I gotta tell you: I love flea markets. I don’t even need to make a purchase, I just love the browsing and conversing with fellow flea-marketers. So you can well imagine how I felt during a recent visit to Toronto, Canada when I stumbled across Dr. Flea’s Indoor Flea Market, one of Toronto’s largest and most famous flea markets. Dr. Flea’s has been up and running for more than 9 years. In short this is the mother load of Flea markets. If you don’t believe me just ask my wife.
A Shopping Bonanza
Dr. Flea’s Indoor Flea Market boasts over 400 vendors. I can’t say for sure if that number is accurate or not. I know I tried counting the number of vendors and gave up after about 50 or so. What matters is that the range of goods and services is spectacular and the prices are low-low-low. What can you find? Maybe it’s better to ask what can’t you find.
There’s a little bit of everything: from children’s clothing to health products to DVD’s to electronics and more. There’s even a section of the flea market dedicated to “second hand” or garage-sale items. My personal favourite if you really want to know and one of the few areas where my wife can safely leave me alone for a few hours and not worry about me. If it’s true that “One man’s garbage is another man’s gold” then this was truly the mother lode!
Farmer’s Market
You will probably get hungry after browsing among 1000’s of items on display at Dr. Flea’s Indoor Flea market, but don’t worry because you can easily segue into the Farmer’s Market. You will find a veritable cornucopia of fresh groceries, meat and bulk foods, as well as an assortment of international foods. And if the Farmer’s Market is not quite what you’re looking for than head over to the Food Court.
I know what you’re thinking; you travelled all the way to Toronto to see a Flea Market? Ok, I can sort of buy into what you’re selling me (no pun intended) but I’m pretty sure that you can find plenty of knick-knacks and other souvenirs and for a lot cheaper than you can shopping downtown.
Getting There
Dr. Flea’s Flea Market is open Year Round, every Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm.
From Buffalo N.Y. or Niagara Falls: I’m temped to just tell you to “follow the signs” but what you really need to do is take the QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) which is what you’ll be travelling on as you go to Toronto. On the outskirts of the city look out for the Dr. Flea’s Market next exit sign (Finch Ave). Take that exit and then follow the signs. Trust me it’s easy. If i can find it, anyone can.
From Downtown Toronto – Again, jump on the QEW and head West to Hwy 427 North, look out for the Dr. Flea’s Market exit sign (Finch Ave).
Trust me when I tell you: I have been to the mountain and at the top I found Dr. Flea’s Indoor Flea Market. A great way to cap a visit to Toronto, Canada!