The Garden District Book Shop is a New Orleans literary institution, perhaps best known for being Anne Rice's proclaimed favorite bookstore, and one in which she staged many of her more famous publicity stunts (including the 2010 book signing where she famously arrived in a coffin). It's easy to see why she loves it so much.

This wonderful shop carries an enormous variety of books, including the city's best selection of local and regional titles, many of which are signed by the authors (including the aforementioned Ms.

Rice). This makes it a must-visit for book lovers who are looking for souvenirs; a lot of these books are scarce elsewhere in the world, but wonderful for fans of New Orleans.

Location:

This bookstore is located at 2727 Prytania Street, just a stone's throw from many of the Garden District's most famous landmarks. Loop in a stop after a visit to Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and lunch Commander's Palace (both of these are within a block), and make a quick stop (5-10 minutes is sufficient, but it's worth it) at Colonel Short's Villa across the street to see the famous cornstalk fence.

The Rink:

The Garden District Book Shop makes its home in The Rink, a historic property opened in 1884 as the Crescent City Skating Rink -- the first roller rink in the South! The Rink has been used for several purposes over the years, and now houses an upscale shopping center with a coffee shop, several gift shops, a hair salon, and other businesses. The air conditioning in the building is pleasantly aggressive, making it a particularly lovely place to shop on hot summer days.

Book Signings, Book Clubs, and Other Events:

A hub of the literary community in New Orleans, the Book Shop offers regular book signings and readings, evening book clubs (including a unique cookbook club), and a general place to meet and chat with other readers. Big-name authors frequently do signings when they're in town, so watch the event calendar at gardendistrictbookshop.com and see if anything exciting lines up with your visit to the city. Even if it doesn't, this is a great place to come for one-of-a-kind gifts to bring home.