How to Go Antiquing in the Southern States

The southern states offer some of the best antiquing in the country, and many of the old southern cities have entire streets featuring shops for browsing and finding bargains. Southern style, culture and history permeate any antiquing expedition in this part of the country, whether it's around the corner, a special buying trip or an activity as part of a vacation.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• City maps of antiquing destinations in southern states
• “Cotton and Quail Antique Trail" antiques publication

1. Find the antique districts in southern cities. Some of them are quite famous such as the King Street and Broad Street areas of Charleston, or the Royal and Chartres area of New Orleans. Other cities are following suit.

2. Look for show dates. Antiquing in southern states is fun at auctions, home shows and exhibitions where many dealers come together in one place. The Antique Trader lists shows and sales by state and date.

3. Follow the history trail in the southern states. There are tours of historical sites where you see the antiques in their original setting, learn something about styles and then know what you are looking at in stores and shows.

4. Plan an antiquing trip through a specific region. Travel agents and southern magazines offer many ideas for antiquing trips. Put together stops that allow lots of time for browsing and following leads from local experts once you arrive.

5. Buy a copy of "Cotton and Quail Antique Trail." Many experts say this is the best guide to antiquing in the southern states. It contains locations, pricing and the hot items. The cost is modest.

6. Watch for provenance. Southern antiques made in the United States are mixed with European ones, some of which were bought by long-ago residents and some of which are recently imported. This all affects price, so look and buy carefully, and ask where things came from (and when).

Tips & Warnings

• Southern magazines often feature stories about antiquing spots, special shops and destinations.

Resources

• Southern Living often features an antiquing destination in its magazine.
• Eurolux is a major purveyor of European antiques in the southern states.
• Southern Accents Architectural Antiques in Alabama has many unique items.
• Purchase antiquing books at the Southern Belle Super Antique Mall website.