cynthia

Traveling to Chicago last weekend of October, and curious if there are any great flea markets around. Staying at The Whitehall in M Mile area. Or what about real bargain basement shopping? Could that exist anywhere nearby?

Kristi

Cynthia, all of the antique/flea markets we've been to have been away from the city. There are large ones held at the fairgrounds in Lake (2nd weekend), Kane (1st weekend) and Du Page Counties and also in Sandwich (3rd weekend) but I don't think any are on the last weekend of the month. There is a large antique toy show in Kane County on Oct. 29 but its strictly toys and about an hour away from Chicago.

I don't know of any bargain shopping, especially near Michigan Avenue. There are a couple of outlet malls but once again they are about an hour away from Chicago, one in Gurnee, one in Huntley and one in Michigan City, IN.

There's a guide to the antique/flea markets in the weekend section of the Chicago Tribune on Friday.

Sorry I can't be of help to you but I thought the flea market info might be useful to someone else, the county flea markets, esp. in the summer, are huge.

Kristy

There are many flea markets in Chicago and you don't have to go too far to find them. I don't think I would suggest a tourist going though, because they are all in very rough neighborhoods. I personally don't like flea markets much, but that could just be the result of my experience in the Chicago flea markets. Anyway, like the other poster said, there are many discount malls but they are quite far. I would suggest spending your time downtown, there is so much to see and do that I wouldn't waste my time driving for an hour to go to a discount mall. I love watertower place, but it, like everything else downtown, is expensive. If you have any other questions, I live in Chicago and I would be happy to help, just email me or post back.

Kristy

Kristi

Kristy, if you're mobile (have a car)and like antiques you should check out one of the county antique/flea markets on a summer weekend. They are nothing like the flea markets to which you are referring which sell a lot of junk and newer items. The ones held at the county fairgrounds usually are skewed towards antiques and used items, the one at Kane County is my favorite (and I think the largest), Lake County is also good.

Kristy

I actually just moved a few miles away from the Lake County Fairgrounds (still getting sdjusted to living in the "boonies") and I haven't made it to their flea market yet. I guess I'll hav eto check it out.

Kristy