I was just there last month and posted a similar question in the forums...
I asked around a lot while I was there as well. A lot of cigars, but so few pipes.
There is one B+M in the heart of the French Quarter... I think it's a side street off Bourbon... the name escapes me. Super nice guys. You'll see people smoking pipes... especially around Frenchman's street--- just ask.
They had four tobaccos that one guy who appears to know what he's doing blended.
The handful of locals I met went to this place to get their tobacco. They speak very highly of it.
I was a bit ignorant. I was expecting to find all sorts of perique blends. The St. James Parish perique this proprietor used was in a huge MacBaren's bag.
... but of course it was because they haven't been producing perique for several years now.
The coolest thing I could have done was make the monthly New Orleans pipe club meeting - but there just wasn't time in the schedule. My lady wanted to go to Antoine's instead that night.
New Orleans does have some great food and there are a lot of things to do. If you like mixed drinks/cocktails, I suggest the Carousel Bar at the Monteleon. I don't even drink, yet it was impressive as &*$%$.
Even though it's a tourist mecca, you really do get a chance to meet some great locals and feel like you are in a smallish, welcoming city.
Wear comfortable shoes, and expect those shoes to get unsolicited compliments from strangers ;-)