50 Dangerous U.S. Neighborhoods Tourists Should Avoid

When you're visiting a new city, it's easy to assume that all neighborhoods are equally safe—but that's not the case. Crime tends to concentrate in specific pockets, and knowing where those areas are can help you stay out of trouble while traveling.

This guide from Blog.BadIntersections.com identifies 50 U.S. cities with neighborhoods travelers should avoid, especially after dark. We’ve included crime statistics, local insight, and practical travel tips to help you navigate unfamiliar ground safely.

Why Certain Neighborhoods Are Riskier

Crime isn’t randomly distributed. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, over 50% of urban violent crime occurs in just 5% of city blocks. Neighborhoods with high poverty, gang activity, or inadequate policing often see higher rates of assault, robbery, and homicide.

For travelers, even a brief detour into the wrong area can result in car break-ins, scams, or worse. That’s why we compiled this list using FBI data, local crime reports, and real traveler reviews.

The 50 Worst Neighborhoods for Tourists to Avoid in the U.S.

🔴 1–10: High-Crime Zones in America’s Biggest Cities

  1. Chicago, ILWest Garfield Park, Englewood, South Shore

    West Garfield Park has 131.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, the city’s highest.

  2. Los Angeles, CASkid Row, South LA, Watts

    Skid Row is home to 4,400+ unhoused individuals and widespread open-air drug use.

  3. San Francisco, CATenderloin, Civic Center

    Drug overdoses here are 10× the city average.

  4. New York City, NYBrownsville (Brooklyn), South Bronx

    Brownsville has some of NYC’s highest shooting rates.

  5. Philadelphia, PAKensington, North Philly

    Kensington is the epicenter of the fentanyl crisis.

  6. Baltimore, MDSandtown-Winchester, Cherry Hill

    Over 300 murders citywide in 2023, many concentrated here.

  7. Detroit, MIWarrendale, Brightmoor, Dexter-Linwood

    Detroit’s violent crime rate is 2.5× the national average.

  8. St. Louis, MOWells-Goodfellow, College Hill

    Ranked #1 for murders per capita in the U.S.

  9. New Orleans, LACentral City, 7th Ward

    Homicides in 2023 rose by 20% in these neighborhoods.

  10. Atlanta, GABankhead, Vine City

Gun violence in Bankhead is consistently among the city’s worst.

🟠 11–30: Cities with Surging Crime Clusters

  1. Cleveland, OHGlenville, Kinsman

  2. Washington, DCAnacostia, Trinidad

  3. Milwaukee, WIMetcalfe Park, Amani

  4. Memphis, TNFrayser, Orange Mound

  5. Oakland, CAEast Oakland, Acorn

  6. Houston, TXSunnyside, Acres Homes

  7. Dallas, TXSouth Dallas, Pleasant Grove

  8. Indianapolis, INHaughville, Near Eastside

  9. Kansas City, MOEast Side, Ivanhoe

  10. Cincinnati, OHAvondale, West End

  11. Miami, FLOvertown, Liberty City

  12. Orlando, FLParramore, Washington Shores

  13. Tampa, FLEast Tampa, Sulphur Springs

  14. Las Vegas, NVNaked City, North Las Vegas (some parts)

  15. Phoenix, AZMaryvale, South Phoenix

  16. San Antonio, TXDenver Heights, Eastwood Village

  17. Fresno, CAEdison, Central Fresno

  18. Sacramento, CAOak Park, Del Paso Heights

  19. Albuquerque, NMInternational District, Trumbull

  20. Birmingham, ALEnsley, North Birmingham

🟡 31–50: Underrated But Risky

  1. Anchorage, AKMountain View, Spenard

  2. Jackson, MSWashington Addition, West Jackson

  3. Rochester, NYLyell-Otis, Upper Falls

  4. Buffalo, NYBroadway-Fillmore, East Side

  5. Bridgeport, CTEast End, Hollow

  6. Hartford, CTClay-Arsenal, North End

  7. Springfield, MAMason Square, Liberty Heights

  8. Wilmington, DESouthbridge, West Center City

  9. Camden, NJWhitman Park, Waterfront South

  10. Paterson, NJ4th Ward, South Paterson

  11. Newark, NJSouth Ward, Central Ward

  12. Stockton, CAAirport Way, South Stockton

  13. Lansing, MINorthwest Lansing, Knollwood

  14. Toledo, OHJunction, North End

  15. Flint, MINorth Flint, Civic Park

  16. Charleston, SCNorth Charleston (some areas)

  17. Columbia, SCFarrow Hills, North Columbia

  18. Little Rock, ARSouthwest Little Rock, East End

  19. Oklahoma City, OKSpencer, NE 23rd St Corridor

  20. Tulsa, OKNorth Tulsa, Turley

How to Stay Safe in an Unfamiliar City

Traveling smart can make all the difference. Use these pro tips:

  • Check crime maps before booking lodging.

  • Avoid walking alone in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas.

  • Use rideshare apps instead of public transit late at night.

  • Blend in. Don’t wear flashy jewelry or carry expensive gear visibly.

  • Ask locals (hotel staff, Uber drivers) where not to go.

Final Thoughts

While no city is entirely safe or unsafe, knowing which neighborhoods to avoid can prevent theft, scams, and dangerous encounters. These 50 U.S. cities all have great attractions—but also pockets where caution is critical.

At Blog.BadIntersections.com, we help travelers navigate America’s most dangerous streets and intersections—so you don’t have to learn the hard way.