America’s Best Flea Markets

Once a year, organizers Jermonne Swendell and Joe Apodaca host an exquisitely curated market with over 30 dealers on their farm. Shabby chic-design lovers from as far away as Finland come for items like vintage wrought iron furniture, apothecary jars and cowhide-upholstered Regency armchairs. With such devoted fans and vendors, the atmosphere is more like a reunion than a flea market. Local bands and bakers provide both musical and caloric sustenance. barnhousebh.com

The market that birthed the neo-hipster-flea-market trend, the Flea sells a little bit of everything, from Pendleton blankets and ’70s-era Schwinns to artisanal jams and vintage typewriters. Held every weekend from April through November, the market also features some great deals: One of the best can be found at Classic Specs, which sells vintage frames, with new prescription lenses included, for $89. Celebrated food vendors draw their own regulars: Choncho’s Tacos, People’s Pops (for seasonal fruit popsicles like blueberry-rosewater) and Pizza Moto (which hauls in a mobile brick oven) are favorites. brooklynflea.com

More than 2,500 vendors come to the massive Rose Bowl parking lot to sell both new and vintage merchandise on the second Sunday of every month. There are cameras, appliances, furniture and an eclectic variety of clothing, from rare 1940s Kahanamoku Hawaiian shirts to 1970s-era espadrilles. Stand-out vendors include Josh and Laurie Zimber’s OC Modern for midcentury furniture; Daniela Davis’s Euro Linens booth for vintage European linens; and Leonard Lightfoot, a well-known collector of old photographs, telegrams and black-and-white drawings. The market has a food court selling things like tri-tip sandwiches and garlic fries. Since there’s so much to explore, smart shoppers bring their own snacks—and plenty of water to combat the heat. rgcshows.com

Held the first Sunday of every month, this is the largest antiques show in Northern California, with finds including jewelry, art, cowboy boots and Hollywood memorabilia. Among the favorites, Big Daddy’s Antiques specializes in large-scale architectural pieces and enormous vintage neon signage; Lynne Jensen’s Klassik Living is repository of midcentury Danish pieces like Kofoed-Larson credenzas and Finn Juhl dining tables; and Retro@Home sells serving ware and midcentury modern dining room furniture. Food stalls offer snacks like churros, kettle corn and ice cream; one favorite is Lockwood Sausages’ kielbasa with sauerkraut. alamedapointantiquesfaire.com

Commercial sellers hawking mass-produced goods like tube socks and cell phones are prohibited from this market, which is held once a month almost year-round. Its 2,500 vendors offer a particularly strong selection of farmhouse antiques and vintage tableware, while three times a year, specialty shows feature categories like toys and folk art. Among the 45 food vendors are Schmidt’s, which sells bratwurst and cream puffs, and Crazy Uncle Larry’s One-Pound Pork Chop, which sells its signature item stuffed into a bun. springfieldantiqueshow.com

On the first weekend of every month, 3,000 dealers descend on a 100-acre plot of land featuring an indoor market and outdoor stands. Items include Western wear, ’40s-era glass rolling pins and crocheted tablecloths sold by the pound. Antiques dealers like the Porch offer period jewelry and Hammersley bone china, while Texas-themed booths such as Terra Leather hawk buffalo rugs. The Arbor Food Court offers everything from barbecue to banana-chocolate crêpes, while the nearby Sister’s Café is also popular for its biscuits and omelets. firstmondaycanton.com

Once a year—September 13-15 in 2012—130 vendors gather for an indoor exposition featuring vintage goods and good old junk. Among the sellers are Histories, which offers vintage industrial furniture and lighting, and Red Barn Minnesota, a purveyor of handcrafted cabinetry and metalwork. junkbonanza.com

Held one weekend a month from April through December, the 44-year-old market is spread through several buildings and under numerous outdoor tents. Management is serious about quality control: Dealers are discouraged from selling anything that dates later than 1950, and fakes, reproductions and crafts are prohibited. Instead, you’ll find a trove of rare and unique items, like 19th-century sleds, early Americana farmhouse furniture, Art Deco tableware and Tiffany lamps. annarborantiquesmarket.com