Antiquing Destinations: The Hot List

Is there a better way to get your motor running than by hitting the road on an antiquing adventure? We don’t think so, which is why we’re offering a roadmap to The Best Antiquing Destinations across the United States. You’ll discover beauty, wonder, and treasures certain to please from East to West and all parts in between. While our list includes some of our Big City favorites—New Orleans, anyone?— please note that our roadmap will take you off the beaten path. There’s a reason for that. Smaller towns tend to offer better deals than big cities—not to mention much more charm. Whether you enjoy the energy and the hustle and bustle of the Big City or the laid-back vibe of Smalltown, USA, there’s a place to explore on our list that’s just right for you. But hey, don’t take our word for it. Find out for yourself. Just remember to send us a postcard from the road. 

Charleston, the charming South Carolina port city founded in 1670, is defined by its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and pastel antebellum houses, particularly in the elegant French Quarter and Battery districts. That sense of history is reflected in the Charleston Antique District, with several stores offering furnishings, decor, and garden accessories. The antique scene is regularly recognized by Southern Living and others as one of the best antiquing cities in the country.

For more information, visit Charleston's Finest City Guide.

This picturesque small community of just under 20,000 people is perched on the banks of the St. Croix River, a mere thirty miles outside of the Twin Cities. Forbes named the Stillwater Antique District in the bustling historic downtown one of the prettiest in the United States. Midtown Antique Mall is home to 65 vendors, offering a wide range of great items. If you enjoy Civil War memorabilia, primitives, and the like, American Gothic Antiques is a worthy stop. When you’ve had your fill of shopping – if that’s possible – you can take a boat tour for a leisurely cruise and get a close-up view of the city’s most famous feature, the Stillwater Lift Bridge. Built in 1931, the Lift Bridge was closed to motorized traffic in 2016 and is now a great place to stroll or bike across.

For more information, visit Discover Stillwater.

There are plenty of reasons to go to The Big Easy. It’s one of the most eccentric, vibrant cities in the world, filled with friendly people, amazing food, awesome live music, and history. You can add antiquing to the list. Two reasons come to mind: Royal Street and Magazine Street. Magazine Street has more than 40 shops specializing in 18th and 19th-century furniture, costume jewelry, vintage linens, Victorian decor, fine silks, and much more. Located in the French Quarter at the heart of the city, Royal Street is also ideal for enthusiasts looking for antique silverware, clothing, artwork, furniture, and jewelry among the wares here. Together, the streets feature thousands of square feet of high-end collectibles, antiques, and vintage delights. Where: Royal Street & Magazine Street, New Orleans.

For more information, visit the City of New Orleans website.

In the heart of coastal Virginia lies the charming town of Williamsburg, a favored destination for antique enthusiasts. Williamsburg’s rich history and vibrant culture offer a remarkable antiquing adventure. To embark on an antiquing adventure in Williamsburg—a blend of exploration and stylish retail therapy—is to lose yourself in the quest for cherished treasures to grace your home. As you stroll down the cobblestone streets, you encounter living history museums and reenactments that transport you to America’s colonial era. It offers a unique blend of history, variety, quality, education, and beautiful surroundings. It’s not just about the antiques you’ll find, but also the unforgettable experience the city offers.

For more information, visit the Colonial Williamsburg website. 

Nestled in the rolling hills of Green County, Wisconsin, lies the charming town of Princeton, a cultural heritage gem of only 1,200 people worth exploring. You can easily spend a day — or three — browsing its historic downtown, popping into delightful mom-and-pop shops stocked with intriguing items, and enjoying small-town hospitality. Less than two hours from Milwaukee and 90 minutes from Madison, Princeton boasts eclectic boutiques, antique stores, Amish shops, and the largest outdoor flea market in Central Wisconsin.

For more information, visit the Princeton, WI website.

Flat out, Palm Springs is one of the best antiquing cities in the country. Palm Springs is filled with Mid-Century Modern design featuring mod homes and venues. That vibe permeates the architectural landscape, making Palm Springs a mecca for every MCM fan. Palm Springs Antique District is located around Palm Canyon Drive. An assortment of antique stores, as well as the Sunny Dunes Antique Mall, contain everything from vintage clothes to postcards to homewares. The Palm Springs Vintage Market is held each spring and fall with a wide variety of merchants of retro, MCM, and vintage wares. Unless you love the heat, the best time to visit Palm Springs is between January and April, when the weather is the most hospitable. Fall’s temperatures are almost as nice. Summertime daily temperatures regularly reach 100 degrees. Of course, it’s a dry heat, so there’s that. Where: Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California.

For more information, visit the Visit Palm Springs website.

Selected by Fodor’s as one of the ten “Best Antiquing Towns” in the U.S., Clinton’s Antique District boasts more than 20 shops with antiques and collectibles, the largest such collection in the South. Although rich in Americana antiques, there are also a fair number of European pieces throughout the stores. The oldest of the antique shops is Burrville Antiques, a sprawling shop located in the old Wender’s Dry Goods building. Burrville specializes in primitives and home furnishings, including salvage.

For more information, visit the website of The Antique Merchants Guild of Clinton, Tennessee.

As long as we’re thinking warm, let’s visit Palm Beach. Please. With its reputation as a resort town for the rich and beautiful, Palm Beach has created a wonderful antiquing district. Antique Row West Palm Beach is a charming district with more than 40 antique shops offering an impressive selection of 17th to 20th-century antiques, fine and decorative arts, period deco, vintage, and modern furnishings. All within walking distance, a vast array of quality antique stores is complemented by several award-winning restaurants, specialty shops, and art galleries. Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Art & Antiques, and House Beautiful have all heralded Antique Row as one of the East Coast’s premier antique shopping districts, considered the “antique design center” of Florida. 

For more information, visit the West Palm Beach Antique Row website.

Laramie’s historic downtown has been named one of America’s top three downtown areas. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, natural beauty — and a nice assortment of antique stores. The town’s visitor’s center, once the Union Pacific Railroad’s Laramie Depot, sets the tone for visitors: the cordial staff will suggest restaurants, events, and museums. Laramie offers delightful boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants housed in well-preserved century-old buildings. Immerse yourself in Western lore at the Laramie Plains Museum in the Ivinson Mansion, or have a beer and a steak at an old-fashioned cowboy saloon. For Old West collectors, Laramie is the mother lode. 

For more information, visit the Visit Laramie website.

This charming small town in northwest Illinois, about 150 miles west of Chicago, offers more than 16 antique shops. A must-see? Try the Galena Antiques Mall, which boasts more than 55 dealers. Known as “Helluva Half Mile,” Galena’s Main Street boasts half a mile of more than 125 independently owned shops and restaurants.

For more information, visit the Galena Country website.

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