The best book, hobby & craft shops in New Orleans

“Catholic bookstore offering titles for all ages, plus music, movies & educational resources.”

“Bookseller chain stocking housebrand eReader, plus a broad selection of titles for adults & kids.”

“Blue Cypress Books keeps your shelves fresh with a thoughtful mix of new reads, secondhand gems, rare and interesting finds, and signed copies, plus audiobooks on LibroFM. Trade in the titles you’ve finished, raid the staff picks, and peek at their book clubs for a low-key literary reset this week.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, August 27, 2026

“Since 1992, Crescent City Books has quietly held down the French Quarter with floor-to-ceiling stacks of used and out-of-print finds, plus bins of old maps and prints.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Craving a little local flavor on your bookshelf? The Garden District Book Shop curates New Orleans and Louisiana reads, keeps signed copies on deck, and hosts author events that feel like a neighborly hang. Pop in this week, browse a bit, leave smarter and slightly more smug.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, August 19, 2026

“Delgado - Westbank Bookstore is the easy button for getting ready, with textbooks and the Delgado Course Complete program for first-day access to materials, plus spirit apparel, laptops and accessories, calculators, notebooks, snacks, care packages, and diploma frames.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, August 23, 2026

“Octavia Books is the kind of indie shop where the well-read staff actually remembers what you like, the hand-picked shelves lean local, and the patio makes lingering too easy. Frequent author signings, book clubs, and signed books keep the community vibe strong… see you at the next reading.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, September 9, 2026

“When your week needs a mood boost, Louisiana Music Factory is the happy rabbit hole for vinyl and CDs, plus books, sheet music, posters, and merch. Dig into fresh releases and Louisiana-made albums, find something for your turntable or your cousin’s band crush, then play it loud.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, August 3, 2026

“NOLA Craft Culture is basically a candy shop for makers, with walls of glitter, feathers, décor and those delightfully chaotic throw kits. Drop in to play in the community craft room or snag a class seat, then make something your krewe will actually fight over.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, August 13, 2026

“Mo's Art Supply & Framing turns a former Mid-City church into a stained-glass wonderland stocked with a huge selection of professional art materials and design-centric gifts, plus a custom frame shop where the baptismal pool used to be. Go for brushes, stay for inspiration.”

From the New Orleans newsletter, September 17, 2026