Antiques Week in Warrenton, Texas: A First-Timer’s Adventure Guide
My sister-in-law celebrated her birthday and invited the family for a day trip to go antiques shopping. Antique shopping sounded cool, I thought. I imagined it to be a shopping district where we’d hop from shop to shop. However, we showed up to Antiques Week in Warrenton, Texas, not knowing what I was in for, and man, it was a trip. Tents everywhere, stuff piled high—old tools, funky jewelry, you name it—and a crowd that’s buzzing like they’re all in on some big secret. Some were even wearing their Rodeo outfit, and dressed to impress.
What is Antiques Week?
It’s this giant antique thing that hits twice a year, spring and fall, but walking into it for the first time? Total game-changer. Spring has already started and will run until April 6, and I’ve got to tell you what it was like, what got me hooked, and some stuff I figured out along the way. If you’re thinking about going, here’s the scoop.
The first thing that hit me? The sheer size. This isn’t one little market—it’s a sprawling network of shows across Warrenton, Round Top, and nearby towns like Carmine and Fayetteville, with over 2,000 vendors spread across 20 miles. There are parking spots at almost every block with some paid, some free. We fortunately found free parking near Renck Hall and stepped out into a sea of tents, barns, and fields. It felt like a treasure hunt crossed with a county fair, and I was hooked.
We met at The Dugout, it’s a semi outdoor bar & grill that serves classic American food. We ordered mac & cheese hotdogs, chilli cheese dogs, burgers, and giant nachos. Outside the restaurant and scattered across Warrenton, there were live tunes, food trucks with BBQ, and tables loaded with goodies like vintage jackets and chipped teacups.
It’s difficult to decide what to shop for as there were just too many options. My in-laws got a personalized wooden sign for their home, we shopped some jewelry, and other cute finds. But the thing that stood out? A recycled piece of metal art that they turned into an armadillo. My husband and I don’t agree on art mostly, so this was a steal. And it’s a good piece of art to add to our house for only $35!
What really got me? How much there was. One stall had $5 stacks of old Life magazines, then bam, a $500 French armoire I’d never haul home. The vendors made it too—most were up for a chat. At Cole’s Antique Show, where it’s nice and cool inside, this lady told me her $30 quilt came from a Georgia estate. Those little stories? That’s the good stuff.
Pro-tip if you’re a first timer and get giddy over rare finds: bring a wagon. We brought a wagon not just for our hauls but to also carry water, bags, chairs making sure our shopping experience is comfortable and fun.
What I Couldn’t Get Over
The Vibe: It’s alive—60,000 people flood this tiny town of 98, and you’ve got hardcore collectors mixing with regular folks like me.
The Bargains: You’ll find cheap steals and big-ticket items. Some vendors haggle, some don’t.
The Drive: TX-237’s lined with oaks and wildflowers in spring—pure Texas beauty. We drove by Sealy, TX which I found out was the origin of Sealy mattresses. The Sealy logo / writing is almost on every establishment in the town.
Tips for First-Timers
Here’s what I learned the hard way so you don’t have to:
When to Go: Spring 2025 runs March 20 – April 6, but not every venue’s open the whole time. Zapp Hall and Cole’s are must-hits—check AntiqueWeekend.com for schedules. I’d aim for mid-week to dodge peak crowds but still catch prime inventory.
What to Bring: Comfy shoes (gravel and dirt everywhere), a hat (Texas sun’s no joke), water, snacks, and a big tote or rolling cart. Cash is king. Some vendors don’t take cards.
How to Drive: From Houston, I-10 West to TX-237 is smooth—about an hour and a half. You can stop by Buc-ees in Katy to get some road trip snacks. Austin’s closer where you take US-290 East, then TX-237 South, around an hour. Traffic gets nuts closer to Warrenton, so leave early. Parking’s mostly free, but spots like Marburger Farm charge $5–$10.
What to Do: Shop ‘til you drop, obviously! Hit Renck Hall for a mix of indoor/outdoor goodies, Zapp Hall for the party vibe, and Cole’s for a cool break. Take breaks. Hrab a beer at Zapp’s garden or people-watch. For some people like me who don’t drink alcohol, we found a margarita truck where we asked if she can make mocktails instead, and she did. We got a refreshing mocktail mango margarita. If you’ve got time, explore Round Top’s Big Red Barn (entry fee, high-end stuff).
Pace Yourself: You can’t see it all in a day. W did 6 hours and barely scratched the surface, with over 10k steps. If you have time and a serious shopper, plan 2–3 days.
Porta-potties: They are everywhere. Bring toilet paper or tissue, because some of the bathrooms were wet with no toilet paper. There was a bathroom called ‘The Bougie Bathroom’ sponsored by Warrenton Inn, but it got stinky real quick.
Where to Stay
Lodging books up fast. We thought of booking hotels or AirBnbs but they either got booked up so fast, or were super expensive. I’ve researched options to stay but plan ahead!
Round Top: B&Bs like The Vintage Round Top (around $200/night) are charming but pricey and snap up quick.
Warrenton: Limited spots—think RV parks or guesthouses. Warrenton Inn has vendor-style stays if you’re in the thick of it.
Brenham: Chain hotels like Holiday Inn (~$100/night) are 30 minutes away and reliable.
Pro Tip: Book by January for Spring 2026—RoundTop.com has a lodging guide. Or camp if you’re rugged—RV hookups are everywhere
Antiques Week in Warrenton, Texas, is a wild ride. It’s part scavenger hunt, part social scene, all wrapped in small-town charm. As a first-timer, I loved the thrill of the find, the friendly faces, and that unbeatable Texas hospitality. If you’re game for Spring 2025, start planning now. Book that stay, map your route, and get ready to dig through history. Got a favorite find or tip? Drop it below. I’m already itching to go back!