Surrounded by four of America’s five Great Lakes, Michigan is a state famed for its surf-perfect beaches, dense forests and gritty-but-unmissable city of Detroit.
Alongside a never-ending range of outdoor activities on the lakes – the spectacular Superior, Michigan, Huron and Erie – and in the forests, Michigan is also home to some of the State’s best unique shopping experiences. From Detroit’s backstreet markets to the lake-side fleas of the Bay City area, Michigan is a playground for those who love to shop away from the usual high street stores.
Antiques, collectables, used and new items and fresh produce are all available… check out this list of the best flea markets in Michigan:
1. Greenlawn Grove Flea Market
With over 50 years of flea experience, the Greenlawn Grove Market in Romulus is one of Michigan’s best flea markets.
Open from 6:00am every Saturday and Sunday year-round, the busy market has over 350 dealers, selling everything from clothing and electronics to tools, records, jewellery and antiques.
The market has both free admission and parking, and being located just south of the Detroit Metro Airport, makes a great day trip from the city for the while family.
If bargain hunting makes you hungry, the Greenlawn Grove Market is also home to a fully staffed kitchen, serving delicious breakfasts and lunches.
2. Royal Oak Farmers Market
Open year-round, with a farm market on Saturdays and an antiques and collectibles market on Sundays, the Royal Oak Farmers Market is just a 20-minute drive from Downtown Detroit.
One of the most loved markets for both fresh produce and antiques, the Royal Oak draws hundreds of bargain-hunters each weekend. Alongside fruit, veg, dairy, confectionary and meat at the farmers market, you’ll also find a huge range of one of items, handmade goods, collectibles – including records, comics and ornaments – and antiques.
This is a popular market with dealers trying to buy out the best pieces, so make sure you arrive early on a Sunday to beat them to the real collectors’ items.
https://www.romi.gov/389/Farmers-Market
3. Allegan Antiques Market
Featured in a host of publications as one of the top antiques markets in the country, The Allegan Antiques Market has been offering shoppers unique flea finds and one-off collectibles since it first opened in 1978.
Located in downtown Allegan’s County Fairgrounds, the market takes place on the last Sunday of every month from April through to September. With over 400 dealers – including 200 inside vendors for all weather shopping – the Allegan Antiques Market opens at 8am and has free parking.
It costs just $4 per person for entry, but with food services and picnic areas, this is a great day out for the entire family to enjoy.
http://www.alleganantiques.com/
4. Dixieland Flea Market
One of Michigan’s biggest and oldest running fleas, Oakland County Waterford Township’s Dixieland Flea Market has been operating since 1976.
This family friendly flea, located off the Dixie Highway, has over 200 vendors across 90,000 sq.ft. of selling space. Whether you are looking for vintage clothing, kid’s toys, comics, antiques, electricals or plants, the Dixieland Flea Market has something for every shopper.
Alongside new and returning vendors, permanent service stores are available for computer and jewellery repairs, as well as a hair salon, barber shop and a graphic design studio.
If you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, the Dixieland food court also has a choice of Italian, Mexican, American or Asian restaurants.
https://www.dixielandfleamkt.com/
5. Bay Area Indoor Flea Market & Specialty Shops
The year-round Bay Area Indoor Flea Market has one of the best selections of new and used merchandise in Michigan and is conveniently open six-days a week for both local and tourist shoppers in the Bay City area.
With a huge range of vendors, selling everything from household items to TVs and computers, children’s clothing to fishing equipment and even cars and trucks, set up shop here every day apart from Monday, between 11am and 5pm. Particularly popular with families at the weekend, serious collectors and bargain hunters should try visiting on a Friday morning, before the best of the week’s rare finds have disappeared.
https://www.facebook.com/TerrysBayAreaIndoorFleaMarket/
6. Tecumseh Trade Center & Flea Market Family
With the moto: “If someone here doesn’t have it or can’t get it, they didn’t make it!”, Tecumseh’s Flea is one of the state’s best markets for unusual and unique buys.
Located between Tecumseh and Clinton, the flea market has been running for over 13 years, and features one of Michigan’s largest collection of vendors.
Homed in two 15,000 sq.ft. red barns, the market is open every Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 6pm, during the months of May through to October.
Alongside collectibles, household items, gardening tools and antiques, the market also hosts carnivals, bike meets and auctions in their 4.5 acres of outside space.
http://www.thetecumsehtradecenter.com/
7. Armada Flea Market
The Armada Flea Market, open every Sunday and Tuesday between April and October, is one of the largest in the state – selling everything from pets to antiques across 17 acres of shopping land.
The market has new and returning vendors, with more variation on Sundays for those who like to browse. Fresh produce is another of the flea market’s biggest draws – with everything from meat to dairy, fresh fruit and veg available to purchase.
Visitors can also shop amongst some 150 – 200 stalls on both Tuesday and Sundays for items like household goods, gardening tools and plants, clothing, bric-a-brac and more.
http://www.richmondcoc.org/business/armada-flea-market/
8. Collette’s Vintage and Antique Mall
For vintage and craft lovers, a trip to Collette’s Vintage and Antique Mall in Burton is worth the drive any day of the week, but particularly on a Saturday when the outdoor flea market is in full swing.
Running from 8am on Saturdays between April to October, each flea market is packed with unique vendors selling a range of crafts, gifts, clothing and jewellery. Inside, there is a huge range of booths open in the mall every day, with bargain prices on a selection of vintage clothing, homeware, antiques and furniture.
http://www.collettesvintage.com/
9. Michigan Antique Festivals
Held in both Davisburg and Midland, the widely respected Michigan Antique Festivals are a must-visit for those who love collectibles and rare antiques.
Running between May and October on certain dates in each location, the festivals are packed with hundreds of antiques dealers, as well as vendors selling vintage and upcycled items.
Alongside a huge selection of stalls to browse and shop, the Michigan Antiques Festivals are a great place for a day out, thanks to their on-site food and entertainment. Enjoy a craft beer in the beer garden, local musical entertainment and DJs, as well as a large classic car show.
10. FWC Flea Market
Serious bargain-hunters will love the F.W.C. Flea – Detroit’s premier discount and resale market. Located between Gratiot and Mt. Elliot, this huge flea is open Monday to Saturday, between 10am and 5pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.
Alongside second-hand goods, the F.W.C. Flea has a great selection of new items at low prices – with everything from baby clothes to homeware, toiletries to books and furniture to collectable art.
The indoor market shopping space means that this flea is open year-round, and makes the perfect rainy-day activity for the whole family.
http://fwcfleamarket.blogspot.com
11. Eastern Market
Detroit’s Eastern Market is undeniably one of Michigan’s biggest tourist draws – with different markets taking place each day of the week and up to 40,000 visitors attending each day during the high season.
The market, which has been running in one form or another for over 125 years, sees some 200 plus vendors selling their produce and goods, as well as offering a range of activities, classes and services to shoppers.
The Saturday and Sunday Markets are the most popular, with everything from fresh produce to jewellery, local art and handmade gifts. The smaller Tuesday market is still well worth a visit, with baked goods, meat and fresh fruit and veg, running alongside cooking demonstrations and free exercise classes.
12. Warren Community Trade Center Flea Market
The Warren Community Trade Center Flea Market has been running since 1992, with a huge range of items across 40,000 sq.ft. of bargain-hunting shopping space. Vendors range from collectibles and coins to tools, books, furniture and electricals, with even more stalls being set up outside on the weekends.
With free parking, free admission and free Wi-Fi, alongside the popular Jordan’s Grill kitchen serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, a trip to the Warren Community Trade Centre is a brilliant, budget-friendly day out for the whole family.
https://www.facebook.com/Warren-Community-Trade-Center-114914858557210/
13. Union Lake Flea Market
Located near the shores of scenic Union Lake, this Michigan flea market is a great stop for anyone who is looking to spruce up their home on a budget, buy bargain clothing and accessories or simply browse for hidden treasures.
Union Lake Flea Market is particularly popular for its shabby-chic furniture and home accessories, as well as glassware, antiques and collectibles. Open Wednesday to Saturdays, between 10am and 6pm, the market has over 20 vendors, with new stalls being added frequently.
Garden lovers will also find a selection of gardening tools and accessories, as well as plants and flowers at fantastic prices.
https://www.facebook.com/unionlakefleamarket/
14. Grand Trunk Marketplace
One of Michigan’s newest additions the flea market scene, Grand Trunk Marketplace in Port Huron is a vintage lover’s dream.
The indoor market, which describes itself as selling “one-of-a-kind lost in time junk” is a vintage inspired space, featuring antique, vintage and repurposed items of furniture, clothing, homeware and more.
Alongside vintage bags, shoes and clothing, visitors can pick up artwork, ornaments, lighting and bric-a-brac, all at incredibly good value prices.
https://www.facebook.com/GRANDTRUNKMarketplace/
15. Blue Moon Vintage Market
Opened in 2015 by a mother/daughter duo, the Blue Moon Vintage Market in Three Oaks is home to over 6,000 sq.ft of vintage and antique items, including homeware, lighting and furniture.
Held on the fourth weekend of every month, the attractive indoor market is the place in the state to find a unique piece. Inside, there are no individual vendor booths, but rather the merchandise is dropped off by the 30 plus vendors each month and styled by the owners – creating an entirely unique flea and antique market space.