Post Overview: Best Flea Markets in NYC
I know I’m not the only one who’ll roll up their sleeves and dive headfirst into rummage sales and discount bins. A deal is a deal, and there’s few better places to score than at a flea market in New York City.
But the markets are full of variety, some consist of curated clothing from budding designers while others are your garden variety, garage-sale type markets. But regardless of the market, you’re practically guaranteed unique finds.
Vintage and collectible items find themselves neighboring landline phones that no one has talked into since 2004. Not everything for sale is worth buying, but sometimes you can strike gold.
And as a local who’s addicted to the unpredictability of flea markets the way my grandma is addicted to the slots, I wrote this article to help you find the best flea markets in NYC.
So without further ado, what do you say we dive right in?
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +2 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Tips for Successful Scavenging at NYC Flea Markets
Visit often: It goes without saying, but flea markets don’t receive regular, scheduled shipments from wholesalers like retail stores. That’s why even if you strike out on one visit you shouldn’t immediately write it off. Come back often and rummage for a diamond in the rough, you might not strike gold but when you do you’ll be ecstatic.
Chat with the vendors: It’s easy to leave your headphones in while perusing the many NYC flea markets, living in your own little world. But word to the wise – if you’re in search of a specific item (say a distressed leather jacket, or a dainty vintage watch) you should chat with the vendors. They might be able to get their hands on something for you or lead you to someone who can. Worst case you just make a friend for your next visit.
Bring some cash: With tap-to-pay being the best invention since sliced bread it’s easy to forget about those green pieces of paper that used to run the world. My suggestion is to try to carry some cash on you while perusing the countless flea markets in NYC. While not every vendor will haggle, some will and those bills can come in handy. Not to mention some vendors (especially those at rummage-sale type flea markets) won’t even take card.
Best Markets in NYC
St. Anthony’s Market (SoHo)
Right on the border between SoHo and the West Village, St. Anthony’s Market is one of the best flea markets in NYC. You’ll find the goldmine of quirky items on Houston Street between MacDougal and Sullivan Streets.
The neighborhood market gets its name from St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and is open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10AM to 8PM.
Like the market’s trendy neighborhoods the tables are full of hot commodities like vintage sunglasses, cowboy boots and an abounding selection of crystals and gems. There’s also racks of classic, second-hand clothing.
Brooklyn Flea (DUMBO)
The Brooklyn Flea is the creme de la creme of flea markets in NYC, and the crowds prove it.
Founded in 2008, the market has amassed an enthusiastic fan base that that consider visiting one of the best things to do in Brooklyn. Vendors cover the gamut selling the likes of vintage clothing, antiques, jewelry, and furniture. A lot of the items sold are custom and hand made, making it a treasure trove for one of a kind finds.
The Brooklyn Flea is open Saturday and Sundays under the DUMBO Archway, April through December.
Chelsea Flea (Flatiron)
An offshoot of the Brooklyn Flea, you’ll discover the Chelsea Flea in an empty lot on 25th Street (between Broadway & 6th Ave).
It’s among the best flea markets in NYC for vintage shopping. All items are vintage and the vendors deserve a round of applause for how well-curated their collections are.
The Chelsea Flea is open every weekend from 8AM to 4PM, rain or shine.
After watching more than one TikTok of lucky locals scoring designer items at bargain-basement prices I’ve included the Chelsea Flea on my regular-rotation of Flea Markets in NYC. It’s yet to pay off for me, but I’m hopeful I’ll find a gem of my own soon.
Hester Street Fair (Seaport)
The Hester Street Fair is nomadic, meaning they’re not tied to any particular location.
With that said, you’ll find them consistently at the Seaport, on Saturdays from April to early November from 11AM to 7PM.
The vendors are mostly local, small business owners hoping to share their dream with New York. Custom clothing, small batch baked goods and unique accessories are part of what make it one of the best flea markets in NYC.
The food vendors from the fair also often partner with Bryant Park for their movie nights and events. To stay in the loop I suggest following the Hester Street Fair on Instagram or keeping tabs on their website.
Artists & Fleas (Chelsea)
Attached to the famed Chelsea Market is Artists & Fleas, one of the best flea markets in NYC.
The market is open daily, from 11AM to 7PM.
Vendors sell everything from art and vintage clothing to hand-made jewelry and crafts. Shopping at Artists & Fleas is one of the best things to do in Chelsea, and as a bonus you’ll be helping small businesses bloom.
This is one of the few flea markets in NYC you’ll find indoors, which is unfortunate on sunny spring days but a welcomed reprieve when temperatures soar or it’s pouring out.
Greenpoint Terminal Market (Greenpoint)
The Greenpoint Terminal Market used to be right on the water, overlooking the East River into the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Now it’s a block inland, but remains one of the best flea markets in NYC.
The grand opening of its new locale takes place on Saturday, August 26th and kicks off the season that will last until October. The market is open every Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine, from 11AM to 6PM.
The booths are full of vendors selling vintage clothing, custom and unique new products and of course, food. As an added bonus there’s often a DJ, so people breaking into dance is par for the course (almost like a mini block party).
Church of the Immaculate Conception Flea Market
I’m hesitant to call the flea market on 14th a hidden gem since it’s such a local hot-spot, but it seems the only people who don’t love the market are those who don’t know about it.
You’ll find the New York City flea market open every weekend from 7:30AM to 6PM on 14th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue A, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Unfortunately illegal vendors selling counterfeit goods also set up shop along the street, but they’re not who I’m talking about. Head towards the church and make a bee-line for the courtyard.
Once there you’ll be rewarded with the kind of goods and pricing that made thrifting boom in the first place, similar to a garage-sale atmosphere. Clothing, old cameras and jewelry are some of the product highlights.
Bushwick Flea Market (Bushwick)
A block away from Maria Hernandez Park is the Bushwick Flea Market, one of the best in NYC. Similar to the neighborhood it calls home, the vendors are creative and the market itself features rotating art installations.
If you’re interested in visiting, the market is open every weekend of the year from 11AM to 7PM. The only exceptions are during January and February (because hypothermia is a real thing).
The market sells a little bit of everything including vintage records, one of a kind furniture and enough plants to transform your apartment into a small jungle. It’s one of the best flea markets in NYC for aimless wandering.
Ludlow Flea (LES)
The trendy crowd will love Ludlow Flea, one of the best flea markets in New York City for those in search of staple pieces for their modern wardrobes.
The selection is unique and fashionable, in fact most of the items sold would be just as at home in a boutique. Collectible clothing and custom accessories keep locals coming back for more.
Ludlow Flea is open on Wednesday and Thursday from 12 to 8PM and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 7PM.
But word to the wise: the folks that frequent Ludlow Flea have the type of fashion sense that tends to make geezers dust off the “back in my day” speech. It’s eclectic and fun, but definitely not for everyone.
Grand Bazaar (UWS)
The Grand Bazaar is the largest weekly market in NYC and 100% of it’s profits go towards four public schools in the Upper West Side. I’d be doing you and the kids a disservice leaving it off the best flea markets in NYC.
The market is open every Sunday year round, from 10AM to 5PM in William J. O’Shea Elementary’s playground. You can enter on Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th Streets.
The vendors are all local and handpicked by the bazaar. You can shop for food, vintage items, antiques, electronics and basically everything else that comes to mind.
The streets around the bazaar also attract unofficial vendors that are worth slowing down and perusing. Plus, every Sunday there’s also the 79th Street Green Market nearby, in case you need ingredients for dinner.
New Meadowlands Market (NJ)
Just across the Hudson River in East Rutherford, New Jersey is the New Meadlowlands Market, and trust me when I tell you it’s worth the trek. The market is
Any of you thinking it can’t be considered one of the best flea markets in NYC (because it’s in New Jersey) need to tell that to the New York Giants & Jets whose home games are in the same place. Indeed, the market is held in the parking lot of MetLife Stadium.
For more than 30 years the Meadowlands Market has been a weekend ritual for countless New Jersians and New Yorkers alike. The market is open every Saturday year round from 8AM to 4PM.
The market is a blend between a Costco and a garage-sale, so don’t expect curated or trendy collections. On the other hand electronics, toys and clothing are sold brand new and there’s plenty of food, jewelry and furniture too.
PS69 (Jackson Heights)
P.S. 69 The Jackson Heights School plays host to one of the best flea markets in NYC every weekend, from 9AM to 5PM.
It isn’t a lot filled with booths and tents, rather local vendors set up tables along the outside of the school. You’ll find the tables are full of inexpensive jewelry, unique knick knacks and vintage clothing (that’s not curated).
There’s also more than a few second-hand electronic vendors who sell random items. You probably won’t be buying a landline phone anytime soon, but a vintage record player might a cool score.
Best NYC Flea Markets (Post Summary)
Here are the best flea markets in NYC in a quick list form.
- St. Anthony’s Market (SoHo)
- Brooklyn Flea (DUMBO)
- Chelsea Flea (Flatiron)
- Hester Street Fair (Seaport)
- Artists & Fleas (Chelsea)
- Greenpoint Terminal Market (Greenpoint)
- Church of the Immaculate Conception Flea Market
- Bushwick Flea Market (Bushwick)
- Ludlow Flea (LES)
- Grand Bazaar (UWS)
- New Meadowlands Market (NJ)
- PS69 (Jackson Heights)
Flea Markets in New York City (Helpful Map)
I hope my roundup of the best flea markets in NYC can help you find a few gems and keep items out of landfills.
Don’t forget to comment where to find your favorite flea markets in NYC, your neighbors could find it useful!
Happy shopping, until next time. Cheers.
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