Arcadian Books & Art Prints

Great experience if you love digging through books! So much to choose from at great prices!

I love bookstores so I can't bring myself to rate this lower that 3-stars, but to be honest, I couldn't walk through and could barely walk in.If you swing by the bookstore on Dauphine, you'll get a good sense for a bookstore that's tough to navigate because it's so tight, but Arcadian you literally has no way to move through the store. It seemed more like storage unit than a store.If you're a smaller human being, you might be able to find some gems -- and I hope you do -- but if you're a regular size human being or larger, you're gonna have a rough time.

My kind of place. I'm tall with big feet - if I can navigate this successfully, so can you. But, still - be cautious, browse slowly, pay attention to the themes of the books you can see before moving those you cannot. With that said, this place isn't for everyone. If you found it on Yelp before going, you should be able to tell.New Orleans books are in the front across from the owners seat. Jazz to the left side, halfway in. French all the way to the right. Cooking & food: immediate left upon entering. History is mainly in the dead center. Fiction: all the back wall. If interested in prints, they're across from the jazz books and also some near the owners seat, just ask him.I don't get why the books aren't shelved with the spines showing, but I chalked it up to eccentricity of the owner. He was super nice to us and impressed by the gems that I dug up. He also has maps of the other bookstores in the French Quarter. If you seek out bookstores when you travel, you should add this one to the list and give it a half hour and try to find at least 1 book here just to say you did.

If you like the smell of books, and I DO, you will understand immediately that this place is for you! Used books, some new books, stacks and stacks and stacks of books. You could spend hours digging through the piles of books that create a book-maze in this little shop in the French Quarter, just off Royal Street behind the Cathedral, or you can talk to the nice man who runs the place, Russell. He is the man to talk to about the books you seek. A must-do for book lovers visiting the Quarter.

You have to go in with a purpose, and cannot be scared of digging. That being said, this store is so reasonably priced and the owner is a sweetheart. Go here!

Most original book store I have encountered. Unique organization. Nice. Owner.

There is no other word to describe this place besides magic. If you live for written words or wish to talk to someone about local lore this is absolutely the shop for you. This store was one of my first loves in this city and its chaotic style is comforting in this most times sterile, tickytack world. The prices can't be beat and whatever book you're looking for - I promise - it's in here somewhere. Please stay open forever. The shop and its owner are a gift to this city. Don't miss out.

Arcadian Books is my favorite book store in the whole French Quarter! Used books are stacked from floor to ceiling and it's so fun to wander through the shop and look at all the interesting old books. Russell there is so knowledgeable, helpful, and kind. Whenever I need to find a book, however obscure, I know I can ask Russell and 99% of the time he can go put his hands on it right away; It's truly amazing! I always tell friends and out-of-towners to check it out! Prices are beyond reasonable and he always has some free books out front on the stoop. Highly recommend a trip to Arcadian Books ASAP!!! 10/10, 100 stars, love this book store!

This is my favorite book shop I've ever been to, let alone in New Orleans. I know it can seem overwhelming walking in and seeing all the books, but the world is your oyster as far as I'm concerned seeing it. I love being able to rummage and find a random good next read.

This is my favorite book store ever! We come to New Orleans 2x a year and this is always a stop in my "have to do" list. Owner is divine and the selection is unmatched. Go in and don't rush yourself. You won't regret it.