Mile High Flea Market: Colorado's original open-air market in Henderson

If you are new to the north Denver suburbs and want a cheap day out, point your car toward Henderson on a weekend morning. The Mile High Flea Market has been running here since 1976, and it sprawls across 80 acres at the corner of I-76 and 88th Avenue. That is a lot of ground to wander.

The market calls itself Colorado’s original open-air market, and on a busy weekend you will find over 3,000 sellers laying out new and used goods, plus a year-round farmers market under the same gates. There are food stands, beer carts, a live music series, and a kids’ rides area with a roller coaster, bumper boats, and a bounce house. Colorado.com notes the market draws more than 1.5 million shoppers a year, so you will not be the only one browsing.

It is the kind of place where you go in for nothing in particular and walk out with a folding chair, a bag of chiles, and lunch. Bring cash, comfortable shoes, and a little patience for the crowd.

One thing to check first: the market runs on a weekend schedule, listed as Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., though seasons and holidays can shift things. Confirm the current days and hours on the official site before you go: https://milehighfleamarket.com/contact/about-us-history/