If you’re interested in experiencing a high volume antique show, drive along Route 20 in central Massachusetts in May, July or September, where you’ll discover over 4,000 dealers who have come from all over the country to showcase their antiques. The antiques range from doorknobs and hinges, to garden ornaments, to textiles, to silver and jewelry. It is highly unlikely that you will walk away from this area without something in hand. Brimfield and its surrounding towns also present an incredible variety of must-visit shows; there’s the Vintage Textile Show at the Host Hotel in Sturbridge and Nan Gurley’s Sturbridge show, featuring over 40 dealers indoors.

Just across the state’s border, northeastern Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner” awaits a calmer den of antiques. It has many quaint Bed and Breakfasts and Inns to stay in, and it also has some good antiquing. A few of the shops specialize in 18th and 19th century American, French and English antiques, and there are several multi-dealer shops as well. At the Antiques Marketplace, for example, there is over 20 dealers offering Mission-style lamps, clocks, china and jewelry. You’ll also find shops in Pomfret, Coventry, Canterbury, Tolland and Woodstock. If you plan on visiting these areas in the Spring and Summer, make sure you reserve accommodations ahead of time. It’s a popular destination for antique shopping and when you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand why.