For some, flea markets are the key to discovering a treasure trove. Whether it's a musty but modish sweater, original vinyl record or antique piece of furniture, that previously loved item you're after can be found at one of New York City's vintage bazaars. Does bargain hunting excite you? Read on for details of these must-shop locations, organized by borough.
Brooklyn
Artists & Fleas
Days of Operation: Saturdays and Sundays (Williamsburg); daily (Chelsea)
Hours: 10am–7pm (Williamsburg); Mon.–Sat., 10am–9pm, Sun., 10am–8pm (Chelsea)
Locations: 70 N. 7th St., 917-488-4203, Williamsburg; 88 Tenth Ave., 917-488-0044, Chelsea
What to Expect: Independent designers and craftspeople offer wares in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Notable Vendors: Gypsy Nation Vintage sells a collection of finds with a glamorous boho vibe; Eat Records specializes in imported vinyl; and a number of affordable, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces can be found from vendors Georgia Varidakis and KT Ferris.
Brooklyn Flea
Days of Operation: Saturdays (Fort Greene and Park Slope), Sundays (Williamsburg and Park Slope)
Hours: 10am–5pm
Locations: Williamsburg Flea, 50 Kent Ave., 718-928-6603, Williamsburg; Fort Greene Flea, 176 Lafayette Ave., 718-928-6603, Fort Greene; Park Slope Flea, 180 Seventh Ave., 718-928-6603, Park Slope
What to Expect: One of the best reasons to take the G train on a weekend is to hit the Brooklyn Flea. Set in an empty concrete lot close to the East River, the Williamsburg location features a curated mix of more than 100 vendors. The Fort Greene edition—the original Flea, also on the G line—hosts the same vendors in a schoolyard setting. In another schoolyard over in Park Slope is a third version, a much smaller, longstanding affair that became part of the Flea umbrella in late 2013.
Notable Vendors: Toy collector Dan's Parents' House, T-shirt dealer Juicy D's Tees and Boomerang, from whom you could possibly score an original Keith Haring lithograph.
Bushwick Flea
Days of Operation: Saturdays and Sundays
Hours: 10am–6pm
Location: 52 Wyckoff Ave., 845-707-3942, Bushwick
What to Expect: Vintage jewelry and clothing vendors from all over the City (and state) hawk handmade specialty items. The aim of the Bushwick Flea is to provide a more intimate and affordable (especially for vendors) alternative to the Brooklyn Flea.
Notable vendors: Vintage T-shirt seller Nic Fit and jeweler Birdhouse.
Manhattan
Green Flea
Days of Operation: Sundays (also Saturdays from mid-November until Christmas)
Hours: 10am–5:30pm
Location: 100 W. 77th St., 212-239-3025, Upper West Side
What to Expect: The indoor-outdoor market, a neighborhood gem for 30 years, has a well-vetted collection of dealers selling antique furniture, vintage clothing and jewelry, along with CDs and books.
Notable Vendors: Americana Memories for nostalgic ephemera; Claudia Gill for handcrafted trays, frames and mirrors in art deco and Jazz Age styles.
Hell's Kitchen Flea Market
Days of Operation: Saturdays and Sundays
Hours: 9am–5pm
Location: West 39th Street (between Ninth and Tenth Avenues), 212-243-5343, Midtown West
What to Expect: You’ll find an array of home furnishings, antiques, jewelry, clothing and random collectibles, sold by vendors who love a good haggle. The Chelsea offshoot of this market tends to be pricier due to its prime location.
Notable Vendors: Wildpalm Vintage Jewels and Secondtime 21.
Hester Street Fair
Days of Operation: Saturdays
Hours: 11am–6pm
Location: Corner of Hester and Essex Streets, 917-267-9496, Lower East Side
What to Expect: Handmade goods and artisanal food come from vendors who share an independent ethos.
Notable Vendors: Vintage clothier La Poubelle and the Pan-Asian street-food geniuses at Zhà.
Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market
Days of Operation: Daily
Hours: 10am–9pm
Location: 52 W. 116th St., 212-987-8131, Harlem
What to Expect: This popular neighborhood market offers colorful and imported African items. Textiles, leather goods, oils, clothing, drums and sculptures are available from countries such as Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana.
The Market NYC
Days of Operation: Wednesdays to Sundays
Hours: Wed.–Fri., noon–7pm; Sat.–Sun., 11am–8pm (7pm for Williamsburg location)
Locations: 159 Bleecker St., 646-691-4525, Greenwich Village; 218 Bedford Ave., 646-691-4525, Williamsburg
What to Expect: The Manhattan entry has a three-level showroom clocking in at an impressive 8,500 square feet. (It has also attracted an array of famous visitors, including Lana Del Rey, Heidi Klum and Janeane Garofalo.) Over Williamsburg way, the market occupies a pair of adjacent spaces in the Bedford Avenue Mini Mall. Find new and vintage designer clothes, handmade objects, collectibles and art.
Notable Vendors: Purses, gems and jewels from Olde Sanctuary and delicate handmade pieces from Apple Grace Designs.
Queens
Astoria Market
Days of Operation: Sundays
Hours: noon–6pm
Location: 29-19 24th Ave. (at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden), Astoria
What to Expect: Operating out of Astoria's most famous beer hall, sellers here all share a connection to Queens. Local artisans and bakers give back through proceeds of sales, which help support community programs.
Notable Vendors: Lenorables handbags and accessories and New Yawk Baking Co. cookies.
LIC Flea & Food
Days of Operation: Saturdays and Sundays
Hours: 10am–6pm
Location: 5-25 46th Ave., 718-866-8089, Long Island City
What to Expect: Vendors at Queens' largest outdoor market (which has spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline) deal everything from vintage clothing and jewelry to antiques and, of course, food.
Notable Vendors: Handmade products for men at Urban Man Made; a beauty line from Nordea Soaperie; and, for delicious treats, Nonna's Riceballs, Lizzmonade and Rockaway Brewing Company.