Kentucky is basically an antique-lover's paradise with many places throughout the state where you can hunt for treasures from the past. And with everyone wanting to make what's old new again, antiquing has never been more popular. Many people travel around, looking for the best spot to track down that one item or discover things they didn't know they had to have and one town that many end up in is the rural city of Burlington, Kentucky. This historic town in Northern Kentucky has maintained so much charm from its past and really celebrates the history of the area. One way it does this is with one of the best and largest antique shows in the state. In fact, if you love antiquing, this tiny Kentucky town will feel just like your own personal heaven.
Burlington is a beautiful and historic city in Northern Kentucky that is a mix of small town, suburban neighborhoods, and rural farmland.
The city as a whole seems to celebrate its history and has many opportunities to experience that history, along with many chances to hunt down antiques. Since most people who enjoy antiquing also have a great appreciation for history, Burlington is an ideal destination for those on the hunt for historic treasures.
The main antiquing attraction in Burlington takes place on the third Sunday of the month from April through October.
The Burlington Antique Show is legendary and draws visitors from all over the country. More than 200 antique vendors set up shop at the Boone County Fairgrounds and—rain or shine—hold a massive display of unique antiques and rustic finds.
The show runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an Early Bird Buying time from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
The cost is $4/person ($6 for early bird). You'll also find food and drink vendors and enough to walk around and explore for hours. Vendors bring everything from antique furniture, jewelry, tableware, clothing, artwork and absolutely anything else you can imagine. On these Sundays, the traffic and buzz around Burlington is quite different than the typical relaxed atmosphere you find on a daily basis.
On your drive to the Antique Show, you'll also pass by other smaller shops and vendors, some of which simply set up tables on the side of the road. Especially on a nice day, you could drive around the area for awhile, checking out antiques, yard sales and other businesses that focus on the city's history.
An entire day could easily be spent throughout Burlington, shopping for antiques and checking out the other historic sites in town.
Dinsmore Homestead is just down the road and is a beautifully preserved home, turned museum, that will take you back in time.
If you need a place to stay during your antiquing adventure, check out Burlington's Willis Graves Bed & Breakfast Inn. The Inn is adjacent to the fairgrounds where the show takes place, so you can even walk over and check out the vendors.
And, of course, all of the antique shopping and history seeking will make you hungry—and there's no better place to stop for a bite to eat than Tousey House Tavern.
Another Burlington destination that's perfect for antique lovers, this award-winning restaurant serves amazing food in a charming, historic home. A meal here would cap off the perfect antiquing day in this small Kentucky town.
Between the Burlington Antique Show and the area shops, inns, museums and restaurants that celebrate antiques, this small Kentucky town is a treasure hunter's dream come true. Have you visited this epic antique show and charming city? What other cities in Kentucky do you head to for the best antiquing? Let us know in the comments!
For more information on the Burlington Antique Show, visit its website here.
And for more places in Kentucky to hunt down antiques, check out our previous article here.
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