Shopping A-Z

Antiques

The majority of the listings are true antiques shops, and in many cases, the sort of establishments that have objects in the six-figure range. For those of us without jet-set budgets, we have listed, and made note of, less stratospherically priced places.

Art Galleries

With one major exception, galleries in New Orleans follow the landscape of antiques shops: Royal and Magazine streets.

Since the opening of the Contemporary Arts Center, however, galleries also keep popping up around Julia Street and the Warehouse District. Some are listed, but there are many others. All are strong contemporary fine-art galleries, but it can be hard to tell them apart. If you're contemplating a gallery-hopping jaunt, start at Julia Street.

Bath & Beauty Products & Day Spas

Kevin Wu, co-owner of the Courtyards B&B, does in-room on-call massages to any hotel in town (tel. 504/945-9418). Old fashioned gentlemen should consider the barbershop at the Hotel Monteleone, where one can receive a proper hot towel, straight razor shave. Call for appointment tel. 504/523-6700.

Books

Literary enthusiasts will find many destinations in New Orleans. Maple Street Book Shop, 7523 Maple St. (tel. 504/866-4916), is an uptown mecca for bookworms; the Maple Street Children's Book Shop is next door at 7529 Maple St. (tel. 504/861-2105); and Beaucoup Books (www.beaucoupbooks.com) is closing for good and will become Web-based, focusing on New Orleans books.

Costumes & Masks

Costumery is big business in New Orleans, and not just in the days before Lent. In this city you never know when you're going to want or need a costume. A number of shops in New Orleans specialize in props for Mardi Gras, Halloween, and other occasions. Here's a tip: New Orleanians often sell their costumes back to these shops after Ash Wednesday, and you can sometimes pick up an outfit that's only been worn once at a small fraction of its original cost.

Gifts

If you happen to be in town on the third Saturday of the month, consider making a trip to the Bywater Art Market (Royal Street at Piety, tel. 504/944-7900; http://www.art-restoration.com/bam/index.htm; 9am-4pm). Paintings, pottery, glass mosaic, jewelry, handmade frames from old wood, and more, with the quality assured as only juried artists are permitted to participate. It's all original, it's all local and regional, and much of it is surprisingly affordable.