Lucky magazine shopping in New Orleans

NEW YORK – Here's a reason to visit New Orleans: Go shopping!

Lucky magazine's April issue includes a shopping and style guide to the city, which is still struggling to recover its tourism base in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The magazine features four neighborhoods and their stores. From the http://www.luckymag.com Web site, you can also download maps marked with the stores' locations.

The French Quarter is known for its tourist attractions, but Lucky says you'll also find an eclectic batch of independent boutiques there. Stores include the quaint Faulkner House Books, which specializes in Southern authors, at 624 Pirate's Alley; Fleur de Paris, a hat shop, 712 Royal St.; Hemline, a chic spot with trendy clothing at 609 Chartres St.; Hove, 824 Royal St., an old-school perfumer; Meilleur Joaillerie, a jeweler at 516 Royal St.; and Muse, a boutique near Jackson Square at 532 St. Peter St.

On Magazine Street, which Lucky describes as the city's best-known shopping street, check out Aidan Gill, a men's grooming products shop that looks like an old-fashioned drug store, 2026 Magazine St.; As You Like It Silver Shop, 3033 Magazine St., a store for vintage and collectible silver tableware; Bamboo Apothecary, 4112 Magazine St., a high-end beauty goods store; Belladonna, 2900 Magazine St., which is part spa and part apothecary; Bellanoche, 3632 Magazine St., a bed linens store; Dark Charm, a clothing and jewelry shop at 2001 Magazine St.; Frock Candy, 3112 Magazine St., which has racks of smocked tops, silky skirts and cuffed shorts, all under $100; Hazelnut, a refined home goods store, 5515 Magazine St.; and House of Lounge, a lingerie store at 2044 Magazine St.

Maple Street has Angelique and Victoria's Uptown at 7725 Maple St., where you'll find clothes, shoes and bags; and Gae-tana's, which sells summery styles at 7732 Maple St. On Metairie Road, Lucky recommends Em's, which specializes in vivid patterned separates, 246 Metairie Rd.; FeBe, with an outpost at 115 Metairie Rd. that specializes in affordable lines and another store at 474 Metairie Rd. known for upscale labels and beauty products; and Snap, which showcases edgy designers at 240 Metairie Rd.

For the complete list, check out the April issue or go to the luckymag.com site.