Best Bets for Antiques Shopping

As the sign in a downtown Fort Myers antiques shop says, "Everything Old is New Again."

Find vintage treasures throughout the mainland and islands. Begin your treasure hunting on Fort Myers' royal-palm-lined McGregor Boulevard, where Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and other town forefathers lived.

McGregor Boulevard

McGregor Antique Mall

Just northeast of the intersection of McGregor and College Parkway, the McGregor Antiques District is a huddle of six antiques shops and a consignment store across the street. McGregor Antique Mall is the largest of the group, with a folksy and nostalgic air, selling household goods, books, toys, country-style furnishings and more, all at reasonable prices. In the same cluster, Judy's Antiques specializes in estate jewelry, sterling, crystal and other fine buys from the past.

McGregor Boulevard Yard Sales

Every weekend – especially during the winter season – you will see a forest of signs planted along McGregor Boulevard advertising yard and garage sales. It's a popular sport for many locals to drive from sale to sale in search of rare finds.

Downtown Fort Myers

Fancy Flamingo Antiques

Downtown Fort Myers holds a few more timeless treasures in vintage buildings. Fancy Flamingo displays a wide variety of period pieces, furniture, collectibles and vintage clothing between red brick interior walls.

Vamped Up Vintage

This shop is fun any time of the year, but especially for Halloween or any special event where a creative costume is required. Owner Wende Gilmore deals entirely in vintage clothing, carrying everything from tuxes and wedding gowns to a gaudy bell-bottom jumpsuit and jaunty fur-trimmed hats, and she can create custom era-specific costumes. She throws a monthly dress-up party, so call to get on her e-mail list.

Fort Myers Beach

The Swap Shop

On the way to Fort Myers Beach, this blast from the past specializes in art pottery and décor items from the 1950s.

Sanibel Island

Islander Trading Post

Feel like you've walked into an old country store at this Sanibel Island fixture. Vintage nautical paraphernalia fills one back room, and every shelf, drawer, nook and cranny holds bits and pieces of bygone eras.

Noah's Ark

Tucked into a room behind St. Michael & All Angels Church on Sanibel Island, it's the pick of the locals for fun thrift shopping. Expect to find like-new castoffs and something that sparks fond memories of "the good old days."