With years of Round Top knowledge and experience, Leah Ashley and Claire Zinnecker are seasoned shopping experts. Leah Ashley is an interior stylist and vintage expert. With a focus on reclaimed and pre-loved pieces, she is dedicated to curating a well-lived life in a well-styled space. Claire Zinnecker founded Claire Zinnecker Design, a boutique interior design group, to combine her passions for residential and commercial interiors with her love for designing and making furniture, lighting and accessories.
Together they host exclusive shopping tours, offering insider knowledge on finding the best deals, must-visit vendors, and expert tips to navigate the Round Top Antiques Fair effortlessly.
Leah Ashley and Claire Zinnecker’s pro tips for Round Top:
Located between Houston and Austin, the Round Top Antiques Fair takes place three times a year in Round Top, TX, and the surrounding areas. A smaller show happens in the winter, while larger shows are held in the spring and fall. Since its inception in 1968, the show has grown to become the largest antique show in the country.
Vendors and visitors from across the country and overseas come to shop and sell at the show. Visitors explore barns, tents and hayfields that stretch for miles along HWY 237, hunting for antiques, art, home decor, furniture and more. The dates shift yearly, so be sure to check each venue’s main website for the most up-to-date information.
What to Bring
Comfy Shoes: It’s important to remember that this event takes place in cow pastures. We suggest wearing your most worn-in pair of cowboy boots or sneakers for ultimate comfort.
Hands-Free Shopping: We recommend wearing a crossbody bag, a backpack or even a fanny pack so that your hands are free to dig! A cart or a wagon also makes hauling your finds much easier throughout the day.
Water, Sunscreen and Hat: It is Texas, and the elements can be brutal in both spring and fall. We always bring a water bottle, hats and the highest SPF possible.
Disinfecting Wipes: Because you are dealing with other peoples’ junk, things are dirty, dusty & down right germ-y. We always bring disinfecting gel or wipes because water and soap aren’t readily available.
Shopping List and Tape Measure: Making a list of what you are shopping for helps to keep you focused. We also always bring a tape measure to check dimensions.
A Truck or SUV: When you find that perfect piece, you are going to want to make sure that you have room in your vehicle to bring it home. Don’t have access to a large truck? There are plenty of shipping and delivery options available.
Cash: It’s hard to haggle on prices when you are willing to accept a credit card transaction fee. With that being said, most vendors do take checks, credit cards and Venmo.
Get A Game Plan
It’s impossible to see all that the show has to offer in just one day, which is why we always suggest carving out a few days to explore and shop, but if you are short on time and want the best experience, this is the itinerary we recommend.
First Stop: Marburger
Marburger is a great place to start your day, but it’s not the best place to find great deals. We like to go here for visual inspiration. The booths and the people are wildly inspiring, and it gets you pumped for a day of picking. It does require an entry fee.
RELATED: Marburger Farm: The Coolest Place in Round Top, Texas
Second Stop: Blue Hills
Blue Hills is a massive venue made up of more than 60 vendors. You could spend your whole day there and find anything from European antiques to textiles to clothing. Blue Hills can still be on the pricey side, but there really is something for everyone and every budget.
Third Stop: Junk Gypsy and Lunch with Local Roots
Time for a lunch break! Hit up the Local Roots food truck on the Junk Gypsy front lawn for the best homemade salads and sandwiches. Make sure you check out the wild world of the Junk Gypsy’s sale barn while you are there.
Fourth Stop: Excess I & II
This venue consists of two storage facilities on opposite sides of the road from each other. The stalls are filled with quality, curated finds, mixed with odds and ends. You really never know what you are going to find. Prices here are incredibly reasonable and, most of the time, negotiable.
Fifth Stop: The Fields of Warrenton
Ready to dig for that deal? The fields of Warrenton are a must see if you are a true picker. Think of this as the world’s largest garage sale, where rows and rows of vendors sell pretty much anything you can think of. Prices are cheap, and the deals are plentiful.
More Info: Visit ShopRoundTopTx.com to get a detailed guide of Leah and Claire’s favorite vendors and more insider tips and information on the Round Top Antiques Fair.
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