10 great places for antiques shopping

— -- Shopping may be a favorite vacation pastime, but there's no reason to limit it to outlet malls and souvenir shops. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, stars of the History channel show American Pickers, say if you venture beyond the obvious places, you'll find something unique. "Everybody has a little bit of the treasure hunter in them," Wolfe says. He and Fritz share with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY some favorite cities for picking and browsing antiques stores and flea markets.

Nashville, Tenn.

Wolfe owns a shop in Nashville, a city he says is prime for picking. "There are a lot of regional things: pottery, folk art, face jugs, Coca Cola advertising. A lot of things you'd never see in New York." Shoppers should stroll the antiques mall in nearby Franklin or visit the monthly flea market at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. The informal sales are part of Southern life, he says. "It's cornbread, green beans and flea markets." 800-657-6910; visitmusiccity.com

LeClaire, Iowa

Wolfe owns a shop and lives in this small Mississippi River town, which has attracted a critical mass of antiques dealers and shoppers. "The show is bringing so many people into town," Wolfe says. "When there's one shop, it's hard to draw business, but when there are 10 to 15, they all come." 563-289-4242, ext. 1135; visitleclaire.com

Philadelphia

The historic port city is one of the best places in the country to find antiques and collectibles. "Philly is a treasure trove," Wolfe says. "People are renovating block after block and the most amazing things are coming out." You'll find good stock on the city's Historic Antique Row, or at the 30-acre Rice's Sale & Country Market in nearby New Hope, Penn. 800-537-7676, visitphilly.com

Red Wing, Minn.

Wolfe loves this city, and not only for its famous stoneware, which is popular with collectors. One of his greatest finds was a toy that shot off caps and was designed to look like President McKinley. He bought it for $17 and later sold it for $800. No guarantees, but you can begin your treasure hunt at shops in the city's Historic Pottery District. 800-498-3444; redwing.org

St. Louis

A historic river city and manufacturing center, St. Louis has all the ingredients for prime picking. Wolfe recommends visiting Cherokee Street in the Soulard neighborhood. "From one end to the other, it's full of antiques and junk shops. Nothing's dusted off. They're looking to flip things right away," Wolfe says. 800-916-0040; explorestlouis.com

Seattle

While Wolfe and Fritz are Midwesterners, they've recently ventured to the Pacific Northwest, a place good for maritime antiques, timber and cowboy items and commercial goods. Visitors can mix sightseeing and shopping by visiting the Seattle Antiques Market, near the Seattle Aquarium and the city's historic waterfront. 866-732-2695; visitseattle.org

Detroit

The Motor City offers a windfall for antiques hunters, particularly folks like Wolfe who love items with a transportation theme. "There was so much manufacturing based there," he says. Warehouse items often find their way to local shops. Russell Bazaar, for example, has 130 merchants in a 90,000-square-foot space. 800-338-7648; visitdetroit.com

Waxahachie, Texas