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Royal Street, New Orleans, LA

Photo: MusikAnimal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

ShoppingHistory BuffFreeDate Night

Royal Street

French Quarter, from Canal St to Esplanade Ave · New Orleans, LA

Why you should go…

Royal Street is one of the original streets of New Orleans, dating from the early 18th century and running parallel to Bourbon Street through the French Quarter. It is known for antique shops such as M.S. Rau, on Royal since 1912, and Keil's Antiques, family owned since 1899, plus galleries like Rodrigue Studio. Each afternoon three blocks between St. Louis and St. Ann Streets close to traffic and street performers set up. The Historic New Orleans Collection offers free exhibits along the way.

  • #antique shops
  • #art galleries
  • #french quarter
  • #street performers
  • #shopping street

Good to know

General shopping guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Vendor hours are their own thing

    Market stalls and independent sellers keep shorter hours than the building around them, and quiet days end early.

  • Bring a tote and a little cash

    Smaller sellers do not all take cards, and bags are rarely free.

  • Weekdays browse, weekends buzz

    Pick the weekday for a proper look at the shelves and the weekend for the atmosphere.

  • Ask about shipping

    If something will not survive the suitcase, plenty of sellers will send it home for you.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Royal Street, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    French Quarter

    Free

    Wrought-iron balconies, jazz spilling out of doorways, and 300 years of history in one walkable grid.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    St. Louis Cathedral

    Free

    The oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in the United States anchors Jackson Square.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Iconic

    Jackson Square

    Free

    Street artists, tarot readers, and brass bands surround this landmark square in front of St. Louis Cathedral.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Shopping
    Iconic

    French Market

    Free

    Browse the flea market, craft stalls and food stands of a French Quarter market district that dates to 1791.

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Magazine Street

    Free

    Six miles of antique shops, boutiques, cafes and bars that curve with the river from Canal Street through the Garden District and Uptown.

    3.8 mi awayMore like this

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Lodge Cast Iron Factory Store

    Free

    Louisiana's first Lodge Cast Iron factory store, carrying the full cookware lineup.

    27 mi awayMore like this