I agree with Metairie!! As long as you stay in a nice place, screen well, and do everything you can to be discreet!
Downtown is more fun from a "tourist" perspective.
While I don't "dislike" downtown... I can't really understand the guys who "prefer" downtown... parking hassle and all. *I suppose, if a guy "works" downtown, that must be it.
Hope you do well on your 1st visit... come back soon!