Orange County Antique Fair and Flea Market in Middletown, NY

About an hour and a half from NYC, this fair has 100’s of vendors and if nothing else is a great stop-off on your way Upstate (NY upstate).  Free admission, free parking - sounds like you can’t really lose.  But I haven’t been yet so don’t hold me to that. 

Whether you’re coming from Jersey, PA or NY, get directions here.  Open April through November - check out calendar here. 

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SUNDAY FUNDAY

This suggestion isn’t for everyone, but a relaxing and fun way to spend a sunny lazy sunday is to go sit in Madison Square Park.   

The ideal for me is to rise early early and start the day in the flower district (28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues),  and then then walk down to the northern fountain in the park and watch the children play.  Eventually, set up my crazy creek in the grass and read a book.  Have a grilled cheese at Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop on 22nd and 5th Avenue and stroll over to  Chelsea for the antique garage markets on 25th between 6th and 7th. 

DAY TRIP

mark your calendars!

No car? Check out the MTA website.  Personally, I like to look at the maps, and do some research on my own, but if you’re a just-give-it-to-me-now travel planner, then go here for stops along the Metro North and here for ideas along the Long Island Railroad route. 

It’s actually a bit overwhelming - I mean, on June 13th do I want to go to Beacon’s strawberry festival or Cold Spring’s antique show?  (I guess I’d just have to go the car route so I have the option to do both since they’re practically neighboring towns - no car? zipcar)

But, if that’s not an option, maybe you’re better off - just pick one and search beelocal posts for info on the rest of that town.  No more info here?  Tell me what you find! 

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TOWN PROFILE: Cold Spring, New York 

In the heart of Hudson Highland mountains and along the Hudson River, this quaint but fairly touristy town is about an hour drive from NYC and easily accessible by trains.  The center of town is full antique and novelty shops, the outskirts full of hiking and sight seeing and in the summer it is a great place to canoe in the hudson river.  Truly a delightful day trip.  Stop off on your way north to Beacon, or incorporate a trip to Storm King Art Center  or a less cultural trip to Woodbury where you’ll find the outlets and other chain stores like Home Goods.

Find out more here and here

I came across some of my favorite antique/ flea market / better than junk shop here in Cold Spring. 

Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfiled, Mass

mark your calendars!

All right, this looks amazing as well.  You’re bound to find something to make you smile. An antique show thats been around since the 1950s and boasts everything from serious antiques to distressed window frames to wall art to chairs to instruments and globes. For some reason, I am fixated on chairs this Spring and just know I would find the perfect ones here.

Three dates:  May 11 - 16; July 13 - 18; September 7 - 12

3 hours from NYC, 1 hour from Boston 

map - the bigger picture

directions - how to get there?

apartment therapy article on how to make it a successful trip