North along the Connecticut coast from New York, or south from Rhode Island, is antique central. One of the best things about this area is that you’re never far away from the coastline. And this feeling of water, water everywhere is made even better by the charming towns from where the Connecticut river meets the Long Island Sound. Also here is Stonington, the only town on the coast with an active fishing fleet. You can find dealers in New Canaan, Darien, Ridgefield, Westport and  More »

North along the Connecticut coast from New York, or south from Rhode Island, is antique central. One of the best things about this area is that you’re never far away from the coastline. And this feeling of water, water everywhere is made even better by the charming towns from where the Connecticut river meets the Long Island Sound. Also here is Stonington, the only town on the coast with an active fishing fleet. You can find dealers in New Canaan, Darien, Ridgefield, Westport and Greenwich. Darien and Greenwich have more upscale items and is an excellent place to find vintage furniture. New Haven has approximately 30 dealers, as well some wonderful museums. East of New Haven, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Essex, East Haddam, and Deep River are also great towns for antiquing. There are also big antique malls in New Haven and New London. Connecticut has a very full antique show schedule. Some of the highlights include Old Greenwich’s antique events, which attracts more than 60 dealers and runs in early February and mid-March. Darien has a weekend show in late February and an outdoor/indoor show in mid-September. And Westport has a weekend show with 53 dealers in mid-April. Noteworthy shows are also held in Wilton, Farmington, and Hartford. Other diversions along Connecticut’s Coast include museums, art museums, antique marketplaces, outdoor activities, performing arts festivals, quaint Inns and culinary delights. As you will soon discover, there is no shortage of antiques, or interesting things to do in this area.   « Less

Never underestimate the amount of fine antiques a small town can possess. The town is in Woodbury, Connecticut, and it is located in the Litchfield Hill, the northwestern corner of the state. About 40 years ago, antique dealers from New York City, Pennsylvania, the Midwest, and the South began moving to Woodbury, wooed by its charm, ambience and landscape. Now Woodbury is home to more than 40 dealers offering a wide variety of impressive items. You’ll find many of those shops as you  More »

Never underestimate the amount of fine antiques a small town can possess. The town is in Woodbury, Connecticut, and it is located in the Litchfield Hill, the northwestern corner of the state. About 40 years ago, antique dealers from New York City, Pennsylvania, the Midwest, and the South began moving to Woodbury, wooed by its charm, ambience and landscape. Now Woodbury is home to more than 40 dealers offering a wide variety of impressive items. You’ll find many of those shops as you travel along Route 6 and on Routes 132 and 47. And you’ll find more shops like these in neighboring towns, notably Bantam on Route 202. Most of the dealers specialize in fine American furniture and decorative and folk art of the 18th and 19th centuries. Europe, Canada, and England are also represented. Something to note, however – the emphasis in this area is quality, so be prepared for hefty price tags. The area also has several antique shows. In Newton, the Historical Society show is held the first weekend in April. In mid-August, the Keeler Tavern Museum in Ridgefield sponsors its annual Antiques and Treasures Sale, and the Glebe House Museum also holds a summer show. About an hour’s drive from here, there are a few more shows happening. In Wilton, a weekend antiques marketplace is held in late June, drawing some 160 dealers, and in mid-September, the DAR’s Sunday show in the high school field attracts 100 dealers. History and nature also abounds in Litchfield Hills. From museums to historic sites, to nature preserves and conservation areas, one can immerse themselves in the quest for antiques one day, and connect with nature the next.   « Less

If you’re interested in experiencing a high volume antique show, drive along Route 20 in central Massachusetts in May, July or September, where you’ll discover over 4,000 dealers who have come from all over the country to showcase their antiques. The antiques range from doorknobs and hinges, to garden ornaments, to textiles, to silver and jewelry. It is highly unlikely that you will walk away from this area without something in hand. Brimfield and its surrounding towns also  More »

If you’re interested in experiencing a high volume antique show, drive along Route 20 in central Massachusetts in May, July or September, where you’ll discover over 4,000 dealers who have come from all over the country to showcase their antiques. The antiques range from doorknobs and hinges, to garden ornaments, to textiles, to silver and jewelry. It is highly unlikely that you will walk away from this area without something in hand. Brimfield and its surrounding towns also present an incredible variety of must-visit shows; there’s the Vintage Textile Show at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge and Nan Gurley’s Sturbridge show, featuring over 40 dealers indoors. Just across the state’s border, northeastern Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner” awaits a calmer den of antiques. It has many quaint Bed and Breakfasts and Inns to stay in, and it also has some good antiquing. A few of the shops specialize in 18th and 19th century American, French and English antiques, and there are several multi-dealer shops as well. At the Antiques Marketplace, for example, there is over 20 dealers offering Mission-style lamps, clocks, china and jewelry. You’ll also find shops in Pomfret, Coventry, Canterbury, Tolland and Woodstock. If you plan on visiting these areas in the Spring and Summer, make sure you reserve accommodations ahead of time. It’s a popular destination for antique shopping and when you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand why.   « Less