A Weekend in Round Top: Packing List & Travel Guide

With the Fall Round Top Show around the corner, I wanted to share one of my favorite Texas trips, and all the things I wish I’d known before going, from what to pack to where to shop, eat, and explore.

When the Brooks Avenue team, aka me, founder Lawson, and Catherine, first headed to Round Top for a Brooks Avenue pop-up in March 2025, we had no idea what to expect. We had heard great things, but after a long travel day to a random Airbnb off the side of the highway near a tiny town in the middle of Texas, we were starting to wonder what exactly we had signed ourselves up for. It didn’t take long for us to fall completely in love, so much so by the end of the trip, we were joking about relocating.

We spent our days in Barn L at Blue Hills for Brooks Avenue but took turns popping into different barns and shops. In the evenings, we joined friends for dinner at some of Round Top’s most fun restaurants, including Boon & Co. We even got lucky enough to catch the fabulous fashion show outside Ellis Motel, (highly recommend this spot for drinks).

Round Top is such a special place for discovering art, antiques, vintage, and all kinds of unexpected treasures. While it wasn't as much women's clothing as I expected, I will definitely be back when I have a house to decorate. Each barn has its own personality and point of view, and you never really know what you’re going to find. It truly feels like a treasure trove, especially if you love incredible vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces, and the thrill of the hunt.

First time in Round Top? Get ready to go all out. Quilted jackets, statement boots, Western accessories, the full nine yards. It’s borderline costume dressing in the very best way, and that’s half the fun. There’s no such thing as too much in Round Top. More is more, and you truly can’t go wrong.

Boon & Co

Cozy, charming, and one of our favorite spots for a delicious dinner after a long day of shopping. P.S. Schedule your reservation early!

Lulu’s

A chic little Italian spot with a beautiful setting, perfect for a leisurely dinner and a glass of wine.

Ellis Motel

Such a fabulous and fun spot for a drink. Come for the cocktails, stay for the very Round Top atmosphere.

The Abors for Sunset & Happy Hour

Everyone recommended going to the Arbors for sunset. They do a daily happy hour from 3–6 PM during show days, with complimentary wine/snacks and live music.

Round Top can be overwhelming, in the best way. It’s very spread out, so be prepared to drive between barns and shopping areas. These were a few of our favorite stops, from perfectly curated barns to places made for a good old-fashioned treasure hunt.

Blue Hills (Shoutout Barn L)

Blue Hills was one of our favorite spots for shopping, especially for cowgirl boots, Western accessories, and women’s clothing. It has 100+ curated vendors, and Barn L is where Brooks Avenue has popped up in the past. It’s air-conditioned and always has a great mix of female-founded brands. Past vendors included Anea Hill, Sunday Supper, Chakeris, Mahjong House, Shop Delrose, The Stylish Sloan, Swells, and more.

Market Hill

Curated, polished, and a little more elevated, with higher-end antiques, rugs, art, and home goods. My mom and I found work by one of our favorite artists, Stephanie Wheeler, here, along with some really beautiful antiques.

The Abors
Another curated, multi-vendor stop with furniture, rugs, art, and home décor. We didn’t make it there this trip, but it came highly recommended and is definitely on our list for next time.

For places to stay, Hotel Lulu and Wander Inn are both great options if you want something cute and close to the action. They book up early, however. We’ve actually stayed at Airbnbs in Brenham both times and found it super easy. We rent a car anyway, and the drive in and out of Round Top is very manageable.

Our most recent Airbnb happened to have quite the neighborhood cat population, which turned into a major highlight of the trip, as I left with three kittens in hand! My family ended up adopting one, my fiancé's family adopted the other, and the vet adopted the third. Highly recommend this Vrbo if you’d like your Round Top haul to include a kitten.