If opening day at Brooklyn Flea’s new Williamsburg location was any indication, it’s going to be a fantastic season for hitting the markets in Willamsburg. Ten to fifteen thousand treasure seekers attended the Williamsburg Flea this past Sunday (no word on whether or not that total includes the many canines in attendance), but with the expansive spot they’ve acquired on the Williamsburg waterfront just south of the East River State Park, it felt more like a neighborhood party than a mob scene.
Food vendors this season include the critically acclaimed Momofuku Milk Bar and Porchetta. Never fear: you can still get your Red Hook Lobster Roll, grab a non-traditional hot dog at Asia Dog or a crispy made-on-site pizza from Pizza Moto‘s mobile, wood-fired oven. When in doubt, hop in the longest line on the lot for crowd favorite Solber Pupusas, where corn masa patties are rapidly turned out with the filling of your choice. And don’t forget the shopping! Whether you’re looking for artwork or photography, ironic t-shirts, vintage eyeglass frames and bicycles, fresh flowers or DIY beer kits, the Williamsburg Flea has got you covered.
While you’re in the neighborhood, take a stroll to nearby Artists & Fleas on North 7th Street for fun vintage clothing finds in addition to original creations by up-and-coming local designers. Be sure to check out Georgia Varidakis for eye catching jewelry with a neo-Victorian sensibility and Metal Taboo for a stamped metal pendant that tells the world exactly how you’re feeling, four-letter words included. If you’re still hungry, stop by Brooklyn Taco Company’s location inside the market. They take tacos into the realm of art form with choices like Chilorio Brisket and Chipotle-Braised Short Ribs on corn tortillas.
If after all of that you’re still in need of the perfect dining room chair, light fixture from the 1970s, set of old juice glasses or even a vintage wedding dress, drop down the rabbit hole at one of Junk’s two Williamsburg stores, both conveniently located near the Bedford Avenue station. From couches to dressers, bowls of buttons, dining sets and racks and racks of second-hand clothing, you’ll be hard pressed to exit the store without something you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Enjoy the search.
How to get there: Take the L train to the Bedford Avenue stop in Brooklyn. It is an easy walk to all points.
Photos: Courtesy of the author
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Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram