For many, “antiquing” is one of the best excuses for a road trip. Not only do you get to take a long drive in the country, but you can stop at one roadside store after another, browsing displays for your next vintage find. Antiquing lies at the intersection of travel, history, and shopping; time-tested wares are the main reason to come, yet the shops themselves may occupy vintage storefronts, converted barns, or even private homes, making the environments just as fascinating as their stock. Hunting for old items often means getting close and personal with a given community.
That’s the idea behind Indiana’s Antiques Alley, an established loop through Wayne and Henry Counties, just east of Indianapolis. There are lots of famous antiquing routes through the American heartland, including these 10 best Midwest destinations, but Antique Alley boasts an astonishing 1,200 different dealers. The stores are scattered along about 66 miles of scenic byways and clustered in a handful of small towns. You can theoretically use Interstate 70 to beeline from one end to the other, but the circuit is designed for more immersive travel; you can cover these secondary highways and country roads in a day, or you can stay overnight in one of many local hotels. If you’re already on the lookout for the best Midwest destinations, this is one region that’s worth visiting more than once.
Antique Alley: geography and attractions
The Antique Alley brochure recommends you start in Richmond, a sizable commercial center of about 35,000 residents. Richmond is the largest population center on the itinerary, and it’s a logical base camp for exploring the region. From there, you can drive west to Cambridge City, which is well known as Antique Alley’s “hub”; 13 respected antique shops are based in this town of about 1,700 people. This includes the National Road Antique Mall, a shared emporium in the middle of town that houses no fewer than 100 antique dealers and their aged treasures. Even the most casual collector could spend hours rummaging through the tightly packed stalls.
The route continues to Knightstown (pop. 2,200), which also boasts both antique shops and its own Glass Cupboard Antique Mall. From here, shoot up to the towns of New Castle and Hagerstown; they don’t have the same volume of antiquing (one main store each), but it’s a great motivation to drive pastoral country motorways like State Road 38. On your way, you can stop for a bite at a range of local eateries: The Ink & Ale Brewhouse in New Castle is a popular spot for craft beer and live music, while Block & Brew steakhouse in Knightstown serves Wangyu beef and bison burgers…