My Favorite Tips for Sourcing in Round Top, Texas
- Mar 17
- 8 min read
Before I moved to Houston some twenty five plus years ago, I'll be honest, I'd never even heard of Round Top, Texas. What really put it on the map was the Round Top Antique Show which started back in the late 60s. If you love history you can read about its provenance here.
In case you aren't familiar with Texas geography, Round Top is {relatively} centrally located between Austin and Houston...about 90 minutes from either. While there are some permanent shops set up for business year round, twice a year this sleepy town and surrounding areas come to life for a few weeks as design vendors from all over the country make their way to Texas to sell their wares, (quite similar to design markets like High Point Market if you think about it).
They have it all y'all, from antiques to new items to custom furniture and everything in between and as I tell my kids and clients alike, its one of those places where you never know what you're going to find! Today I'm sharing my favorite tips for sourcing in Round Top!
What to Wear in Round Top
You probably know by now that Round Top happens twice a year in spring and fall. What does that mean to you if you're traveling here? Plan for anything, rain or shine, especially when it comes to what to wear in Round Top.
Here's the deal about the weather in Texas, specifically around these parts, in case you didn't know. It's generally hot, hotter, or hotter than hell (I'm only halfway joking). Wait five minutes and the weather is bound to change. I wish I were joking when I say that but it's true. In both the fall and spring during the Round Top show, it can get chilly here.
Round Top is right in the middle of country farm fields so a lot of the time you'll be in open fields, with not a lot of tree cover...think hot, sunny, and dusty so be sure to take boots or shoes you don't mind getting dirty or even ruined, regardless of the weather. You'll thank me later.
Actually, let me rephrase that. I would highly advise bringing comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. Sure there are ladies who come in their pretty heels or sandals and get all dolled up in beautiful flowy fancy dresses, I will tell you too that I hear a lot of them swearing at themselves by the end of the day, vowing to wear shorts/jeans and sneakers the next time. Personally I'm all about comfort when it comes to what to wear but bottom line: You do you!
Oh and I should mention the rando surprise rain. I keep a pair of rain boots in the car just in case. If you have room I'd pack a small umbrella if you can and honestly a disposable poncho isn't a bad idea either. I've been caught in some major rainstorms, especially in the spring.
I just got back from a weekend in Round Top. Saturday and Sunday were both hot and sunny in the mid-80s to lower 90s but by Sunday afternoon a front rolled in bringing extreme winds, rain, and chilly temps that fell into the 40s overnight.
Bottom line: Prepare for the unexpected when it comes to weather (bring layers) and wear what you're comfortable in especially when it comes to your feet! You've been warned.
Where to Stay in Round Top
One thing to know about this and, really any, of the trade shows, is that planning ahead will always pay off. Depending on how big your travel party is you might consider what we did once for a designer reunion with 10+ people and rent a local house house on VRBO or Airbnb. Mind you we booked months ahead of time so we had a ton of options to choose from and it was totally worth it! If you're booking last minute and don't find something close in to Round Top you might consider expanding your search to nearby towns like Brenham.
If you're flying in, Austin and Houston are about equidistant from Round Top but because of the location of our two main airports here in Houston, it is technically a little less of a drive to RT if you fly into Austin. For me personally its about 90 minutes door to door to Round Top to give you a sense of timing. Depending on where you're flying in from, you may get better flight times or flight options in one airport over the other. Do your research!
As far as hotels go out that way, there are a few I've spotted over the years and kept note of to pass along to friends but have not stayed in myself:
Round Top:
Do your due diligence and check out their websites or TripAdvisor to get the real 411 from recent visitors. You can also check out more lodging choices here. This website is also a great way to find unique places to stay in and around Round Top.
Where to Eat in Round Top
Back when I first started visiting Round Top, there were barely any choices when it came to food. We actually used to pack food in coolers and enjoy tailgates every afternoon after long days of sourcing. These days there are super cute places to eat like this one in Brenham where we had the best pizza and truffle fries...I mean so good, I would make the trip just to eat lunch there. In Round Top proper, I also highly recommend Lulu's for luxe fine dining as a fun treat after walking miles and miles around during your treasure hunt. You can find suggestions for other places to eat here.
Designer Tip: A recent favorite find just this past weekend was Jardin de France Round Top. We had a delicious charcuterie board and spirits and it was both delicious and delightful in the most beautiful surroundings. Highly recommend.
What to Bring to Round Top
People always ask me what to bring to Round Top and over the years I've gotten it down to a science.
Bring sunscreen and use it generously! It's all open fields with various vendors set up, so you're in the sun more than you think. Even in the fall you can catch a lot of sun.
Big Tip: Cell service is also iffy, so your battery will drain fast - portable battery pack chargers are a must for your time here!
Bring a phone car charger cord especially if you're traveling in a friend's car or a rental. You can thank me later. A dead phone is useless for these trips in the countryside when you want to send photos for approval!
Designer Tip: I highly encourage you to put your phone in airplane mode while you're walking around too. Otherwise your phone searching for signals is going to deplete your battery in a hot second in the fields of RT. Cell reception has improved drastically over the years but still, sometimes it's an issue so be forewarned.
Bring cash! Having cash always helps here. It may be hard to find an ATM machine anywhere remotely close, but most places accept credit cards although they may charge you an extra 3% to cover their card merchant fees hence the aforementioned cash. Some vendors accept checks as well, but have options for yourself.
Other Favorite Round Top Tips:
Check the schedule for Round Top online before you go. Since the pandemic, the schedule seems to have been extended. Some vendors will have "soft openings" prior to pre-official show dates so I always triple check dates before I make my plans. I even check social media accounts of specific vendors I love just to be sure they're even showing and to verify their location as vendors do move locations occasionally.
If you go with friends, have a rundown in the morning of what you're all looking for. If you're looking on one side of an aisle, the thing you want may be right across the way, and you would totally miss it! Multiple eyes are always helpful in these situations.
You never know what you're going to find when you shop Round Top. I've seen crazy things like a vintage airplane and an antique carousel for sale before - so come in with your shopping wish list as well as an open mind...and also know that you might find something that will take a lot of logistics and an additional shipping budget to get back home! Ask the show vendor and they'll more than likely be able to hook you up with at least one company that can ship anywhere. Remember, the bashful go hungry, so ask away.
If you have a plan for specific items you want for yourself or a client, bring measurements of the space and photos. The shop owner could possible be a designer themselves and can talk you through an item and whether it can fit and most will have measuring tapes as well. Just ask or bring your own. You don't have to, but it sure helps in busier shops when all of theirs are being used.
Some places do charge for parking. It ranges from free to $5 and up to around $20 at venues like Marburger so be prepared and again, bring some cash.
We've talked about food and where to eat in Round Top up above, and thankfully there are more and more food available on premises every time I go. That said, if you have your car with you, or a rental car, I do suggest bringing a cooler with cold water and snacks or quick bites so you can snack and hydrate between vendor stops or while charging your phone. #restandeatwhenyoucan
My Personal Favorite Places to Shop in Round Top in 2026
I don't know that I've ever shared a list of my personal favorite places to shop in Round Top and because sharing is caring, here's my official list as of 2026, in no certain order. I've included links for each so you can dive a little deeper as you like before you go or as you go. Most have vendor lists for each place as well as addresses to plug into your phone for directions.
Designer Tip: If you're local and driving in for Round Top, I like to drive to the end of the main Round Top road of stops I have planned for the day, and work my way back home towards Houston during my time there, so I'm not fighting against traffic every step of the way.
Market Hill: ( M. Naeve and Amelia Tarbet are always swoon worthy stops here)
Blue Hills: forever in my heart known as where I spotted Anderson Cooper getting his Round Top on but I digress...Maps & Art and Leftovers are must-not-misses here
The Horseshoe: I could spend all day here (and I did on Saturday, ha!) Bonus: they have a little sandwich shop and a bar on site. You're welcome.
Excess Fields: Lots to take in while at Excess I & II, some well displayed and some more like a treasure hunt. Either way, you never know what you'll find and I've found some real treasures at Excess so its always a favorite stop along the way.
These are just a few of my current favs so far this season but here's one final tip...I always stop at at least one new to me place every trip. I let my gut be my guide since it's never steered me wrong. Designer Tip: if you find something you love along the way at a certain shop, ask the vendor if they have other places they'd recommend you pop by to check out. As they say "the bashful go hungry" so ask away! And then message me with the tip to share the love!
If you ever find yourself in Round Top, keep an eye open for me and be sure and say hello!
