How to Plan the Perfect Antiquing Adventure with Your Favorite People
"It was just the most fun girls trip imaginable. We had the very best time doing what we love — antique shopping, being together, laughing, wearing our cowboy boots, sweating a little bit."
That's how one designer described her Round Top trip with her daughter and sister. And honestly? It's the perfect summary of what Round Top can be when you go with your people.
This isn't just an antique show. It's an experience. A chance to treasure hunt with your mom, your sisters, your best friends. To dress up in cowboy boots and vintage finds. To stay up late talking about the day's discoveries. To make memories that have nothing to do with the things you buy.
Here's how to plan the perfect girls' trip to Round Top.
Why Round Top Is Perfect for a Girls' Trip
It's more than shopping. Yes, there are antiques. But there's also fashion, jewelry, incredible food, cocktails, live entertainment, and endless photo opportunities.
It rewards groups. Split up to cover more ground, text each other finds, reconvene for lunch. Shopping together is more fun — and more effective.
It has a vibe. The fashion show aspect, the cowboy boots, the vintage dresses — it's an occasion. Getting dressed up is part of the experience.
It creates stories. The piece you fought over. The vendor who became a friend. The insane Christmas tent that made everyone's brain explode. You'll be talking about this trip for years.
Who Should Come
The perfect crew includes:
The Planner: Someone who researches venues, makes dinner reservations, books the Airbnb
The Shopper: The one who knows exactly what she wants and moves with purpose
The Wanderer: Happy to browse, finds unexpected treasures, doesn't need a list
The Fashion One: Here for the boots, the vintage dresses, the jewelry
The Budget Voice: Keeps everyone grounded, reminds you that you don't NEED a third mirror
The Photographer: Documents everything for the group text and Instagram
You don't need all these people. One person can be multiple things. But a good crew balances each other out.
Planning the Trip
When to Go
Spring show (late March/early April): Better weather, reportedly cooler temperatures
Fall show (late September/early October): Can be HOT (90°F), pack accordingly
How Long
Minimum: 2 days (1 travel day, 1 full shopping day)
Ideal: 3-4 days (arrival day, 2 full shopping days, departure)
Luxurious: 4-5 days (time to revisit favorites, relax, not rush)
Where to Stay
Book early. Round Top lodging fills up months in advance.
Options:
- Airbnb large enough for the whole group
- Hotel Lulu (Round Top staple, restaurant on-site)
- La Grange (20 minutes away, more availability)
- Multiple rooms at the same property
Pro tip: Stay somewhere with a kitchen or common area. You'll want a place to spread out, try on purchases, and drink wine while recapping the day.
Transportation
Rent a car — ideally something large enough for the whole group plus purchases. There's no Uber. You'll be driving between venues.
Set up a Spree on Round Top Finder — this is built for group trips. Create a crew, share the invite code in your group chat, and everyone adds their must-see vendors and venues to one shared itinerary. Changes sync in real time, so by the time you arrive, your whole group has a plan without 47 back-and-forth texts.
Consider: Two cars if your group is larger, so you can split up during the day.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Fly into Austin (closer) or Houston
Pick up rental car
Drive to Round Top (~50 minutes from Austin, longer with traffic)
Check into lodging
Dinner at Lulu's (make reservation) — the Round Top staple
Evening: Walk around, get oriented, rest up for tomorrow
Day 2: The Big Shopping Day
Morning: Blue Hills
- Start early (before it gets hot)
- Food, coffee, drinks on-site
- Something for everyone
- Barns are labeled — note where you find things
Lunch: On-site at Blue Hills or Rabbit Rabbit (adorable cafe, best chicken salad)
Afternoon: The Arbors
- Fashion, jewelry, art
- This is YOUR venue, girls' trip energy
- Wearable shopping — clothes, accessories, bags
- Take your time here
Late Afternoon: Market Hill
- More curated, easier to see
- Paul Michael's Holiday House (Christmas lovers, prepare yourselves)
- Architect's Daughter, Provenance Antiques
Evening: Rancho Pillow
- Cocktails and entertainment
- "It was a show to remember"
- The perfect end to day one
Day 3: More Treasures
Morning: Marburger Farm
- Worth the $15 admission
- Early admission if you want first dibs
- Five football-field-sized tents
- Don't miss the tent vendors — better deals
Mid-morning: Townsen (if boots are your thing)
- Vintage boots heaven
- "Every boot dream came true"
Lunch: La Petite Dame (at The Compound)
- Hugo Spritz situation
- Cute cafe vibes
Afternoon: The Compound
- French antiques
- Great for mirrors, decorative accessories
- More relaxed pace
Late Afternoon: Return to favorites
- Go back to that piece you couldn't stop thinking about
- Check items off the maybe list
Evening: Boon and Co.
- Cocktails and pizza
- Relaxed end to the trip
Or: Bader Ranch
- Dinner venue with shopping
- Miron Crosby boots popup
Day 4: Departure
Morning: Pack up, take group photos
Optional: Quick stop at any venue you missed
Drive to Austin airport
Fly home with your treasures
The Girls' Trip Venues
Must-Visit
The Arbors The quintessential girls' trip venue. Fashion, jewelry, art. Not really furniture or traditional antiques — this is wearable shopping.
"If you're on a girls' trip or mother-daughter and want fashion, art, jewelry — this is it."
You could spend half a day here just diving in.
Blue Hills Something for everyone. Food/drinks/coffee on-site so no one has to leave. Great for groups with different interests.
Market Hill More spacious, curated, designer-focused. The Holiday House tent (Paul Michael) is overwhelming in the best way for Christmas lovers.
For Fashion Specifically
Natalie Lindsay (Blue Hills, Barn Q)
- Yo-yo quilt dresses and skirts made from vintage quilts
- Vintage hats (Stetson, Resistol)
- "She curates the most insane vintage pieces"
Townsen
- Vintage boots
- "Every single one of our vintage boots dreams came true"
Miron Crosby (Bader Ranch popup)
- Designer cowboy boots
- Dallas-based brand
For Night Out
Rancho Pillow
- Famous cocktails and entertainment
- "It was a show to remember"
- THE place to end a night
Lulu's at Hotel Lulu
- Round Top dinner staple
- Make a reservation
Boon and Co.
- Pizza and cocktails
- More casual, end-of-day vibe
Shopping Strategy for Groups
Split Up, Text Finds
The most effective strategy: split up at each venue, cover more ground, text each other when you find something amazing.
"Come with a group, split up, text each other finds at different booths. You have eyes everywhere."
Pro tip: use Round Top Finder's Share Favorites feature to send your saved vendors to your crew via link. And create Style Boards for different rooms or themes — they work like Pinterest boards for Round Top, and you can share them with your group so everyone knows what you're hunting for.
Divide by Interest
- Fashion people hit The Arbors and Natalie Lindsay
- Furniture people hit Blue Hills and Marburger
- Meet for lunch, share discoveries
Keep a Group Wishlist
Someone should keep a running list of everyone's "maybes" — what it is, where it is, the price. Makes it easier to circle back.
Group Purchases?
Consider splitting a larger piece:
- Share a shipper to save on costs
- Co-own something for a shared vacation home
- One person buys, another compensates
What to Wear (As a Group)
Round Top is a fashion show. Leaning in is more fun.
The classics:
- Cowboy boots (matching or coordinating is cute)
- Quilted jackets
- Vintage-inspired dresses
- Good denim
- Statement jewelry
Group photo tip: Coordinate without being matchy-matchy. Same color family, similar vibe.
The reality: By day 2, comfort matters more than cute. Pack practical shoes and layers.
Food & Drink Reservations
Make Reservations For
- Lulu's — Book ahead, especially for dinner
- Rancho Pillow — If you want a table
Walk-In Friendly
- Rabbit Rabbit — Lunch only, casual
- La Petite Dame — Cafe at The Compound
- Boon and Co. — Pizza/cocktails
- Blue Hills on-site — Food trucks, casual
- Marburger on-site — Food available
Budget Conversations
Money stuff can be awkward with friends. Head it off early.
Before the Trip
- Agree on shared costs (lodging, rental car)
- Discuss individual shopping budgets (or don't — personal choice)
- Decide how to handle group meals (split evenly? separate checks?)
During the Trip
- If someone's budget is tighter, don't pressure
- Window shopping is totally valid
- The experience is the point, not the spending
The Budget Friend's Value
The person who reminds everyone "you don't need a fourth mirror" is performing a service. Appreciate her.
Capturing the Trip
Photo opportunities:
- Arriving at the first venue
- Trying on boots/hats together
- With your favorite finds
- At dinner with cocktails
- Matching outfits/boots shots
- The chaos of loading the car
Instagram moments:
- The Holiday House Christmas tent
- Beautiful merchandised booths (with permission)
- Your group in cowboy boots
- The "we bought too much" car shot
Beyond photos:
- Someone keep a running notes document of highlights
- Voice memos at the end of each day
- Group text thread that will be hilarious to revisit later
The Return Trip
In the Car/Plane
- Debrief: What was everyone's favorite find?
- What would you do differently next time?
- Are we booking next year's trip now?
At Home
- Group text: Share photos of items in their new homes
- Tag vendors on social media
- Start a "Round Top Next Year" Pinterest board
Tradition-Building
Many groups make Round Top an annual tradition. Start planning the next one before you even unpack.
The Bottom Line
Round Top with your people is magic.
It's the shopping, yes. But it's also the morning coffee before you head out. The group text blowing up with "COME TO BARN Q RIGHT NOW." The negotiation victory dance. The cocktails at Rancho Pillow. The late-night debrief about the day's discoveries.
The pieces you find become story anchors. "Remember when we found this at Round Top?"
Plan ahead. Book early. Pack your cowboy boots. And bring the people who make treasure hunting fun.
Start your group trip at Round Top Finder — set up a Spree, browse vendors together from home, and show up with a shared plan that actually works.
Round Top Finder — Plan the perfect group trip. Available on web, iOS, and Android.
