Antiquing in New England?
 

We (two couples) are flying into/out of Hartford, CT, renting a car, and are off to do some antiquing in New England. <BR> <BR>We have heard that Great Barrington and South Egremont are good . . . any other places we should try? <BR> <BR>We're going in early November, we have about 5 days. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance, <BR>Sandy

I suggest you pick up a copy of the Green Guide to Antiquing in New England by Freemana and Fiske (Globe Pequot Press). Shops pay to be included in this guide, but it is a very valuable tool to help plan your travels. <BR>There are a zillion shops along Rte 7 in the Sheffield/Great Barrington/Stockbridge area - you ought to be open to just stopping at any interesting looking shops - and ask the folks working in the shops for leads if you are after specific items. I can give you lots of hints for great group shops in the greater Boston/southern New Hampshire region if you plan to go that far east. The Northeast corner of CT -Putnam, etc is supposed to be a real mecca of antique shops, although I cant speak from personal experience. Just grabbed my copy of the current Green Guide off the shelf. Pages 176 - 177 feature a map with no fewer than 64 shops listed as members of the Berkshire County Antiques Dealers Assoc. Hope this helps.

Thank you, we'll make sure we pick one up right away. <BR> <BR>Sandy

Sandy- <BR>A few other antiquing spots: <BR>1)Route 7A between Manchester and Bennington, VT. This is about an hour 1/2 or so north of the Great Barrington, MA area. <BR>2) Essex, MA. Route 133 is littered with antique shops. Essex is also home to the fried clam, so you can get your seafood fix (if you have one!) too! <BR>Have a great trip.

There is a stretch of highway in New Hampshire that is literally lined with small antique shops - route 4 between Concord NH and Porstmouth NH, particularly in the Northfield area. It doen't offer the beautiful vistas of the White Mountains further north, or Vermont's Green Mountains, but it is a pleasant meandering highway connecting New Hampshire's capital to the seacoast.

Sandy, one of the best locales for antiquing is Putnam, Connecticut, about 40 miles ENE of Hartford. Its entire downtown consists of about 50 antique stores ranging across all collection categories.

Thank you everyone! It sounds like all we have to do is drive, it sounds like we will be overwhelmed with places. Now, all we have to do is wait! <BR> <BR>Thanks again, <BR>Sandy