New Orleans Spotlight: Magazine Street

There’s no better way to get to know New Orleans than with a stroll down Magazine Street. A six-mile stretch running through some of the city’s most loved neighborhoods, this eclectic street shows off Nola’s personality like none other.

Vintage shops, quirky coffee houses, funky wine bars and cavernous art galleries are all a part of the deal. Magazine Street promises a true taste of New Orleans—from high-rises and Victorian mansions to artist warehouses and trendy restaurants—this is where you go when you want the real Big Easy.

Where is Magazine Street?

Let’s start with the basics. New Orleans’ Magazine Street begins in the heart of the city—running from Canal Street, at the edge of the French Quarter to Audubon Park.

It follows the Mississippi River past the Garden District, Warehouse District and Uptown, offering a little taste of each distinct neighborhood along the way. The street is six miles long, and runs parallel to St. Charles Street.

This makes it easy to hop on the St. Charles Streetcar and ride it in either direction, then walk a few blocks over to Magazine St. Or, you can grab a ride on the Magazine Street bus for quick, easy access here, there and in-between.

Eat and Drink

Image by NolaBob on Wikimedia

One of the best things to do on Magazine Street is visit the countless restaurants, bars and cafés that line the six-mile stretch. Home to some of the city’s most unique, most delicious and most distinctly NOLA restaurants, this is the spot to go for some seriously great food.

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who has tried it all on Magazine St. From homey, order-at-the-counter spots like Guy’s Po-Boys to chic, date night restaurants like La Petite Grocery, you can find something for any taste, preference or occasion.

There’s plenty of places to celebrate the essence of the Crescent City, like The Boil Seafood House or La Boulangerie. The city’s Cajun, Creole and French roots are wildly present in their seasoned seafood platters and expertly crafted pastries.

Or, opt for new flavors, grabbing Mediterranean food at the well-loved Saba, some high-spirited Tex-Mex at Juan’s Flying Burrito or a world-class reuben sandwich at Stein’s Market and Deli.

Of course, it’s our take that the best restaurants on Magazine Street are the funkiest. Like Casamento’s Oysters, a 100-year old neighborhood staple with some amazing oysters—and seafood in general—in all of Nola. Or, Dat Dog, a funky hot dog stand with toppings you truly won’t find anywhere else.

Other favorites include The Vintage, a coffee shop by day and wine bar by night, District Donuts, and Ms. Mae’s, a 24/7 dive bar where the fun never stops.

Shop

Scour vintage shops for one-of-a-kind treasures or shop the latest at stores like Free People. When we say Magazine St. has a little bit of it all, we mean it.

Stop in thrift stores for unique finds, or visit the ever popular Mignon Faget for timeless jewelry pieces. Vintage lovers will love the Antique Mall, with its curated selection of everything from art to furniture. Plus, trendy clothing boutiques with modern styles can be found all up and down the street.

Still, the gem of the area is Funky Monkey. A only-in-New-Orleans kind of blend of new, vintage and used items, the clothing and costumes here are always changing and always fun to browse.

For the best of Magazine Street shops, head to the area between Washington St. and Napoleon Ave. Here, you can make a full day out of browsing for souvenirs, luxury clothing, vintage finds or eclectic gifts.

Things to Do

Image by Scarlet Sappho on Flickr

While window shopping and café hopping are always a Magazine Street must-do, the list hardly ends there. You can wind through the Warehouse District, browsing art galleries. Or, plan a day at the National WWII Museum—an immersive, family-friendly experience that’ll delight history lovers to no end.

Alternatively, you can check out Audubon Park for a picnic by the Mississippi River, visit the Audubon Zoo, play an afternoon round of golf or take a bike ride around the green belt.

And of course, you can’t forget to stop by the Greetings from NOLA mural. For a lasting New Orleans memory, don’t leave town without first snapping a photo in front of the iconic painting.

If you’re not sure where to start, opt for a food tour or walking tour around the area. There’s nothing quite like a local guide to help you make the most of your time on Magazine Street.

Magazine Street in New Orleans

We know, we know. There’s a whole lot to see and do around New Orleans, and it’s tough to fit it all in. But a visit to Magazine Street is more than just a pitstop on the tourist train—it’s a look into the heart and soul of the Big Easy!

Whether you grab a quick lunch, make a day of it or stay nearby and really soak it in, you’ve got to add this quirky corner of Nola to your list.