Best Small Towns in the US to Visit for Antique Lovers

Calling all knick-knack, tchotchke, and trinket lovers, it’s time to go antiquing! Whether you’re looking for unique furniture pieces, vintage clothing, or home decor from a bygone era, the US is home to some of the best small towns for antique lovers. Many of the towns on this list are widely considered the antiquing mecca of their respective states, with hundreds of antique dealers, shops, and flea markets for visitors to rummage through. So whatever you’re searching for, odds are you can find it in one of the towns listed below.

Adamstown, Pennsylvania

With a nickname like “Antiques Capital, USA,” it is no surprise that Adamstown, Pennsylvania has some of the best antiquing in the country. Visitors will be spoiled for choice when they arrive, especially in the warmer months when seasonal outdoor antique stands start opening up. According to a post on the Lancaster, PA blog, visitors will also, “find large complexes that host 500 or more antique dealers each, plus more than a dozen other antique markets, co-ops, and shops.”

With so many vendors to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down where to go. So here are a few highlights in Adamstown that you won’t want to miss. When looking for gems like kitchenware, tools, signage, and glassware, the Mad Hatter Antique Mall is the place to be. Located on Willow Street, this large antique shop is filled to the brim with fun kitschy items and mid-century pieces. If it’s furniture you’re after, then you can’t beat the selection at the Adamstown Antique Mall on Reading Road.

And for those who aren’t looking for something specific but want to browse all day, Adam’s Antiques is the shop for you. This clean and well-merchandised shop features over 150 antique dealers and is housed in a 22,000-square-foot building so you can shop until you drop. When you need a break from antiquing, don’t forget to check out other Adamstown gems such as Stoudtburg Village, or grab a bite to eat at Dave’s Diner on Reading Road.

Brimfield, Massachusetts

Often referred to as the “Antique and Collectibles Capital of the United States,” Brimfield, Massachusetts is best known for the Brimfield Antique Flea Markets–a seasonal antique show that attracts upwards of 50,000 visitors each year. The show runs six days per week three times per year in May, July, and September. Local, long-standing staples like May’s Antique Market and the Brimfield Barn all participate in the show and help make it an event that you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Those arriving outside of the May, July, and September antique show dates can take a slight detour to the nearby Yankee Flea Market in Palmer, Massachusetts. Here, you can spend hours browsing over 200 vendors, many of which carry unique antique items. And once all that antiquing has tired you out, refuel at the Apple Barn Cafe–a family-owned cafe with well-reviewed breakfast and lunch dishes. 

Walnut, Iowa

For a town of its size, Walnut, Iowa has garnered quite the reputation as an antique shopping hub. Between the abundance of antique and vintage shops, historic buildings, and brick-laid streets, it’s no wonder the town is often called “The Antique City of Iowa.” During a visit to Walnut, antique lovers will find several shops to wander including the Walnut Antique Mall, Weathered Pony Antiques, B-Restored, and  Corn Country Antiques.

To spice up your antique shopping experience, visit Mabel's Old Fashioned Rose or The Notebook Cafe & Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor, which serve wine or coffee respectively. For visitors who only have a limited number of hours in Walnut, head to Bear Trap Antiques–a multi-level shop filled with a huge range of different antiques and collectibles. 

Lebanon, Tennessee

Widely known as the birthplace of Cracker Barrel and home to the popular NASCAR track–the Nashville Superspeedway, Lebanon, Tennessee is filled with fun things to see, do, and taste. But did you know it’s also a great spot to go antiquing? Travelers will find several small antique and vintage/collectable shops in and around town.

Those looking for small trinkets, home decor, and select furniture pieces, will want to check out Antiques on 231. Occasionally Antiques on 231 will also have local baked goods on offer. For a warm and welcoming experience, a visit to Cloud 9 Antiques & Such is a must. According to reviews, the store is situated inside a cozy 1930s era home and offers a wide selection of antiques with new inventory being constantly added. Those one the hunt for specific comic books, albums, or baseball cards will want to explore the stock at Collect Co. on Short Street. 

Woodbury, Connecticut

Welcome to Woodbury–a charming small town known as the "Antiques Capital of Connecticut." The town’s reputation as an antiquing hot spot dates back nearly 50 years when antique dealers first started filling Woodbury’s old historic homes with their treasures. Today, the town boasts more than 35 antique shops for visitors to explore. For high quality furniture pieces you can’t beat Mill House Antiques & Gardens. The store, which was established in 1964, was voted “best antique dealer in Connecticut” by Connecticut Magazine. In addition to the highly curated antiques, Mill House visitors can also wander through the pristinely groomed gardens on site.

If farmhouse chic is your preferred style then you’ve got to go straight to the source–Farmhouse Antiques. From furniture to kitchenware and home decor, this local antique shop has all of your farmhouse needs covered. Other shops such as Madeline West Antiques, Wayne Mattox Antiques, and Villa Vintiques are also worth exploring. Travelers who can’t choose where to go can opt instead to follow the Woodbury Antiques Trail.

Mount Dora, Florida

The small town of Mount Dora, Florida is defined by its abundance of festivals, earning itself the nickname, “The Festival City.” Outside of that, the town also offers plenty of great opportunities for antiquing. Those who are looking to browse the shelves for hours at a time, digging for hidden treasures will want to venture into larger shops such as the Vintage Antique Mall on North Highland Street or the Treasure Marts and Wildwood Antique Mall on Old US Highway 441. For those who prefer a more curated selection featuring clothing, home decor, vinyl records, and stereo equipment, Mount Dora Vintage is the place to be.

In Conclusion

Between highly curated collections that speak to a specific niche, to massive antique malls with hundreds of dealers inside, these small towns offer a little something for every type of antique shopper. And when you combine a day of shopping with lunch at a small town cafe…well, the combination simply can’t be beaten. So don’t wait, go hunting for your next antique treasure today!