Gallup Flea Market: Antiques, Native American Jewelry, Car Parts and Fry Bread

People watching includes
admiring the cute kids

I've heard about the Gallup Flea Market for years. So on my four-day trip to the Gallup area I put the Gallup Flea Market at the top of my list. And I found a great place to go on a treasure hunt.

The Gallup Flea Market is scheduled for Saturdays, with the first Saturday of the month, a more happening time to go. Some resources indicate the market is also open, on a smaller scale, on weekdays.

We went the first Saturday in October. The market opens when the first vendors arrive, close to 8 a.m. We went at 9 a.m. and found plenty of interesting vendors with many more opening up later in the morning.  The author of this fun "Haul Video" suggests arriving after 10 a.m.

Gallup Flea Market Treasures
Four of us, with four different reasons for going to the flea market, had a wonderful time. When we first got there, we noticed people purchasing bales of hay, car parts and tires. As we walked down the rows of tables we found such interesting treasures:

One great find was this string
of Sterling beads or, as the locals call
them, Navajo pearls

- An ancient-looking cow hide trunk. My friend thought it dated to the 1800's and belonged in a museum
- Navajo dolls made by an elderly Navajo woman. I think these were the best made dolls I have seen. Cost: $10 for a pair

- Large Sterling handmade beaded necklace quickly snapped up by my jewelry artist friend for a reasonable $60.
- Navajo-made two strand necklace with spiny oyster beads reasonably priced at $20 (after I asked for a reduced price)
- The best jerky in New Mexico, according to my friend, was offered in many flavors and went for $5.00 a bag.
- An old cast iron figure of a miner, snapped up by another friend for $10.00
- Sodas and water for 50 cents.
- Local honey
- Navajo tea and herbal cures
- Zuni inlay jewelry
- Horno bread
- Roasted corn
- Delicious-looking tacos, fry bread, tamales, bar-b-que

There were tables with rocks and minerals, antique tools, Navajo traditional clothing, Indian jewelry, antiques, household junque, and several litters of puppies.

Hand made Navajo dolls - $5.00 each.

 People watching was out of this world. It is fun to see what the locals buy and this is a local market, not a tourist market. That is why it was so attractive. The vendors sell primarily to the Native American families from the area. The market had a carnival atmosphere with families walking along eating roasted corn ears, looking at CD's, buying produce and stopping for an early hot lunch.

Recommendations
I highly recommend a visit to the Gallup Flea Market for some local flavor and shopping fun. We all agreed there were bargains to be had. None of us were shy about asking for a reduced price.

Be sure and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. You will be outside. Wear closed toed shoes as it is dusty. And when it rains, people complain of the mud.

Bring cash. Some vendors took checks and just a few took credit cards.

When You Go
The market is located off NM Highway 491 on the East side of 9th Street. It is accessible from I-40. Take exit 20 and head north. Turn right on West Lincoln Avenue, then proceeding to 9th Street, then turning Left and proceeding North up 9th Street, the market is on your right.  Map

Parking is free.

 Phone Number: 505.722.9857

Gallup Flea Market Website

Facebook Page
Instagram

Photo Credit: Elizabeth R. Rose