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Magazine
Street Origins
When you visit New Orleans you will
experience the people, the culture, the history, the music,
and the delicious food. You will be glad you came to our
great city. New Orleans was originally developed into a
city of commerce because the Mississippi River could transport
people and products. Travelers from many places came to
settle here, bringing their unique customs.
This has created a city rich in traditions and diversity
of cultures.
When you hear of the excitement of
New Orleans, the largest party in the United States, Mardi Gras, usually
comes to mind. This famous tradition brings people from all
over the world to experience
the parades, full of exciting colors, themes, and of course,
throws. In between the parades, people come to experience
the many unique areas of the city, such as the French Quarter,
Uptown, and the Garden District. Each area has its own distinct beauty
and architecture. Also, don't forget about our annual Jazz
Pest, which offers the best music, crafts, and food
in the area. Most visitors know that the French
Quarter has some of the best shopping for antiques, historical
restaurants,
and corner
bars. However, since Hurricane Katrina, people have rediscovered
Magazine Street, a street of locally owned shops. This
street, known by locals as the "Street of Dreams,"
is a 6-mile journey of specialty shops.
Magazine Street
features affordable antiques from around the world, unique
collectibles, skin care spas, clothing
for men and women, nationally recognized restaurants,
art galleries, home furnishings, stunning jewelry, hand
knotted
tugs, and many other specialty items. Our growing film
industry often visits the street when looking for unique
items to
furnish their sets.
Magazine Street, just minutes from
downtown New Orleans, is named for a warehouse that Spanish
governor Esteban
Rodriquez Miro y Sabater built in the 1780's. This
warehouse, known
as a "magazin," housed products awaiting
export. During Miro's term, Spain allowed trade with
France and
the French West Indies. The duty on ships was removed
for two
years and this allowed the development of New Orleans
as an international port. You can see the gradual expansion
that followed in the progression of architectural styles
of Magazine Street as it winds upriver.
After Hurricane
Katrina the Street of Dreams was up and running.
This area of the city, near the river,
did not
flood. Owners
came back as the "all clear" was given,
and day-by-day they reopened their doors. As one
shop owner
put it, "This
is what I do. Therefore, I'm going to put my best
foot forward to reopen my doors for the locals and
tourists
alike." Everyday
more and more shops have opened their doors with
the help of family and friends. The City's early
economic
recovery
was launched from Magazine Street. After this horrific
tragedy we are all one family and have one goal, "shop
local" and
support one another. A new underlying theme, "shop
local- stay local", has come on strong. Now
locals and non-locals looking to support the recovery
are shopping exclusively on the Street of Dreams.
When
in New Orleans, if you want to shop on a street
like no other, visit Magazine Street. You will be
excited to
come back for more. The street is filled with a
great spirit and
the best shopping experience you will ever find.
How
to get there:
By car: From the French Quartet, take Decatur
across Canal Street and begin the journey that
ends at
the Audubon Zoo.
By bus: Catch the Magazine bus at Canal Street
in front of the Sheraton Hotel. |
