8 Stops for Your Next Antiquing Road Trip

The winter antiques season is upon us. While exiting our warm abodes to go antiquing may seem like a better fitting activity for warmer days ahead, we’d rather ride out the rest of the season in homes newly adorned with spectacular finds.

Beyond the treasure troves to be found from the comfort of our sofas (see: Potomack Company’s Online Auction on February 1 and Doyle New York’s “Doyle at Home sale on February 8), we’ve rounded up 8 indoor antique shows, fairs, and events taking place now through the start of spring, organized chronologically, for the adventurous types craving a road trip to scour for the perfect hidden gem.

February

The 43rd Winter Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association Show & Sale

Antique leaded-glass lamps on display at the Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association
(W.A.D.A.) show in 2016. Photo courtesy of the W.A.D.A.

This is an event with a mission we can get behind: “[…] to increase the knowledge and appreciation of antiques.” The Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association guarantees that all objects on view are vetted to ensure quality and authenticity, and a portion of proceeds from its annual Antiques Show & Sale benefit efforts to preserve Wisconsin’s historical heritage, as well as to college scholarships. Each year, the show’s special exhibition features works from a different private collection. This year, well-known collectors David Eppelheimer and Scott Tagliapietra will display choice pieces for an exhibit called “Valentines and Easters Past.”

When: February 3 @ 10:00am — February 4 @ 5:00pm
Where: Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188

Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show

Butler & Butler exhibition at the Fall 2016 Houston Antiques + Art + Design Show.
Photo courtesy of Dolphin Promotions.

Jet off to Florida to escape the bitter cold for this Miami show, which features 200 premier exhibitors from across the US, Canada, Europe, and South America. You’ll get to browse everything from antique furniture to rare books to paintings spanning design movements of the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. This year will feature a special exhibition of Art Deco photography presented by the Art Deco Buenos Aires Argentina Institute.

When: February 3 @ 11:00am — February 5 @ 5:00pm
Where: Miami Airport Convention Center, 711 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33126

The Nashville Show

The Nashville Show, 2016. Photo courtesy of The Nashville Show.

Formerly known as the Tailgate-Music Valley Antiques Show, The Nashville Show (which has been running for more than 30 years) features 150 dealers and objects of all kinds, including furniture, folk art, jewelry, industrial artifacts, and more.

When: February 16 @ 9:00am — February 18 @ 4:00pm
Where: Tennessee State Fairgrounds, 500 Wedgewood Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

Chicago Vintage Clothing and Jewelry Show

Dolled up customers at Chicago Vintage Clothing and Jewelry Show, February 2016. Photo courtesy of
Vintage Garage Chicago.

For vintage garment enthusiasts, look no further than the Chicago Vintage Clothing and Jewelry Show. The inaugural show was first held in Dallas, but then moved to Chicago just five years ago, where they produced Vintage Garage Chicago – now one of the largest vintage events nationwide. The Chicago Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show will offer estate jewelry, vintage designer clothes, and more from over 50 vendors.

When: February 24 @ 10:00am — February 25 @ 5:00pm
Where: St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church, 5649 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60660


March

Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art

“Perspective” by Timothy Poe, 50×60″, on sale at the 2017 Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art.
Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art.

The Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art prides itself on being the “original antique & art show in the American West, with art and antiques of all styles, eras, and prices.” Featuring over 150 top exhibitors from around the country, this year’s edition will focus on the written word, from the text printed on early advertisements to those engraved on sterling trophies.

When: March 3 @ 10:00am — March 5 @ 5:00pm
Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center, Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall,
3401 W Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76107


April

Grayslake Antique & Vintage Market

Posters from the May 2015 edition of the Grayslake Antique & Vintage Market. Photo courtesy of
Tim Zurko, Zurko Productions.

For antique and vintage lovers alike, the Grayslake Antique & Vintage Market has everything from jewelry to decorative arts to vintage posters, and is held each month at its Illinois location.

When: Every month (recurring)
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 East Peterson Road, Grayslake, IL 60030

Sacramento Antique Faire

You’ll get plenty of chances to check out the 300 or so vendors of the Sacramento Antique Faire, which is held during second Sunday of every month. As they say, “it’s a huge treasure hunt!”

When: April 9 @ 6:00am — 3:00pm; recurring event
Where: 2100 X St, Sacramento, CA 95818

Cedar Rapids Antique & Vintage Show

This year will mark the Cedar Rapids Antique & Vintage Show’s 122nd year. This show includes dealers from across the country who offer everything from stamps to furniture to paintings and prints. There’s something for everyone at this grand Indiana event.

When: April 28 @ 10:00am — April 29 @ 4:00pm
Where: Hawkeye Downs Speedway (Fairgrounds), 4400 6th St SW,
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Can’t make the trip? See antique decorative art, furniture, and collectibles up for offer in Stair Galleries’ Winter Exposition Auction (February 3), Thomaston Place’s Winter Feature Auction (February 11-12), Guyette & Deeter’s Duck Decoys (February 18), and more.