Let’s face it- sometimes you just need to get away. Without the kids. There is no cuter place to head than Round Top Texas for a glamping trip with your girlfriends! You can go antiquing, photograph stunning scenery, visit a winery and meadery and sleep in vintage trailers. All that in Texas! We’re not all BBQ and longhorns here (although we have those too)! Round Top Texas is glamping.
Nestled roughly halfway between Austin and Houston, the Round Top area is home to several world-class antique shows. Ever watched Chip and Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper? There’s a good chance you’ve seen them trek to this tiny town of 90 residents on the show. Head there on one of the big antique weekends and expect to sit in some traffic as folks flood the area to scoop up deals and shop local stores. And some manage to overnight in unique Round Top Texas glamping.
While it can be tempting to hit one of the big shows (an experience I recommend you do once), make a trip in the “off-season.” Finding a place to stay will be far easier and you can shop your heart out in a more low key atmosphere. There are still treasures to be found! If you do visit during a show, keep in mind that the town is normally home to 90 people.
Travelingmom Tip: Make reservations for everything- food AND lodging in advance. Many of the local restaurants do a good job keeping their Facebook pages updated. During shows, lodging from La Grange all the way through Brenham and up into College Station can be booked up.
Sleep under the stars (kind of).
After a combination of years of business travel and travel writing. I’ve spent the night all over gathering up unique travel experiences. When I realized that 20 minutes away from where I live was the nation’s only indoor campground- Lone Star Glamp Inn, I had to see it. A quick Facebook message later and the owner was gracious enough to meet me there so that I could take some photos and check it out. Technically in Warrenton right outside of Round Top, the location is right along the main antiques drag through the two towns.
The Lone Star Glamp Inn was born out of Texas ingenuity. This space was formerly occupied by the Sterling McCall Car Museum. But with it sitting empty, the owners knew there was a need for lodging in the area during shows. Rather than renovate the building and limit its use, they started snagging adorable painted vintage trailers (most from a Louisiana woman who runs Glitzy Glamper), and the indoor campground (and Round Top Texas glamping) was born.
How to Book Round Top Texas Glamping
The campground can be rented out as a whole during the off-season, creating the perfect gathering spot for reunions, bachelorette parties, or girls weekends. There is a large area for events and some gathering spots to gab with girlfriends.
The campground is strictly BYOS (bring your own sheets!) Rather than all of the campers having individual restrooms to clean, there is an adorable bathroom trailer with two restrooms and showers.
All of the individual trailers have unique decorations and sleep between 2 and 3 comfortably. There truly is no other place like this in the country!
In addition to the vintage campers, there is a larger “Big Bertha” tent that sleeps 2-4 comfortably.
Glowing reviews for this Round Top Texas glamping experience.
Sometimes you see a unique idea for a girlfriends getaway and wonder if it will live up to the hype. You don’t need to look far to realize that people love Glamp Inn.
One reviewer on Facebook states, “Kaci and Sterling are such fun and attentive owners. We had 10 ladies in our group and had a blast. This is a fabulous venue for family reunions, girls weekend, retreats. Will definitely stay again”.
Another reviewer states that the large space is great for socializing, “Our school has stayed here two times. It is perfect for any large gathering. Private space plus lots of room for fellowship”.
And a review on Google hits the nail right on the head for those looking at glamping as a convenient alternative to outdoorsy camping.
“What a joy it is to stay at the Glamp Inn! If you love vintage trailers but want the convenience of being inside with air conditioning, access to a TV, WiFi, couches, fridge, coffee maker, basically all of the comforts of home, then this is your place. Food trucks are right outside and you are right in the middle of the fields of Warrenton. There is no better location. This was our second stay and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Antiques week will never be the same unless we have our Lone Star Gallery Glamping experience. Sterling and Kaci are excellent hosts and make you feel welcome. If any concerns do arise they address them straight away.”
Sample mead and shop handmade knit items.
A short drive down the road from Round Top and Warrenton near the community of Oldenburg, you’ll find Blissul Folly Farm where Rohan Meadery is located. A good tasting can turn into an afternoon affair with the right friends. The folks at Rohan Meadery will welcome you with one of the most affordable tastings in the whole region – $10 for 5 samples. And you can cozy up to the counter, snag a chair at one of their indoor tables or, if it’s a nice day (and it often is in Texas), sit outside. This meadery is also family friendly. We went on a gorgeous January day and the girls ate a few honey sticks, swung on a tire swing, checked out the chickens, and patted some resident goats.
My tasting included both meads and ciders that I selected from their menu. For those who may not think mead is for them there also are several wines to try. Many of the delicious meads are made using other local ingredients like the peach mead made from local peaches. Check out the growlers too – it is one of the coolest ones I’ve seen and you can buy one empty!
SheBuysTravel Tip: Check the Facebook page which lists live music events and the schedule for a food truck that sells delicious artisanal pizzas (menu here)!
Drink some wine and pat a llama.
A short 7 minute drive from Rohan Meadery is Blue Mule Winery. I’m a big fan of finding a designated driver and making a day of it! Blue Mule has a small indoor tasting room along with outdoor seating and some grounds to walk around. Try wine by the glass, tastings or a delicious wine slushie. Make sure to go into the restroom, even if you don’t “need” to. It has a framed license for prostitution from the 1800s on display.
Don’t forget to say hi to the llamas and donkeys. They’re friendly!
Stroll Henkel Square
The revitalized Henkel Square area boasts shops galore along with a church (Haw Creek Chapel- check out the intricate painted ceiling).
If you’re looking for pie and eye candy, head back into Round Top. Here you can feast on a slice of Texas Trash Pie (or many other types) either inside the cute (tiny) cafe or out front under the trees. My girls love the Bud’s Chocolate Chip Pie (essentially like the cookie) and the swing out front.
While in the Square you can also make a wish in the fountain and check out some other shops – a personal favorite is a flower/garden shop Last Petal that always has something new and exciting!
Stop and listen to the music.
Round Top’s Festival Institute located on the 200+ acre campus called Festival Hill is a place for young musicians to come and grow in their craft. The beautiful campus is home to a 1000-seat Festival Concert Hall and the Edyth Bates Old Chapel. A visit to Round Top isn’t complete without a stroll through the campus. If you’re lucky, your visit will coincide with one of the free concerts.
There is so much more to do in Round Top that this day barely scraped the surface for us. We’ll be planning our next adventure soon.
Have you ever been glamping?
Catherine Parker, National Parks SheBuysTravel says
I love Round Top and Warrenton. Been going for years! Thanks for sharing this, I had no idea.
Meagan says
I love this!
Christine Tibbetts says
Fascinating story. Clever people dreaming up new ideas!