Pulling into Round Top, Texas (population 93) for the first time feels like finding a hidden gem. A small picturesque town suddenly appears after the country roads, a regular journey with white fences and the appearance of tall cows. Less than a square mile in size, Round Top is made up of old buildings that house antique and vintage stores, clothing stores, and even a cheese shop, a candy store, and a Hallmark-esque coffee and pie counter.
The New York Times it was called Round Top “the Cotswolds of Texas,” and the common was once said CultureMap San Antonio calling it “the next Jackson Hole.” Texas Monthly even gave the title “Aspen of Texas.” But while there are concerns about any affluent place in Round Top – where the beauty of the English countryside meets the beauty of the West and the prices found in the mountain towns – it has a different and interesting personality, even outside the triangle. -Early Year Around the Top of the Ancient World. Since the late 1960s, Round Top has hosted “The Show,” a multi-day addition that has grown in popularity over the years. Today, thousands of visitors flock to the town and the tents, barns, and haylofts along Highway 237 in hopes of finding or selling antique furniture, art, and textiles.
While the past has put Round Top on the map and in the pages of many magazines, there are a variety of other reasons to visit the small town – including a world-renowned music venue, a well-known dance hall and an art gallery. a luxury hotel with luxury amenities and an original story. Also, there aren’t many restaurants in sight. Before you book your flight or clear your schedule, here’s what you need to know about visiting Round Top, Texas.
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Courtesy of Hotel Lulu
Best Hotels in Round Top, Texas
Opened in 2021, Hotel Lulu is new to the area, but its renovated and restored buildings – formerly known as Bybee Square – give it its charm, which perfectly balances the future vision of the new owners. Cinda Murphy de Palacios and Armando Palacios of Texas-based hospitality group Palacios Murphy designed the 14-room resort with the Italian phrase “il dolce far niente” as the North Star. Translated as “the sweetness of doing nothing,” it’s a message that resonates everywhere – from the luxurious bathrooms and Le Labo toiletries to the luxurious “bedroom” in the master suites and the peace and tranquility you notice as soon as you arrive.
Hotel Lulu is spread over six 18th-century courtyards and three private buildings. In the middle of the house, you’ll find a herb garden, a landscaped garden, and a small pool, perfect for days when you want to relax from the Texas heat. Leaving Hotel Lulu for food is optional. A breakfast basket filled with croissants, muffins, yogurt, and fresh fruit can be provided upon request, and the hotel’s restaurant, Lulu’s, and restaurant, Il Cuculo, are open seven days a week (a rarity at Round Top).
If Hotel Lulu is booked for the dates of your choice, Round Top has several other special offers to choose from. The Frenchie is a hotel brand designed for girls, and the Rancho Pillow culture was brought to life by owner and artist Sheila Youngblood. You can stay in a cabin at The Vintage Round Top, or overnight in one of the rooms at the Wander Inn, a boutique hotel run by the owners of Junk Gypsy.
Courtesy of Travel Texas
Best Things to Do in Round Top, Texas
Antique shopping is a hot topic in Round Top – and there’s no shortage of well-stocked rooms and spacious spaces to browse for a wooden kitchen table from the 1800s or well-worn cowboy boots. Market Hill Market, Round Top Ranch Antiques, White Barn, 550 Market, and Round Top Antiques and Design Center are open outside of the festival season for visitors to browse their wares. Houston artist Courtney Barton, Curate and Stash, Wimberly, and the two-story Townsend Provisions offer the latest in Texas shopping experiences. If you’re looking for art, in particular, you’ll find original pieces at Humble Donkey Studio and The Gallery at Round Top.
Courtesy of Travel Texas
Round Top isn’t all about shopping and finding content, however. If you go a mile out of town and turn left on Jaster Street, you’ll pass the Round Top Festival Institute. Located on more than 200 acres of green land, the institution – founded in 1971 by the world-renowned pianist James Dick – focuses on its 1,000-seat Festival Hall, which is amazing and wonderful. Outside the calendar of music performances and advanced classes, the school offers additional facilities that are open to the public, from the museum room where you can explore the personal effects of David W. Guion (the famous songwriter who organized the cowboy. listen to “Home on the Range” (like sheet music) to walks, gardens, lakes, and a chapel restored from the 1800s. You can visit on your own, or arrange a guided tour with one of the school’s knowledgeable staff.
While music is still on the mind, end your visit to Round Top with country music and line dancing at The Stone Cellar, a true Texas honkytonk.
Top Restaurants in Round Top, Texas
For a small town like Round Top, it’s surprisingly full of entertainment and fun places to drink – alcoholic or not. The Palacios Murphy brand extends to Lulu’s, an Italian restaurant located inside the hotel of the same name; Il Cuculo, a boutique with Instagram-worthy photos by photographer Andrea Condara; fast-casual Popi Burger; and Tex-Mex spot Mandito, where a bowl of guacamole and a cold margarita await after a long day of shopping.
The family-owned Royers Round Top Cafe, as well as its sister business, Royers Pie Haven, lure visitors with their old-school charm and popular concoctions (try the Texas Trash Pie). Breakfast tacos, baked goods, and a variety of coffee drinks from Round Top Coffee Shop are great for an early start, as well as an afternoon salad-and-sandwich pitstop at The Garden Co. it is very important to stay strong. At the end of the day, kick back with a glass of cold sauvignon blanc and a slice of pizza margherita on the outdoor patio at Prost on Block 29.
Best Time to Visit
If you want to experience Round Top at its peak, your visit should fall during the winter, spring, or autumn antique fair. The March and October dates coincide with the famous Marburger Farm Antique Show – so you’re guaranteed not to return empty-handed. Travelers who don’t mind fighting with thousands of other tourists to find hotels, parking spaces, or tables at restaurants often spend their time outside the old shopping areas. Many vendors are open year-round, but many close on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan accordingly.
Getting There
Round Top is about halfway between Austin and Houston – 73 and 96 miles, respectively. If you’re flying into Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) or Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), you’ll need to rent a car to get to Round Top and explore the surrounding area.
