How To: Round Top, Part 1

It’s been a while since we got back from Round Top, Texas last fall.  So it’s been forever since I promised this post, sorry!  We have a pretty great routine for Round Top and I’d like to share it with you.  The Round Top Antiques Fair can be overwhelming, so much so that you might avoid it.  I’m going to try and simplify it for you so you won’t miss a thing!

When to go?  Any chance you get!  “Round Top” is made up of many many many different “shows” and they all begin and end at different times.  Check here on the Show Daily’s website to get the general (Spring 2013, March 27-April 7) and the nitty gritty dates.  This chart from the chamber of commerce is also helpful.  Now here’s a real humdinger, we’re planning on going the weekend before most of it starts.  Last fall all our favorite vendors said they sold the best stuff the weekend before everything opened.  So we’re going March 23rd this spring.

How to get there?  By truck!  If you’re making the trek, be ready to haul something big back home.  Borrow a big vehicle or rent a u-haul.

Where to stay?  I dream of someday staying at The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell.  My friend from college, Kaci, wrote about it here on her blog, Patina Green Home & Market.  Someday…  But for now, I love staying at the Hampton Inn!  Great funny funny memories had at the inn.  At breakfast we always see a couple decked out, head to toe to luggage, in Louis Vuitton.  Can’t wait for the reunion this spring!  The Hampton Inn & Suites in Brenham, Texas is booked right now but as we get closer to the date, people cancel.  Click here to check on it.

 

What to bring?  Cash, wellies and layers!  Bring cash so you can negotiate.  Bring wellies because you might spend all weekend in them like we did in the fall, it rained the whole time!  Wear layers because the weather is so unpredictable in Round Top.  You might be freezing and wet in the morning and then hot and wet in the afternoon.

Do you see the woman in the above picture in the teal top?  She’s wearing a Men’s Columbia Fishing Shirt with leggings and rain boots, we thought she was genius!  The fishing shirt is great for the elements, it dries quickly and keeps you cool with the built in ventilation.

And apparently this is a trend, check out my cute friends last week at BBQ:

Where to eat lunch?  Legal Tender Saloon.  OMGoodness the egg salad, the chicken salad, the pimento cheese!  Just trust me and go.  And this is not a drama-free workplace so you may get a little free entertainment while you dine.  It’s right on the main road HWY 237 in Warrenton.

Where to eat dinner?  Zapp Hall.  This is my favorite part!  Order dinner at the counter of Royer’s Cafe (my mouth is watering for the Texas caviar!), sit and listen to live music at the Beer Garden while you eat and get a glass of champagne from the Bubble Lounge.  A great way to relax after a long day of shopping!  These three are clustered at Zapp Hall in Warrenton just off HWY 237 behind the Warrenton Grocery Gas Station.

 

Where to potty?  Take your breaks at Arbors Antiques, they have a luxury mobile potty and hand washing station.  It’s right off the main road HWY 237 in Round Top and it’s easy to drive up to and then drive off.  I’m mentioning this potty because a lot of the time you’re on the road and just need a quick clean stop.

 

Okay so this is a lot of info!  I’ll have to break this up in parts, Part 2 will be the important stuff:  Where to Shop?!  And I might need to draw my neighbors a map.  Stay posted!