Everything first-timers, designers, and treasure hunters need to know — straight from the people who've actually been there.
If you're planning your first trip to the Round Top Antiques Show (or your fifth), you've probably fallen down the same YouTube rabbit hole I did. Vloggers in cowboy boots walking through dusty fields. Designers loading up U-Hauls. Pickers haggling over vintage Pepsi machines. Someone always crying over a piece that sold before they could get back to it.
I watched 19 of these videos — over six hours of Round Top content — from every angle imaginable: first-timers from Nashville, a boutique hotelier who's been shopping Round Top for 30 years, professional pickers hunting vintage signs, a reseller from Washington state, DIY furniture flippers, interior designers with client lists, a couple shopping for their vintage business, a Texas travel show, even a small-town tourism vlogger who just wanted to try the pie.
Here's what they all agree on, where they disagree, and the insider tips that kept showing up over and over again.
1. If You Love It, Buy It. Seriously. Everyone Says This.
This wasn't a suggestion — it was practically a warning. Fourteen out of 19 videos mentioned this, and several had personal horror stories.
One interior designer saw a Texas flag she loved at Marburger, walked away to think about it, came back the next morning — gone. A young couple buying for their cabin had the same experience with multiple chairs and furniture pieces. A mother-daughter design team bought a vintage Ralph Lauren leather sofa, and within 30 seconds of walking away, two other women were already asking the vendor about it.
One hotelier put it bluntly: identify it, mark it, because somebody comes behind you and writes a check and then somebody comes behind them and picks it up. A Marburger curator explained that items get ravaged on opening day. The brevity of the show is part of its beauty — but it means hesitation costs you.
The takeaway is simple: if it stops you in your tracks and the price is right, commit. You're not going to find it online later. And when something does catch your eye, use Round Top Finder's Notes feature to snap a quick photo with the price and vendor details — that way if you want to think it over for an hour, you have everything you need to come back and find it.
2. The Marburger Markup Is Real (And There's a Way Around It)
This was the most surprising thing I learned, and it came from a DIY furniture flipper who got the intel from locals.
Apparently, some vendors buy items from smaller shops along the corridor early in show week, then resell them at Marburger for two to three times the price. One documented example: paintings priced at $1,900 at a local shop appeared in the Marburger tents days later listed at $4,000.
The strategy? Shop the local venues and smaller fields at the beginning of the week, before the Marburger tents open. You'll find the same inventory at pre-markup prices.
Now, to be fair — the Marburger curator in the Homeworthy video made a compelling case for why the prices are justified. Vendors spend days creating elaborate booth displays that function as temporary art installations. Some ship containers from overseas. The curation, convenience, and sheer density of quality is part of what you're paying for. But if budget matters to you, working the smaller venues early in the week is the move.
This is where having Round Top Finder's venue directory loaded before you arrive pays off. You can filter venues by what's already open, check hours and opening dates, and build your route around the venues that open before the big-ticket shows — so you're always shopping at the right place at the right time.
3. You Need Way More Days Than You Think (But Not Too Many)
The consensus across 19 videos landed on a sweet spot: two to three days.
Two days if you're there to have fun and get inspired. Three days if you're seriously shopping for clients, a renovation, or a business. One designer who goes twice a year broke it down: Day 1 in Warrenton and the southern venues, Day 2 at Market Hill and Blue Hills, Day 3 at Marburger.
But here's the catch — multiple videos warned about Day 3 burnout. One young couple extended their trip and deeply regretted it. They described themselves as "antiqued out" and started disagreeing on everything. Another couple running a vintage business said their feet gave out by afternoon of Day 2.
The pattern is clear: plan for three days, but give yourself permission to tap out on Day 2 if your body says so. Bring a cooler with snacks — seven out of 19 videos said food is surprisingly hard to find when you're deep in the fields. And if you're going with friends or family, Round Top Finder's Spree feature lets you build a shared itinerary together — everyone adds their must-see vendors to one trip plan, and the app's Organize My Stops tool reorders your route to minimize driving time between them.
4. Comfortable Shoes Are Not Optional (This Is Not a Fashion Show)
Thirteen out of 19 videos mentioned footwear, which makes it possibly the most universal Round Top tip in existence. One local put it perfectly: you always know the people who've never been here before because they're not dressed to walk.
The show stretches 11 miles along Highway 237. Individual venues can be the size of football fields. You're walking on gravel, grass, caliche, and — if it's rained — mud. One designer changed from Chanel loafers to flip-flops by midday. A couple warned against "committing your fancy cowboy boots to walking around in a muddy cow pasture" after watching women in white boots that didn't look so white by the time they reached the venue.
Cowboy boots are the Round Top uniform, and you'll feel like a local wearing them. Just make sure they're broken in. Otherwise, tennis shoes or work boots are the move. Fashion is part of the experience — quilted jackets, yo-yo dresses made from vintage quilts, vintage hats — but your shoes need to be functional first.
5. Marburger Is the Main Event, But Don't Sleep on the Smaller Venues
Marburger Farm appeared in 14 of the 19 videos, and for good reason — it has 250-plus vendors across five football-field-sized tents, plus historic buildings and boutique spaces. Celebrities arrive by helicopter. Opening morning has thousands of people lined up by 7 AM. It's the heart of Round Top.
But some of the most enthusiastic recommendations were for venues most first-timers have never heard of. The Horseshoe was one couple's absolute favorite — they discovered an artist they'd been following on Instagram and called it "eye candy." A picker spent an entire video touring Warrenton fields like Dillard's, Tinstar, and a place literally called Dead People Stuff. A reseller got her best deals at a roadside pop-up flea market in Warrenton and a spot called Junk in the Trunk in Burton.
Bader Ranch got multiple mentions for its French and Parisian pieces, plus the sunset farm-table dining experience (reservations required). Market Hill was praised for having the most diverse vendor selection, plus the rare luxury of an on-site bathroom and lunch venue. Blue Hills keeps getting better each show according to designers who've attended for years.
The show extends well beyond Round Top proper into Warrenton, Burton, and Carmine. If you only hit Marburger and Blue Hills, you're seeing maybe a third of what's available. Round Top Finder's interactive map shows every venue — including the smaller Warrenton and Burton locations most visitors miss — with opening dates, parking info, facilities (restrooms! AC!), and directions. It's the fastest way to see what's around you that you didn't know about.
6. Art Is Expensive. Like, Really Expensive.
Several videos tried to prepare viewers for the sticker shock, and one couple was the most direct: you can't come to Round Top with a budget. If you come with a budget, it has to be hefty. You're not going to get a piece of art for less than two grand.
A mother-daughter team documented their experience hunting for a pastoral painting with sheep. Nothing under $1,000. They pivoted to cows — $1,100. Collectible original artwork from known artists started at $4,000. One dealer at Marburger had a Newport furniture piece valued in the seven figures.
But here's what multiple videos also showed: affordable finds absolutely exist. Hardware for furniture flipping at $2 a piece. European breadboards for $30. Vintage books for $4. Cowboy boots for $20 at pop-up flea markets. Perfume bottles marked down from $650 to $15. The key is knowing where to look — and it's usually not in the curated tent venues.
If you're on a budget, use Round Top Finder to filter vendors by category — you can zero in on exactly what you're looking for (hardware, textiles, jewelry) and skip the tempting-but-out-of-reach showrooms. The AI assistant can also help — try asking it something like "find me affordable vintage accessories in Warrenton" and see what it recommends.
7. Pairs Are Worth Three Times as Much (The Dealer's Secret)
This insight came from multiple antique dealers and it's one that most casual shoppers don't know. In the antiques world, a matching pair of anything — demilunes, commodes, mirrors, chairs — is worth roughly three times what a single piece would sell for.
One dealer in La Jolla told a story about a Venetian 18th-century painted piece he sold for $18,000 in the '90s. The pair later traded at $150,000. His rule: never split up a pair. Things have been together for 240 years. If you don't have a spot for both, give one to a relative — someone you can get it back from.
For shoppers, the takeaway is practical: if you find a pair you love, the premium over a single piece is almost always justified. And if a vendor is selling a single from what was clearly a pair, ask what happened to the other one.
Here's a trick for finding pairs: if you spot one piece you love, use Round Top Finder's Find Similar feature. Snap a photo from the vendor's gallery, tap "Find Similar," and the AI searches across all vendor collections for visually similar items. You might find the match at a completely different venue.
8. Shipping Is Easier Than You Think
One of the biggest mental barriers to buying large pieces at Round Top is the "how do I get this home" question. Turns out, the vendors have this figured out.
At Marburger alone, there's on-site UPS with trade accounts, a company called Distinguished Transport that specializes in the antique show world, on-site porters to help carry things to your car, and local custom crating services. One dealer mentioned You Ship, which works like a reverse eBay where shippers bid to transport your piece (lowest bid wins). Multiple dealers handle shipping themselves — one drives pieces to clients personally when the sale justifies it. International shipping to London, Paris, and Hong Kong was described as "very, very easy" by a 32-year veteran dealer.
Several videos recommended renting a U-Haul or bringing a car hauler if you're driving distance. One interior designer from Fort Lauderdale drove 20 hours with a car hauler. But if you're flying in, buying something large isn't the logistical nightmare it seems.
Round Top Finder lists shipping and delivery services in the Services directory, filtered by service area (local, regional, statewide, or nationwide). You can line up a shipper before you even arrive so when you find that perfect armoire, you already know who to call.
9. The VIP Tickets Are Probably Not Worth It
This one was controversial — most "tips" articles push you toward VIP or early admission tickets. But several video creators disagreed.
A couple shopping for their vintage business was blunt: don't purchase the VIP tickets. They bought the Big Red Barn early admission ($40 for two), went in early, and were in and out in an hour and a half. The VIP parking was worse, the lines were worse, and the pressure of crowds pushing from behind made it hard to actually look at things. Their advice: go to the Big Red Barn the day after it opens, when crowds thin out, and save your money.
The Marburger curator offered a different perspective — the early admission ticket gives you first dibs and covers the rest of the show. Some designers love the opening morning rush and see it as part of the experience. A known stylist told her he likes the run — the competition is part of the fun.
If you're a serious buyer targeting specific high-demand items, early admission may be worth it. If you're exploring and inspiration-seeking, skip it. Check Round Top Finder's Calendar page for exact opening dates and times for each venue — many visitors don't realize venues open on different days, which means you can hit some shows before the big crowds even arrive.
10. Round Top Fashion Is Its Own Thing
I didn't expect fashion to be a recurring theme, but it absolutely is. Round Top has developed its own aesthetic: think quilted jackets made from vintage quilts, yo-yo dresses repurposed from antique blankets, vintage Stetsons, handmade jewelry from repurposed antique components, and of course, cowboy boots everywhere.
One vendor at Blue Hills, Natalie Lindsay, makes dresses and skirts from vintage yo-yo quilts and was described as the "straight from the airport" first stop for designers. The Homeworthy host got fully styled in Round Top fashion within her first hour. A vintage clothing dealer at Marburger was selling 1940s–1980s western wear, including pristine 1930s silk slips and 1950s box purses.
Several designers noted that what you wear is part of the Round Top experience. But locals and repeat visitors consistently warned: dress cute if you want, but make sure it's functional. You're walking miles in fields. Beauty and blisters are not a good combination.
Fun feature: Round Top Finder's Style Match tool lets you upload a photo of your outfit and find vintage accessories, jewelry, and scarves from Round Top vendors that complement your look. It's like having a personal stylist for your Round Top wardrobe.
11. The Vendors Are the Best Part
Across 19 videos, the most memorable moments weren't about the stuff — they were about the people selling it.
A Louis Vuitton trunk dealer from Paris showed a 1903 trunk with its original cover, hand-written packing list from the original owner, and a ribbon cage designed to hold women's hats during transatlantic travel. A high-end Americana specialist explained that sailor's valentines were never actually made by sailors — they were made in Barbados for American trade. A barbecue cook at Lonear in Warrenton has been at the same spot since 1982. A quilted clothing maker joked about her work output: you think if I had a spouse, I'd get this much work done?
Several videos recommended getting business cards from vendors you like and circling their location on the venue map. Many vendors only do this show — they don't have stores or websites. The relationships you build at Round Top can lead to deals, first access at the next show, and even gifts. One couple had an artist they'd collaborated with gift them a piece as a thank-you.
This is exactly the problem Round Top Finder was built to solve. Our vendor directory gives every vendor a permanent, searchable listing — so even the ones who only do this show once a year can be found, favorited, and followed. Favorite the vendors you love, and their updates will appear in your My Feed before the next show. No more lost business cards.
12. It's Not Just About Antiques
Two of the 19 videos weren't about the antique show at all — they were about Round Top as a year-round destination. And what they revealed surprised me.
Festival Hill is a world-class concert venue with a 1,000-seat hall that took 25 years to handcraft with 10,000 hand-turned wooden diamonds. It hosts a summer orchestral program with 90 student musicians from around the world, weekly concerts, and monthly performances August through April. The Daytripper host called it one of the most magical moments on his show. A small-town vlogger compared the building to Hogwarts.
Royers Round Top Cafe has been serving gourmet comfort food and world-famous pies for over 30 years. The pecan pie was described by one reviewer — a Texan who's been eating pecan pie since childhood — as the best he's ever tasted. Junk Gypsy, the HGTV stars, have their permanent headquarters there. There's a local nanobrewery, meadery, wineries, and a mercantile that functions as the town's everything-store.
Round Top has a population of 90 people. But it has enough going on year-round that planning a non-show visit — especially for the food and music — is genuinely worth it. Round Top Finder covers dining, lodging, and services beyond just the antique show — because the best trips to Round Top aren't just about what you buy.
The Bottom Line
After 19 videos and every possible perspective, here's what I'd tell someone heading to Round Top for the first time:
Go for two to three days. Bring comfortable shoes, a cooler of snacks, sunscreen, and a hat. Drive the corridor the day before to scout venues. Start at the smaller fields early in the week for the best prices. Hit Marburger and Blue Hills when they open, but don't skip the Warrenton and Burton venues. If you see something you love, buy it — it won't be there tomorrow.
Bring a measuring tape and photos of your rooms. Get business cards. Follow vendors on Instagram before you go. And leave room in your budget for something you didn't know you needed until you saw it in a cow pasture in the middle of Texas.
That's how 19 YouTube creators — from pickers to designers to first-timers — all said the same thing in different words: Round Top is overwhelming, exhausting, expensive, and absolutely worth it.
Download Round Top Finder before your trip — browse vendors from your couch, build your itinerary, save your favorites, and show up knowing exactly where to start. The treasure hunt is better when you have a map.
See you at the Spring Show.
Round Top Finder — Discover vendors, plan your trip, and find your next treasure. Available on web, iOS, and Android.
