For the the discernible shopper with a taste for antiques, Manhattan's 25th Street is the place for you.
The Antiques Garage is, as the name suggests, a garage. But don't let the name scare you away. The sprawling, crowded two-floor space on 25th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues hosts more than 100 vendors every weekend selling rare and wide-ranging items that would give any inventory person a headache.
For 15 years, the market has drawn visitors to the space for its wide selection of unique antiques, fine silver, and vintage items, from jewelry to paintings. Though not for the less-than-serious shopper (while bargains are possible, don't expect flea market prices on these collectible items), for those looking to kill an afternoon, it's not a bad way to spend one.
In fact, you could make a whole day of it, as the market offers a nearly free ($1) shuttle to the
Hell's Kitchen Flea Market. Or, take a walk east to the outdoor West 25th Street Market, all organized by the same people. This nearby flea, between Sixth Avenue and Broadway, features even more vendors selling collectibles and items from all eras, from Victorian to Deco to the '50s and onward, in the form of paintings, prints, jewelry, handbags, rugs and memorabilia.
So, among these markets' wares, there's sure to be an item that catches your eye. Just don't sit on it too much - you may only come back the next weekend to find it snatched up by another eagle-eyed shopper, hunting in your territory.
