The Festival Flea Market: Our tip for a rainy day in Fort Lauderdale
The weather gods obviously know our itinerary, because today is the perfect day for rain, as we had planned a visit to Fort Lauderdale's Festival Flea Market for that day. I love markets of all kinds - and flea markets are no exception, especially when they're as massive as the Festival Flea Market at 2900 Sample Street in Pompano Beach, a north suburb of Ft. Lauderdale. Apparently we're not the only ones who think so, because the parking lot in front of the huge hall where the flea market is located is already packed. And together with us, more and more visitors line up in the turning lane to the flea market. Americans love everything that is old - and it doesn't matter what it is. This is perhaps also the reason why this flea market is open every day.
History of the Festival Flea Market in Pompano Beach
It all started in 1986 as the Pompano Outlet Mall. However, just two years later the project ran into difficulties. The turning point came in 1991. Shooter Properties bought the site and turned it into a flea market. Since then it has been called the Festival Flea Market Mall. The market is on West Sample Road, just two miles west of I-95 at the Florida Turnpike.
The Festival Flea Market is now a private company. It employs between 50 and 99 people. The market itself stretches over a quarter of a mile and features more than 800 shops. Here you will find branded goods at outlet prices. But the market offers more than just shopping. It is a meeting point for people from all over the world. The merchants sell designer jewelry, electronics, clothing and shoes. Grocery, furniture, antiques and luggage can also be found here.
Visit to Fort Lauderdale's Festival Flea Market
Jewelry
What is striking are the many jewelry stands that sell everything from costume jewelry to necklaces made of real stones to old jewelry. As we take a closer look at the offerings in one of the jewelry shops, the owner immediately comes up to us. She announces that everything is available for half price - a magnificent necklace that fits beautifully on a dark blue sweater for $70? Maybe not a bad buy? And maybe we can negotiate something down? But we ultimately decide against buying it. When do I wear jewelry?
The Flip Flop Boulevard
That Fort Lauderdale is a bathing paradise, can hardly be overlooked in the flea market. The Flip Flop Boulevard leads us directly to the right accessories and shoes for the beach. Bathing suits, pareos, sunglasses, beach towels and beach bags - all can be found on this shopping mile in the Festival Flea Market.
Hat creations - old and new
If you like hats, you will find a real treasure trove at the Fort Lauderdale flea market: we will discover elegant hat creations that could even be seen at an event in the highest circles, as well as thousands of baseball caps. There are straw hats in the most beautiful shapes and even ones that can be crushed into a suitcase. And of course cowboy hats are a must. After all, we are in America!
Souvenirs at the Hillsboro Antique Mall
Souvenir hunters should not miss the Hillsboro Antique Mall at the east end of the flea market halls. There are old American advertising signs, which are wonderful as a decor for the local walls, in many selections. Dishes, oil paintings, fine porcelain, we find - as well as a circus horse hanging over our heads. I would like that. But where to go and, above all, how can I get this almost life-size pony into the plane without paying huge sums for transportation? So continue with the search for a matching memento of our Floridareise.
This corner of the flea market is also popular with children. But there is still more to be done for Families with children in Fort Lauderdale.
Petar likes a metal toy airplane that's big enough for him to sit in. It's cute, but - like the circus horse - just too big. And so with a heavy heart we decide to settle for an old metal advertising sign. At least it fits easily into your suitcase and is so light that there are no fees for excess baggage. After a few fun hours of browsing through American memorabilia at the flea market, we head back to our hotel. And the rain, which is still falling, didn't bother us one bit.
What you need to know to visit the Festival Flea Market in Fort Lauderdale
The Festival Flea Market in Fort Lauderdale is a special place to shop. It is located at 2900 West Sample Road, two miles west of I-95 at the Florida Turnpike. Flea Market is easy to get to whether you're coming from Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
The opening hours are customer-friendly. The market opens its doors daily. You can shop from Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. On weekends, the doors are open from 9:30 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. So you have enough time to explore everything in peace.
The products offered are diverse. Here you will find over 800 shops with branded goods at outlet prices. Whether designer jewellery, electronics, clothing or shoes, the selection is large. Grocery, furniture, antiques and luggage can also be found here. There is something for every taste. A Overview of the shops you can get one at the Festival Flea Market Mall here.
But the Festival Flea Market offers more than just products. The services are just as varied. There are boutiques, kiosks, push carts and food court restaurants. The dealers are friendly and happy to help you. They make shopping an experience.
Have you ever been to the Festival Flea Market?
Did you discover a special souvenir? What was your favorite shop? For example, can you recommend anything in particular? Let us know in a comment. We appreciate it and our readers will appreciate your tip.
Tips for the region
- Miami Beach Insider Tips
- Fort Lauderdale attractions
- New Fort Lauderdale restaurants
- Fort Lauderdale
- Art Deco District in Miami Beach
- Hotels on the beach in Fort Lauderdale
- More than the usual shopping miles - shopping in Fort Lauderdale
- A garden full of orchids, art and kitsch at Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale
- Beach vacation USA
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If the article has made you want more markets, then look at the Blog Parade Gudrun on the Markets of the world .
Source: own research on site, with kind support from GFLCVB. We would definitely like to thank you very much for that. However, our opinions remain our own.
Text: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Video: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Oh, I think I've already found a souvenir, the horse is crazy anyway, but you're right: where to go?
We have come home with souvenirs :). It was just - unfortunately - not the great horse. But the market is just great for a job!
The horse looked like a unicorn at first. I'm sorry. But anyway: I would like to browse something like that! Can not you let that shipple to Germany? Saves the luggage load ... but probably also costs money again.
I push the Dsumen for more / again sun!
Greetings ausm Krümelschnee
Claudi
Only where at home - when I put that in our apartment, which is full ;-). But you can dream, right?
Meanwhile, it has stopped raining again. And so at least I had the opportunity to write a first post about the journey ...