New Orleans is a Mississippi River port city of about 384,000 people in southeast Louisiana, known for the French Quarter, jazz and brass bands, Creole and Cajun food, Mardi Gras, above-ground cemeteries and the streetcar-lined Garden District.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Pralines and Creole spices
Sugar-and-pecan pralines, hot sauce and Creole seasoning sold in the French Market and gift shops.
Price: $5-20 (about US$5-20)
Where: French Market, 1008 N Peters St
Cafe du Monde chicory coffee and beignet mix
Packaged chicory coffee and beignet mix for home.
Price: $8-15 (about US$8-15)
Where: Cafe du Monde, 800 Decatur St
Local jazz and brass band records
Vinyl and CDs of New Orleans artists.
Price: $10-35 (about US$10-35)
Where: Euclid Records, 3301 Chartres St; Peaches Records, 408 N Peters St
Hove Parfumeur Creole scents
Locally blended perfumes and sachets.
Price: $25-120 (about US$25-120)
Where: Hove Parfumeur, 824 Royal St
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
French Market
Open-air market since 1791 with produce, food stalls, crafts and souvenirs.
Where: French Quarter
Hours: Daily; roughly 9 AM-6 PM (confirm on website)
Crescent City Farmers Market
Producer-only market with local produce, seafood and prepared food.
Where: Warehouse District
Hours: Saturday mornings; other weekday markets exist (confirm on website)
Frenchmen Art Market
Night market of local artists and craftspeople on Frenchmen Street.
Where: Faubourg Marigny
Hours: Evenings, typically 7 PM-1 AM (confirm on website)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Magazine Street
Six-mile corridor of boutiques, antiques, galleries and cafes.
Royal Street Antiques and Galleries
Antique dealers and art galleries, including M.S. Rau at 630 Royal St.
Euclid Records
Independent record shop strong in local jazz, funk and brass.
Peaches Records
French Quarter record shop for New Orleans music.
Faulkner House Books
Small bookshop in William Faulkner's former home, strong in Southern literature.
Octavia Books
Independent Uptown bookstore with local authors and New Orleans titles.
Hove Parfumeur
Local perfumery in business since 1931 with Creole-inspired scents.
Faubourg Marigny and Bywater boutiques
Vintage clothing, galleries and indie shops east of the French Quarter.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
The Shops at Canal Place
Upscale mall with Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and a cinema.
Hours: Mon-Sat about 10 AM-7 PM; Sun about noon-6 PM (confirm on website)
Riverwalk Outlets
Riverside outlet mall near the Convention Center.
Hours: Daily about 10 AM-8 PM (confirm on website)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices are fixed in shops and malls; bargaining is not customary.
With antique dealers on Royal Street, modest offers on higher-priced items may be accepted.
Riverwalk Outlets often posts extra seasonal discounts.
Artists at the Frenchmen Art Market may accept cash offers on multiple purchases.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Sales tax in New Orleans is about 10 percent in total and is added at checkout; it is not refundable to visitors., Many French Quarter shops open around 10 AM and close by 6 PM; Magazine Street stores often open later and close earlier on Sunday., Cards are widely accepted; carry small bills for markets and tips., Hurricane season (June-November) can change shop hours; confirm before going.