Getting to New Orleans one day before my husband....looking for a great day of browsing - any areas better than others?

I like to go to the Riverwalk. It's a Mall that's a couple of levels and it runs alongside the river. Periodically you can stroll outside if you like. Also, from there you can walk to Jackson Brewery (or Jackson Square) Mall. Both have the usual stores and some unique ones. Also, there's the French Market. Again, the usual things with New Orleans themes. You can walk to all three. We parked at the Riverwalk, did it first, walked to Jackson and then to the French Market. Have fun spending!

On Decatur Street in the Quarter you'll find all the tacky zydeco-blasting tourist shops (if you like that kind of thing), and on Royal Street (I think?) is where you'll find a lot of high-end antique shops.

Magazine Street is another option. Lots of antique stores and other fun-to-browse places.

Even though you don't say for what you are shopping, I would suggest Magazine Street where you can find just about anything. If you want regular malls items, go to Riverwalk, Canal Place or New Orleans Centre. If you want antiques or to do some treasure hunting, head to Magazine Street (take the street car). There is a Magazine Street map that you can probably get at your hotel that guides you through the street and tells you what street car stop to take for each section on the map. If you have more money than sense and want antiques, head to Royal Street. The shops there are definitely high end. If you want to stay in the Quarter, head to the lower end of the Quarter (away from Canal Street closer to Esplanade - starting around St. Ann just past Jackson Square) to the shops on Royal, Chartres, Dumaine, etc. for some interesting shops that don't have neon signs or sell t-shirts. Hope you have a good time.