I don’t know how about you but I adore flea markets, specially antique ones. They can be golden mines in disguise! In the spring and summertime season people tend to spend more time outdoors. In colder weather conditions there are plenty of indoor flea activities. 

Whether you like hiking or simply walking in the park, there is one activity Philadelphians love when degrees are going up and birds are in the chirping mood—it’s called “a flea market surfing”. It’s a fun and adventurous way to spend your Saturday or Sunday, it’s free and, sometimes, if you get lucky, it’s rewarding. From my own experience, I highly recommend to visit these hidden treasure spots of Philly at least once ( it will be enough for you to keep coming back over and over again). 

Probably, the best thing about flea markets is that you can choose what “role” you want to play: be a vendor, or a buyer, or simply a lazy market surfer. Personally I have been in all three roles and equally liked them all but in different ways. 

In order to become a vendor at any outdoor Philadelphia flea market, you will have to pay a fee of $20 to $60 ( the price depends on the size of your vehicle and the number of parking spaces you need). Another must-do is to wake up early and get to your flea market location at 6-7AM bringing as much valuable items for selling as you wish. 

The benefits of being a vendor are numerous: all day long staying outdoors adds up to the strength of your immune system, making some extra cash out of no longer needed things (that would have, otherwise, ended up in the trash can) increases your family budget and, finally, brightening someone else’s day by selling them little something they were looking for or dreaming of, makes your karma better. If you are ready to become a flea market vendor in Philadelphia, you should visit http://www.philafleamarkets.org for submitting your application and prepare for an unforgettable life experience coming your way. By the way, the schedule of upcoming flea market locations is available there as well.

In case you feel more like a pirate in search of hidden treasures, you should surf flea markets outside Philly. I was astonished by the antique flea store in Allentown, Pennsylvania: truly precious items and collectibles were in abundance there last May. 

The most exciting thing about flea shopping is that you never know what you can find there. For example, I had the best luck in purses twice: the first time I got a zebra patterned clutch for a couple of dollars and the second time a woman sold me a purse bought by her mother on vacation in Italy for only $5. Both times I felt like a jackpot winner! I think it’s worth going to a flea market solely for the adrenaline feeling of a lucky lottery ticket owner, a feeling which a pleasant purchase can provide you with.

As for the flea market destinations, check out the most popular in Philly, Quaker City Flea Market. It was established back in 1974 and since then is open three days a week: on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7 AM till 2PM (Friday) and till 4PM on weekends. Unlike majority of flea markets, Quaker City Flea Market doesn’t care about weather conditions, it has both outdoors and indoors spaces. For professional flea marketers there is Jerry’s Corner—a 6 days a week open flea market founded by Jerry Schiazza in the 1930’s and rebuilt 20 years later. The hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 8AM to 8PM. It’s located in South Philadelphia. Smaller flea markets are held on Saturdays and Sundays when weather is permitting everywhere in the city. Just keep your eyes open and they will guide you to a treasure chest item! 

If there is anyone also fond of flea markets, please, share your experience as a seller or a buyer or a window shopper in comments!