Buying well in Wells means buying antiques. Route 1, running through the heart of town, passes myriad houses peddling vintage wares—the good, the bad, and the overpriced. One promising cooperatively run destination is Wells Union Antiques (1755 Post Rd./Rte. 1, 207/646-6612, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. daily), with nine dealers in one locale selling everything from vintage children’s books and paintings by 1920s American artists to Depression glass and old records.

Feel like your home is missing something? Could that something be a sleigh? Look no further than Elaine’s Sleighs & Buggies (1318 Post Rd., 207/646-7267, call for hours). The selection ranges from vintage wooden farm carts to fancy and elegant painted little trolleys.

Formal and country antiques at fair prices are on display at R. Jorgensen Antiques (502 Post Rd., Rte. 1, 207/646-9444, www.rjogensen.com, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; noon–5 p.m. Sun.).

Antiques fanatics and bibliophiles alike delight in the selection at East Coast Books (Depot Rd. & Rte. 109, 207/646-0416, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. daily Apr.–mid-Oct.), a jumble of rare and historical publications and artwork.

Not to be missed by nautical enthusiasts is The Lighthouse Depot (Rte. 1, 207/646-0608, www.lighthousedepot.com, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sun. late May–mid-Oct.; limited off-season hours), purportedly the globe’s largest gift store dedicated exclusively to lighthouse-centric items. Pick up a lighthouse calendar, a lighthouse magnet collection, or crystal lighthouse-shaped salt and pepper shaker sets. Whether you’re buying or not, the comprehensive stock’s worth a peek.