Did you know there are more antiques and collectibles stores per square mile in the state of New Hampshire than in any other state?  Along with a plethora of consignment stores a visit to New Hampshire is a wonderful treasure hunting adventure.

A few minutes past the Massachusettes border as you drive from Nashua into Amherst NH you’ll find yourself on a grand journey across what is part of “the Antiques Trail”.  

Usually we (my mom & I) start at the 101-A Antique & Collectible’s Center located right off 101A just over the border of Merrimack, NH going into Amherst.

It’s a two story establishment with rows and rows of gorgeous vintage and antique booths at the main floor and loads of gorgeous furniture etc. downstairs.

The next stop is another deceptively small shoppe called “This Olde Stuff.

It looks small from the street but This Olde Stuff is a good size Antiques Mall.  Parking and the entrance is to the rear of the building where you’ll find a whole other “wing’ of available goodies.  The dealers here tend to keep the stock fresh so that you’ll always find a unique little treasure tucked within the loads of goodies.  It’s a “crawl around” store so wear comfortable clothing cause you’ll definitely want to get on the ground to pull things tucked out of bottom shelves.  We found an entire replacement set of dishes that way.  It’s also a “vintage jewelry” mecca with some of the most gorgeous pieces handsomely displayed.  The staff is exceptionally helpful and friendly and the hunting is always fantastic!

Back on the highway we’ll take the next right at the lights and tucked around the corner is a yellow building with a chinese food restaurant, a consignment shop and at the very end a cute little co-operative called “Martha Mae’s”

Martha Mae’s is on the right of 2nd Chance Consignment.  It’s more like a little vintage consignment store with antique-y things in it.  It’s a tiny shoppe with loads of tiny treasures.  There are only a few booths, which are not really booths but small closets.  You’ll find some great deals here.  As you can see from the photo the store is jam packed to overflowing.

Further down the road, past the Wal-Mart, the underpass, the Shaw’s shopping plaza & right before the Milford Oval is another gorgeous 2 1/2 story shop called Golden Opportunities.  If you’re driving from Amherst into Milford it’s on the right across the street from a run down shopping plaza.

The old home feel is quaint.  You’ll enter into the foyer and walk past a small section of booths with jewelry.  Up a small flight of stairs you’ll find a gorgeous selection of furniture pieces.  Towards the back you’ll find the entrance to the basement where you locate the stash of goodies perfect for fix ups and re-purposing.

And I saved the best for last. The Antiques at the Mayfair is a gorgeous 2 story multi room shoppe with hundreds of awesome finds on any given day.  Unlike the others it’s not located on 101A.  Rather you have to back up a little and get onto Rte 101 going towards Bedford/Manchester.  There are very few businesses on Rte 101.  Instead it’s fairly scenic with loads of trees and old farm houses.  A restaurant here and there.  More trees, more trees, and more trees.  Then out of nowhere a little plaza emerges on the left side of the street.  It’s facade looks like you driven into Switzerland.  There are several buildings/cottages with the very last one primarily the Antiques at the Mayfair store.  (Right next door is Enchanted Lace.)

The prices are excellent here and if you see anything you like snap it up right away.  I saw a vintage typewriter for $25 and decided to hold off on picking it up right away.  It was gone before I finished perusing the store.  I should have known.

Of all the stores this is by far the most fun.  The entrance is actually on the top floor in the center of the building.  If it’s your first time the basement can be confusing as rooms open up into closets that open up into rooms that open into other rooms and don’t forget to check out the stuff stashed beneath the stairs.

When you get to Antiques at the Mayfair ask one of the members behind the counter for the map to the Antiques Trail. There are a lot of other shops along 101A that we haven’t been to yet so I didn’t mention them here. If you’re up to it you can visit them on your return trip.

So if you’re up for something to do this weekend take a trip along “the Antiques Trail” on Saturday.  Then on Sunday visit the Hollis Flea Market.  Happy Shopping!