Thanks to its diverse landscape – from majestic mountain peaks to islands, gardens and spectacularly scenic drives – to its unique cities, North Carolina is a “something for everyone” state. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the wide range of activities on offer, from hiking and biking to sailing and fishing, whilst those who prefer a spot of retail therapy will be amazed at how varied North Carolina’s shopping scene can be.
From the high-end designer boutiques of Charlotte to street markets and country fleas, North Carolina is the perfect place to pick up incredible bargains, unique finds and rare antiques. We’ve chosen our top 15 best flea markets in North Carolina for treasure hunters.
1. Smiley’s Flea Market
Source: activerain.comYou never know what you might find at Smiley’s Flea Market in Henderson County. Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6am, this huge flea is location just north of I-26 on Highway 25 and features one of the biggest selections of vendors of any market in the state.
Alongside stalls selling clothing, antiques, books, plants, appliances and collectibles, visitors can also enjoy a wide choice of restaurants, snack bars and food vendors – serving everything from Mexican to burgers and ice cream.
For anyone looking for a haircut, there is also a barber shop and hair salon on site, as well as electrical and jewellery repair services.
http://smileysfleamarkets.com/north-carolina/
2. Raleigh Flea Market
Source: raleighfleamarket.netOne of the most popular flea markets in North Carolina, the Raleigh Flea Market has been drawing shoppers since the early 1970’s.
Situated in the historic State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, the market originally began with just a handful of stalls, but today more than 1000 vendors turn out to sell their wares across the six-building fairground campus.
Open every Saturday and Sunday from 9am, shoppers can find everything from furniture to clothing, handmade crafts, antiques, food and more. Admission and parking is free, making this a great budget-friendly way to spend a weekend in the Triangle.
https://www.theraleighmarket.com/
3. Brightleaf Flea Market
Source: yelp.comThe Brightleaf Flea Market has over 100,000 sq.ft. of indoor shopping, as well as hundreds of outdoor stalls selling bric-a-brac and homeware.
The largest flea market in Johnston’s County, the Brightleaf flea see hundreds of visitors descend every Saturday and Sunday from 8am. It’s free to park and enter the market, and with vendors selling everything from fruit and veg to wedding dresses, collectable coins, cleaning products, pet supplies and plants, whatever unusual item you are looking for, you’re sure to find it at Brightleaf.
Alongside a large farmers market, Brightleaf also offers a great selection of food vendors for hungry shoppers, including Mexican, hotdogs, ice cream and more.
http://www.brightleaffleamarket.com/
4. Barnyard Flea Market
Source: markethopper.comThe North Carolina installment of the popular flea market group, the Barnyard Flea Market – located just north of Gastonia and a short drive from Charlotte – has over 500 vendors selling both new and used goods from a huge range of categories.
Barnyard Flea Markets have been running across America’s south east for over 20 years, attracting thousands of shoppers each week to browse amongst their stalls and food vendors.
Free parking and first-class facilities make these markets superior to the smaller fleas, but it’s the family atmosphere that keeps visitors returning again and again.
http://www.barnyardfleamarkets.com/
5. Jamestown Flea & Farmers Market
Source: jamestownfleamarket.netRunning since the early 1980’s, the Jamestown Flea is one of North Carolina’s most popular markets. Open year-round, from 7am every Saturday and Sunday, the large flea has a huge range of vendors selling produce, clothing, antiques, furniture, pet supplies, gardening equipment and one-of-a-kind items.
After you’ve finished hunting for treasure amongst the many stalls and stands, enjoy something to eat from one of the diverse range of food vendors. There’s everything from doughnuts to hotdogs, hamburgers, snow cones and cotton candy – making it easy to keep every member of the family happy.
http://www.jamestownfleamarket.net/
6. Sweet Union Flea Market
Source: sweetunionflea.comWidely considered the largest and best flea market in the Charlotte area, Sweet Union Flea market is home to over 300 vendors, with both inside and outside stalls.
Open every Saturday and Sunday from 8am, the Sweet Union Flea is the perfect place to hunt for a bargain, a rare find or simply soak up the Latin-American style atmosphere.
As well as vendors selling a huge range of goods – from fresh produce to clothing, jewellery, gifts and more – there is also one of the best selections of street food. Whether you’re in the mood for tacos or churros, there’s more than half a dozen food trucks serving up delicious Mexican food.
http://www.sweetunionflea.com/
7. Farmers Market Flea Market
Source: farmersmarket-fleamarketnc.comLexington’s favourite old-fashioned flea, the Farmers Market Flea Market, is an eclectic mix of new and vintage items, fresh produce and handmade goods.
Running in one form or another for over 50 years, the popular flea sees hundreds of shoppers descend every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 7am.
Alongside antiques, furniture, jewellery, clothing, home décor and electricals, local vendors also sell fresh fruit and veg, baked goods and homemade gifts. If you’re looking for great prices on everyday items like toiletries, cleaning products and garden supplies, there’s a wide selection of bargain home products.
http://farmersmarket-fleamarketnc.com/
8. Flea Body’s
Source: fleabodyshop.comNorth Carolina’s Flea Body’s Antique Market in Wilmington is one of the state’s best destinations for unique finds and rare collectibles.
Open seven day a week, Flea Body’s has over 7,000 sq.ft. of shopping space, with dozens of vendors selling furniture, household goods and handmade craft items.
If you’re looking for unique touches for your home, this is the place to visit. As well as a great selection of stores, Flea Body’s also has an on-site workshop for repairs, painting and refurbishing services.
9. Twice As Nice Flea Market
Source: twiceasnicefleamarket.comLocated in Jacksonville, Onslow County, the Twice As Nice Flea Market has over 100 vendors selling across 24,000 sq.ft. of space, every day of the week.
Antiques, vintage home décor and furniture are just a few of the items you can expect to find at this popular flea market, with new vendors and stalls being added weekly. With kids clothing, sports equipment, comics and toys, this is a great place to bring the kids for a cheap, fun day out browsing amongst the stalls.
The Twice As Nice Flea Market also has an on-site computer repairman and clean facilities.
http://www.twiceasnicefleamarket.com/
10. Cooks Flea Market
Source: cooksfleamarket.comNorth Carolina’s largest indoor flea market, Cooks Flea Market has been running for over 35 years. With more than 150,000 sq.ft. of selling space and over 500 stalls, you can easily spend an entire day browsing through the vast range of vendors and goods.
Open every weekend, from 8am on Saturdays and 9am on Sundays, the market has free parking, free admission and wide selection of international food vendors. Once you’ve picked up a bargain from the antiques, clothing or collectibles stalls, fuel up at one the Mexican, Latin, and Asian food stalls.
11. 311 Flea Market
Source: 311fleamarket.comWith hundreds of indoor and outdoor vendors, and a huge variety of goods, the 311 Flea Market in Randolph County is the perfect place to pick up an unusual present, unique piece for your home or simply browse for unknown treasures.
From fresh local produce to home electricals – including refrigerators and computers – you’re guaranteed to leave the 311 Flea Market with a bargain.
Open from 7am on Saturdays and 8am on Sundays, this busy market also has a great range of food vendors and snack stalls, should you work up an appetite from all the treasure hunting.
12. Decker’s Flea Market
Source: sadieseasongoods.comA country flea with plenty to offer bargain hunters, tourists and locals alike, Decker’s Flea Market in Murphy is one of North Carolina’s great, small flea markets.
Open every Saturday and Sunday, Decker’s Flea Market has a wide variety of dealers selling everything from local produce to furniture, as well as homeware, decorating equipment, stone and tiles, feed and farm supplies.
https://www.visitnc.com/listing/decker-s-flea-market
13. Open Air Market
Source: facebook.comPart flea market, part car boot sale, the Open Air Market in Charlotte is the place for those who like to rummage for their next treasure.
The community market, open every Saturday and Sunday from 7am, has a huge range of vendors selling bric-a-brac, antiques, collectibles, handmade crafts, clothing and a wide selection of fresh produce.
As well as browsing for bargains, the Open Air Market has an amazing collection of food trucks, vendors and stalls, so whether you want to tuck into a taco or take home freshly baked goods, there’s something for every taste.
https://www.facebook.com/Charlotteopenairmarket/
14. Starway Flea Market
Source: Dean Jeffrey / FlickrWilmington’s oldest and largest flea, the popular Starway Flea Market, is open every weekend, year-round, and has been bringing together a unique set of vendors for over 20 years.
With both inside and outside space, Starway Flea Market sells everything from tools and computers to furniture, art, fresh produce and clothing. The flea also has its own full-service restaurant and an on-site hair salon.
As well as regular vendors, the busy flea offers free stalls for non-profit organisations and charities in the community, meaning shoppers can do their bit to help out at the same time as getting a bargain.
http://www.starwayfleamarket.com/
15. Uncle Bill’s Flea Market
Source: unclebillsfleamarket.comFor a real, North Carolina country flea experience, head for Uncle Bill’s Flea Market in Whittier, Jackson County.
The family-run flea has been going strong since the 1980’s, and is now a popular weekend stop both locals and tourist alike. Open on Fridays from 9am, and Saturday to Sundays from 8am, the flea market has over 200 covered booths for year-round shopping.
There are over 10 acres of bargains to browse through, with everything from pet supplies to jewellery, vintage items to car parts and more.