In the summer months New York City gets an added attraction in the form of its various Street Fairs and Festivals during which entire streets are closed to traffic and taken over by vendors who sell all kinds of tchotchkes like wooden African masks and statues, Budhas and Feng shui knick knacks to aromatherapy oils and burners, tshirts, hand made jewelry, flowers and many eats which range from popular gyros, fresh fruits, flavored popcorn to corn on the cob, ice creams etc. Most Street Fairs run from 11am to 6pm and make for a fun outing for all the family. They are also a perfect all day attraction and a shopping expedition for out of town guests and visitors to New York City.

Apart from the Summer Street Fairs, New York City also has some interesting permanent flea markets which are well worth a visit while you are visiting to New York City and if you enjoy rummaging through 'stuff' to find a bargain. The Hell's Kitchen Flea Market is the largest urban permanent flea market in New York City which is held every weekend on 39^th street between 9^th and 10^th avenues and it is located  just block away from the tourist centric spots of Times Square and The Port Authority Bus Terminal. The Hell's Kitchen Flea market features an interesting mix of nearly 170 vendors who come from all over the tri-state area and include antiques sellers, vintage-housewares hawkers, local-produce stands, and street-food vendors. Tourists, designers, artists, celebrities and locals have been flocking to the Hell's Kitchen flea since 1976 to shop for mid-century/retro antiques, vintage clothing and home decorations, jewelry, furniture and much more.

An associated attraction is the Antiques Garage an indoor antiques market which is held over two floor and is  also held on weekends from 6.30 am to 5pm on 112West 25^th Street between 6^th and 7^th avenues. This antiques market can be reached on the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market Shuttle and the ride on this shuttle costs $1 one way. This Antique's market has been held since 1994 and has grown to include more than 100 vendors who sell several ornamental antiques which include prints, paintings, rugs ,vintage  accessories and clothing and silver knick knacks. This eclectic Antique Garage is a treasure trove of many delights and is located steps away from the another famous Flea market, The Chelsea Flea Market, which also has nearly 125 vendors who sell all types of antiques, furniture, decorative arts and vintage items.

Yet another flea market is held on Sundays from 10 am to 6pm on Columbus Avenue between 76^th and 77^th Streets on the Upper West Side just steps away from the landmark destination of the American Museum of Natural History. This flea market is called Greenflea because it features many outdoor vendors who sell fresh produce. The wares offered at this flea market vary with the seasons and in the winter it has several vendors selling an exciting mix of fur coats, home furnishings and antiques. In the summer there is a profusion of vendors selling handmade clothing, antique and vintage jewelry, antique maps and prints, second hand books, CDs and DVDs. Fresh produce sold at this market consists of vegetables, plants, flowers and a wide variety of baked goods which include breads, fruit pies and cookies.

The newest kid on the block in the world of New York City flea markets is the Brooklyn Flea which has been put together by Eric Demby and Jonathan Butler who run the popular Brooklyn website called http://www.brownstoner.com. This is the largest outdoor flea market in New York City and is held on Sundays between 10am and 5pm in the yard at The Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene. The first Brooklyn flea was held on the 6^th of April this year and the flea has over two hundred vendors who sell a wide variety of wares like records, clothing, pottery, photography, etc

A visit to one of these animated  New York City Flea Markets is a great entertainment option for a lazy summer's day in the city.

Images of New York City Flea markets originally posted on http://www.flickr.com by anniebee,apaloosa,ed yourdon,elephi pelephi