Summer traveling is the perfect time to visit some of the nation's greatest flea markets and antique fairs. Whether you've got an expert eye for antiques or are simply looking for a funky flea find, here are some of the best events you should mark on your calendar:
East Coast:
Brimfield Antique and Collectibles Show
Brimfield, MA
Dates: July 13-18, September 7-12
Elephant's Trunk Country Flea Market
New Milford, CT
Dates: June through November 2010. See exact dates here.
Mid-Week in Manchester Antiques Show
Manchester, NH
Dates: August 11-12
Brooklyn Flea Market
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York
Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday until December, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Madison-Bouckville Outdoor Antiques Show
Bouckville, NY
Dates: August 20-22
Renninger's Twin Markets Antiques Fair
Mount Dora, FL
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 - 5:00 pm
Daytona Flea Market
Daytona Beach, FL
Dates/Hours: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm rain or shine.
Midwest:
127 Corrider: The World's Longest Yardsale
654 miles from West Unity, Ohio to Gadsden, Alabama
Dates: August 5-8
Kane County Flea Market
St. Charles, IL
Dates: June 5-6, July 3-4, July 31-August 1,
Check out this guide from AT:Chicago on the best Illinois Flea Markets.
West Coast:
San Jose Flea Market
San Jose, CA
Dates: Wednesday, Friday Saturday, Sunday, from dawn until dusk
Rose Bowl Flea Market
Los Angeles, CA
Dates: Second Sunday of every month, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Next one is June 13.
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are there any other good flea markets in LA besides Rose Bowl, Santa Monica Airport and PCC?
Another vote for the insanely exhausting and frequently rewarding Alameda flea, linked to above by sacrednature.
New Yorkers be warned, it's a long drive to Elephant and many vendors leave super early (like 11AM).
Stormville isn't listed, not sure why. Stormville is...enormous. Many of the Elephant vendors pack up early and then set up shop around noon in Stormville.
Last but not least...Schupps Grove in Pennsylvania is...incredible. It's also in a wooded grove so you don't burn like an egg...and they have real bathrooms (showers too!).
Here's the Flea Market Source for New England.
Thanks, everyone, for your recommendations! Keep 'em coming!
Not one flea market in the entire South ..really? I can highly suggest the Raleigh, NC flea market at the State Fairgrouns.
I echo the Alameda, in the San Francisco area, I see some of my favorite boutique's owners sourcing there in the early mornings and I've found some amazing things for my own home.
I'd love to know about any fairs or good flea markets in or near Virginia or Maryland. Anywhere near DC
Visit Wolff's Flea Market in the Chicago area. Outdoor Sundays in Rosemont at the Allstate Arena April 17-October 30, 2011. (Please call for schedule changes due to weather)
Indoor Market Sat/Sun. year-round in Palatine. http://wolffs.com/
Anyone know of some decent ones in the Vegas area?
For the spring and fall, it's an absolute blast to head to the Round Top/Warrenton antique festival in Texas. I've been going twice a year for years and it's miles and miles of vendors set up in quaint towns and on pasture lands. The weather is usually gorgeous and the vendors tell me it's "better than Brimfield." Fly into Austin or Houston and rent a car for a few days. It's about 1 1/2 hours from either city. Totally unique and totally worth it.