Round Top, TXSmall But Mighty

0

The winter holidays used to mean whirlwind trips to places like Paris, Napa and Copenhagen. They used to be about wandering through European Christmas markets, sipping spiked hot cocoa in the streets of York, or leisurely shopping along the Champs-Elysées. Those were the days. Someday, they may return. But for now, with a six-year-old and an ex-spouse who also needs to spend time with his son during the holidays, the festive season has shifted. It’s less about grand adventures and more about planned chaos.

Last year, for example, we didn’t go anywhere exciting; there were no airport lines or picturesque European streets. Instead, we spent Christmas Eve with family, enjoyed Christmas morning at home, and navigated a maze of custody arrangements and work schedules.

But we did manage to carve out a little time for a day trip – just a brief jaunt to Round Top, TX.

Round Top is small. Even though the town has grown in popularity, it retains a timeless, almost preserved feeling. Despite new businesses cropping up, it’s not exactly the place you would think of when considering a family neighborhood or suburban streets lined with cul-de-sacs. Nor is it your typical tourist town, not in the way we often imagine quaint destinations. Instead, it’s something entirely unique. It’s not quite a town, not quite wilderness, and not really a tourist hotspot – yet, not entirely local, either.

Located about 90 minutes outside of Houston, Round Top is one of those places that can easily slip under the radar. The town is spread out, not cramped into a bustling downtown area, though there is a main drag. Shops are scattered along the road that leads into and out of town. With just 90 full-time residents on less than one square mile of land, it’s small – yet mighty.

Round Top may be tiny, but it makes the most of its space. The town is brimming with antique stores, vintage shops, cafes, restaurants, a brewery and a strong sense of nostalgia. There’s an old-timey charm, a feeling of stepping into yesteryear. Round Top has the off-the-beaten-path appeal of a hidden gem, with a touch of Mayberry nostalgia and a dash of black-and-white TV. It overflows with relics from the past that seem to be waiting for a revival, especially in a place like Round Top.

Our day began in a vintage boutique owned by a friend, filled with mid-century décor and quirky trinkets. The other shops in the complex were closed, only open on weekends; but we were happily redirected to some local lunch spots. It seemed almost surreal, the number of options available in such a small town. We decided on the brewery, as it was rumored to serve hot dogs (a must for a six-year-old) and were very pleased with our choice.

The brewery was cozy, with beer brewed in-house and all the meat smoked on-site. A large patio surrounded by a fire pit had more chairs and tables than seemed necessary. We were told they always filled up, especially during events like the Round Top Antiques Fair, the Music Festival or Shakespeare at Winedale.

After lunch, we wandered through more antique shops, pausing to admire the fountains and sculptures scattered across the village green. Though the town wasn’t crowded, even on a Saturday, the experience was peaceful, with mild weather for late December – quite the pleasant surprise, even for Texas.

We hadn’t known quite what to expect from Round Top, but we were charmed. A delicious lunch, cold local beer, intriguing shops, stunning antiques and an unexpected trip back in time – all just an hour outside Houston. It might not have been an extravagant holiday abroad, but it was something special, and best of all, it’s a place we can revisit any weekend we choose.

Share.

Leave A Reply