PLAN AN ANTIQUING ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY—INCLUDING A STOP AT THE LARGEST ANTIQUE MALL IN THE U.S.

Stops include the largest antique mall in the United States and a curated collection of neoclassical furniture.

If there's one thing the Shenandoah Valley prides itself on, it's history. Walk into any store, and it won't take long before you know the year the building was built and how many families have owned it.

And this love of the past doesn't restrict itself to stories. It's entrenched in the things—the old things—that fill roadside thrift stores, sprawling antique malls, and curated high-end shops. Throughout the Shenandoah Valley, which starts just south of Lexington, Virginia, on its southern border and reaches up to Winchester, Virginia, in the north, there's a reverence for antiques that brings in shoppers and deal hunters from all over the region.

The best way to see the full breadth of antiquing in the Shenandoah Valley is to plan a road trip starting on either end and weaving your way through to the other. It's impossible to see it all at once, but you can hit the highlights and, of course, you should plan a trip back because there's always something new (old) to see.

Top Antique Stores in the Shenandoah Valley

If you start in the south and work your way up, the first town you'll hit is Lexington, which is closely followed by Staunton. You'll weave your way up through Verona, where an antiques wonderland is waiting, then through Weyers Cave, Mount Crawford, Harrisonburg, and Strasburg. A second day will take you through Boyce, Millwood, Berryville, and Winchester, at which point, your wallet will be empty and your car will be full.

Factory Antique Mall

Did you know the largest antique mall in the United States is in the Shenandoah Valley? In unsuspecting Verona, Virginia, there's a 147,000 square foot antique mall—and they claim they're still growing. At Factory Antique Mall, you can find glassware in any color under the sun, taxidermy, primitives, midcentury, chinoiserie, vintage clothing, and even caning repair. If it's on your to-find list, it's going to be here.

Staunton Antiques Center

The Staunton Antiques Center is right in the heart of downtown Staunton, and it encompasses 13,000 square feet of vendors selling traditional antiques, dishware and glassware, and everything in between. This is a classic antique mall where you'll find all the brown wood and milk glass your heart could desire.

Eclectic Retro

If you thrive in an antique shop where you have a little less to look at, then Eclectic Retro offers a more curated appeal. This spot on the outskirts of downtown Staunton has a mix of midcentury vintage and some older antiques.

Red Schoolhouse Antiques

Walking into Millwood's Red Schoolhouse Antiques feels like exploring a renovated historic home. The rooms are thoughtful displayed, without too much to distract the eye. The antiques are clearly old—well over the hundred year threshold—but they feel crisp and renewed amidst the light and bright spaces. One room leads you to the next, each with a slightly different style, yet all tying together.

17 East Beverly Antiques

Expand your definition of antiques at 17 East Beverly Antiques in Staunton where there are toys, jewelry, textiles, and vintage clothing mixed in amidst the furniture and home foods. There are four independent shops under the larger 17 East Beverly Antiques umbrella, each with their own style and sense of curation.

Rolling Hills Antique Mall

Rolling Hills Antique Mall in Harrisonburg specializes in collectibles, which, on a given day, could mean anything from military items to vintage advertising to depression glass and Pyrex. Their claim to fame is over one million items in the store, so it's worth a visit to see what treasures you might find.

Spring Hollow Antiques

Located right on Main Street in charming Woodstock, Virginia, Spring Hollow Antiques specializes in American antiques, particularly those with a farmhouse feel. You'll find blanket chests, cupboard, and chairs that have seen centuries of stories before yours.

Vilnis & Co. Antiques

Vilnis & Co. Antiques proprietor Vilnis Vitols has been in the business of antiques and design since 1975 and his perfectly curated collection reflects that expertise. He specializes in stunning neo-classical style with American and English roots. Each piece is in pristine condition, either restored or lovingly cared for through the generations.

Strasburg Emporium Antiques

Just down the street from the incredible collection at Vilnis & Co. is that wonderful visual overload that is Strasburg Emporium Antiques. Over 60 dealers and 52,000 square feet cover everything from furniture to china to glassware to even clothing and cowboy boots. If you need anything nostalgic or fun for your kitchen, you'll find it in the aisles here.

Hip & Humble Antiques and Interiors

Hip & Humble Antiques and Interiors has a mix of curated vignettes of restored vintage and antique items, garden decor, and an upstairs attic-like space that has unique and interesting pieces that are in desperate need of saving. It also happens to be one of those places where styled meets affordable, which are often mutually exclusive.

Blue Peacock Antiques

If you're making your way northward, Blue Peacock Antiques is one of the last stops in the Shenandoah Valley. This antiques shop in Winchester, Virginia, is located right on their pedestrian mall and has over 9,000 square feet of diverse vendors.

Unique Antiquing Finds in the Shenandoah Valley

Throughout the region, there are several shops that cater to more niche shopping. From gorgeous china to handmade primitives to rare silver, here are a few more stops to add to your map.

Old and New at Fox and Pheasant

Impeccably curated rooms make up the hunt country aesthetic of Fox and Pheasant in Boyce, Virginia. This cozy shop has both antiques and carefully selected new items that show off different decor styles in each room. From the masculine, hunt-inspired front room to the chinoiserie details in the back, this charming shop is set up just like your most stylish friend's home.

Primitives at Alpha and Omega

While the beautifully crafted, high-end antiques may be what catches most people's eyes, others are drawn to the subtleties of more practical, utilitarian items. Primitives are handmade early American items, and they're seen throughout the Shenandoah Valley, even more so than in other antiquing regions. At Alpha and Omega in Waynesboro, Virginia, you'll find a large collection of primitives and pottery—perfect for adding a rustic touch to your home.

Estate Jewelry, Collectibles, and Silver at Rocky's Gold and Silver

Have your eye on finding a specific collectible, coin, or sterling silver set? Rocky's Gold and Silver is an imposing building in Weyer's Cave that's filled with several rooms of treasures. There's an entire room of both fine and costume estate jewelry, a space dedicated to silver, and case-upon-case of collectible glassware and china.

Exploring Shenandoah Valley Flea Markets

If your idea of a perfect antiquing weekend revolves around the thrill of the hunt, then add these flea markets to your road trip itinerary.

Shenandoah Valley Flea Market

The Shenandoah Valley Flea Market in New Market, Virginia, looks unassuming from the outside, then you walk inside and you still might find yourself wondering if it's worth the stop. But within a few minutes, you'll want to make sure you explore every nook and cranny. This large flea market has 70 vendors inside with an outside yard sale when weather permits. There's a mix of true flea market vendors and more curated booths selling glassware, chinoiserie items, Wedgewood, milk glass, and more blue and white than you could use in a lifetime.

The Flea Market in Edinburg

In Edinburg, Virginia, you'll find The Flea Market in Edinburg. Here, you'll dig through booths finding the perfect kitschy pieces for your home and nostalgic items for your kitchen. There are books, collectibles, and everything you didn't realize you needed—until now.

Tips for Planning an Antiquing Road Trip in the Shenandoah Valley

Putting together a road trip itinerary can be as overwhelming as it is fun, particularly when there are countless stops to be made. Here are a few tips to plan the ultimate antiquing road trip through the Shenandoah Valley.

Visit in the Fall for Views Beyond the Antiques

There's no bad time of year to visit the Shenandoah Valley for antiquing. Dealers and vendors are continuously bringing in new items, and there's no shortage of deals and incredible finds. However, fall is a favorite time of year for many to visit the Shenandoah Valley thanks to the vibrant leaf peeping.

But consider that wisely—a popular time of year could mean more crowd, which could mean more people ogling over that set of Wedgewood catchalls you're hoping to find.

Plan Your Itinerary From One End to the Other

You can start from the north or the south depending on which direction you're coming from. The idea is to hit as many of these antique stores in one road trip as possible, but be realistic. If you like to wander the aisles slowly, examining each piece of glassware, testing every drawer, and admiring the historic details on federal era sideboards, then break it into three or four days. Otherwise, a weekend is realistic with two overnight stops.

Stay Where There's an Appreciation for Antiques

It's likely that someone planning an antiquing road trip wants the full immersive experience, so choose places to stay that speak to the history of the area and, yes, the antiques.

If you start in the south, the Inn at Meadowcroft is just outside of Staunton set on the most idyllic family farm. You look out around you, and you're surrounded by hundreds of acres of pastoral views. The inn itself was constructed by merging two hand-hewn log cabins, one dating to 1820 and the other, 1795. The furnishings and decor throughout the inn are antiques sourced

As you head north, L'Auberge Provençale in Boyce is a circa 1753 estate that boasts George Washington as an original trustee of the home. Today, it's a countryside inn decorated in French antiques and serving one of the most delicious fine dining menus in the Shenandoah Valley. It's located in close proximity to both Millwood and Berryville, where several of the can't miss stops are located.

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