Round Top Antique Week- Tips for The Best Shopping Experience

Round Top, Texas is a quaint little town north west of Houston by about two hours. Twice a year it comes to life along with all the other sleepy little towns surrounding it for Antique Week. The original Round Top Antique Spring Show is the first weekend of April this year. Vendors from all across the country come to set up and many of them show up two weeks before the actual Round Top Antique Weekend.  

To avoid the traffic and crowds I headed up to Round Top this past weekend. I was not sure how many vendors would be open but to my surprise there were quiet a few. Many vendors show up early because vendors who participate in the actual antique weekend come and shop them to only resell in their own booths. 

You will find treasures of all kinds like this huge bottle drying rack.

Vendors sell not only antiques but also new items as well like this cow art work.

You will find one of kind pieces like these tall script vintage doors.

Looking around is a lot of fun but it can also be overwhelming at times. 

My most favorite booth to shop was the French Laundry Home booth at Blue Hills. I HIGHLY suggest you stop by and visit these ladies. French Laundry Home carries the most beautiful bedding and linens.

I tell ya it was so hard not to bring home one of everything from the ladies and part of me wants to hop back in the car and go visit them again but I will wait till the fall show comes around so I can purchase some seasonal pillows from them. I will let you in on a little secret- You will find the best deals here!

For miles and miles there are so many places you can stop and shop.

This table was divine and would be perfect as a kitchen island.

You will find anything and everything you could ever imagine when visiting even a paper mache bull.

I had found the perfect crock but sadly it staid there because my pockets were not deep enough to bring it home.

It was quite the experience to walk around and see everything. Here are some tips that I think will come in handy if you are thinking of making a trip to Round Top.

1. Before you even go make a plan of attack. Look online to see what shows are open and when. You can view a listing of most of the shows here. Decide when you want to go. You will NOT be able to see everything in just one day so you may need to plan multiple DAY trips.

2. Make a list of things you are on the hunt for. Take measurements before you go if you are needing things such as old doors,windows or pieces of furniture. Making a list also helps to keep you from being overwhelmed when looking.

3.Check the weather and if it has been raining at all even a week out make sure you wear rain boots! It will be EXTREMELY muddy and you will not be able to get into a lot of the booths because of the mud. If no rain boots tennis shoes are a must. Your feet will be ready to fall off by the end of the day!

4. It can get hot so pack some bottled water and sunscreen.

5. Bring a bag or small cart to put your purchases in.

6. Make sure you bring cash! Some vendors will take debit/credit cards but wifi is spotty and you may find yourself out of luck if you do not have cash on hand. Also vendors are more willing to make you a deal if you have cash because they do not have to pay the credit card processing fees.

7. Keep in mind when offering a lower price. Make sure it is reasonable. Do not waste the vendors or your time low balling. They spend so much time setting up for the event and most camp out there for the two weeks without a lot of the comforts of home. You will find the best deals to be made will be on the last day of the show. Vendors will not want to pack up their stuff and haul it back home so if you are wanting steals that will be the time to head up there.

8. Bring your patience!! The closer you get to the actual Antique Weekend the busier these places get. Traffic a lot of times is at a stand still and parking hard to find. Some places you will have to pay to park.

9. Speaking of paying to park while a lot of the shows are free to get into there are some that you have to pay to see such as Marburger Farm so keep that in mind when you are getting cash to bring.

10. I HIGHLY recommend that you do not bring children. There will be so many people there depending on when you go. It is very difficult to push strollers thru the fields and impossible if it is muddy. There are not any easy restrooms or places to to sit and rest for the little ones. My boys are 11 and 9 and though they enjoy antiquing with me from time to time they would have hated going to Round Top and thus in return made the experience unbearable.
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