Flea markets in New York City

Young shoppers ponder their purchases at Brooklyn Flea.

Photograph: Jonathan Butler

Sure, chancing upon a real treasure is unlikely, but if nothing else, your kids will come away with funky accessories for dress-up games.

Manhattan

Chelsea Antiques & Showcase
Sat, Sun 9am–6pm. Sixth Ave at 17th St (212-627-0667).
A tiny market jam-packed with old junk and some treasures, such as used books, secondhand duds, and vintage mirrors and prints.

GreenFlea
Sun 10am–5:45pm. Columbus Ave between 76th and 78th Sts (212-239-3025, greenfleamarkets.com)
This indoor-outdoor bonanza has been a community attraction since 1985. Tots will be drawn to the magnetic paper doll sets at toy vendor Wacky Magnets and the retro-inspired garb from Stinky Minky. Brave little souls can even peek into a crate full of honeybees at the Berkshire Berries booth in the small farmers’ market.

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market
Three different markets, all open year-round, fall under the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market umbrella. A $1 shuttle transports visitors between the markets, leaving twice an hour from each location.
•Hell’s Kitchen
Sat, Sun 9am–6pm. 39th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves (212-243-5343, hellskitchenfleamarket.com).
Made of up more than 170 vendors from the now-defunct Annex Flea Market (formerly located in Chelsea), this market features collectibles, vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories, plus antique home decor items, lighting fixtures and furniture.
•The Garage
Sat, Sun 9am–5pm. 112 W 25th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-243-5343, hellskitchenfleamarket.com).
Open since 1994, this two-floor indoor market features more than 100 vendors of antiques and vintage goods, including jewelry, handbags, fabrics, rugs, furniture, silver, paintings and prints.
•West 25th
Sat, Sun 9am–6pm. 25th St between Broadway and Sixth Ave (212-243-5343, hellskitchenfleamarket.com).
Peruse the wares of more than 125 vendors in this outdoor market, selling antiques, collectibles, and other types of vintage and midcentury-modern items.

Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market
Open yearround; daily 10am–8pm. 52 W 116th St between Fifth Ave and Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave) (212-987-8131).
Known as the “open air mall with it all,” this market features more than 50 vendors selling a variety of traditional and contemporary African crafts, clothes and textiles.

The Market NYC
•Fri–Sun 11am–7pm. 268 Mulberry St between Houston and Prince Sts (212-580-8995, themarketnyc.com).
•Sat noon–7pm. 490 Hudson St between Christopher and Grove Sts (212-580-8995, themarketnyc.com).
Discover up-and-coming designers before they become household names at this pair of downtown fleas. With two locations, you have twice the chance of snagging the next big thing from these young artists and designers proffering bags, T-shirts, dresses, jewelry, scarves, sandals and prints.

Brooklyn

Artists & Fleas
Established in 2003, Artists & Fleas mounts year-round markets in which local artists and designers show off their unique wares. The current A&F markets include:
•Indoor Artist & Designer Market
Sat, Sun noon–8pm. 129 North 6th St between Bedford Ave and Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (917-488-0044, artistsandfleas.com).
Emerging and independent artists, designers, collectors and DIYers sell an assortment of eclectic goods including clothes, jewelry, accessories, food items, soaps and handbags.
•The Vintage Market
Sat, Sun noon-8pm. 125 North 6th St between Bedford Ave and Berry St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (917-301-5765, artistsandfleas.com).
Browse old-fashioned finds at this flea, such as men’s and women’s clothing, furniture, prints, posters, housewares, jewelry and accessories. An onsite seamstress is available to make alterations and repairs to killer finds that you’re dying to wear home.
•Market in McCarren
Sat 10am–6pm. McCarren Park, Union Ave at Bayard St, Williamsburg, Brookyn (917-488-0044, artistsandfleas.com).
This weekly outdoor market highlights the work of independent clothing and jewelry designers as well as traditional and nontraditional visual artists. Refuel at an outdoor café with treats from Brooklyn Label while taking in live music. Best of all: The flea benefits McCarren Park, so you don’t have to feel too guilty about splurging.

Brooklyn Flea
Brooklyn real-estate blog Brownstowner.com organized these two year-round fleas in 2008.
•Fort Greene Flea
Sat 10am–5pm. 176 Lafayette Ave between Clermont and Vanderbilt Aves, Fort Greene, Brooklyn (brownstoner.com/brooklynflea).
The 150-plus vendors at this market are local entrepreneurs.
•Brooklyn Bridge Flea
Sun 11am-6pm. Water St at New Dock St, Dumbo, Brooklyn (brownstoner.com/brooklynflea).
There are fewer vendors—only 50—but still some great finds at this flea.

Brooklyn Indie Market
Apr, May: Sat 11am–7pm; Sun 11am–6pm; Jun, Jul, Sept–Dec: Sat 11am–7pm; Aug: closed. Smith St at Union St, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn (718-753-2180, brooklynindiemarket.com).
Stop under the big red-and-white striped tent to check out the latest creations from emerging designers, including jewelry, home decor items and whimsical decorations.

Park Slope Flea
May through Dec; Sat, Sun 10am–6pm. 194 20th St between Fourth and Fifth Aves, Park Slope, Brooklyn (parkslopeflea.com).
Launched in 2009 (and not affiliated with the similarly named market listed below), this flea showcases a mix of antiques, accessories, jewelry and vintage clothes as well as several food vendors whose goods will tempt your taste buds.

Park Slope Flea Market at P.S. 321
Sat, Sun 8am–6pm. Seventh Ave between 1st and 2nd Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-421-6763, parkslopefleamarket.com).
Stop by this year-round market to scope out wares from more than 50 vendors, including crafts, collectibles, books, trading cards, vintage clothing and linens, antique silverware, furniture, mirrors, jewelry and more.

Williamsburg Flea Market
Sun noon–6pm. Wythe Ave between South 2nd and 3rd Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (williamsburgfleamarket.com).
Launched in 2009, this flea is still finding its identity and its vendors (sometimes there aren’t very many); its emphasis on handcrafted items and secondhand clothing.

Queens

Aqueduct Flea Market
Sat, Sun 9am–4pm. Rockaway Blvd at 110th St, Ozone Park, Queens (718-738-9571).
It’s been called “the city’s only open-air 99¢ store.” So be excited...or forewarned.