Go on a Tri-State Treasure Hunt at These 5 Fabulous Flea Markets

Bargain hunters and kitsch collectors will rejoice at the return of spring, when flea markets sprout from the ground like flowers. Escape the city for a weekend of wandering stalls and stands filled with all the objects you couldn’t even find on eBay. Here’s a list of top getaways that make a great day trip or extended stay in the Tri-State area.

Mower’s Saturday/Sunday Flea Market (Woodstock, N.Y.)

Nestled in this famous Catskills nook of tie-dyed T-shirts, drum circles, and artist studios lies the Mower’s Saturday/Sunday Market (pictured above). Named one of Fodor’s Top 10 Flea Markets in the U.S. in 2015, this 2-acre outdoor shop-a-thon provides countless treasures with country flair. Mark your calendars: The season opens on May 21, and hours are 9 a.m. to dusk on Saturdays and Sundays.

Distance from Brooklyn: Two and a half hours by car, or take the Trailways Bus to Woodstock.

—

Beacon Flea Market (Beacon, N.Y.)

Spend a Sunday in budding It-Town Beacon and sate your jones for crafts, collectibles and more. Open starting April 3 and continuing 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays through November, this market can be just one stop on your Upstate adventure. Take the new trolley over to Cold Spring and get a full Hudson Valley fix.

Distance from Brooklyn: One and a half hours by car, or take Metro North to Beacon.

—

The Mansfield Drive-In Theater and Marketplace (Mansfield Center, Conn.)

Talk about a double feature! You can’t get more Americana than a day of haggling over green glass dishes and a night of blockbusters under the stars. Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., this indoor/outdoor flea market boasts a drive-in movie theater showing the latest features. Get the most out of your Zip Car and plan an overnight adventure.

Distance from Brooklyn: Two and a half hours by car.

—

The Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market (New Milford, Conn.)

For three decades, the Elephant’s Trunk has provided shoppers with a delightful spread of merchandise and munchies, and it’s been regularly featured in the HGTV competition show Flea Market Flip. Now hosting more than 500 vendors and food trucks, this Connecticut escape will fill your Sunday (and car trunk) with untold treasures. The 2016 season opens on April 3, with the market open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $2 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and free after that. But if you’re serious about the hunt, pay $20 or $40 to arrive at 5:45 a.m. and 4:45 a.m., respectively, for a jump on the deals.

Distance from Brooklyn: One and a half hours by car.

—

The New Meadowlands Market (East Rutherford, N.J.)

For a quick fix, head over to New Jersey for hundreds of craft and food vendors less than an hour away. The New Meadowlands Flea Market in Bergen County came under new management in 2010 and is now open Saturdays, special event days and holidays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Distance from Brooklyn: 45 minutes by car.

Related Stories
Horses and Goats and Alpacas, Oh My: 5 Spots to Get Your Animal Fix Upstate
These 4 Upstate Homes With Lake Views Can Be Yours for Under $200K
5 Fabulous Farm-to-Table Dining Spots in the Hudson Valley

Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.