imported post
Louisiana Carry is probably the most knowledgable person about our gun laws. His website has links to all applicable laws.
http://www.louisianacarry.org/
One thing most folks don't know about the French Quarter is that there are 2 schools in it. One is on St. Phillip at Royal and the other is on Dauphine at Dumaine. Louisiana has one of those 1000 foot Gun Free School Zone laws that are blatanly wrong, but nonetheless give the NOPD a reason to stop you.
Concealed is the way to go in the Quarter, but beware that you are not allowed to bring a gun OC or CC into any place that sells alcohol - by law entering such a place also gives up your right to refuse a search of your person by law enforcement. The knife would be legal to carry openly everywhere you go.
Don't go by yourself after 2am. If your hotel is in the Quarter, then you'll likely be OK as long as you keep your wanderings bounded by the Mississippi River, Canal Street, Burgundy (some say Rampart, but there's a Housing Project there), and Esplanade. Exception: St. Louis Cemetery on Basin Street is way cool, if you've never been in an above-ground style cemetery. Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is buried there, as is Homer Plessy (of Plessy vs Fergusen - the "separate but equal" case) and some relatives of mine from 200 years ago. There's a walking tour that starts in the Quarter, so you can go see it with a large group.
The Quarter is both much safer than most want to believe, and more dangerous than others will admit. Just keep your wits about you and you'll be fine. And I hope you have a great time in my city. It can be a real blast, if you allow yourself to relax and enjoy it.
ETA: Check with your husband to see if there are any organised activities for spouses. Many conventions here do that sort of thing all the time. That way, you'd be with a group while he's at the conference.