Canton, Texas - Part I

This trip offers East Texas-friendliness, down-home creature comforts, and some of the greatest flea market shopping on the continent. 100 acres. 6,000 vendors.

Most women I know would give anything to shop with their friends instead of their spouses or male counterparts especially at a venue such as a flea market where one can wander, bargain and browse hour after hour. Have you ever watched women shop? We pick up and touch everything, feeling textures and fabrics even if we have no intention of buying the item.

Get it all at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, a girlfriend’s shopping and treasure hunting paradise. You’ll be able to buy everything from home furnishings to vintage clothing, from antique jewelry to produce and everything in between.
First Monday is open year-round, but spring and fall are the most favorable times to visit because the temperatures are most reasonable. Summer in East Texas is hot, but plenty of water will keep you shopping till dusk. You’ll find plenty of good eats at Canton so you won’t starve. When your heels are achin’, take your loot back to one of the cozy bed and breakfasts around the market. I recommend the all-girls’ lodge, Amy’s Bed and Breakfast, just a mile and a half away.

The market is huge so wear your best walking shoes. This is not the place for flip-flops, trust me. Once in the park, look for a free map of the grounds to plan your shopping day. Even if you don’t want to plan your path, you’ll want to be able to get back to your car.

Some vendors take checks or credit cards, but cash works best especially when bargaining (First Monday Strategy Number One: always ask for the vendor’s best price.] Bring a tote bag, rolling tote, or even a wagon for all your finds. Look for rentable wagons and carts in the market. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone leave the grounds empty-handed. Since First Monday is said to have anything you can think of you’re bound to find plenty you want, need, or just can’t pass up. It is a shopping mecca after all.