Route 90 - 50 Mile Garage Sale Verified listing

Nestled in New York's Finger Lakes region, the Route 90 - 50 Mile Garage Sale combines wine trails with yard sales. Vineyards provide a romantic backdrop for this highway yard sale along Route 90, a New York State Scenic Byway. Held the last full weekend in July, the annual event stretches from Montezuma in the north to the village of Homer at the southern end.

Claim dibs on favoured finds by being first in line. Official sale hours are 9am to 5pm each day, rain or shine. The Route 90 - 50 Mile Garage Sale, arguably one of the longest-running organised highway garage sales in the United States, began in 1987.

According to local legend, the sale began when a Cayuga County resident sold everything on his front lawn. Passersby not only shopped the yard, but also broke into his barn. Eager buyers snapped up old farm equipment and hand tools. Thus began the upstate New York rummage sale.

And the tradition of the homeowner turned dealer continues. By one private vendor's count, visitors from 26 states and Canada travel to Route 90 for the roadside sale. As the founders state, "everything from antique andirons to zebra prints and many other unexpected delights" can be expected. Travellers along the garage sale route can also find antique dolls and toys, vintage radios and assorted collectibles.

The Route 90 - 50 Mile Garage Sale is an ideal setting for outdoor antique shopping. Garage sale hunters can relax with a winery tour. Or indulge in the Cortland County Ice Cream Trail. In fact, sale shoppers can get a little bit of everything. As far as highway garage sales go, historic Route 90 is a treat for girlfriends and vintage enthusiasts alike.