Best Midwest Antique Destinations

The Census Bureau’s definition of the Midwest consists of twelve states in the north central region of the United States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Let’s look at some of the best locations for antiquing in each of them.

Illinois

Galena is set along the river bluffs, with an historic downtown that is filled with a great selection of shops. Many of them are stand alone antique shops or mall type shops with lots of dealer booths. You will enjoy strolling from one to the next. While you are there, see the U S Grant Home and visit the Galena / Jo Daviess County Historical Society and Museum. Have a meal at Otto’s Place, Fried Green Tomatoes or the Log Cabin.

Indiana

Offers many places where antiquing is foremost. We suggest not one but two. The first is Historic Pierceton with its quaint old main street and a selection of shops to choose from. While you are there, try the fare at The Old Train Depot (dine upstairs!) for lunch featuring sandwiches and a soup of the day. The other Indiana antiquing magnet is Historic Centerville, home to Webb’s Antique Mall, widely known as Indiana’s largest one-stop destination for antique shoppers.

Iowa

Walnut is a town that is known as “Iowa’s Antique City” throughout the state, because of the great collection of antique shops there. More than fifteen individual antique shops or antique malls—from Bear Trap Antiques to Zimm’s—greet you in this town of just 900 people. If you go on Father’s Day weekend, you can experience the biggest antique fair in Iowa. On any day, be sure to have a comfort food meal at Emma Jean’s, and for something sweet, visit Robert’s Bakery Treats and Treasures.

Kansas

Wichita is a great place to explore the wide range of antique shops, both mall type and stand along stores. Paramount Antique Mall, Flying Moose, Delano, Juliana Daniel, Hewitt’s, and Shopkeeper’s Antique Mall and Art Gallery, and more, await your discovery. While in Wichita, see the Kansas Aviation Museum and the Museum of World Treasures. Dine at Red Rock Canyon Grill or Newport Grill.

Michigan

We are not sure if Allen, Michigan is, as it claims, the ‘Antique Capital of the World’ but if it isn’t, it is awfully close. The Livery, Allen Antique Barn, Capital Antiques, Allen Antique Mall, Hog Creek Antique Mall, Preston’s Antique Gaslight Village, wow! What a great town to explore. You will find what you were looking for and what you did not know you were looking for. Dining options include Olivia’s Chop House or The Outpost Grille.

Minnesota

Stillwater is your destination for antiques in Minnesota. Visit Midtown Antique Mall, Stillwater Antique Mall, Staples Mill Antique Mall, American Gothic, Our Antiques, Country Charm, and Willoughby’s to find just some of the troves of oldies and goodies that await. For unique and delicious dining, go to Phil’s Tara Hideaway and Lolo’s Kitchen. For a fabulous ice cream treat, go to Nelson’s Drive-In Dairy Store.

Missouri

Warsaw on the Osage River is the place for antiquing in The Show Me State. You have about a dozen shops to explore, including the Warsaw Antique Mall, Pigs Tale, and the Valley Flea Market. There’s every kind of shop, from which to choose, booth-style malls, with absentee vendors selling “collectables,” to true antique shops offering vintage furniture, jewelry, paper ephemera, and glassware. Your recommended dining choices are: Roadhouse, Common Ground Café, or El Camino Real.

Nebraska

Head for the Aardvark Antique Mall in Lincoln; it is a nice big mall. Or another great antique mall is the Brass Armadillo in Omaha (one of a group of same-named malls across the USA). The prices are good at these, and you will be sure to find a couple of real treasures. When you are in Lincoln, also visit Antique Corner, Vintage Village and Cool and Collected Antiques. Have a meal at Lazlo’s or the Green Gateau. For more shopping in Omaha, it’s Back in the Day, and Joe’s Collectibles. Dine at 11-Worth Café, or at Orisi’s for Italian.

North Dakota

Your antiquing excursion will go far in Fargo! Fargo Antiques and Repurpose Outlet, Moorhead Antique Mall (the area’s largest), Antiques on Broadway, Phat Cat, Reed and Taylor, there are so many to choose from. While in town, see the Red River Zoo and the Fargo Air Museum. For dining, select Dottie’s Woodfire Grill or Mezzaluna.

Ohio

East Liverpool is the place – head for the Pottery City Antique Mall, five stories of booths with local and regional treasures. The selections are wonderful and the staff is the kindest and most helpful you will find anywhere. While you are in town, go to The Museum of Ceramics in the old Post Office to see the most extensive collection of American Pottery in the Midwest, as well as to the Hall Closet outlet for Hall China’s offerings of a great selection of new but historically significant Hall and Fiesta ware products including Fiesta mixing bowls and Hall teapots. Dine at El Paso or Casa de Emanuel.

South Dakota

Sioux Falls is your best bet for antiquing in South Dakota. From the cluster of malls at Tea (I-29 antique mall and one of several Dakota Plains locations) to those closer to the city, such as Belsnickel & Company, Antiques Etc, and Antiques on 18^th, you will have a nice day of driving and sleuthing. Keep your energy up with a meal at Minerva’s or Jacky’s.

Wisconsin

You will be mad for the antiques in Madison, with plenty of places to choose from. See the Antiques Mall of Madison, Odana Antiques (95 dealers in 27,000+ square feet of one-level shopping), Maple Bluff Antique Mall (50 dealers), Retro Revolution, and A La Crate. Visit the Wisconsin State Capitol while in town. For a meal, go to Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry or Graze Restaurant.