How can a city ever be complete without its flea markets? New York, regarded as one of the most exciting cities in the world, does not disappoint you in this department. It has some fascinating flea markets, spread around town. Here are some of the places you can head to for a weekend adventure.
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market
Located on West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues and open 9 AM – 6 PM every Saturday and Sunday. The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market includes vendors from The Annex, formerly located in Chelsea. Join designers, tourists, artists, celebrities, and residents shop the market for antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, mid-century modern items–including home decorations and furniture, jewelry, and so much more.
Hell’s Kitchen is a neighborhood on the west side of Manhattan, roughly the area from West 34th up to West 59th Street, and from 8th Avenue over to the Hudson River. Hell’s Kitchen below 42nd Street is sometimes called “Hell’s Kitchen South.” That’s where the flea market is located. The market’s Hell’s Kitchen South location is near the Port Authority Bus Terminal and Times Square.
In Hell’s Kitchen South you can still find many small “mom and pop” businesses, including specialty food stores. The flea market’s area is relatively free of tall buildings, allowing for a sweeping view of midtown Manhattan, including The Empire State Building, The New Yorker Hotel, and the new New York Times Building.
The Brooklyn Flea
The Brooklyn Flea comes to life at two locations every weekend. On Saturdays, it takes up the Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School at Fort Greene (10 am – 5 pm), and on Sundays, it is set up at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park at Dumbo (11am – 6pm). Go to any of these locations, and you will find yourself in the midst of over 150 vendors. If you are keen on records and vintage clothing, Fort Greene is the place to go to, and Dumbo is mostly about decorative items and upscale furniture.
You will surely find some great deals out there, and after you have had your hearts fill, head out to the Red Hook Lobster Pound stall for some great lobster rolls (approximately $13). The official site of the market is brownstoner.com/brooklynflea. Visit it for all the details.
The P.S. 321 Flea Market
P.S. 321 is a classic flea market, with a mix of everything. However, when you walk through, you will find that vintage furniture and second-hand clothing are the clear winners out here. This is not to say though that you will not find hidden treasures of other kinds. Pay close attention and you may just discover exquisite paintings and rare books.
The P.S. 321 is placed at 180 Seventh Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn, every weekend. Call 718-421-6763 to find out the timings. You will be hungry after your wanderings, and the Miracle Grill at 222 Seventh Avenue is perfectly placed for that. So, go ahead and treat yourself to some reasonably priced Mexican delights.
The GreenFlea
The GreenFlea has a mingling pile of old and new things. You will get everything from discounted beauty goods to handmade jewelry, secondhand clothing, and antique furniture. If you want something really whacky, head out to the Toaster Central for some vintage toasters in working condition. This one is a Sunday market, operating between 10 am – 5.30 pm, at Columbus Avenue, between 76th and 77th Streets. More details are available at 212-239-3027.
For post-shopping hunger pangs head out to Shake Shack, a local favorite, for some shakes and burgers. It is located at 366 Columbus Avenue.