New York City with children: GreenFlea Market
by KFFVMom
(kid-friendly-family-vacations.com)
GreenFlea Market
New York City is a haven for shoppers and home to many street fairs, parades, festivals, celebrations, exhibitions, and outdoor markets. Among the many ways retail therapy can be achieved in The Big Apple, the GreenFlea Market is a unique and fun alternative from the usual commercial areas of SoHo and TriBeCa or the swanky and expensive goods peddled in 5th and Madison Avenues. Located at 410 Columbus Avenue between West 76 and 77 Streets on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, it’s one of the first open-air market to operate and thrive in Uptown Manhattan. Independent merchants and their loyal customers have made the Sunday Market profitable and successful for over 25 years while patrons continue to flock by the droves and shop for one-of-a-kind crafts, antiques, fresh produce and food products.
The GreenFlea Market is a popular New York City tourist attraction and is easily accessible via subway ride or NYC bus. Although driving to the market is also an option, shoppers are discouraged to bring their own vehicles as parking spots are usually a problem around Manhattan since district zoning has always made it a point that the area is more conducive on foot—making Uptown and the rest of Manhattan pedestrian-friendly in general.
Once there, shoppers can delight in the many extraordinary and custom-made items that the flea market’s reputable vendors have in their shelves and counters. Unique products that range from hand-crafted accessories, jewelry and furniture, tailor-made clothing, new or antique home furnishings and décor, beautiful reproductions, hardware, and even salvaged vintage pieces of architecture make the Sunday Market an event to look forward to. Inside the gate on West 77th Street is the flea market’s very own food section that offers mouthwatering intercontinental dishes and homemade goodies. Whether to sample delicious pastries and savories concocted by the market’s specialty food vendors or grabbing lunch and dinner while taking a well-deserved break from a shopping marathon, the food section is a great place to satisfy any craving.
For those in the market for organic food and fresh produce, the GreenFlea Market annexes the popular Union Square farmer’s market—the Greenmarket—by showcasing a large selection of home-grown, locally-produced or harvested fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and even seafood, every Sundays. In addition, green thumbs can choose from a vast array of exotic flowering or fruit plants and vegetable samplings that they can grow right in their own garden.
The flea market offers only interesting items and wares for every kind of customer who goes home with quality products that are worth every penny. The market’s friendly and accommodating vendors make sure that their customers get value for their money which is why many of the flea market’s patrons avidly await each Sunday so that they can go back and enjoy shopping to their heart’s content. Hard work, creativity and lots of inspiration go into each item sold at the flea market and there’s nothing quite like products that can’t be found in conventional shops and restaurants. No wonder tourists find it an ideal location to purchase keepsakes and giveaways for their loved ones back home.
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