Whether you're a casual browser or a seasoned antique collector, you can find treasures on an antiquing adventure in America's antique capitals. Follow the antique trail to find the country's best antique shops.
New Hope, Pennsylvania
On the weekends, New Hope, PA, tucked along the Delaware River in Bucks County, is full of city refugees from nearby Philadelphia and New York City browsing the area's numerous antique shops. Main Street is lined with antique shops alongside art galleries, boutiques and cafes, but some of the best shops can be found along Route 202, also known as Antique Row. A few steps across the river, there's more antiquing prospects in Lambertville, NJ, including the 3-floor cooperative The People's Store filled with 40 dealers peddling furniture, collectibles, stained glass, folk art and more.
Walnut, Iowa
The small town of Walnut was officially declared Iowa's "Antique City" in 1987. The population is under 1,000, but there are no fewer than 15 shops carrying old treasures as well as a host of antiquing events throughout the year including antique car shows and the Annual Antique Christmas Walk held during Thanksgiving weekend.
Hudson, New York
Once you exit the New York State Thruway or Taconic State Parkway in historic Hudson, NY, park your car and take to the streets on foot to hunt down interesting antiques. Just arrive early because you'll need the time to properly explore the 65 antique shops packed into a 5-block radius. We recommend starting on First Street and continuing down Warren Street all the way to Eighth Street, stopping at Vasilow's Confectionery at the end of your journey for a sweet, chocolate treat.
Adamstown, Pennsylvania
While many popular antiquing spots enjoy the designation of their state's antiques capital, only Adamstown, PA, boasts the title of Antiques Capital USA. In the middle of serene Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Adamstown is a boon for dealers and collectors who find a perfect match in the auction houses and antique malls. One favorite is the Adamstown Antique Gallery with museum-quality goods and high-spirited auctions.
Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica is known for its busy beach and boardwalk scene at the Pier, but twice a month it also draws antique hunters for some serious shopping. The Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique & Collectible Market takes place the first and fourth Sunday of every month right across from the airport. Parking is free, but you'll pay between $4 and $7 to peruse the Victorian to mid-century goods including posters, beads, vintage clothing and carpets.
Crumpton, Maryland
Well-heeled shoppers and consigners head to Maryland's Eastern Shore each Wednesday for the Dixon's Furniture Auction, known locally as the Crumpton Auction. The auctioneers move an astonishing amount of lots each week including household goods, jewelry, coins and furniture. There are 75 tables dedicated just to small antiques where the items all have a starting bid of $20.
Woodbury, Connecticut
The antiquing trail runs long throughout New England with hundreds of small towns where you can score great deals throughout the region. If you have to limit your New England antique wanderings to just 1 town, head to Woodbury, which is recognized as the Antiques Capital of Connecticut. There are over 30 dealers housed in historic homes along a 3-mile stretch of Route 5, carrying antiques from all periods, styles and price ranges.
Boston, Massachusetts
If you're looking for antiquing spots in the Big City, take a walk down Boston's Charles Street in Beacon Hill. Unique antique stores sell treasured furniture, collectibles and house wares alongside restaurants and high-end boutiques. Cool niche shops include Period Furniture Hardware with architectural details and accessories, as well as Devonia Antiques with a massive collection of heirloom china and crystal stemware fit for royalty.
Greensboro, North Carolina
Antique junkies explore the Greensboro-High Point area with sprawling antique super-shops and smaller gems in the downtown area. Whether you're hunting for an aged English leather chest or a rare toy for a collection, you might get lucky at the antique emporium Antique Marketplace with goods from 150 dealers in a 45,000 square-foot facility on Interstate 40. Elm Street is another antiquing hot spot with 7 stores around and along Elm Street, including Jules Antiques, which sells home and garden goods and hosts artists' exhibits in the upstairs gallery.
Aurora, Oregon
Aurora is a designated national historic district in Oregon, just 20 minutes from Portland and Salem. As the self-proclaimed state capital of antiques, there are plenty of options for treasure seekers looking to add new pieces to a collection minus the additional cost of sales tax as the entire state is sales-tax-free . There are large antique malls, smaller quirky shops like Ida Red's and an auction house that liquidates estates and hosts auctions on the first and third Thursday of each month.
