Visit a Beautiful Countryside Filled with Historic Architecture and Vintage Antiques
Located in the heart Texas, the tiny town of Round Top is a hill countryside full of history worth experiencing
Photo courtesy of The Frenchie
Round Top is a tiny town north of Austin, in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, with charming historic buildings, beautiful countryside—and world-renowned antiques fairs. Multitudes descend on the town (population: 87) each spring and fall for the Round Top Antiques Show, to get their fill of one-of-kind décor and vintage pieces that are inspirational.
It’s hard to describe the scene for those who have not attended: Think equal parts Antiques Roadshow, fashion show, and carnival—and all parts fun! A variety of venues, including barns, tents and even hayfields, host glitzy casual fashions and fabulous finds of Round Top. The addition of some extremely sophisticated shops specializing in a combination of new, antique and rare, early 20th-century furniture makes the seasonal shows a favorite among celebrities like Kelly Wearstler, Jenny Lyons and Joanna Gaines, design elite and modern-day treasure hunters alike.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Lulu
According to locals, “It’s like spring break for adults”—if your dream of spring break consists of thousands of dealers selling a wide variety of sought-after goods over a 12-mile stretch. From European antiques to mid-century furniture, vintage jewelry and clothing to rare art and curated décor, this is the place to be.
“It’s become a haven for interior designers, experienced collectors and weekend warriors who love a one-of-a-kind piece,” says Lisa Gillette, owner and operator of Liesel Farms, a Provençal-inspired destination wedding and private event venue that looks and feels like you’re in Aix-en-Provence, France. Additionally, she sells curated European antiques and décor at Marburger Farms Antique Show each season. “The allure of Round Top lies in its ability to surprise and captivate, offering serendipitous finds that resonate with each individual who explores its vibrant marketplaces.”
Vintage meets modern at No. 1450 a well-appointed rental available at The Vintage Round Top. | Photo courtesy of The Vintage Round Top
It can be overwhelming to know where to go, when to go to each tent and who to look for, so you really need a seasoned guide to show you the ropes and offer tips for the “royal” Round Top experience. For those of you who opt to go on your own, here are some Round Top 101 hacks for planning your trip. (The fall show will take place Oct. 12–29, and the spring show will be March 14–31, 2024. There are summer and winter shows as well, but the spring and fall shows offer the largest selection, and the most robust experience.)
- Book your accommodations early. Like we said, Round Top is small.Hotels and bed and breakfasts fill up quickly during the seasonal shows, and the same goes for restaurants, so make some dinner reservations, too.
- Arrive early: The best deals are often found on the first day of the show.
- The sheer inventory at Round Top can be overwhelming. If an item has good bones and you can visualize giving it a new life, don’t dwell on it, just grab it.
- Be prepared for crowds, so pack your patience and a friendly smile.
- Be ready to bargain—dealers are always willing to negotiate, so practice your best poker face to play the game.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Photo courtesy of Liesel Farm
- Bring extra bags to schlep your loot to your car. If you strike gold, enlist one of the many shipping companies to deliver your goodies to your home.
- Bring a water bottle, hat and sunscreen—it’s hot and humid (at least it feels that way for us Coloradans) in Texas, so make sure to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the powerful sun.
- Allow plenty of time to explore. There’s never enough time to see everything, so tacking on a few extra hours, or even days, is the way to go. Plan on five hours of shopping each day and spread it out over four or five days if you can.
- Schedule time to relax and take in the scenery—the wild flowers in the spring and harvest colors in the fall are breathtaking.
- Have fun! The Round Top Antiques Show is a great way to find unique treasures and spend a weekend with friends or family.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Lulu
Where to Stay
This historic inn is in the heart of Round Top. It offers a variety of rooms and suites, all of which are decorated in traditional Texas style. There is also a restaurant, bar and a swimming pool.
Chic, boutique and well-appointed, The Frenchie is comprised of an 1890s farmhouse and a cottage, a newly built art studio and pool bungalows. The mix of old and new with posh amenities makes this one of the hottest spots in town.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Lulu
Hotel Lulu was designed as an escape that encourages guests to slow down, recharge and escape the buzz of the city. The property includes a pool, herb garden, formal garden, the hotel restaurant (Lulu’s) and an intimate cocktail bar (Il Cuculo).
Paige and Smoot Hull have put their design prowess to good use with their Vintage Round Top property, décor shop and curated events. The four Vintage Round Top cottages—No. 1450, Boho, and two studio-style units, Pierce and Eisley—are a mile outside town, on an acre-and-a-half of beautiful country pasture.
Photo courtesy of Liesel Farm
A Few of the Tents
This large, open-air, year-round venue hosts a wide variety of vendors selling vintage and new goods from furniture to jewelry to art. The rustic vibe and picturesque pole barns make it a truly Texas backdrop for sought-after vendors like Parham & Co., Hibiscus Linens and Old Glory Antiques.
Founded in 1999 by Curtis Ann Warren, this upscale interior design venue is known for its signature white tents on 100,000 square feet of outdoor space and is home to over 200 dealers from all over the world. It’s open year-round, hosting festivals, concerts, lectures and workshops. With a great selection of fine European and American furniture, quality rugs and linens, art and fashions, amazing treasures are sure to be found within these fields. Don’t miss the fashionable frocks from Brooke Wright, home décor from House of Broussard or the custom hat bar at Topped Hats.
The 7,000-square-foot timber frame barn filled with French antiques captures the magic of the rural countryside at Liesel Farms. | Photo courtesy of Liesel Farm
This 40,000-square-foot event space is a popular destination for wed- dings and festivals, and during the shows it hosts media, designers, an- tique dealers and artists like Sabine Maes, a notable abstract artist from Belgium. Delectable bites from chef Kevin Bryant and a Champagne Shack to toast the day bring a new take on the Round Top experience.
Home to over 25 vendors, including antique dealers, furniture stores, home décor retailers and restaurants, Market Hill is open year-round. With 135,000 square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment, this is great place to gather with friends and relax and shop in air-conditioned buildings. Painter and sculptor Paul Meyer calls Market Hills home along with Zap Props, The Architect’s Daughter and other designer favorites.
Photo courtesy of Hotel Lulu
With a variety of spaces—including five barns, a pavilion and a gorgeous garden—this 100-acre event-and-entertainment venue is picture-perfect Texas. Garden accessories from Modern Antiquarian, vintage military jackets with reclaimed Hermes scarves at Kneaded Fashion and mid-century barware from Seeing Pink Elephants are just a few of the bespoke finds at the Compound.
This historic 43-acre working cattle ranch transforms into one of the largest and most popular antique shows in the country every spring and fall, with over 300 dealers from all over the world. Known for their wide variety of highly curated vintage and antique furniture, home décor, jewelry and art, the dealers here are experts in their field and spend the year combing the globe for the most extraordinary array of antiques to present at Marburger. While interior designers and celebs tend to show up first thing, dealers replenish their booths continuously throughout the show. With nine tents and 10 historic buildings on the property, you are bound to find an array of items you just can’t live without.
Photo courtesy of Liesel Farm
Everything at Bader Ranch is hand-picked by French dealers Patrice Watine and Cyril Clerc, and their goods are shipped straight from France, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and elsewhere across Europe. In addition to the fine furniture and décor, the ranch is where you’ll find modern Ecuadorian hats from Sissy Light; gold and turquoise jewelry from Kate Swail; coastal wears from Lady Captain; and lounge chairs from Tupelo Goods. Grab a world-famous margarita from Mar- fa-based Lady Elaine Company (served from a vintage Airstream) and savor a five-star dinner created by Austin-based chef Nick Middleton of Y Comida. The best part: The magical sunset over the rural hayfield to end your day.
Final Tip: Before you go, connect with the Round Top Chamber of Commerce for the latest offerings and updated events at exploreroundtop.com.
