One of the best ways to get to know a city is to explore the local markets. It’s also a cheap way to pick up quality products instead of going to the grocery store. I bought a pound of cherries from a farmers market in Split and I swear they were the best I’ve ever had. Here are some of my other favorite farmers markets.
Atlanta, Georgia
The Sweet Auburn Curbside Market first opened in 1918 and sells fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, meat and seafood. You can get every unlikely cut of meat and every ocean creature, even though Atlanta is hours from the ocean. There are also restaurants like Grindhouse Killer Burgers and Bell Street Burritos. Open Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm. Parking is available. You can take MARTA to the Five Points station and walk five blocks down Edgewood Avenue.
- 209 Edgewood Avenue, (404) 659-1665
Charleston, South Carolina
My favorite weekly event was the Saturday Charleston Farmer’s Market, noshing on crepes and picking up a few necessities for the week from local farms. Located in Marion Square, there is live music and entertainment for the kids, local crafts, food stalls and fresh produce. There are parking decks available near Marion Square, but the market is within walking distance from major hotels. Open Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm from April to December.
- King and Calhoun streets, (843) 724-7305
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville Farmers’ Market has farm sheds, restaurants, shops and a flea market. Not all vendors will be at the market every day, so Saturdays and Sundays are the best time to go. The facilities are open every day, but merchant hours vary, so check the website before going. The farmers market is located near the Bicentennial Mall State Park and parking is available. You can take the Music City Circulator Blue Line for free.
- 900 Rosa Parks Boulevard, 615-880-2001
Santa Monica, California
The Santa Monica Farmer’s Market was an unexpected part of my trip to Los Angeles. My CouchSurfing host took me there on the one sunny day I was in town. There were prepared foods, like pizza and pancakes, as well as fruits and vegetables like the romanesco above. It’s open rain or shine, year round, but changes location depending on the day. Wednesdays the market is open from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, 8:30 to 1 pm on Saturdays and 9:30 pm to 1 pm on Sundays. Flights to Los Angeles are reasonably priced and you can take the Big Blue Bus to Santa Monica from downtown. Paid parking is also available nearby.
- Arizona Avenue between 4th and Ocean (Wednesdays and Saturdays), 2200 Virginia Avenue (Saturdays) and 2640 Main Street (Sundays), (310) 458-8411
Kona, Hawaii
Kona, a city on the Big Island of Hawaii, has the Kona Farmers Market, also known as the Kailua Village Farmers and Crafts Market. There is a great selection of locally grown produce, jewelry, flowers and the famous Kona coffee. It’s the idea place to buy your souvenirs and is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 7 am to 4 pm.
- Alii Drive and Hualalai Road
Adelaide, Australia
While Adelaide doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of other Australian cities, the Adelaide Central Market is where you will find gourmet cheeses, fruit and vegetables, nuts, coffee, baked goods, meat, poultry and seafood. It’s open from Tuesday to Saturday from 7 am. You can take the tram and connect to the connector bus or drive and park on Gouger Street. It’s within walking distance of the CBD.
- 44-60 Gouger Street, (08)8203 7494
I love farmer’s markets, it’s one of my favourite parts of traveling.