Round Top, Texas, has a population under 100. But twice per year, during the Round Top Antiques Fair, over 100,000 people—including design icons like Kelly Wearstler, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, and Joanna Gaines—descend upon the tiny town to dig through treasures large and small. (A smaller show in January also draws a crowd, even if not at the scale of the spring and fall events.) The fair started in 1968 with just a few vendors in a single barn focused on classic American antiques, and though it has grown to stretch across 17 miles of highway in the almost 60 years since, its original essence is still very much alive and well, carried on by antique and vintage lovers who believe in the power of finding unique pieces and bringing them into your space. The event can be overwhelming for newbies, so it’s best to come prepared—here’s everything you need to know before you hit the show, which kicks off its spring edition later this month.
What, when, and where
Round Top is located around an hour from both Austin and Houston, and the fair is held three times per year, in January, March, and October. Though the smaller winter show has already passed, the grander spring edition runs March 27 to April 1. To get the real cream of the crop, you might be better off bookmarking “Designer Day”—an early shopping event—on March 26 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. In the fall, the fair will be held from October 16 to 21, with Designer Day on October 15.
The fair is home to about 80 venues (or “shows”) that stretch across 17 miles of Texas State Highway 237. It could take a full week to thoroughly examine just one venue, much less the whole lot of them—so it pays to plan ahead.
What to know about the show
Besides its sheer size, what’s special about Round Top is that it doesn’t focus on any specific style or era of decor—in fact, that’s probably its main selling point. You don’t have to be looking for anything in particular to find something you love, and if you’re on the hunt for something specific, you can bet you’ll find it buried amongst the seemingly endless acres of tents, barns, and stalls. Heading to Round Top this spring? Here are a few things you’ll want to do to guarantee a productive visit.
Rent a car
As mentioned, the fair stretches across 17 miles of a state highway, so it’s imperative that you have a car. (It is Texas after all.) Unlike other large antique fairs and flea markets, Round Top is spread across multiple venues and is therefore not walkable or bike-friendly.
Pack comfortable shoes
Though you’ll be driving between venues, expect to get your steps in as you wander around each show. The terrain consists of grass, gravel, mulch, and rock, and many of the pathways aren’t paved, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. In true Texas fashion (pun intended), cowboy boots are always acceptable attire, of course.
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Research the venues and dealers beforehand
Round Top is so big it’s hard to tackle it all in one trip—even for experienced attendees. Mark Dooley, co-owner of venues Excess I and Excess II (as well as his own antiques business, North Star Antiques), recommends following each of the venues’ Instagram accounts so you can start to scope out some of the dealers you might want to visit. The accounts often post updates on who will be joining for the upcoming season and even post sneak peeks of what their dealers might be bringing. If you’re on the hunt for something specific, he also recommends reaching out to dealers directly to get an idea of price points and inventory. “The more legwork you can do before, the better experience you’ll have,” he explains. “You’re under a major learning curve the first time you come here because there’s just so much to see.”
It’s also important to remember that each of the venues is owned and operated separately, so you should have an understanding of how each one works before heading there. Some of them require tickets for admission; others are open for you to wander; you can pay for early admission at certain venues so you have access to inventory before general admission ticket holders; some have parking on-site, and others require you to walk a bit to the entrance. Unfortunately there isn’t a central directory to track down this information so it requires quite a bit of research beforehand.
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Carry cash
Many dealers only accept cash, so it’s good to have some on hand. Plus, if you’re comfortable negotiating, a dealer might be a little more flexible on price if you’re able to pay in dollar bills.
Plan for weather
“Round Top’s ever-changing weather calls for versatile packing, ensuring you’re prepared for any climate,” notes Teressa Foglia, designer and founder of Teressa Foglia Millinery. She has been showcasing her custom and ready-to-wear collections of hats at Round Top, and currently has a showroom at the venue The Horseshoe. The temperature and precipitation can vary wildly from day to day, so wear and bring layers that can be shed or added as the day goes on.
Where to stay
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