.

The struggle: I’m torn between NYC (my favorite city in the world, 10/10 vibe) and Miami (never been).

I’ve always wanted to see Miami because it looks gorgeous in photos/videos, but I have some hesitations. I’m 30 and I’m definitely NOT into the clubbing/party scene. I’m scared I’ll get bored after 3 days if I don't spend my nights in clubs.

My vibe so far:

• NYC: 10/10 ( love its craziness)
• Nashville: 9/10
• Cape Cod / Santa Barbara: 8/10 (cosy, beautiful landscapes)
• Boston: 7/10 (felt like London in USA)
• Chicago: 7/10
• LA: 5/10 (Gorgeous spots but found the vibe a bit "fake" and dark)

Crucial point: I won’t have a car. For this trip, I’ll be relying on my feet, buses, and Ubers.

So, what do you think? Based on my ratings, is there another city I’m overlooking? (Must be walkable or have decent transport).

I’m really tempted to just go back to NYC because I know I love it, but I feel like I should maybe broaden my horizons. Help!

EDIT : To me, traveling is all about that deep cultural immersion and the pulse of a city that’s constantly on the move. I’m at my happiest when I’m exploring vibrant, lived-in neighborhoods, diving into the local food scene, and uncovering the history behind the architecture. There’s nothing I love more than just wandering off the beaten path, getting lost, and stumbling upon those unexpected "hidden gems" you won't find in a guidebook. Ultimately, it’s that mix of spontaneous discovery and the people you meet along the way that makes every journey worth it.

Edit 2: To the LA fans in the comments: I hear you! I was only there for a few days, so I’m the first to admit I probably only scratched the surface. Being solo, car-less, and on a budget definitely shaped my experience, and I might have missed the neighborhoods that would have changed my mind. That being said, I’m just looking for a specific kind of walkable, historic energy for this trip, the kind I felt in Nashville or NYC.

😊 UDPATE : I'm considering 4 days in NYC / 4 days in NOLA