11 Underrated Small Towns With Top-Notch Antique Shops

These days, everyone is on the hunt for the next best thing, whether it's the newest iPhone or the most cutting-edge gadget. But those who know that they just don't make them like they used to love to shop for something else entirely — antiques. Whether it's rugs, artwork, furniture, jewelry, or pottery, some of the coolest and most eclectic items on the market have already been used by someone else.

In some small U.S. towns, antique shopping isn't confined to one little forgotten shop — it's the main attraction. These small towns have tons of antique stores — some in buildings as historic as their wares — for shoppers to peruse. Islands rounded up the most underrated small towns with the best antiques shopping scenes, ranging from a mountain town on "Antique Alley" to a Floridian town known for its massive antique market. To decide which made the cut, we determined which small, underrated towns have the most antique stores, the biggest antique events, and the widest variety of antiques to choose from.

If you're looking to shop without the frenzied bustle that can often accompany large antique markets where buyers don't have a moment to consider their purchases, then you'll love the calm ambiance that fills the antiques scene in Buchanan, Virginia. The quiet river town is deep in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains and has art, natural beauty, and antiques. This historic small town with less than 1,400 residents is known for its calm shopping vibe that matches its natural, outdoor appeal.

The Buchanan Antique District consists of shops housed inside Main Street historic buildings; visitors can meander through timeless treasures ranging from furniture to jewelry. That variety, as well as the range of prices, makes Buchanan an ideal place to shop for everyone from casual browsers to serious buyers. There are also always new items to see here. Plus, buyers can continue their antique shopping journey from Buchanan, since the town is located along the US 11 Antique Alley corridor, known for its shops full of vintage treasures.

One of the favorite spots for antiques shopping in town is The Best Place Antiques, which is a family-owned store that has featured a carefully curated selection of antiques for more than three decades. "Great antique store with a very good selection of things," wrote one past visitor on Google. "We stopped spontaneously and we are very glad we did." However, keep in mind when antique shopping in Buchanan that many of the shops are appointment-only on Sundays, so if you're a casual shopper, a Saturday visit might be more fitting.

Even the most patient antique shoppers will have a hard time seeing all the stores that Eureka Springs in the Ozarks of Arkansas has to offer. The town, which is home to one of America's most charming and walkable downtowns, is decked out with beautiful Victorian buildings and plenty of antique stores, with nearly a dozen to explore. Some of the stores even donate a portion of their proceeds to local charities.

All of the antique stores have their own specialties, ranging from stoneware to fine arts, the latter of which is no surprise since Eureka Springs has long been a popular home for artists. To see all that the stores have to offer, just wander the downtown area. No matter how often you visit, you'll always find something new on their shelves.

Eureka Springs' antique shops include the Secret Garden, which is renowned for its distinctive discoveries, including fine jewelry. To check out a ton of items at once, meander through The Barn Shoppes at the Old Sale Barn, which houses more than 12 vendors inside a red barn. "They had lots of great vintage and antique items with plenty of room to walk around without worrying about knocking things over," wrote one person on Google. "We'll definitely go back next time we're in Eureka Springs."

Florence, Colorado, is home to just over 3,000 people. However, that small population hasn't stopped it from being an antiques powerhouse, with more than 100 vendors packed inside the riverside town at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Florence is the antique capital of the state since it has the most antique dealers per capita in all of Colorado.

Here, visitors can find uniquely Florence items, like throwback oil drilling relics and Western cowboy memorabilia, as well as vintage furniture and kitchenware. Make sure you arrive prepared, though, since many vendors sell their best items by morning. Some also offer cash discounts, so bring a full wallet.

A great place to start your Florence shopping venture is at The Globe Antique Store, which has more than 35 antique vendors in a 10,000-square-foot space. The store is an antique itself — it was built in 1898. "A fantastic antique store..... Awesome set-up, amazing staff and lots of selection," wrote one shopper on Google. "Definitely a store worth stopping at!!!!" Visitors also rave about Salvage Antiques Vintage Etc., which is known for its one-of-a-kind antiques.

Only about 410 people live in Hazel, Kentucky, which is right on the Tennessee state line. However, you'll find that hard to believe that during the town's antiques events, when its more than dozen antiques stores gather for a shopping extravaganza that includes live music. Even if you don't visit Hazel during its antique shopping days, the town is always a haven for vintage finds, with more than 40,000 square feet of antique shopping areas. Its Main Street antique stores, which each focus on a certain genre of items, are open nearly every day of the week for either public visits or by appointment. The town has specialized in antiques for three decades, a robust change from its former life as a railroad industry hotspot. It's now known as the antique capital of Kentucky.

One of the most chuckle-worthy antiques stores in town is Mantiques, whose sign reads, "& stuff for ladies, too!" Also known as the Hazel Antiques Mall, its assortment includes a massive collection of nostalgic advertising paraphernalia as well as military items and more. "Owners are full of vibrant energy, the store has aeronautical, naval , fire service, Military and blacksmith antiques just to name a few , even some movie theater props," wrote one past visitor on Google. "You will not be disappointed at all !" Visitors also love Memory Lane Antiques, which has old shaving mugs, vintage paint signs, dresser lamps, and more.

Lambertville, New Jersey, is full of marvels that attract day trippers, including delectable restaurants, a theater, trails running through its Delaware River-side location, and historic sites. But for those who love hunting for all things antique, its appeal can be found throughout its historic streets that date back to the early 1700s. The picturesque town has tons of antique shops — especially on Bridge, Main, and Union streets — and has even been dubbed the antiques capital of New Jersey. It's also one of the best cities across America for thrift and antique shopping.

One of Lambertville's flagship spots for antiques shopping is The People's Store Antiques Center, a longtime antiques epicenter with more than 50 vendors across four floors. It's open nearly every day of the year, which means there are plenty of opportunities to hunt for vintage paintings, books, furniture, and international treasures here. "There is no substitute for the people's store," wrote one happy customer on Google. "The selection, service and overall experience is something I've never seen before. The prices are fantastic and everyone working there is happy to help you at any moment."

Another antiques epicenter in town is A Touch of the Past Antiques, which showcases everything from antique ceramics to jewelry in a 10,000 square foot space. About 2,000 ever-changing pieces are always on display here. Antiques are also aplenty at the Golden Nugget Flea Market, which runs three days a week and has been in operation since 1967.

Dating back to 1821, Micanopy is the oldest inland town in Florida, as well as an under-the-radar beauty full of antiques and adventure. With a tagline of "the town that time forgot," it's only natural that it also showcases antique items to fit its nostalgic ambiance, even calling itself the antiques capital of Florida. That's also on-brand to its history, since Micanopy was founded as a trade epicenter. Despite being just about one square mile and home to only 650 people — making it one of the smallest towns in Florida — Micanopy has seven antique stores, mostly located on Cholokka Boulevard. Some of the shops are housed inside 1800s buildings.

One of the well-known antique spots in town is the Antique City Mall, which has been one of the antique destinations in Micanopy for more than a decade and is open nearly every day of the year. "This place was a good size and had a diverse group of vendors," wrote a past visitor on Google. "Most of the booths were packed full of great items." 

Customers also enjoy Wren Wood Antiques, which is particularly known for its antique furniture collection. Another popular spot is House of Hirsch Too Antiques, which has its own historic ties and prides itself on its customer service.

Micanopy isn't the only Central Florida town with a penchant for antiques. The lakeside town of Mount Dora is an antiques destination in its own right. One of the biggest reasons for that is Renninger's Flea Market & Antique Center, operated by Renninger's Marketplaces, which has a location in Mount Dora as well as in three other U.S. towns. In Mount Dora, its antique center operates on Saturdays and Sundays, when over 180 vendors sell their wares within a colossal 40,000-square-foot space. Besides its regular antiques center, Renninger's also runs a periodic Antiques & Collectors Extravaganza, when more than 800 vendors from across the U.S. gather to offer their items over three days. During this event, vintage hunters can choose from reasonably priced American and European antiques.

But you don't need to wait for one of Renninger's special events or even its weekend market to shop for antiques. Mount Dora is also home to antique stores including Flipping Good Finds, which always has something new to see, including vintage rugs and artwork. "Flipping Good Finds is truly a hidden gem!" praised one person on Google. "The quality of the pieces is exceptional, with a carefully curated selection of beautiful antiques, vintage treasures, and unique collectibles."

At one time, the antiques scene in Putnam, Connecticut — a small Quinebaug River town — was so robust that the town was nicknamed "the antiques capital of the East." Although to name it the antiques capital of the entire coast would be an overreach these days, Putnam still has an antiques shopping scene to be reckoned with, as well as a history dating back to 1855. Located in the Quiet Corner region of Connecticut, Putnam has several antiques shops — culminating in 50,000 square feet of shopping — to go with its laid-back and historic vibe.

One of the town's most prominent antiques stores is Jeremiah's Antiques & Collectibles, which offers 70 booths of antiques in a shop that has been a flagship of the town since 1995. Within these booths, people can find throwback auto items, home décor, vintage posters, and more. The store also has a complementary museum with film memorabilia. "My favorite antique shop, in Connecticut," wrote one past visitor on Google. "I buy lots of antique toys and sports collectibles, and they never fail to disappoint."

Another Putnam destination worth checking out is Antiques Marketplace, a gargantuan 22,000-square-foot shopping destination with more than 350 booths spread throughout four stories, making it the biggest antiques store in the area. Shoppers can find antiques dating back 300 years here, including coins, toys, and pottery.

Walnut, Iowa, has a quaint downtown that's sandwiched between Omaha, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa. To many, that has caused the little town of just 747 people to be forgotten — but not if you're an antiques shopper. Walnut, which dates back to 1871, is an antiques destination, home to more than a dozen antiques shops among its quiet streets lined with historic brick buildings. For decades, it's even been known as the "Antique City" of the state. People from throughout the region drive here to browse its vintage finds.

One of the flagship antique shops in town is B Restored, a family-owned store that sells antiques as well as, as its name states, restored items. Another favorite — as well as one of the oldest antique stores in town — is Bear Trap Antiques, which sells vintage items like glassware, toys, and artwork throughout two floors. "Friendly owner and fair prices for high quality antiques!" a delighted guest said on Google. "Found many hidden treasures. Worth the two hour drive."

Walnut's love for antiques comes to a peak in June, when the Walnut Antique Show comes to town. During the show, thousands of people fill Walnut to shop from more than 300 national vendors spread both indoors and outdoors. It has been a must-visit antique event since 1982 and is now one of the biggest antique events in the area.

Warren, Rhode Island, which is tucked along more than 16 miles of beachfront on the East Bay, has a lot to brag about. It dates back to 1653, making it one of the oldest towns in the region. It's the tiniest town in the tiniest county in the tiniest state, culminating in just 6.2 square miles. But for shoppers, its biggest claim to fame lies in its bustling downtown, which has plenty of antique shops worth perusing, especially on and near Water Street.

For thoughtfully chosen pieces handpicked by owner Nick, who has written about historic preservation and has done interior design, shoppers who love all things unique should check out Nick Haus. "One of my favorite places with everything from 19th and 20th century paintings to antique papier-mâché hamburgers all presented in a way that just make sense," a visitor to the store wrote on Google.

Or, if treasures that sparkle are more your jam, beeline it to Warren Exchange Ltd., which specializes in buying and selling coins and jewelry. But since it's been a member of the Warren community since 2009, it's also traded sports cards, toys, art, and other antiques. No matter how often you visit, you're sure to see something new here, whether it's an army knife or costume jewelry. Perhaps that's why some collectors visit Warren Exchange Ltd. every day.

Located along the scenic waters of the Sheepscot River, Wiscasset, Maine, is an underrated resort town that's called Maine's "prettiest village." Perhaps that's because its beauty isn't only found outside, but inside, too. Its many antique shops are chock-full of treasures, such as the Wiscasett Antiques Center. The store is particularly known for its collection of Americana and French Revolution items, as well as vintage guns and military wares. "A great, top end antique venue to visit, very professional," wrote one past visitor on Google. "Rarely found, fine quality pieces from Colonial through 19th Century."

If you're looking to make your antiques venture in Wiscasset part of your everyday back at home, you can find antique furniture at Peter Eaton Antiques, which sells 1700s American furniture. Some of its pieces have included Queen Anne wing chairs, a Sheraton period desk, a William and Mary banister-backed armchair, and a cherry grandmother's clock. Or, to shop from tons of vendors at once, head to the 13,000-square-foot Wiscasset Antiques Mall, which showcases the finds of over 100 vendors specializing in various types of antiques.