Finds in Texas’ antique country

GETTING THERE:

Round Top, Texas, is 65 miles east of Austin and 73 miles northwest of Houston. Restricted round-trip fares to either one begin at $198. From LAX, nonstop service to Austin is offered on American, and connecting service (change of planes) is available on Continental, United, America West, Delta and Frontier. To Houston, Continental has nonstop service, and connecting service is offered on United, America West, Northwest, American and Delta.

THE SHOWS:

Emma Lee Turney’s Round Top Antiques Fair, (281) 493-5501, https://www.roundtopantiquesfair.com, is in four locations in the Round Top area, twice yearly. Shows are slated for April 4-6 and Oct. 3-5. The $10 admission is good for all locations, all three days.

Marburger Farm Antique Show, (800) 947-5799, https://www.roundtop-marburger.com, on the southern edge of Round Top, complements Turney’s Round Top show. April 1-5 and Sept. 30-Oct. 4. Admission is $15 Tuesday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., $5 thereafter.

WHERE TO STAY:

Lonesome Pine Ranch, part of Texas Ranch Life, P.O. Box 803, Bellville, TX 77418-0803; (866) TEXASRL (839-2775) or (979) 865-3649, fax (979) 865-9461, https://www.texasranchlife.com. This complex is about 30 minutes from Round Top and offers a passel of restored 1850s farmhouses. Room rates begin at $135, double. Horseback riding, cattle work and hunting (quail or dove) are extra; fishing is free. Three 20-mile longhorn cattle drives are scheduled for spring.

Brendan Manor, 345 E. Travis St., La Grange, TX 78945; (866) 658-4400 or (979) 968-2028, fax (979) 968-2728, https://www.brendanmanor.com. The inn is about 15 minutes from Round Top in a historic home in La Grange. Doubles begin at $95.

Ant Street Inn, 107 W. Commerce St., Brenham, TX 77833; (800) 805-2600, fax (979) 836-7595, https://www.antstreetinn.com. The inn is about 15 minutes from Round Top. Fourteen guest rooms, packed with antiques, from $115 double.

A Light Unto My Path B&B, 2117 FM 1457, Round Top, TX 78954; (979) 249-5620, fax (979) 249-4181, https://www.alightuntomypath.com, just a mile and a half from Round Top Square, offers a handful of rooms. Antique Week rates start at $145 a night, double, including breakfast. There is also a four-person cabin for a flat rate of $225 per night, including breakfast.

WHERE TO EAT:

Klump’s, (979) 249-5696, https://www.klumpscafe.com, in the old tinsmith shop in Round Top Square, serves fried chicken, hamburgers, barbecue, chicken-fried steak and the like. Entrees $5.95-$10.95.

Royers Round Top Cafe, (877) 866-PIES (7437), https://www.royersroundtopcafe.com, is a family operation serving sophisticated comfort food (steak, pork tenderloin, fish, quail etc.) and famously good pies. Entrees $12.95-$28.95. Pies $13.50-$14.50 ($3.50 by the slice).

The Pit Bar-B-Q Dinner at the Round Top Rifle Hall is a paper plate affair served up twice a year to coincide with Emma Lee Turney’s Round Top Antiques Fair. Features barbecued chicken and ribs plus German potato salad, bratwurst and other Teutonic treats. Dinners are less than $10.

TO LEARN MORE:

Round Top Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 216, Round Top, TX 78954; (979) 249-4042, fax (979) 249-2085, https://www.roundtop.org.

Department of Economic Development-Tourism Division, P.O. Box 12728, Austin, TX 78711-2728; (800) 888-8TEX (8839), https://www.traveltex.com.