Everything You Need to Know Before Your First Trip to Texas' Legendary Treasure Hunt
So you've heard about Round Top. Maybe a friend came back with an incredible French armoire. Maybe you've seen the Instagram photos of designers in cowboy boots posing with vintage finds. Maybe you've been dreaming about it for years.
Whatever brought you here, welcome. You're about to experience something unlike any other antique show in the country — and possibly the world.
More than 100,000 people descend on this tiny Texas town twice a year for two weeks of treasure hunting across dozens of venues spread along an 11-mile stretch of Highway 237. It's overwhelming. It's exhausting. It's absolutely worth it.
Here's everything you need to know to make your first Round Top trip a success.
When to Go
Round Top happens twice a year:
- Spring Show: Late March through early April
- Fall Show: Late September through early October
Each show runs approximately two weeks, with different venues opening on different dates.
Pro tip: The weather is more pleasant in spring (cooler temperatures). The fall show can hit 90°F even in October — pack accordingly.
How to Get There
Fly into Austin (about 50 minutes to Round Top) or Houston (farther but still doable).
Rent a car. This is non-negotiable. There are no ride-share services, and the show is spread across 11 miles. You'll be driving between venues constantly.
Expect traffic. That 50-minute drive from Austin? It might take longer during show weeks. Everyone's headed the same direction.
Where to Stay
Book early. We cannot stress this enough. People book lodging months in advance — some book their next trip before they leave.
Options:
- Round Top itself (most convenient, books fastest)
- La Grange (20-minute drive, more availability, has grocery stores and pharmacies)
- Brenham (another nearby option)
If you book late, you'll likely end up in a nearby town. This isn't a disaster — it actually gets you away from the hustle at night.
Round Top Finder's Lodging directory lets you filter by type, bedrooms, amenities, and pet-friendliness. During show weeks, turn on Cancellation Alerts — you'll get notified instantly when a room opens up at the last minute, including premium properties that rarely have availability.
The Major Venues
Not all venues are created equal. Here are the ones everyone talks about:
Blue Hills
The crowd favorite. You could spend an entire day here and be perfectly happy. Multiple barns, countless vendors, food, coffee, drinks, sometimes live music. Something for everyone at every price point. Don't believe anyone who says it's overpriced — the best deals of the trip are often found here.
Marburger Farm
The prestigious one. Yes, there's an admission fee ($15). Yes, some things are expensive. But there are also incredible deals, especially in the tents. The vendors who travel in for the show (vs. year-round buildings) are much more negotiable. Five football-field-sized tents plus historic buildings. Allow a full day minimum.
Big Red Barn
Where it all started. The original show, over 50 years old. 120 vendors, 30,000 square feet, air conditioned. Great for silver, textiles, furniture, and expert vendors who can tell you the history of everything they sell.
The Compound
French antique heaven. Multiple buildings focused on European antiques. Great for dining tables, mirrors, decorative accessories, and unique French pieces you won't find elsewhere.
Excess 1 & 2
The treasure hunt. Storage unit-style spaces that roll up, each a different vendor. Not curated or beautifully merchandised — you dig. But that's where the magic happens. Great prices on unique furniture.
The Fields / Bar W Field
True thrifting. Flea market energy. The largest outdoor shopping venue with free parking. Best at the beginning of the show — by the end, it can feel picked over. Great for small treasures, vintage glass, linens, and $10 finds.
Market Hill
The curated experience. More spacious, easier to see everything. Beautiful vendors like Architect's Daughter, Provenance Antiques, and Susan Horn. Has a holiday tent (Paul Michael) that will make Christmas lovers' brains explode.
The Arbors
Fashion, jewelry, and girls' trip energy. Art, clothing, accessories. Not really furniture or antiques — this is where the shopping bags are full of wearables. Perfect for mother-daughter trips.
What to Bring
In Your Suitcase
- Layers — Texas weather is unpredictable
- Comfortable walking shoes — You'll walk 10+ miles per day
- Cowboy boots (optional but encouraged) — it's part of the experience
- Tank tops/sleeveless — fall shows can be 90°F
- Rain gear — just in case
In Your Bag
- Your phone (fully charged, portable charger recommended)
- Measurements from home — know the exact dimensions of spaces you're shopping for
- Water bottle — you'll need it
- Cash — some vendors prefer it, and you can sometimes negotiate better deals
- Sunscreen and hat — lots of outdoor shopping
The Measurements Thing
This is critical. Before you leave home:
- Measure that console table spot in your entryway
- Measure the wall where you want art
- Measure the space for a potential dining table
- Write it all down or save it in your phone
Nothing is worse than finding the perfect piece and not knowing if it fits.
Save your measurements in Round Top Finder's Notes feature before you leave home — that way they're always on your phone. You can also snap photos of items as you shop with the vendor name, price, and your own notes attached.
How to Shop
The Golden Rule
If you love it, buy it. It will not be there when you come back. This is the single most repeated piece of advice from everyone who's been to Round Top.
On Negotiating
Everything is negotiable, but context matters:
- Tent vendors who traveled for the show are more flexible
- Last days of the show bring better deals — vendors don't want to pack it up
- Year-round buildings with AC and nice displays = firmer pricing
- The smell test: "If it smells good and has air conditioning, it's expensive"
How to negotiate: Give vendors a hint on your target price. "I'd love to be around $X for a rug" — then let them work with you.
On Pairs
Pairs are worth three times as much as singles. Never split up a pair. If you only have room for one, give the other to a relative or friend you can get it back from later.
Shopping with Friends
Come with a group, split up at each venue, text each other finds. You'll cover more ground and catch things others might miss.
Even better — set up a Spree on Round Top Finder before your trip. Everyone in your group gets an invite code, adds their must-see vendors to a shared itinerary, and all changes sync in real time. When you're on the ground, tap Organize My Stops to get the most efficient driving route between them.
Shipping & Getting It Home
This is the question everyone asks: "How do I get a dining table back to Chicago?"
Options:
-
Drive with a trailer — Best if you're buying furniture and don't want to pay shipping
-
Rent a large vehicle — U-Haul, large SUV, van
-
Use shippers — Multiple companies serve Round Top:
- Distinguished Transport (known in the antique world)
- You Ship (bid system, often great prices)
- UPS (on-site at some venues for smaller items)
- Individual vendors often have preferred shippers
-
Fly with an extra suitcase — Great for fashion, jewelry, small accessories
Pro tip: Set up shipping before you arrive. Get quotes, know your options, have a shipper's number in your phone. You don't want to find the perfect piece and then scramble. Round Top Finder's Services directory lists shipping and delivery providers filtered by service area — local, regional, statewide, and nationwide — so you can line up your logistics before you land.
Food & Drink
Yes, there's food. Good food.
Top recommendations from multiple sources:
- Lulu's (at Hotel Lulu) — Make a reservation; Round Top staple
- Rabbit Rabbit — Adorable cafe, lunch only, dreamy chicken salad
- La Petite Dame — Cafe at The Compound, great for a Hugo Spritz break
- Boon and Co. — Cocktails and pizza
- Rancho Pillow — Famous cocktails and entertainment
- Royers Pie Haven — Don't leave without pie
- Mandito's — Tex-Mex in center of Round Top
Many venues have food on-site — Blue Hills and Marburger both have food, coffee, and drinks so you never have to leave.
Note: Make dinner reservations. Lunch is usually fine to wing it.
Physical Reality Check
Let's be honest about what you're signing up for:
- 10+ miles of walking per day — more than Disney World
- You will be exhausted — bodies "break down" by day 3
- Your feet will hurt — one person described "limping" back to their hotel
- You'll need to stretch — seriously
- Pace yourself — this is a marathon, not a sprint
The shows are long days. If you have multiple days, don't try to see everything in one. Take breaks. Sit down. Eat lunch. Get coffee.
The Fashion Show
Round Top isn't just about what you buy — it's about what you wear.
The uniform:
- Cowboy boots
- Quilted jackets
- Vintage-inspired dresses
- Denim
- Interesting hats
You don't have to dress up, but it's more fun if you do. As one vendor put it: "When you come to Round Top, it's more fun if you get into the spirit."
Vendors sell fashion too — yo-yo quilt dresses, vintage boots, repurposed jewelry. Shopping for yourself is part of the experience.
Day-by-Day Strategy
If You Have One Day
Pick two venues maximum. We'd suggest Blue Hills and Marburger. Don't try to do everything — you'll be frustrated and exhausted.
If You Have Two Days
- Day 1: Blue Hills (full day), dinner at Lulu's
- Day 2: Marburger (morning), Excess 1 & 2 (afternoon), one more venue if energy permits
If You Have Three Days
- Day 1: Blue Hills, Market Hill
- Day 2: Marburger (early for best selection), The Compound
- Day 3: Return to favorites, catch what you missed, hit The Fields or Big Red Barn
Opening Day Strategy
If you're there on opening day of a venue:
- Arrive early (people line up at 7 AM at Big Red Barn)
- Know which vendors you want to hit first
- Move fast — the best pieces sell within hours
- Consider early admission tickets at Marburger
Budget Considerations
Round Top has something for every budget:
| Budget | Where to Focus |
|---|---|
| Window shopping only | Anywhere — the inspiration is free |
| Under $100 | The Fields, Bar W, vintage glass, small accessories |
| $100-500 | Excess 1 & 2, Blue Hills tents, negotiated pieces |
| $500-2000 | Blue Hills, Marburger tents, quality furniture |
| $2000+ | Marburger buildings, specialty dealers, rare finds |
| Unlimited | Louis Vuitton trunks, Newport furniture, museum pieces |
Common First-Timer Mistakes
- Trying to see everything in one day — You can't. Accept it.
- Not bringing measurements — You'll find the perfect piece and not know if it fits.
- Waiting to decide — If you love it, buy it. It won't be there later.
- Not booking lodging early enough — Do it months ahead.
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes — Your feet will hate you.
- Skipping Marburger because of the admission fee — It's worth $15.
- Believing everything at Blue Hills is overpriced — Some of the best deals are there.
- Not asking vendors about pieces — They're experts with incredible stories.
- Forgetting to look up — Chandeliers and hanging pieces are easy to miss.
- Not having a shipping plan — Figure this out before you fall in love with an armoire.
Final Thoughts
Round Top is overwhelming. It's exhausting. It's a lot.
It's also magical.
There's a reason people come back year after year, plan their trips months in advance, and drive across the country with cattle trailers. The thrill of the hunt, the stories behind the pieces, the vendors who become friends, the one-of-a-kind finds that you'll keep forever — it's all worth it.
Go in with a plan but stay flexible. Trust your gut. Buy what you love. Wear comfortable shoes. And enjoy the treasure hunt.
Start planning now at Round Top Finder — browse 200+ 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.
Welcome to Round Top.
Round Top Finder — Discover vendors, plan your trip, and find your next treasure. Available on web, iOS, and Android.
