Retirement Vacations – Antique Lover’s Guide to New England

One of the iconic events that occurs every year in New England is the Brimfield Antique Show in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Normally held during specific weeks in May, July and September, it boasts attendance so large that it claims it is the largest show of its kind in the world. Imagine walking for miles in a peaceful rural setting with hundreds and hundreds of antique and flea market vendors on either side of you. It definitely requires planning! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes. In the summer, consider it will be very hot so bring a hat and keep hydrated. If you buy something, think about how to get your car to the dealer’s stand if your purchase is quite big and heavy. Anything else they will be happy to ship. And set aside a full day or two to see it all. This is a destination event worthy of booking a room nearby and making it a mini-holiday!

Of course, Boston is a great venue for antiques. They hold a yearly Boston Antiques Show in the fall with hundreds of New England dealers displaying their best of everything from under $100 and above. While you are in Boston, take a stroll down Charles Street to browse the antique shops there. Drop into Antiques For Dining for culinary antiques, Danish and Country Antiques for Scandinavian artifacts, and the ever popular Room With A Vieux shop for imported French antiques. This quaint street is brimming with enticing small antique stores that will keep you fascinated for hours.

Over in New York State along the Hudson River there is a town called Hudson which is increasingly becoming a very interesting destination for the antique lover. You can reach it by car from New York City in a couple of hours of easy driving. Book a country B&B and stay for a weekend. It began gaining a reputation as an antique lover’s town in the late 1980’s and now it has dozens and dozens of antique shops lining its streets as well as funky trendy new restaurants constantly popping up which makes it a fun weekend trip. Pop into Red Chair on Warren and ask the owner Jocie to show you around. She takes trips to Europe every year in order to stock her shop with Scandinavian and French country antiques. All along Warren Street you can stop at one antique store after another to your heart’s delight.

Antique New England quilts are one of the reasons so many come to the region to shop. These beautiful hand made antique bed coverings are brought together in a stunning collection at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts. Rare and fragile historic quilts are on display as well as themed quilt exhibitions. While you are in Lowell, take time to walk around the neighborhood. You will be in the textile district which is filled with historic textile sites, museums, shops and galleries.

Alex is a journalist and occasional travel writer. He loves writing about exotic holidays and tours and fancy hotels, as well as constantly searching for cheap holidays .