New England has a proud place in the nation’s history, so it’s no wonder you can find such a diverse collection of antiquing spots here. Throughout the state of Connecticut, you’ll find an assortment of exciting flea markets and charming antique markets. We created a list of the best flea markets in Connecticut perfect for any flea market fan and antique lover to visit.
Each place was judged under the same consideration as our Top 20 Flea Markets in the US. Before it was placed on the list, it needed to contain a large amount of vintage items, antiques, and collectibles. You won’t find any swap-meets, garage sales or farmer’s markets here, just a handpicked list for the antique enthusiast.
Here’s our review and roundup of the best 9 flea markets in Connecticut.
Flea Markets in Connecticut #1: Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market
Best Flea Markets in Connecticut: Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market © Elephant’s Trunk Facebook
Since 1976, Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market has been a staple of Connecticut antiquing, attracting vendors from all over the East Coast. The market began in front of a 19th century mansion and has now taken over an entire field as word spread throughout the years.Visiting the market is an experience as it regularly sprawls over 500 vendors.
Elephant’s Trunk is held weekly on Sundays, with vendors selling a wide variety of antiques, vintage items and collectibles. The flea market’s frequent appearances on HGTV have made it more popular than ever among bargain-seekers. You’ll find a rotating group of food trucks on-site each Sunday to get the energy you need to explore all of the merchandise on hand. Arriving early is recommended as cars start lining up at 4 AM, and Super-early Buyers ($40 admission) make deals before the gates even open.
Where: 490 Danbury Road, New Milford, CT 06776
When: Sundays from 04:30 AM to 03:30 PM
Web: http://etflea.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elephants-Trunk-Flea-Market-221862391163607
Flea Markets in Connecticut #2: Bethlehem Indoor Flea Market
Bethlehem Indoor Flea Market © Bethlehem Indoor Flea Market Facebook
The Bethlehem Indoor Flea Market gives you a chance to browse for hours rain or shine. The flea market features an eclectic mix of vintage items, antiques, and collectibles, including artwork, classic cars, vinyl and much more. Located in a heated building, the market is held weekly with an ever-changing inventory of unique items. As a plus for shoppers, PayPal is accepted and delivery is available on all items, so you don’t have any excuse not to snag something you love.
Where: 37 Thomson Road, Bethlehem, CT 06751
When: Friday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM / Saturday & Sunday from 09:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Web: https://www.bethlehemctfleamarket.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethlehemfleamarket/
Flea Markets in Connecticut #3: Wright’s Barn
Wrights Barn and Flea Market © Wrights Barn Flea Market Website
Wright’s Barn is a historic barn that housed a dairy farm in the 1940’s until it was converted into a teenage dance club from 1965-1975. The building took on new life as a flea market in 1980 and has been a fixture of Litchfield County ever since, often named one of the best flea markets in Connecticut. Over 40 spaces are available in the temperature-controlled barn, and there’s a nice mix of vendors with new items every week. The merchandise available includes antiques and collectibles, such as furniture, paper goods, books, china and glassware.
You’ll find over 10,000 square feet over 2 floors to explore at Wright’s Barn, and when you’re done, you can stop by Jim & Carol’s Cafe for some old-fashioned home cooking. Parking is available for free off-street and the market is open year-round weekends.
Where: 99 Wright Road, Torrington CT 06790
When: Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Web: http://wrightsbarn.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WrightsBarnCafe/
Flea Markets in Connecticut #4: Maplewood Indoor Flea Market (Permanently closed)
Maplewood Indoor Flea Market © Maplewood Indoor Flea Market Website
Just down the road from The Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Maplewood Indoor Flea Market is another pick for your antiquing itinerary of the best flea markets in Connecticut. The market’s owners were inspired in 1993 to start the market after watching a rainstorm wash out an outdoor flea market and have operated it continuously for over 20 years. Connecticut can have inclement weather in the winter, but it’s easy to browse at Maplewood Indoor Flea Market thanks to the building’s climate control temperatures.
The flea market market is open year-round on weekends and has a mix of antique items like knick-knacks, jewelry, furniture and other treasures. Maplewood Indoor Flea Market is reportedly the largest indoor flea market in Connecticut, and offers free admission and parking to all. On-site restrooms are also available.
Where: Permanently closed
When: Permanently closed
Flea Markets in Connecticut #5: Flea Market at the Crossing
The Flea Market at the Crossing© The Flea Market at the Crossing
Flea Market at the Crossing is located in Plainville, Connecticut and promises a walk down memory lane with its wide amount of treasures to browse. Though not as large as others on our list, it features over 10,000 square feet worth of merchandise. Antiques and collectibles vary from week to week, but you’ll find coins, costume jewelry, Depression glass, vintage clothing and more.
Admission to Flea Market at the Crossing is free, and you can even get a cup of free coffee for those early-morning antiquing trips. What makes the market special is the attention by participating vendors: each seller manages their own space down to the displays, so you get to see a variety of setups as you walk through the market. The flea market is open weekends year-round.
Where: 105 East Main Street, Plainville, CT, 06062
When: Saturday & Sunday from 09:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Web: http://plainvillefleamarket.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaplewoodIndoorFleaMarket/
Flea Markets in Connecticut: #6 Redwood County Flea Market
Redwood Country Flea Market © Redwood Country Flea Market via facebook
One of the oldest flea markets in New England, Redwood County Flea Market began 43 years as a casual setup in the parking lot of The Redwood Grille, now just known as The Redwood. The weekly tradition continued until the market expanded significantly and has grown to a flea market open year-round three days a week, weather permitting.
A selection of over 80 vendors regularly show up with a variety of antiques and collectibles, with military memorabilia, comics, furniture, jewelry and other collectibles. Parking is free, and many visitors stop over at The Redwood to fuel up before browsing. You’re recommended to arrive early, as the parking lots can fill up fast.
Where: 170 S Turnpike Road, Wallingford, CT, 06062
When: Weekends: Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 06:00 AM – 03:00 PM
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redwoodfleamarket/
Flea Markets in Connecticut #7: Lockwood-Matthews Mansion Old Fashioned Flea Market
Lockwood Matthews Mansion and Museum Old Fashioned Flea Market © Lockwood Matthews Mansion Facebook
The beautiful Victorian Lockwood-Mathews Mansion located in Norwalk, Connecticut makes for a quaint place for a flea market each fall. A stunning example of Victorian design and one of the earliest Second Empire architectural homes, the mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places and operates as a museum. For over 10 years, the community and caretakers of the museum have held the flea market and show no signs of stopping.
Vendors gather and set up on the lawn of the historic mansion once a year in September to sell antiques, collectibles, vintage items, and other goods. In addition to the flea market, the day also features a classic and antique car show and features a fleet of food trucks on the grounds for visitors. Proceeds from the event go towards the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion preservation fund.
Where: 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850
When: Yearly: September: times vary
Web: https://www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/old-fashioned-flea-market-2018/
Flea Markets in Connecticut #8: Antiques on the Farmington
Antiques on the Farmington © Antiques on the Farmington Website
Antiques on the Farmington takes pride in historic locations, and began their antique market in 1991 in a grist mill that dates back to the 1800’s in Unionville, Connecticut. In 2006, the market relocated to the Historic Collins Axe Factory in Collinsville. The factory was the first manufacturer in the United States to make ready-to-use axes, and as the business expanded, a town sprang up around it.
Antique lovers can visit the historic property for Antiques on the Farmington year-round to browse and have named it one of the Best in Hartford. Over 70 vendor spaces are available across two floors of the building. Merchandise for sale includes a large amount of vintage and antique furniture including pre-1900’s pieces. You’ll also find pottery, furniture, artwork, and glassware.
Where: 10 Depot Street, Collinsville, CT 06019
When: Daily: Monday – Sunday: 010:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Web: http://antiquesonthefarmington.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Antiquesonfarmington
Flea Markets in Connecticut #9: Stratford Antique Center
Stratford Antique Center picture by Stratford Antique Center via facebook 3
Just off I-95 in Stratford, Connecticut, you’ll find Stratford Antique Center, appropriately located on Honeyspot Road. The shop is located in a large blue building that you can’t miss from the road. Step inside, and you’ll not know where to start when you browse over 200 vendors located in the warehouse. Combined, they sprawl across 16,500 square feet with antiques and collectibles for nearly any interest.
Stratford Antique Center opened in 1992, and is the oldest in the county. The antique market has a good selection of vendors and is open year-round daily. Booth after booth clustered together means you could spend a while in this antique destination, and you might make it your honeyspot.
Where: 400 Honeyspot Rd, Stratford, CT 06615
When: Daily: Monday-Sunday: 010:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Web: http://stratfordantique.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stratford-Antique-Center-1122007854512091/
Bonus: US flea markets on a map!
You can now visualize the best flea markets and antique fairs in the US, on a map! Not only have we included all the above flea markets, but we’ve added to the mix some of the country’s most acclaimed antique fairs. Just click on the image below to access our map feature for free.
A trip at the flea market is a journey in its own, a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and enthusiasts who share the same passion for rummaging and haggling. We hope this review inspired you to discover one (or all!) of these flea markets in Connecticut, and that you’ll share the love around you. As always, if you think that a flea market is unrighteously missing from this list, just drop us a line in the comments section below.
