Spring Into Flea Market Season: Explore Some Of The Quirkiest …

By virtue of their existence, flea markets are quirky places. To start, the origin of the term ‘flea market’ is a bit of a riddle, with several theories existing as to how it came to be part of the everyday shopping lexicon. One of the more popular etymologies is that it stems from the French phase marche aux puces, an expression that indicates that a market specializes in second-hand goods.

In fact, one of the best of its kind in France today is the one found along the shopping streets of Paris. Supposedly, the term coalesced in the 1880s when a nameless bargain hunter was meandering among the markets, looking for treasures buried amid the furniture and fabrics. The fear that fleas and other parasites were burrowed among the items was what prompted the slang ‘flea market’, a locution that debuted in G.S.

Doughter’s 1922 book In Europe, which contains the line “It is called the ‘Flea Market because there are so many second-hand articles sold of all kinds that they are believed to gather fleas.”

THETRAVEL VIDEO OF THE DAYSCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

Terminology aside, flea markets are a global affair, with some of the best flea markets in the world located in such cosmopolitan places as Madrid, Spain (El Rastro) and Berlin, Germany (Mauerpark Flohmarkt). America has its own share of flea markets that are goldmines of treasures and trinkets, allowing any bargain-hunter to find their quirky and unique thingamajigs and whatchamacallits, no matter where they live.

What Is The Oldest Flea Market In The US?

Robert Linder on Unsplash"”>
A flea market in the US
Photo by Robert Linder on UnsplashA flea market in the US

Quirky and famous coexist when one examines the history of the oldest (and thereby most famous) flea market in all of America, the Brimfield Flea Market in Massachusetts. Equidistant to Salem and Boston (two other locations that have been ranked as ‘quirky’, especially when it comes to Massachusetts road trip pit stops and roadside attractions), Brimfield first debuted as a flea market in auctioneer Gordon Reid’s backyard in 1959.

Today, the market plays host to over 5,000 vendors who are set up across 20 fields along a main road. However, despite its lineage, Brimfield has competition when it comes to ranking it as one of the best flea markets in all of America, sharing space with fantastic markets in the US that cover every state from Georgia to California. Still, Brimfield is a spectacular oasis of bargain hunting, as the flea market is laid out in a vast patchwork of stalls and vendors, resembling a medieval farming field more so than a shopping arena.

Shoppers can hunt for everything from Shabby Chic Decor to Local Roots Cannabis Crafted to items from yesteryear courtesy of Ruby Lane, a vintage shop featuring antique Toleware and aluminum advertising dating back to the days of using Rockabilly to sell soda pop.

  • Reopens: Tuesday, May 9th; Hours are Friday – Saturday 8 am – 5 pm
  • Address: 35 Palmer Road, Brimfield MA 01010

On opening day – Tuesday, May 9th – numerous booths open 2 hours earlier than normal, at 6 am. Also, hours depend on which field visitors are planning to visit, though the hours are generally 8 am – 5 pm, but check specific dealers to be sure of their particular hours.

Related: 10 Exciting Markets Across Europe That Offer Unique Shopping Experiences

What Is The Most Eclectic Flea Market In The US?

Everyone knows that the the famous Brooklyn flea market must be spectacular as it not only exists in the hustling nexus of activity and entertainment of New York City, but it also ranks as one of that nation’s most diverse flea markets, featuring everything from antiques to clothing to furniture. In addition to its eclecticism of goods, the market also offers flexibility in terms of locations, operating year-round at 29 W 25th St. with its springtime location reopening on April 1st at Dumbo Archway, 80 Pearl St.

Between the two locations, the one in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn – which stands for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass” – is considered especially heterogeneous by virtue of existing in one of Brooklyn’s most iconic neighborhoods. Once a manufacturing center, in recent years, Dumbo has become an artistic haven, a perfect backdrop for bougie markets featuring the best of vintage and second-hand goods. Sellers display everything from art to jewelry to crafts.

Pop by any vendor, and a person might find leather goods, silk kimonos with bouquet prints, herbal teas, vintage Nokias, boxes of vinyl that cover every genre from punk to country, and faux leather jackets with the Misfit patches on them.

Kai Pilger via Pexels"”>
Vintage cameras for sale at a flea market stall
Photo by Kai Pilger via PexelsVintage cameras for sale at a flea market stall

In addition to goods, the market also hosts Smorgasburg from April to October. This is a massive, food-only market that migrates between the WTC on Fridays, Williamsburg on Saturdays, and Prospect Park’s Breeze Hill on Sundays. With more than 100 regional vendors, the food scene is described as artisanal and mouthwatering.

Brooklyn Flea Market

Chelsea Flea Market

  • Address: 29 W.

    25th Street b/w 6 Ave + Broadway

  • Hours: 8 am – 4 pm; Open Sat + Sun, 8 am-4pm year-round

The flea market is free for all ages. Vendors accept cash, and most also accept debit and credit cards. There are ATMs on-site at all of the locations; however, the transaction fee is £2.50

Related: El Rastro: Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Visit To Madrid’s Biggest Flea Market

What Is The Most Accessible Flea Market In The US?

When a flea market is called the Oddities & Curiosities Expo, then it’s a good bet that the venue is going to be stocked with all things strange and unusual.

This Halloween-tinged market makes a person feel as though they are walking into a massive Cabinet of Curiosities that has been unassembled to satisfy the wicked curiosity of all. A vagabond expo, Oddities & Curiosities Expo is one of the first and only bazaars to remain itinerant, making it a flea market that is accessible to anyone in the continental U.S. at some point throughout the year. Once it comes anywhere near one’s hometown, one should join the many other perusers who love browsing a hodgepodge that feels like someone else’s carefully curated collection of objects of virtus.

Costumes are encouraged!

However, visitors might have to undergo a bag check to ensure that no weapons – costume-friendly or otherwise – are being brought in, so come prepared.

Stalls are filled with debunked or charlatan medical devices, funeral collectibles, morbid and macabre knickknacks, animal skulls, and everything else that falls under the umbrella of lovely yet lurid. Regarding taxidermy, all animals are sourced sustainably. What that means is that they come from vet clinics, farms, sanctuaries, road kill, and foraging.

Essentially, animals are not sacrificed for capitalism. Also, shopping isn’t the only activity available to the public. In addition to selling butterfly taxidermy displays, the Expo offers Full Mount Rabbit Taxidermy Classes (£235) and Kit Fox Head Mount Taxidermy Classes (£275).

For those who do not suffer from Coulrophobia, the Oddities Museum presents The Cryptic Collection of a Mad Clown.

Waldemar on Unsplash"”>
Model taxidermy butterflies
Photo by Waldemar on UnsplashModel taxidermy butterflies

To Purchase Tickets Online, merely go to the page, and find one’s city

  • Tickets: £10 in advance; £15 at the door
  • For contact: fill out the message board

While the expo is absolutely kid-friendly, due to the nature of some merchandise, they do remind all shoppers that ‘parental discretion is advised’. (If one’s child doesn’t feel a kinship to any member of the Addams Family, maybe leave them at home.

What Is The Most Over-The-Top Flea Market In The US?

Fred Thomas III via Pexels"”>
An aerial view of Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, USA 
Photo by Fred Thomas III via PexelsAn aerial view of Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California, USA 

As far as bombastic excess goes, the Rose Bowl Flea Market holds that title. For the last 50 years, it has filled Rose Bowl stadium thanks to its largess of vendors and buyers. Called by some the ‘granddaddy’ of all flea markets, the mega event boasts of having over 2,500 vendors and 20,000 buyers every month.

Open the second Sunday of every month, this is an anything-and-everything type of flea market, with art, rattan furniture, beaded chandeliers, bull skulls, and Native American blankets embroidered with Zuni suns all for sale.

  • Address: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena, CA 91103
  • Tickets: £12 per person, but Children under 12 are free with an adult
  • Hours: Opens at 9 am, rain or shine, to 3 pm

Those who want more exclusive access should consider VIP admission. It allows entry at 5 am, and a person can stay until 8:45 am. Such exclusivity is £20 a ticket.

This is one of the few flea markets that can boast of celebrity sightings.

Drew Barrymore, Kendall Jenner, Angelina Jolie, and others have all been known to frequent the stalls.

Tags:

germaine-de-capuccini listed on couponmatrix.ukjewson listed on couponmatrix.ukkew-royal-botanical-gardens listed on couponmatrix.ukmillican listed on couponmatrix.ukmulberry-cottages listed on couponmatrix.uktide listed on couponmatrix.uk
germaine-de-capuccini listed on couponmatrix.ukGermaine de Capuccini is a luxurious skincare brand that offers high-quality products at reduced price with Germaine de Capuccini discount codes. The brand's philosophy is based on the idea that beauty comes from within, and their products are designed to nourish and revitalize the skin. Germaine de Capuccini's discount code can be used on their website or at select retailers. With this code, you can enjoy savings on some of their most popular products. At Groupon, we understand that saving money is important to our customers. That's why we work hard to find discount codes for Germaine de Capuccini products. We search high and low for the best deals, so you can feel confident that you're getting the best possible price on your purchase. Whether you're looking for a facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer, or serum, we'll help you find a discount code that will save you money. One of Germaine de Capuccini's most popular products is the Revitalizing Eye Cream. This cream is designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It also helps to brighten and tighten the skin. You can use Germaine de Capuccini's voucher code on their website or at select retailers to get a discount on this product. With this code, you can enjoy savings on this popular product and many more products.
jewson listed on couponmatrix.ukThere’s no task too large nor project too ambitious for the building whizzes at Jewson, experts in offering all the construction essentials anyone needs to start from the ground-up. Whether you need bricks and building supplies or power tools and cleaning equipment, a Jewson voucher code is all that’s required to get the machines and materials you need at a price below your budget. Even if you just need some advice or help planning a project, there’s always advice on hand from the experts at Jewson.
kew-royal-botanical-gardens listed on couponmatrix.ukArguably the world’s greatest botanic garden complex, Kew Gardens is a 130-hectare UNESCO World Heritage site and an oasis of natural beauty enjoyed by generations of Londoners and visitors to the capital. The Kew Gardens discount code will open up a world of native and exotic plants, flowers, cacti and more with a record-breaking number of varieties to look at - all set in a stunning setting enhanced with lakes, multi-level Victorian greenhouses, architect-designed feature buildings and a 65 foot high treetop canopy walkway.
millican listed on couponmatrix.ukGet yourself a backpack that makes a statement. Millican bags come in a selection of colours like fresh teal, bold yellow and sunny orange – they’re great for adventures as well as everyday travels. Made with repurposed materials, these guilt-free backpacks have a Good for Life Guarantee, so you can wave goodbye to costly replacements! There’s always a Millican discount code available when you check Groupon, and with the brand’s 15% student discount, new customer offers and friend referrals, it’s so easy to keep on saving at Millican.
mulberry-cottages listed on couponmatrix.ukFor the finest holiday homes in England, Mulberry Cottages will always be your first port of call. Whether you're looking for a simple coastal break or a luxury villa escape for the whole family, Mulberry Cottages can make your dream holiday a reality. Enjoy England's beautiful landscapes for less with a Mulberry Cottages voucher code and start planning your perfect trip. From Dorset and Sussex to Kent and the Isle of Wight, there's a beautiful holiday cottage just waiting to be discovered by you.
tide listed on couponmatrix.ukAre you a freelancer or small business? Bank smarter with Tide. This online platform makes things easy—you can sign up free of charge, and accounts come with loads of smart and time-saving tools, so you can focus less on admin and more on your business. Make the most of a Tide discount code from Groupon to access great savings and perks—you can thank us later.