With a population of 90, Round Top is one of the smallest Texas towns. Twice a year, in spring and fall, more than 100,000 people descend on this place for the Antiques Fair. In its 50th year, what started as a weekend of antiquing has expanded into two weeks’ worth of shows with vendors lining Highway 237 for 30 miles and into surrounding towns of Warrenton, Rutersville, Fayetteville, Carmine, Brenham and La Grange. Here’s a round-up of what you’ll find in and around Round Top.

Segar Factory building with loft room at Round Top Inn. Photo courtesy of Round Top Inn

WHERE TO STAY

Armando Round Top Houses

For more than 35 years, Armando has been a name in fine dining, renowned for the Houston-based Armando’s Restaurant. Armando and Cinda Palacios now invite patrons to travel from River Oaks to Round Top where they have a trio of beautifully restored vacation homes. Dating back to the 1830s, the Winn is the oldest of the three and was the first property Armando purchased on a whim back in 1979. The circa 1880s Bybee Cottage was then acquired from the Bybee Foundation, an organization that preserves German immigrant heritage in Round Top. The Palacios kept the original patina of the place while lovingly adorning the old farmhouse with new amenities and luxe accessories. The Nest was once a 1930s home set in Houston’s West End and is now a Mid-Century Modern, featuring a light-filled space with pop art dotting the walls. Choose from the three homes based on your style at RoundTopHouses.com.

Black Bird Farm

A series of historic properties in nearby Fayetteville comprises the Black Bird Farm lodging experience. Here, you’ll find romantic, well-appointed interiors in an early Americana style. Choose from accommodations at the Grand Fayette Hotel, Market Street Inn, Red & White Inn, Bird House, 1850 House, Sealy House or Blackbird Cabins. Herring Hall, the event space, hosts live performances. Take a tour online at BlackBirdTexas.com.

The Prairie at Round Top

Formerly the Prairie by Rachel Ashwell, founder of Shabby Chic, the Prairie at Round Top is a new chapter for this 46-acre property dating back to the 1880s. There are five houses on the property. Holly has added her own signature style to the Prairie while keeping design elements added by previous owners, all with the help of dedicated property manager Danny Riebeling. Danny was one of the original contractors who renovated it. His love of this place is evident in every nail and board. He is fun-loving, enjoys hosting guests and cooks a tasty breakfast. Book your stay at ThePrairieatRoundTop.com.

Rancho Pillow

This 20-acre compound features multiple overnight options on the property, including four main lodges and a well-appointed, air-conditioned teepee. Each dwelling showcases hand-picked furnishings, paintings, books of poetry and other thoughtful touches. Outside, there’s plenty of room to roam and make new discoveries, like neon signs, a playground with zip-line, hammocks, bathhouse, swimming pool and a fire pit. Formerly available by invite-only for friends-of-friends, it’s now a more inclusive space where all are welcome to tap into the spirit found here. It’s heartfelt, soulful, mystical and intentional where cool people go and good vibes flow. Feast in the Field is hosted on October 1 and 2. Fantastic chefs prepare the family-style meal served outdoors on the ranch. Purchase your ticket, or book your stay online at RanchoPillow.com.

The Raleigh

Shane Brown of Big Daddy’s Antiques offers this 2,650-SF 1890s Victorian farmhouse with a new 30-foot pool and huge deck. It comes equipped with a full kitchen, four bedrooms, including a master suite, and two bathrooms. It sleeps nine people. The interior design is exceptional throughout with a beautiful mix of modern and antiques, and a Paul Michael Company piece or two. Book your stay at Vrbo.com/931462.

Round Top Inn

The history of this place is evident in its many existing structures, including the only remaining building from the state’s once thriving cigar industry. Three of the guest cottages are 1880s originals built by prominent Round Top resident Charles Henry Schiege of Schiege Cigar Factory. The property includes the gate house, a collection of farm houses, the little cottage, the loft and other rooms for rent. Explore it for yourself at RoundTopInn.com.

The Vintage Round Top

Paige and Smoot Hull developed The Vintage Round Top in 2012 when they opened their first renovated cottage, No. 1450. The 2,400-SF home was designed with sustainability in mind and is comprised of reclaimed materials and vintage finds, creatively repurposed into light fixtures, furniture and decor. In 2016, the second cottage named Boho was built in the style of an industrial farmhouse. Both properties are available for rent. The Hulls also host private parties, weddings, special events and workshops year-round. Be inspired by their modern vintage aesthetic at TheVintageRoundTop.com.

WHAT’S NEW

Flophouze – COME ON IN, THE WATER’S FINE

Flophouze opened its newest addition - the modpool container swimming pool. Photo by Maria Aguirre

Our favorite “funky little outpost,” Flophouze, opened its newest addition – the modpool container swimming pool. Beat the Texas heat with a dip in the coolest above-ground pool you ever did see. Stay in style in one of the old shipping containers-turned-overnight accommodations. Matt White and his team, Recycling the Past, offer six flophouzes, all accented with salvaged materials, like old bowling alley countertops and original art. Each unit also comes equipped with Chemex coffeemakers, Mexican Cokes and Topo Chico. There are no TVs, instead handpicked vinyl records and books keep you occupied, plus hammocks for kicking back and watching a Texas sunset. If you like your flophouze so much you want to keep it, the company can custom-build one to your specifications and ship it to you anywhere in the world. Also on the property is the Round Top Ballroom. Outfitted with antiques, artifacts and odds and ends from Recycling the Past, it’s a casual space that has hosted farm-to-table dinners, weddings, big parties and intimate gatherings. The Flophouze motto is “Stay Awesome,” and every guest gets a discount to their store to take home a little piece of awesome. Learn more at Flophouze.com.

Wander Inn – ALL WANDERERS WELCOME

Wander Inn is designed with comfort in mind. Photo by April Pizana

Previously available only to friends like country singer Miranda Lambert, Junk Gypsies Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes-Smith have opened their guesthouse to the public. Wander Inn is luxurious but not about luxury. It’s about the land, the road, the magic of Round Top and the feeling of arriving at a place, taking your boots off and staying awhile. Designed with comfort in mind, sink into a velvet sofa or slide into a rocking chair on the porch for views of Longhorns in the pasture and the sun hanging low in the sky. Choose from eight beautifully appointed rooms at Gypsyville.com/wander-inn.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

The Garden Co.’s Feed and Firewater

An outpost of the original Garden Co. Marketplace & Cafe in Schulenburg, Texas, Feed and Firewater brings fresh ingredients to the table for fun appetizers, bright salads, yummy soups and a variety of creative lunch and dinner options, all in a beautiful bistro-style setting. For a look at the menu, visit thegardencoandcafe.com

Market Hill Restaurant

More than a shopping destination, Market Hill is a fun place to eat, drink and hang out. Open daily during the show, choose from a variety of lunch and dinner specials, including Paul’s famous homemade red sauce and pasta. Market Hill also has live music nightly. Grab a cold beer or glass of wine, and enjoy great music and good times after a day in the fields.

Mandito’s

Armando Palacios is a known figure in town with many concepts that contribute to the culture. This is one of them. On any given night, Armando is typically at the classic Tex-Mex restaurant, making the rounds around the room to check on each guest. This place is popular. If you can’t snag a table, it’s just as fun to sidle up to the bar and meet new friends over margaritas. Mandito’s is closed Mondays. Armando’s newest concept is Lulu’s, homestyle Italian cooking in Bybee Square, open for dinner service Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Prost on Block 29

An intimate wine bar and shop housed in a stone cottage that happens to be the oldest building in Round Top. Order by the glass, bottle or case (to take home with you), and choose from handmade cheeses, farm-to-table vegetables, tapenades and charcuterie. Sit inside at the bar or at a small bistro table, or hang out on the outdoor patio around the fire pit. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Royer’s Round Top Café and Pie Shop

Burgers, sandwiches and fresh-cut fries are some of the favorites here, but the real star of the show is the pie. Choose from apple, buttermilk, chocolate chip, pecan, cherry, strawberry rhubarb and more. Royer’s famous chicken dinner is served on Sunday from noon until they run out – the chicken is marinated for 24-hours in buttermilk and garlic then hand-battered. It’s served family-style with mashed potato casserole and creamed corn.

The Stone Cellar & Round Top Dance Hall

An authentic 1907 Texas dance hall has been relocated to this site. The sign on the door reads, “Must wear boots inside the hall at all times.” Our kind of place, it’s a relaxing wood-fired pizzeria with a variety of craft beer and wine, with live music every Friday and Saturday.

WHERE TO SHOP

Market Hill

Open twice a year in the spring and the fall, Market Hill curates the world’s best antiques, furniture, home decor and decorative arts sold by the world’s most interesting cast of vendors. Set in an atmosphere of genuine hospitality and hassle-free shopping, we have 18 vendors showing with a variety of fabulous finds for you to pick through, all housed in a beautiful, air-conditioned facility with lots of free parking, clean restrooms, free Wi-Fi and easy loading areas. The Restaurant at Market Hill serves home-cooked meals, a great selection of beer, wine and other refreshments. We’re open daily from September 19 through October 8. Music was a big hit in the spring, and the fall show will include live music nightly.

Townsend Provisions

The large collection of vintage boots is the biggest attraction to this small, well curated shop in Rummel Square. A permanent fixture in town, the store is open year-round, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Owners Nick and Ryann have a passion for old relics and handmade goods – something that runs in the family. Ryann’s mom, Sharon, helps the young couple hunt for vintage treasures for the shop. Nick’s mom, Linda, is the “boot queen” and is often found fitting folks in the famous boot room. Stop by, and make their acquaintance during the fall show. You might just find your new favorite pair of boots while you’re at it.

Curate by Stash

Another spot open year-round on Rummel Square is Curate by Stash. For more than a decade, Texas brand Stash has been making small, luxe leatherworks in a century-old mattress factory. Founder/designer Cheryl Schulke creates with the intention of mindful production over mass production. Walking into her first retail space in Round Top, it smells of leather and Texas lavender, and feels like a place you never want to leave. As the name suggests, it is artfully curated with a select few pieces from independent designers.

WHAT TO DO

The Bugle Boy

Housed in WWII army barracks in La Grange, the Bugle Boy is an intimate concert hall that brings Americana, country, folk, blues and jazz to the stage on Friday and Saturday nights. Coffee, wine and beer are served. Thebugleboy.org.

Festive Hill concert Hall is a 210-acre campus containing multiple performance facilities. Photo courtesy of Festive Hill Concert Hall

Festival Hill Concert Hall

Founded in 1971 by world renowned concert pianist James Dick, Festival Hill is a 210-acre campus containing multiple performance facilities, historic houses, gardens, parks and nature preserves. Festivalhill.org.

Rohan Meadery

Blissful Folly Farm is situated between La Grange, Round Top and Fayetteville in some of the most beautiful countryside in south central Texas. Located here, Rohan Meadery is Texas' oldest meadery, producing one of mankind's oldest fermented libations – mead. All products that come from here are small batched and homemade onsite. The tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Rohanmeadery.com.

Round Top Family Library

Round Top is the smallest incorporated Texas town to have a public library. It consists of two buildings, the main library in the former Hope Lutheran Church, a 1925 Gothic-style building, and the Rummel Haus, which serves as an activity center. It’s a great local resource, preserving history and offering community programs for kids and adults. Ilovetoread.org.