Nothing can beat that thrilling feeling of coming home with one-of-a-kind, rare or unusual souvenir retrieved from a bin and bought for a bargain. The added appeal of this happening only once a week, month or even a year makes some flea markets more coveted than others. If the words rummage, swap, bargain, bric-a-brac or collectable excite you, then you might have an itch for a flea market. Here is the list of top 10 Flea Markets to keep you “scratching for fleas” virtually all year:
1. Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts: The Mecca of New England outdoor flea market, Brimfield’s week-long flea market extravaganza is revered by shoppers and dealers alike for its size and content. Three times a year, 4,000 dealers peddle wares that range from paperbacks to fine European antiques.
2. Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, California: Imagine the UCLA Bruins football stadium filled to capacity with people and things – used surf boards, record collections, lawn statuaries and every kind of dish ever made. Officially called the “Rose Bowl Swap Meet” and open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second Sunday of every month, this huge market unofficially pre-opens its doors to savvy hunters at 6 a.m.
3. The Maxwell Street Market in Chicago, Illinois: Once a bustling 19th-century Jewish market, Maxwell Street in Chicago has morphed into a cultural meeting place where all races and nationalities gather for the music, merchandise and cheap eats. Widely famous for impromptu jam sessions, this flea “turns the beat around” with a mix of jazz, blues and Latino sounds filtering through the stalls. There’s also plenty to sift through, from tires, auto parts, and old televisions to art and some antiques.
4. 127 Corridor in Jamestown, Tennessee: 127 Corridor is certainly the LONGEST outdoor market. Beginning on a highway in Jamestown, Tennessee, this flea stretches hundreds of miles through North Covington, Kentucky, and continues all the way to Gadsden, Alabama. There are more than 2,000 vendors along this tour who clear their schedules for three weeks every August.
5. The All Night Flea Market in Wheaton, Illinois: Once a year as the sun sets and shadows stretch across the plains, thousands of bargain hunters descend upon Wheaton, Illinois, to scour the stalls of hundreds of dealers throughout the night. Since this happens only once a year, you mustn’t hesitate in making your deals. Promptly at 9 a.m., this flea market turns into a pumpkin.
6. Daytona Flea Market in Daytona, Florida: Though Florida is covered with fleas, the Daytona Flea Market is probably the largest one not attached to an amusement park. Year-round, this flea boasts 1,000 covered outdoor booths plus 100 antique dealers in an air conditioned building.
7. San Jose Flea Market in San Jose, California: This is one of the world’s largest flea markets. More than 2,000 booths fill 40 acres with everything one’s heart could desire. Eight miles of colorful, treasure-laden alleys and corridors display arts and crafts, comic books, jewelry, shoes, tools, furniture and antiques. Expect lots of food carts and snack bars. There are also rides for the kids, live music (Mariachi bands and crooners) and other entertainment as well.
8. Austin County Flea Market in Austin, Texas: The largest flea market in the state of Texas, the Austin County Flea Market includes a stage show, display and entertainment areas. In this market’s 130 acres of 550 covered spaces, one can peruse fresh produce, antiques, electronics, herbs and spices, new and used clothes and even pets.
9. New Caladonian Market in London, England: It’s cooler than Camden and has better prices than Portobello Road. Early on Fridays, the New Caladonian Antiques and Flea Market is the hottest spot in London. In fact, the deals are so good and the market so busy, one needs to arrive by the 5 a.m. start time, equipped with a flashlight (torch) and a good sweater (jumper), to get ahead of other bargain hunters.
10. Marche Aux Puces De Clignancourt in Paris, France: Marche aux Puces means “Market of the Fleas”. This one at the north fringe of Paris is very old and large, actually incorporating 12 separate markets that grew together over time. Each day, there are between 2,500 and 3,000 stalls and shops selling find that range from antiques to cool French junk. There’s stuff like old buttons, wonderful new and used French pots and pans, vintage and new clothes, as well as house wares and furniture. Of course, the better your French, the better your deals.
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