Raleigh Flea Market - From Antiques to Apples, Candlesticks to Chests, There's Something for Everyone at the NC Fairgrounds

Free Parking

Free Admission

Sunshine, beautiful skies, and lots of cool and unique stuff to look at.

The Flea Market at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh is one of my favorite places to spend a few hours taking a nice walk on a sunny weekend, or even on a rainy one - there are plenty of indoor as well as outdoor vendors.

The Flea Market opens at 9 am, every Saturday and Sunday (except during the yearly State Fair in October).

Today we pulled into the lot at the corner of Hillsborough and Blue Ridge Road.  In the past we've gotten there closer to 9, and were able to park right in front of the Exhibition building. 

But today, with the first blossoms out on the large trees at the entrance, there were plenty of people out enjoying the sunshine and balmy weather.  Not to worry, the lot on Blue Ridge Road is big enough for even a very busy day. 

We walked in past the first vendors. Patient space-renters chatted with each other and answered questions. 

"That's a 1950s children's desk," I heard from the middle-aged gentleman minding a large collection of furniture, in various states of age and repair.  The woman he was talking to nodded and walked around to get a better view.

The "regulars" seem to always be nearest the entrance, so there must be some kind of priority system for spots.

There was even more antique (and just old) furniture than usual. 

The colors looked brilliant in the sunshine, and we stopped to look at some "treasure chests" - my son's interpretation of antique sea chests.

The Raleigh flea market offers local residents a chance to showcase their treasured old tables, chairs, dressers, desks, and more.  Mixed in are offerings of old glass, silver tea sets, 1940s postcards, 100 year old baby carriages, lamps, and just about anything else that might be of some value.

But it's not just antiques. 

There are pet supplies, and handcrafted dog palaces (I'm not sure if the dog was included in the price).

One vendor had box after box full of socks and nothing but socks - mens and womens, childrens, dress and casual, toe socks and mitten socks. 

There's a couple that sells fishing supplies out of a permanent stand, with row after row of lures, and piles of fishing poles leaning against the wall. 

If you're in the market for art, various vendors offer large and small prints, framed and unframed.  There's amateur oil paintings.  Every once in a while, an "old" piece can be found amidst rows of assorted furniture.

If you're looking for chainsaw carvings, you can find those at the Raleigh flea market too.  Front porch size or 8 feet tall, Grizzly bear or trout, they were all on display.

Hankering after an adirondack chairs?  "Genuine Birch - Handmade" said the sign, attached to one of about a dozen displayed next to a trailer.  There were plenty of browsers, but the craftsman wasn't pushy - he waited for someone to ask him a question before he talked about his methods.

Plenty of clothing at this flea market too - mostly new.  Vendors displayed rows of t-shirts, artsy full-length dresses, and even traditional Chinese kimonos.  Native American ponchos and blankets hung around the perimeter of another stand.

Inside the exhibition hall at the NC Fairgrounds, there are probably close to 50 different vendors.  There are higher end antiques, with permanent "shops" set up - and lots of selection.  Everything in here looks well-cared for. 

Looking for a set of earrings?  Inside and outside, there are plenty of stands offering beads and jade, genuine gems and genuine imitation gems, for the necks, arms, and ears of Raleigh flea market attendees.

If you start to get hungry, there's a fudge stand, a bakery stand offering fresh loaves and decadent cakes, several hot dog carts, and a permanent "fairgrounds" vendor offering typical event food.  The hot dog stands must do a pretty brisk business - the two I saw both had about 8 huge ice boxes full of drinks lined up and ready to dispense to waiting customers. 

One of my favorites indoors is the "Tuxedo Stand", which has huge signs advertising tuxedo shirts for $3 each. 

So if you've got a tux hanging in your closet, but that shirt is just getting worn out, here's where to find another one!   Plenty of choices, too.  The tux stand is probably about 15 by 25 feet.

This beautiful antique candlestick may be perfect for your dining room table - or perhaps you'd like to purchase the table to go along with it. 

I saw four different artists at work.  Different skill levels - several were caricature artists sketching pairs of children for beaming grandmothers.  This one was creating a full size portrait from a snapshot, and gathering quite an audience.

On the far side of the Exhibition Hall, the vendor spaces continued.  Here were more typical "garage sale" set ups.  For $18, anyone can rent a "parking space" sized location.  And if you think about the hundreds or thousands of people that stroll here on a Saturday or Sunday, the investment may be worth it.   The going rate for paperbacks at the Fairgrounds is $1.00, but in a typical garage sale I can pick up some great titles for half that. 

But even I couldn't resist four volumes of Kipling at $1 each, in the original turn-of-the-century printing. 

But there are great deals for those attending the flea market as well. 

Fresh produce can be found, and sometimes at terrific prices.  Oranges at the supermarket lately have been about $.50, $.75, or even more EACH.  But at the Raleigh flea market, you can pick up two large bags for $5 at a produce stand.

Bottom line - this flea market is worth a visit.  And if for some reason you don't have a great time, well, at least you haven't spent a dime!

Just click on the map if you've never been to the NC Fairgrounds - it's easy to get to from Hwy 1 and Hwy 40, and centrally located. 

Raleigh and the Triangle Area

Whether you're looking at relocating to Raleigh to start your career, to find a friendly place to raise a family, or retiring in a terrific climate, Raleigh and the Research Park Triangle has something to offer you. Great schools, Forbes rated #1 in 2007 for Businesses and Careers, lots of lakes and golf courses, top-rated cultural centers, universities, and hospitals - and all only two hours to the ocean and three hours to the mountains - it's no wonder that Raleigh is a "Best Place to Live"!

You may also be interested in these articles:

Here's the Best Burger Joints in the Raleigh/Triangle Area - and What Makes Them Great

Southern Village in Chapel Hill - Eat and Shop after a Day at Jordan Lake

Tavern Poker in the Raleigh Area - Where to Go and How it Works - Make New Friends in the Triangle

Or ask for a full relocation package - we'll be happy to send you some terrific Raleigh/Triangle information.

Stanton Homes - Building Exceptional Living Experiences

Stanton Homes - bringing you information about life and experiences in the Triangle area.

Find out more about this local Raleigh custom new home builder at Stanton Homes.

Contact us today, or call 919-278-8070.

With signature elliptical archways and homes starting in the $250s, Stanton Homes is building exceptional living experiences in the Raleigh area.

Copyright 2008 by Stanton Homes.