Like most things in this most unusual of cities, shopping in New Orleans is a wholly different experience. Though the surrounding areas boast malls to rival any in America, New Orleans still believes in the old-world marketplace tradition. Here, historic districts and luxury centers dedicated to the art of shopping gather remarkable concentrations of specialty shops, designer boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants. Downtown or Uptown, the convenience of walking store to store is topped only by the enjoyment of exploring charming neighborhoods . . . and the thrill of discovering one-of-a-kind treasures.
There is nothing generic about the items and services you will find in New Orleans. Downtown, you can make shopping history at the French Market, America’s oldest operating public market. In the French Quarter, Royal Street is deservedly famous for its elegant antique furniture, décor and jewelry, while the Warehouse/Arts District has been called the “SoHo of the South” for its hip lofts and upscale contemporary art galleries. Designer divas and families alike will enjoy the Riverwalk Marketplace’s casual fun, giant food court, and up-close river views. Meanwhile, The Shops at Canal Place, located adjacent to the French Quarter, is home to exclusive designer boutiques and exclusive shops.
And then there is Magazine Street, known locally as the “Street of Dreams.” It is certainly a shopper’s dream: six miles of eclectic shops, hip boutiques, art studios, galleries, spas, restaurants and cafés that run the gamut from upscale to offbeat, and sophisticated to shabby chic. Tucked into charming row houses, Victorian cottages and renovated warehouses, the street’s business and residential mix runs all the way from Canal Street to Audubon Park.
In neighboring Jefferson Parish, two great shopping destinations offer visitors well over 100 stores under one roof. Lakeside Shopping Center is located in the heart of Metairie, just off I-10 at the Causeway Blvd. exit. The Esplanade Mall, in nearby Kenner, is located close to the Louis B. Armstrong International Airport. Both offer tax free shopping for international visitors.
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