
My sister, Tracy, and I have been antiquing in the Lancaster County, Pennsylvania since 2008, just 9 months after having my first born. Naturally, I desperately needed to escape the house for a little while and get some me time. We enjoyed ourselves so much that ever since then, so we made it an Annual Sister’s Getaway Weekend.

Trust me when I say this, girls. Simply take the trip. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just go. Anyone who depends on you? They’ll survive the weekend. You deserve it.
Our favorite stomping grounds are located in the little town of Adamstown, off the PA Turnpike. Keep on reading to learn more about Adamstown and 5 of our most adored spots.
Deals for Days!

Outdoor flea markets line the main road through Adamstown. In addition, antique shops dot the entire length of the main road. It’s no wonder they proclaim themselves to be the Antiques Capital of the U.S.A.!
Three times a year, they host Extravaganza weekends. Hundreds of outdoor vendors converge to set up shop from Thursday to Sunday. Each brick & mortar store has extended hours and lots of sales! Discounts 10-20% .
To get from one place to another, hop in your car and drive less than a minute and you’re at the next destination. It’s like a bar crawl, but for pickers. Downright glorious if you ask me. That brings us to our first spot:

Spot No. 5 – Shupp’s Grove

Adamstown is about a 2.5 hour drive from our neck of the woods. Since hotel check-in times aren’t until later in the day, we go straight to one of our favorite outdoor flea markets.
First up on our list is, Shupp’s Grove. By the way, a helmet or umbrella may be required if you go during the Fall Extravaganza. Chestnuts falling from the beautiful mature trees are known to draw blood—true story.

Christmas items, certain Pyrex pieces, and small things for my kids are at the top of my list. Tracy’s an artist so she’s always looking for things to paint on or for little bits of paper ephemera to add to her mixed-media art pieces.
Shupp’s has a clean public restroom and a little luncheonette with a decent menu and plenty of seating. The bathroom and food buildings both have wood-burning fire places . Of course, they’re cozy as can be on chilly spring and fall mornings. A hot dog or grilled cheese hits the spot after shopping and we’re sure to enjoy them fire-side.
Spot No. 4 – Mad Hatter

Next up at Spot No. 4, at the top of our list of favorite indoor co-ops, is the Mad Hatter Antique Mall. This unique building, home to over 100 booths, is a former hat factory. This antique mall is one of the largest in the town, so leave plenty of time to browse. We sometimes hit this one twice in one weekend!

If you’re like us, we always find fun things to pose with and to laugh at. This particular year, the theme seemed to be “T & A”. Tracy found this amazingly large specimen. Sadly, she put it back. After all, who really needs a giant initial in their house? I do. I need one.

After this shot, we stumbled upon a case full of vintage porn books and games. Naturally, standing there reading the steamy titles was how we spent the next 10 minutes. Over the years, however, the sexy time books were all purchased and now the case is filled with much less interesting stuff, if you ask me!
Break Time at the Cottage

After a long day of picking at Shupp’s and Mad Hatter, we check in at our hotel, air b&b, or bed & breakfast to kick off our shoes and maybe squeeze in a little cat nap. Or, we simply grab a cup of coffee or tea and chat for a while.

The cozy little cottage on the property of the Living Spring Farm B&B had the cutest little kitchen. The first several years of our annual sister’s trip were spent at this bed & breakfast.
Ding! Ding! It’s Dinner Time!

Feeling refreshed and a bit of caffeine running through our veins, we head out the door to have dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Although Stoudt’s Black Angus Restaurant & Pub is no longer in business, another more modern establishment took its place. We’ve never stopped here. However, the lot is always packed, so that’s a good sign! Our new favorite is Johnny’s Bar & Steak House. No matter what you choose off of their menu, you won’t be disappointed!

Spot No. 3 – Renningers
Next, if you’re staying at any of the quaint Bed & Breakfasts in town, you might wake up Saturday morning to a home-cooked meal. For example, we had a beautiful country meal hand-delivered to us at our cottage by the innkeeper herself, still donning her apron!
Grab a cup of coffee, because you’ll need your energy for Renningers, our Spot No. 3. Behind the building you can find plenty of tables full of antiques and vintage merchandise to sift through. The inside is just as jam packed with collectibles.
Bonus Spot!

If you’re up for worthwhile road trip, there’s another Renningers about an hour drive away in Kutztown, PA. This place might just be deserving of its own post! Of course, both spots are good, but Kutztown boasts a fantastic farmers market.

Simply head straight through the college town, turn onto Noble Street, and you’ll soon arrive at Renningers. If you travel here in the morning, make sure to hit the outdoor market first.
Personally, I like to get my hands nice and dirty and my shoes dusty before heading inside for lunch. Can you say “fried pickles”? Mmmmmm. After several hours at Renningers Kutztown, we often head back down to Adamstown for more picking.
Story Time
One year, Tracy bought some flat, wooden boards for her to paint artwork on. Due to their length and tapered end, we thought they were old ironing boards. Well, a passer by says, “Oh, look at those skin boards.” We took one look at each other, both realizing at the exact same time that animals had been skinned on these pieces of wood. Oh, the horror! All sales are final. Bummer.
Spot No. 2 – 272 Antiques & Collectibles Marketplace

Second, this next spot might look unassuming from the outside. We didn’t even stop there for years. You see, it’s connected to a convenience store and gas station. Trust. When I say, don’t judge a book by its cover, I mean it. This place is huge.
One of my personal favorite parts about 272 is the large selection of collectible toys. If you’re an avid toy collector, it’s a must see. Moreover, it’s a great way to transport yourself right back into your childhood. Take one look at a Strawberry Shortcake doll and tell me you can’t smell her.
In addition to the great merchandise, the prices seem to be more reasonable than other antique co-ops. Definitely worth a stop.

Spot No. 1- Pine Hills
Lastly, our final spot is on the edge of town so we usually hit this on our way out on Sunday morning. Pine Hills Antique Mall is a sister shop of Mad Hatters, so expect to be wowed here too. It’s situated atop a hill…probably with some pine trees on it.
Pine Hills is also quite large with over 100 booths, so save ample time to peruse every booth. They have great prices, super friendly and helpful staff, and a decent variety so you’re bound to come home with arms (or boxes) full of treasures!
In Conclusion
To wrap up, if you’re looking for an awesome spot to get away from it all, look no further than the Lancaster County area of Pennsylvania. I just described just 5 of the best spots to thrift and antique in Adamstown, PA, but there’s plenty more.
I hope you learned a little something about the area and where you should stop first. Comment down below and let me know if you plan on visiting any of the spots I recommended! Add these spots to your “must see” list.
- Shupp’s Grove
- Mad Hatter Antiques Mall
- Renningers
- 272 Antique & Collectibles Marketplace
- Pine Hills Antique Mall
As Always, Stay Cozy!
Mandy