The Shopping Scene

Major Hunting Grounds

Canal Place -- At the foot of Canal Street (365 Canal St.) near the Mississippi River, this sophisticated shopping mall holds more than 50 shops, many of them branches of elegant retailers like Brooks Brothers, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Coach. There's also a two-story Anthropologie and a branch of local jeweler Mignon Faget. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday noon to 6pm. www.theshopsatcanalplace.com.

The French Market -- Shops within the market begin on Decatur Street across from Jackson Square; offerings include candy, cookware, fashion, crafts, toys, New Orleans memorabilia, and jewelry. It's open from 10am to 6pm (and Café du Monde, next to the farmers' market, is open 24 hr.). You'll find a lot of junk here, but with some very good buys mixed in, and it's always fun to stroll through and grab a nibble (there's a good juice bar . . . or gator on a stick!). Be sure to walk all the way to the "flea market" in the back (near Esplanade), where you can find jewelry; designer-knockoff sunglasses; pretty, flowing dresses; and more. The actual farmers' market portion has pretty fruit and veggies, and the stalls with foodstuffs -- including local seafood, meats, and spices -- can pack your purchases for travel or shipping. www.frenchmarket.org.

JaX Brewery -- Just across from Jackson Square at 600-620 Decatur St., the old brewery building has been transformed into a jumble of shops, cafes, delicatessens, restaurants, and entertainment. Save NOLA, on the first floor, has a good selection of shirts, hats, bags, and other souvenirs from nonprofits that support New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, like Drew Brees's Dream Foundation and Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Julia Street -- From Camp Street down to the river on Julia Street, you'll find some of the city's best contemporary-art galleries. Some of the works are a bit pricey, but there are good deals to be had if you're collecting and fine art to be seen if you're not.

Magazine Street -- This is the Garden District's premier shopping street. More than 150 shops line the street in 19th-century brick storefronts and quaint cottage-like buildings, offering antiques, art galleries, boutiques, and all manner of restaurant. You could shop the full 6 miles from Washington Street to Audubon Park, or hit prime sections from, roughly, the 3500 to 4200 blocks (from about Aline St. to Milan St., with the odd block or so of nothing); the 1900 to 2100; 2800 to 3300; and 5400 to 5700 blocks. Definitely pick up a copy of Magazine Street Shoppers' Guide, a free store list and map available along the street. www.magazinestreet.com.

Riverbend and Oak Street -- To reach this district (in the Carrollton area), ride the St. Charles Avenue streetcar to stop no. 44, then walk down Maple Street 1 block to Dublin Park, the site of an old public market that was once lined with open stalls. Nowadays, a variety of renovated shops inhabit the old general store, a produce warehouse made of barge board, and the town surveyor's raised-cottage home. Walk 4 blocks down Dublin to recently renovated Oak Street, excellent for strolling, shopping, dining, and taking a snoball snack break.

Riverwalk Marketplace -- A mall is a mall, unless it has picture windows offering a Mississippi River panorama. Thus, this one, at 1 Poydras St., is worth visiting. Stop by the Fudgery for their highly entertaining musical fudge-making demos. An uncrowded branch of Café du Monde (for easy beignet access) and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum are also located here, adding considerable motivation for a trip. Otherwise, it's the usual suspects and souvenir shops. Open daily from 10am to 7pm, Sunday noon to 6pm. Validated parking with $10 purchase is $5 for 4 hours. www.riverwalkmarketplace.com.