Woodstock, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and maple syrup are the three most significant finds I have come across in Vermont.
This New England State is a fall lover’s favorite getaway, and flea markets abound here.
Whether I am in the mood for antique shopping or getting souvenirs from local vendors to send to friends and family abroad, there is always something cheap to find.
As a college student who is constantly trying to drive across those 100 famous wooden bridges in this state on my way to a flea market swap, I have got some picks for you!
Check these 11 top flea markets in Vermont you most definitely want to shop at the next time you are in town.
The 11 Best Flea Markets in Vermont
Waterbury Flea Market
Start your journey at the Waterbury Flea Market located in Farr’s Field in the Waterbury Village Historic District.
This is Vermont’s longest consecutively operating flea market.
Opening on the first weekend of every May, the Waterbury Flea Market hosts vendors through October.
Conveniently off of Interstate 89, at Exit 10, this is also the largest flea market in the state.
Make sure to pack your sunscreen and some sunglasses.
This market is hosted outdoors under tent canopies with minimal tree coverage.
You will find ephemera, auto parts, unwanted items, and other oddities you will not see elsewhere.
The Original Newfane Flea Market
Travel down the road to the shire town of Newfane, located straight down I-89 for 130 miles.
The Original Newfane Flea Market is everything a hobbit would wish for in a flea market.
This flea market also claims to be “the oldest continuously operating flea market in Vermont!”
In 2019, Newfane’s market was 50 years old.
But who is to say if it is really Waterbury or the Original Newfane that is truly the oldest?
Go inspect for yourself and find out the truth.
When you plan to travel to the Southern Vermont flea market, you will want to make it from late April through October 31.
Antiques and used items are the most common finds to pick among.
Wilmington Antique and Flea Market
As one of the longer standing flea markets in VT, the Wilmington Antique and Flea Market was started more than 30 years ago.
For a day at this marketplace, I would recommend bringing an appetite.
The Wilmington Antique Flea Market is where you can buy locally sourced Vermont maple syrup fresh from the tree!
Food concessions are also sold at this flea market, which is open annually from mid-May to mid-October.
The opening days are Saturday and Sunday, plus each Monday on Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Labor Day.
Best of all, parking is free!
This flea market is also in Southern Vermont and only about 20 miles southeast of Newfane.
The Wilmington Antique and Flea Market is a great place to find glass, flowers, potpourri, and jewelry.
Vermont Antique Mall
Next, drive along Interstate 91 North to Quechee, VT to the Vermont Antique Mall.
Locally known as the VAM, the marketplace is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.
Bring your A-game for antique hunting because the VAM is all about the Delft blue and other vintage pottery and fine China.
Furniture, metal signs, old trucks, and farm tools are also on regal display at this upscale antique mall.
Not quite a full blown flea market, you will not get a chance to haggle with the vendors.
However, the Vermont Antique Mall regularly hosts the largest group of antique dealers in the state.
This puts you right in line with the best selection of used and collectible items.
BTV Flea
The Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace is the next stop on this list. From Quechee Gorge, travel straight up I-89 for 90 miles.
After an hour and a half, you will find yourself at the BTV Flea held from May through September.
While the Vintage Inspired Lifestyle Marketplace is open daily throughout the year, Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday from noon to 4 pm.
However, the BTV Flea is only open on Sunday from noon to 4 pm.
Located in the South End of Burlington, it is a fully outdoor flea market.
Expect to find plenty of eclectic items, as well as handmade and artisan goods.
In other words, this is not a standard issue flea market filled with antiques!
Barge Canal Market
Now also in Burlington, I present to you the Barge Canal Market.
This is another Southern Vermont specialty with the location being near the Burlington Bay waterfront.
Located in the Five Sisters neighborhood, the Barge Canal Market sells retro couches and loveseats in funky colors.
Think of this as more of an Anthropologie vibe rather than a flea market.
The BCM is located inside a large metal building, and is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm all year round.
Village Eclectics 2
Here is one of the more uniquely named flea markets in Vermont–the Village Eclectics 2.
This flea market is over in Bradford, Vermont, which is clear across the state from Burlington 70 miles southeast.
A Main Street staple for the locals, there are 10 rooms of items sold here.
Expect to sort through selections of antiques along with home decor and vintage goods.
The Village Eclectics 2 is also in the Richardson Building, which is a former bank building, and next to Jackson Antiquarian Books.
Brattleboro Farmers’ Market
Drive from Bradford to Brattleboro, Vermont only 90 miles south on Interstate 91 to reach the famous Brattleboro Farmers’ Market.
Here there is not a typical flea market, but rather a farmer’s stand for the selling of produce.
However, this is also a much bigger selling venue than simply a farmer’s market thanks to vendors that sell pottery, artwork, soap, cards, and farm products.
Bring your appetite and prepare to stock up on groceries while you are out and about at the Brattleboro Farmers’ Market.
The Wandering Gypsy
Now here is an exciting way to run a flea market!
At The Wandering Gypsy, the local flea market is anywhere you want to be.
This is an online and traveling flea market based in Chester, Vermont.
Chester is quite close to Brattleboro, at only 40 miles north.
Shop online and see what kind of goods the vendors have to sell before making the drive; or save your fuel altogether and shop online at this VT flea market.
They sell souvenir style items like T-shirts and keychains, which make great holiday and group gifts.
Hillbilly Recycling
Next, hop in the truck and go 30 miles north of Chester to the sleepy town of Bridgewater.
Here is the home of Hillbilly Recycling, which is a flea market lover’s paradise.
Refinished antique trunks, tables, dressers, and glassware are some of the fun picks at this roadside find.
Hillbilly Recycling is easy to spot on the side of the road and features a large green sided building.
Note that some of the antiques are outside, but the majority of flea market finds are located indoors.
Vermont Picker 802
Last but not least, I present to you the Vermont Picker 802, located back up in Burlington, VT.
This rural homestead houses vintage goods including hard to find military gear, electrical fans, lamps, sports memorabilia, tin boxes, and books.
More primitive items are sold at the Vermont Picker 802 compared to the other flea markets in the state.
If you are looking for archaeologically relevant finds, this is the place to start your shopping!
Holiday items including vintage Christmas lights and cards can also be found at the Vermont Picker 802.
Just as for Doug.
The 11 Best Flea Markets in Vermont – Summary Table
| Flea Market | Address |
|---|---|
| Waterbury Flea Market | 1901 US-2, Waterbury Village Historic District, VT 05676 |
| The Original Newfane Flea Market | 788 VT-30, Newfane, VT 05345 |
| Wilmington Antique and Flea Market | 236 VT-9, Wilmington, VT 05363 |
| Vermont Antique Mall | 5573 Woodstock Rd, Quechee, VT 05059 |
| BTV Flea | 160 Flynn Ave, Burlington, VT |
| Barge Canal Market | 377 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401 |
| Village Eclectics 2 | 35 Bank St, Bradford, VT 05033 |
| Brattleboro Farmers’ Market | 570 Western Ave, West Brattleboro, VT 05301 |
| The Wandering Gypsy | 571 Vt Rte 103 South, Chester, VT 05143 |
| Hillbilly Recycling | 7289 US-4, Bridgewater, VT 05034 |
| Vermont Picker 802 | James Ave, Burlington, VT 05408 |
Vermont Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Vermont Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best season to shop at flea markets in Vermont?
Ideally, you want to visit Vermont in the summer months from May to October if you want to shop at flea markets.
These are the best months for the majority of flea markets, including the outdoor swaps.
Otherwise, the cold Vermont winters send flea market shoppers indoors to the vintage and antique markets across the state.
There are plenty of shops to check out, that is for sure!
I cannot leave out the leaf-peeping season, which is actually the busiest tourist time for Vermont residents.
If you are in town for the fall weather, it is not too late for you to go flea market shopping.
Just pack your boots and mittens, a scarf, and some wool sweaters!
You will be able to shop at outdoor VT flea markets through Halloween, and then it is time to prepare for fall festivals, when you can continue shopping for flea market-type items, including vintage, collectibles, and antiques.
Where is the best place for cottage-core shopping in Vermont?
Cottagecore reflects the idea of simple, rural life.
That is exactly what Vermont is all about!
However, if you are super focused on home decor and hands-on tools that come along with cottage-core as a lifestyle, start with the Vermont Picker 802.
The selection of primitive items here alone is worth every moment for someone interested in the style of cottage-core.
You can outfit your kitchen to reflect a slower pace of living, where, instead of a microwave oven, you depend on an apple corer as your favorite and most useful gadget when preparing a meal.
If you are new to cottage-core, what you are going for is more Amish and old-school Americana.
Where should I go to get food grown or harvested locally in Vermont?
The best flea markets for food items are the Brattleboro Farmers’ Market, and the Wilmington Antique and Flea Market.
The farmers’ market has ample produce and some ready-to-eat foods, while the flea market in Wilmington sells maple syrup and other Vermont specialties.
If you want to go with gourmet food items that are harvested in season and locally, these are the places to start your shopping.
Just make sure to bring an appetite!
Also, have your own totes when you are shopping at the farmers’ market, in particular.
This will save you from having to snag a bag or pay for a sack from a vendor.
You can buy even more goodies if you have your own collapsible cart.
Pull along the extra-large pumpkin and that bushel of Granny Smith apples for your next trip to a Vermont flea market that is selling food.
Will there be Wi-Fi at the flea markets in Vermont?
Note that not all of the flea markets in Vermont have wifi, even for their vendors.
This is important to take into account before going flea market shopping, especially if you are doing price checking while browsing.
Consider investing in a hotspot device that you can bring with you so you have wireless internet wherever you go flea market shopping in Vermont.
At the same time, the reason for the lack of wifi service is due to the rural location of most of these flea markets and antique shops.
As a result, do not depend on the internet when visiting and shopping at these flea markets in Vermont.
Have your mapping and routing planned out ahead of time, or use a secondary way of mapping, such as with a separate GPS device.
This will keep you from getting stranded out in the countryside in some quiet and maybe even creepy rural village.
