One of the very best things about warm weather is that it brings the thrifting possibilities OUTDOORS - yard sales and flea markets all across the country are typically in full swing by the beginning of May, and THIS year I'm strategizing. While a large part of my summer will certainly be spent circling newspaper listings and checking out my local CraigsList ads for yard sales in the area, I'm also seriously considering a few trips to some of the monster-mega-insanely-awesome flea markets across the nation.

Behold:

I'm way jealous of the West Coast and their proximity to Pasadena's Rose Bowl Flea Market; held the second Saturday of every month, lore of its vintage-goodness has reached even DC natives like myself. With 2,500 vendors and 20,000 visitors monthly, it's quite possibly the biggest and the best flea in the US. Los Angeles has their by-all-accounts-amazing Fairfax High School Flea, and also worthy of a trip to the left coast is Seattle's Fremont Market (open Sundays year-round). I've heard varying opinions on its wares (while some are die-hard devotees, others have attested that the vendors tend to skew a little more "artisan" than "thrift"), it's certainly one of the more renowned fairs. Heading eastward, Mary's Swap Meet (open Saturday and Sundays year round) in Oklahoma City is one of the largest flea markets in Middle America, and when in Texas be sure to hit up Alamo's All-Valley Flea Market - they average 600-800 vendors and admission is just a quarter. East coast kids like myself can attend the one-weekend-a-year DC Big Flea (actually in Chantilly, VA); heading North or South will get you to Monstweag Flea Market ("considered by many flea market-goers as the number 1 flea market in Maine") and to Florida's absurdly large International Market World in Auburndale - over 800 vendors and "mountains" of used stuff to sort through.

Hundreds (literally, hundreds!) of other flea markets across the country can be researched using the Flea Market Directory, but I want to hear from YOU! Does your state have any enviable flea markets or fair ground sales?? Chime in, as always, in the comments section!