The 50 Best Small Towns for Antiques

Whether you're looking for a mid-century favorite or an 18th-century rarity, shop like a professional antiques buyer and head off the beaten path. Smaller towns tend to offer far better deals than big cities — not to mention much more charm, too. There's a sweet spot in every state, so mark your calendars for a weekend treasure hunting adventure.

This tiny town of just under 10,000 boasts a major antiques impresario: David Tims. Tims owns three giant showrooms in Pell City with a huge array of all things old. There are so many pieces on display that Tims found it impossible to price everything — so expect to haggle with the master himself.

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The antiques scene in Alaska centers around the state's three cities: Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. So, we consider the less populous of the three (Juneau) as Alaska's small town antiques destination. You'll find a handful of charming general-store-type shops, including Urban Eskimo, which sprinkles higher-end new items into the mix.

Nestled in the very scenic Verde Valley, Old Town Cottonwood has an eclectic secondhand scene. Larry's Antiques & Things is just one of the many shops worth a visit, with more than two acres of treasures.

Most well-known for its spas, Eureka Springs also has plenty in the way of antiques. One noteworthy spot is Castle Antiques, located near the scenic Inspiration Point.

Located in Northern California Wine Country, the quaint town of Healdsburg offers a delightful way to take a break from tastings. The famous Jimtown Store, shown above, combines everything from wine to coffee to, yes, antiques, under one charming roof. Mill Street Antiques is another can't-miss stop.

Nicknamed the "Silver Queen of the Rockies," Georgetown is filled with all of the sights that make a daytripper's heart skip a beat: galleries, cafes, fine restaurants, and lovely antique shops.

The "Antiques Capital of Connecticut" is home to some of the most exquisite, well-edited shops in the region. It's also one of Martha Stewart's favorite places to find great pieces, so really, how could you go wrong?

A visit to this seashore town could allow you some antique shopping in two states — there's a ferry that takes you to adorable Cape May, New Jersey. If you're staying put, definitely check out Lewes Mercantile Antiques, which puts over 30 dealers under one roof.

Palm trees and huge oaks draped in Spanish moss create an enchanting setting in this tiny North-Central Florida town, which is the self-proclaimed antiques capital of the Sunshine State.

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The past is present in this lovely Georgia town, which has over 70 historical sights (including the church Jackie Kennedy attended following President Kennedy's death). As you can expect from such a place steeped in history, there are antiques shops galore. Locals highly recommend the Toscoga Marketplace, which has multiple stories to explore (and to tell, we'd imagine).

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Finding antiques can be a little tricky in paradise, but the picture-perfect town of Kailua offers plenty. We recommend spending a few hours at Ali'l Antiques (which is comprised of two stores, Ali'l Antiques I and II), which is nearly overflowing with treasures.

Pocatello's downtown and surrounding area is home to over a dozen antique stores and four thrift shops. Make sure to visit Vain & Vintage, where you'll find an eclectic array of clothing, home goods, and furniture.

This old-fashioned town brings on the charm. You'll want to stay in one of the many B&B's, because just one day wouldn't be enough to cover the over 16 antique shops in the area. One must-see? The Galena Antiques Mall, which boasts over 55 dealers.

Centerville is just one of the stops along Indiana's "Antique Alley." While you're there, be sure to visit American House Antiques, a multi-dealer shop housed in a hotel building that dates back to 1886.

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Designated Iowa's "Antiques City" (back in 1987), Walnut counts 15 antique shops for a population of only about 900. Here, there might be more pieces of Pyrex than people.

Though it's technically the sixth largest city in Kansas, downtown Lawrence has such a quaint feel that it had to be included in this list. No visit is complete without a stop to the Antique Mall on Mass Street, where you can spend an entire day wandering among the treasures.

You simply can't go wrong with a town named "Georgetown" (see our Colorado pick for further proof). Though it's a bit more populous than other spots on this list, the historic district of Georgetown feels like its own small town. The top antique pick has to be the Georgetown Antique Mall, which occupies two buildings.

Nicknamed "America's Antique City," Ponchatoula also has the distinction of being the "Strawberry Capital of the World." No visit is complete without a stop by CJ's Antiques, a 15,000-square-foot shop packed with antiques and collectibles.

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Whether you'd like to sleep where you shop at The Marston House (a B&B/antique store) or power through a day amidst 16,000 square feet of antiques at Wiscasset Village Antiques, this town proves there's more to Maine than lobster.

Though it's located 10 minutes away from the antiques mecca of Frederick (home to 200 dealers), New Market actually enjoys the distinction of being the "Antiques Capital of Maryland." Though you'll find a handful of dealers, it's about quality rather than quantity. Fleshman's Antiques, for example, has a stunning array of pristine period wood furniture.

Yet another town that bears the distinction of being "America's Antique Capital," Essex offers a diverse array of dealers — from high-end (David Neligan Antiques) to the more down-to-earth (shown here, The White Elephant Shop, which boasts an outlet store on the second story).

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A popular getaway destination for Chicagoans, the town of New Buffalo and its surrounding area is filled with antique stores. Stop by the Blue Moon Vintage Market, which has an entire room dedicated to salvage materials (yes, they have shiplap!).

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When your town is considered the birthplace of Minnesota, it would be a shame not to its honor history. Though the historic architecture does just that, we prefer to celebrate the past through the many, many antique stores in the town. Midtown Antiques is considered the Midwest's biggest antiques mall, with three floors to happily wander.

Variety is the name of the game in this old-fashioned town. Visit the Blue Rose and marvel at the talents of Tori, the resident floral and event designer (who can basically make a giant blue rose).

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Of all the Springfields in America, Missouri's has to make a vintage lover's list of must-visit destinations. The Relics Antique Mall is Missouri's largest, with 90,000 square feet of wares.

Philipsburg is an artsy kind of town, with boutiques, galleries, and a historic opera house that dates back to 1890. It's also a friendly town — the motto at Stuff & Such Antiques is "Browsers Welcome, Buyers Adored!"

Though a bigger area (the population hovers around 50,000), Grand Island has a great selection of antique shops. The Heartland Antique Mall, Primitive Touch Antique House, and Railroad Towne Antique Mall add up to hours of fun browsing.

On the quirkier end of the spectrum is Boulder City, Nevada — a town of about 15,000 located approximately 26 miles from Las Vegas. At The Antique Depot and Sherman's House of Antiques, you can find everything from old neon signs to an antique washing machine.

While Portsmouth isn't a true "small town," it signals the beginning of the best antiquing you'll find — New Hampshire's "Antiques Alley." Made up of a handful of small towns, you could spend weeks (and thousands of dollars) visiting the 500 shops on the route.

With its sister town of New Hope, Pennsylvania, just across the river, Lambertville is one of the most popular weekend destinations for the Philadelphia-New York City area. After a lovely lunch at the historic Lambertville Station, stroll the shop-filled streets. Don't miss the Antiques Center at the People's Store, James Curran Antiques, and the jaw-dropping Park Place Antique Jewelry.

Yes, there is a town called Las Vegas in New Mexico. But unlike the Nevada city, this Las Vegas is way more low-key. Browse the Arts & Cultural District for antiques and beautiful, hand-made wares.

Creatives and designers brought new life to this once down-on-its-luck New York town. There are over 60 businesses in the Hudson Antiques Dealer Association, so it's safe to say you simply can't go home empty-handed. The Hudson Super Market and 3FortySeven should be high on your itinerary.

The stately Tryon Palace (which was originally the governor's mansion) is a landmark in this smallish town of about 30,000. No less interesting is the antiques shopping in the region, including New Bern Antiques, which is the largest antique and collectibles mall in Eastern North Carolina.

Yes, it's a small city (the population is just above 100,000), but it's where all the antiques action is in North Dakota. Shop for vintage vinyl at Phat Kat Antiques, or hunt for treasures at the Fargo Antiques & Repurposed Market.

Ohio weekend travelers flock to this picture-perfect town, where small businesses are the main attraction. Not limited to strictly antiques, shops like Midwest Memories Antiques and Iron Dog Salvage also offer refashioned takes on vintage items.

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This historic town of less than 10,000 people has a great variety of antique stores, from sports memorabilia specialists to cowboy-centered shops. Those with more general tastes will be happy to browse Country Corner, which has two fully-loaded floors of unique finds.

Only 25 minutes from Portland is this antique-filled town, which was originally founded as a Utopian society. Now, it's a utopia of dozens of antique, vintage, and specialty shops.

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Another bearer of the title "Antiques Capital, USA," Adamstown's main industry is antiques. Though you'll find as many antique shops as one can hope for, no visit is complete without a trip to the Toy Robot Museum.

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Historic Wickford Village and nearby North Kingstown offer some of the best antiquing in the state. Furniture is popular here: Wickford Antique Estate Liquidators offers beautiful period pieces, while Re Rhode Island focuses more on consignment and vintage.

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Known as "The Front Porch of the Lowcountry," Walterboro pretty much has to be welcoming. Among its many cafes and shops, you'll find a small antiques district on Washington Street.

Though the main attraction at this looks-like-a-movie-set town is gambling, you might get a better return on your investment at Deadwood's largest antique store, Antique Emporium. (But hey, we won't judge either way.)

In Tennessee's oldest town, you'll find beautifully-preserved buildings that make wandering a treat. Walk right into one of the handful of antique shops and bring home a special souvenir from this truly special town.

This Texas Hill Country town is home to an eclectic arts community — and plenty of small businesses with local character. There's a big antique mall (Red Baron Antique Mall), but there's also a shop with finer finds (Larry Jackson Fine Art & Antiques).

You'll definitely need to take your time in Ogden — there's just so much to do in terms of thrifting and antiquing. One good starting point is The Estate Sale Antiques, where vintage boomboxes sit side-by-side with antique furniture.

The antique-lover's jewel in this postcard-perfect New England town is the 20,000-square-foot Stone House Antique Center. Though smaller, Yankee Ingenuity Antiques is also worth a peek for its array of vintage hardware and cast iron cookware (among other very Vermont things).

Not to be confused with our Texas pick, this destination has a 40-block historic district and a four-block Antiques Row. Take a walk around the spacious Fredericksburg Antique Mall or snap up a treasure at Blue Shark Antiques.

The "Antiques Capital of the Northwest" is home to more than 175 dealers. From multi-seller malls to more curated shops, this is the place to go for all things vintage (and beyond).

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Historic downtown Lewisburg is a manageable-sized district of galleries, cafes, and, of course, antique shops. Roberts Antiques combines all of the three, offering wine and gourmet food in addition to antiques.

Though it's a bigger town, most think of Fond du Lac in terms of its recreational offerings (read: lots of water sports). But if you're in need of a breather, we can't think of a better way to wind down than a visit to the Settlement Antique Shop, Russtiques, or Pat's Gallery of Antiques.

With a main shopping district that looks right out of an Edward Hopper painting, Laramie has a slower pace that invites you to unwind. Though you won't find a cavernous antique mall, you will find smaller shops that are worth a peek.