For the one person reading this that doesn’t know about Round Top, here’s the Cliff’s Notes version: It’s an adorable little Texas town that was founded in 1831, that is home to the twice-yearly antique show called Round Top Antiques Fair. The fair started in 1968, and has grown into a destination that is heralded by designers all over the country.
Mother Nature was smiling upon us in our part of Texas this year during the spring show (Round Top is about an hour from where I live!), so I couldn’t resist making the trip to take in the sights, and I’m so glad I did.
The festival itself is huge, with antique dealers and white tents lining the road for what seems like miles (I looked it up and actually it spans 22 miles in total!). The town of Round Top isn’t large at all, population 90 folks! But there are a several different shows that are sprinkled down Highway 237. I snapped a few photos in the tents at Marburger Farm, which is definitely the largest show with more than 350 dealers from around the world. You will find everything from jewelry to art to boots to furniture to architectural elements. Literally all the things. That said – what will blow you away is the way the dealers bring their A game with their booth displays. They know their audience, and it shows:
Last fall, my friend Katy introduced me to Warrenton, a little area up the road a bit from Round Top. It has more of a hippie/boho vibe – it’s home to the treasure trove that is Zapp Hall Antique Show – the land of plenty. Plenty of libations to wet your whistle, live music in the evenings, and delicious eateries like Royer’s Round Top Cafe at Zapp Hall (don’t miss it). You just can’t help but feel happy as you stroll through the eclectic booths and fields… this section of Round Top beats to its own drummer. Your wallet and your spirit will both be lighter when you leave this place.
Because I am a country mouse, and because it was the most perfect sunny-but-mild spring day, my very favorite part of the entire trip was the drive up Highway 237 to get to Round Top. It doesn’t feel like a highway, it feels more like a paved two lane country road that contains more beauty than your eyeballs can hold. Props to the good people of Round Top, for maintaining the wide open spaces of small town Texas in a way that made me feel like Laura Ingalls herself.
I can’t begin to cover it in a single blog post, but the takeaway is this – get yourself to Round Top if you can. It’s pretty special. Here’s a link to get you started: http://www.exploreroundtop.com