Magazine Street

Magazine Street has miles of shopping, cafes, fine dining, and more

A shopper’s paradise, Magazine Street is six miles of shopping, food, and fun. Nestled mainly in Uptown New Orleans but also stretching through the Lower Garden District and into downtown, there’s a mix of vintage stores, grab-and-go restaurants, bakeries, novelty shops, bars, and fine dining. Here are all the reasons you should give Magazine Street a visit the next time you’re in New Orleans.

Saba
Saba

HISTORY OF MAGAZINE STREET

Stretching six miles parallel to the Mississippi River from Canal Street to Audubon Park, Magazine Street travels from the Central Business District through the Garden District and into Uptown. The origins of Magazine Street date back to the late 1700s/ early 1800s when the thoroughfare became home to various rue de magasins, or shops. Over the decades, Magazine Street struck a balance between residential and commercial properties, thus giving us the street we know today. Once sectioned by four distinct markets, Magazine Street otherwise developed spontaneously and without the aid of a master planner.

Red beans – Joey K’s
Red beans – Joey K’s

SHOPPING AND DINING ON MAGAZINE STREET

If there’s something you want, Magazine Street has it. Most shops are locally owned, ranging from art galleries to costume shops and home goods store. A few of our favorite shops include Fleurty Girl for souvenirs, Lionheart Prints for your stationary needs, Terrance Osborne Gallery for Black-centric art, Funky Monkey for unique clothing finds, and Vintage Green Review for zero-waste items. Foodies, there’s plenty of options for you as well, from red beans and rice at Joey K’s to Senegalese cuisine at Dakar NOLA to Chinese food at Miss Shirley’s. There are outdoor bars, coffee shops, spas, tattoo and piercing shops, record stores, workout studios, and more all on Magazine Street. Check out the Magazine Street Merchant Association’s business directory here.

Barrel Proof
Barrel Proof

MAGAZINE STREET BARS AND NIGHTLIFE

Aside from its noteworthy restaurant scene, Magazine Street is also home to many excellent bars. Laid back, neighborhood dives abound throughout each section of the street, from St. Joe’s and Henry’s on the upper portion to Rendezvous and Balcony Bar closer to the Garden District. The Bulldog is known for its beer, and whiskey lovers will appreciate the selection at Barrel Proof. In the mood for live music? Be sure to check out Le Bons Temps Roule. Feeling fancy? Try out Bouligny Tavern, The Vintage, or Paradise Lounge at Hotel St. Vincent for a more upscale cocktail lounge feel.

The Eliza Jane Hotel
The Eliza Jane Hotel

HOTELS ON MAGAZINE STREET

Staying along historic Magazine Street is both ideal and simple. The neighborhood is highly walkable, with food, shopping, and entertainment right at your footsteps. In downtown Magazine you’ll find the Higgins Hotel located on the campus of The National WWII Museum. Close to the French Quarter on Magazine is the Eliza Jane, a boutique hotel full of personality. Hotel Saint Vincent lies farther Uptown in the Lower Garden District. This former-orphanage-turned-hotel dates back to the 1800s and is one of the hottest hotels in town with multiple restaurants on site. Check our hotel directory here and find your Magazine Street oasis.

MARDI GRAS

Head to Magazine Street to catch the early leg of various parades. Once Mardi Gras season is in full swing, many parades start at Magazine Street and Jefferson Avenue, rolling down Magazine Street for several blocks before turning on Napoleon Avenue. This section of the Uptown parade route is known for being more family friendly and relaxed than areas closer to Downtown. Catch the Krewe of Muses, Krewe of Morpheus, and others on Magazine Street during Mardi Gras.

For more information on the history of Magazine Street, see here.


 

Magazine Street Opener
Love To Eat - Magazine Street