The Faithful Shopper: Shop in the Sunshine!

Open-air markets abound in the city even during the worst weather, but late spring/early summer is the perfect time to meander and find a great treasure.
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The weather is better, the mood is lighter, and summer is nearly here - now is the time for outdoor shopping! Open-air markets abound in the city even during the worst weather, but late spring/early summer is the perfect time to meander and find a great treasure.

Even better, you'll be buying from your neighbors - local farmers and artisans who are part of the area's economy. And the shorter transport distance means you'll be helping the environment as well as yourself. Remember: not all great markets are open-air. For rainy days, consider indoor flea markets.


Here are a few of my favorites:

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Union Square Greenmarket
Union Square West from 15th to 17th Streets

Held Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays year-round. The granddaddy of them all (since 1976), the perfect place for locally grown produce and baked goods - as well as soaps, candles and other items.

Smaller Greenmarkets can be found at:

  • 57th Street at Ninth Avenue (Wednesdays)
  • Columbus Avenue between 77th and 79th Streets (Sundays)
  • 97th between Columbus and Amsterdam (Fridays)
  • Abingdon Square (Saturdays)
  • Bowling Green -Broadway at Battery Place (Tuesdays and Thursdays)
  • Columbia - Broadway at 114th Street (Thursdays and Sundays)
  • Dag Hammarskjold Plaza - 47th Street and 2nd Avenue (Wednesdays)
  • Inwood - Isham St. between Seaman Avenue and Cooper St. (Saturdays)
  • Port Authority Bus Terminal--North Wing (Thursdays)
  • Saint Mark's - East 10th Street and 2nd Avenue (Tuesdays)
  • Staten Island Ferry White Hall Terminal 99 4 South Street (Tuesdays and Fridays)
  • Tompkins Square - Avenue A and East 7th Street (Sundays)
  • Tribeca - Greenwich Street between Chambers and Duane (Saturdays)
  • Tucker Square - Columbus Avenue at 66th Street (Thursdays and Saturdays)
  • Zuccotti Park - Cedar Street between Broadway and Church St. (Tuesdays and Thursdays)


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Hells Kitchen Flea Market
39th Street Between 9th and 10th Avenues

Open every Saturday and Sunday, this market may be in Hell's Kitchen, but heaven for the savvy second-hand shopper. Vintage clothing, vases, planters etc. can be found here. Some of the vendors from The Annex in Chelsea have relocated to this market.

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The Grand Bazaar Antique & Collectible Marketplace
25th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue.

Saturday and Sunday - Offers more than 125 vendors

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Soho Antiques Fair
Grand Street and Broadway

You never know what you'll find here on the weekends - antiques, crafts, whatever.

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Spring Street Market
43 Spring Street

This small (15 vendors) market is open every day, featuring new and vintage clothing, jewelry and crafts. No antiques.

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Battery Park Market
State St between the water & Battery Place

Held on Thursdays, offers antiques, new and used jewelry and crafts.

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Columbus Circle Market
10 Columbus Circle

Held from April through Christmas - antiques, collectibles, jewelry (new and used).

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67th Street Flea and Farmers Market
67th Street between 1st and York Avenues

Yes, they do markets on the Upper East Side. Held on Saturdays year-round, this market features 70 vendors of antiques, collectibles, furniture, jewelry, stamps, coins, toys, books, you name it.

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Greenflea
Greenwich Avenue at Charles St. (Saturday)
Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th Streets (Sunday)

This market offers both open-air and indoor vendors, and a terrific combination of imports, handmade crafts, antiques, books and produce.

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Noho Market
Broadway and West 4th Street

Open daily! Jewelry, tapes, sunglasses, and other accessories.

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The Garage
112 West 25th Street

Held on Saturday and Sunday, with as many as 125 vendors selling antiques, collectibles, and other types of vintage and mid-century modern items.

Other markets seem to spring up all the time - walk along Houston Street, and you'll find tables with unique jewelry, a perfect casual skirt or the perfect belt. Click on the web, read around, or just wander to find your newest treasure. Happy shopping!

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