One of the biggest events on the Round Top calendar is fast approaching – the 2026 Fall Antiques Show, Oct. 15 to Nov. 1.

And while veterans shore up their plans well in advance, it’s not too late to benefit from some valuable tips on how to negotiate Round Top when more than 100,000 visitors descend to shop, carouse and turn this tiny town into one of Texas’ biggest multi-day parties.

We turned to Round Top insider Matt Johns, the marketing director for Hotel Lulu, the boutique inn that is ground zero during the antiques show. A veteran of the show (as well as an avid shopper and all-around bon vivant), we asked Johns to share his insights on how to get the most out of the fall extravaganza.

‍As a hotelier, explain the options people have if they want to spend the night in town during antiques week. How far in advance should you make reservations?

This is probably the most difficult part of planning a trip to Round Top during the festival season. At Hotel Lulu the key is to join our mailing list so you can get access to the release date announcement — we will tell you the exact date and time that reservations open up for both the spring and fall shows. There are only about 100 rooms in all of Round Top so I suggest planning anywhere 6-8 months in advance.

What is the one thing people forget to do when preparing to enjoy antiques week?

I think making a list of things you are looking for is important-it is easy to get overwhelmed by 12 miles of shopping. I also see a lot of visitors who forget to consider comfort when packing. I guess I understand the appeal of designer sneakers and the giant hat you bring out twice a year for the Round Top photo-op, but the insiders know to dress down and dress for comfort.

Oh, and your outfit should include a tape measurer.

‍There are people who wouldn’t miss antiques week for the world and those who attending for the first time. If you’re the former, are there still new things to discover and do in Round Top? If you’re the latter, what is the one tip you’d give for preparing yourself for Round Top at full tilt?

For the regulars I would say always chat with vendors and make friends with other visitors to see if they have been inspired by anything. There is so much ground to cover and no unified organization that all of the vendors/venues report to — so discovery is a big part of the experience.

If it is your first time, plan to have a car while you are in town, bring cash just in case (cell service can be spotty for digital wallet payments), and make your reservation at Lulu’s before you come. And please be kind to all of the people working at the venues and in the local restaurants. The show is a lot of fun for visitors and a lot of work for vendors and the local labor force.

Most importantly, come with measurements for any walls or rooms you are trying to fill or shop for and photos of those spaces along with your tape measurer. You never know when you are going to run into an incognito designer who will casually offer their opinion (because it is hard not to sometimes). Knowing the dimensions is also the fastest way to eliminate items you might love but don’t work — there is always another find, so just move on.

Anything new and special happening?

This year, Lulu’s is launching a new dining experience called Il Nido which gives groups of 8-10 an opportunity to enjoy a tasting menu from Chef Jarred Poor in a new secret dining room.

Do you and other Round Top know-it-alls deliberately keep your favorite hidden gems from the antiques show masses or do you believe in sharing all you know about the town?

I have no problem with gate-keeping, I support it! However, Round Top is not a scenario that requires it. If I meet a new vendor or know of a place that is really special I will shout it from the rooftops to everyone I meet. It’s really hard to make it in this world and I know exactly what it feels like — so I wholeheartedly wish for everyone to do as well as they possibly can in Round Top.

As Round Top’s reputation grows internationally, do you think people come with their own preconceptions of what Round Top is if they’ve never been here before? Is it usually on the mark? A fantasy? A liability?

All of these things. I have met people who fly in from LA and ask me where the best place to find an Uber is and I have people ask me if the water is safe to drink. Just in case anyone needs clarification: there are no ride shares in Round Top (yet) and yes the water is safe to drink. I don’t know that anyone can describe Round Top accurately and it is truly a living organism that evolves and changes from season to season. I definitely encourage first-time visitors to do some good old-fashioned research on Round Top that goes beyond an influencer’s reel who popped in for 24 hours to get some content. VisitRoundTop.com is an excellent unbiased resource for information and there are some great articles from journalists who do some of the hard work for you that you can easily find with a quick google search.

Your favorite cocktail or bartender in Round Top?

I like to taste the liquor in my cocktail and not feel like I am headed toward a diabetes diagnosis after a drink so my go-to is a slightly wet gin martini with a lemon twist. This is best enjoyed at Il Cuculo.

Is there a hot, must-have dish that Round Top diners are buzzing about?

The short rib a Lulu’s; the pizza at Country Sunshine; and the Amanecer Co. coffee pop-up at Marburger Farm this fall. Amanecer Co.  founder/owner Marlen Mendoza is a partner at James Beard Awarded and Michelin-recognized Casa Ema in Houston and roasting the best coffee I have ever had. I start every single day with a cup of their coffee, and they are teaming up with an incredible design/creative pioneer Chantelle Adams who owns Marmae Studio to design a shopable coffee outpost in the heart of Marburger’s new town square.

Which bar or restaurant has the best live music?

I always send people to the Round Top Brewery for live music, they are locally owned and operated and bring in some great talent from around Texas.

Name a retail must-do for seasoned shoppers.

This is an easy one for me: Round Top Ranch Antiques is open year round and offers an incredible selection of high quality pieces at great prices. We have sourced a lot of items for Hotel Lulu from them.

What is one great myth about Round Top? And what is one great truism?

I think the greatest myth is also the greatest truism, and that is that Round Top is a two-horse town. We certainly have more than two horses…and access to luxury (I mean we make every bed with Frette sheets and adorn all of the bathrooms with Le Labo at Hotel Lulu) but two things can be true at the same time. Round Top is a small town. There are no ride shares, no convenience stores, plenty of wildlife and often bad cell reception. So, I think the idea that maybe Round Top has gotten too big for it’s britches is definitely not the case and don’t be surprised if your call drops a million times. (That is probably a gift from the universe anyways.) You should really be by the pool with a cocktail with someone you love.

Do you recall your first antiques week? Was it overwhelming or everything you’d hoped it would be?

Oh, I was completely overwhelmed and exhausted. It is way bigger than you think and completely a sensory overload. I was also shocked at the quality of pieces that I had really only seen in Europe or incredibly high-end stores in the US. The access you have to vendors and their sources is simply unmatched. It is a true opportunity for people who want to furnish their home with collected pieces that have stories and history. Once you take a deep breath and get over the sheer size of the show, it becomes manageable. This is where the list comes in handy!