Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Denton is a college city of about 150,000 people at the northern tip of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, about 40 miles north of both downtowns. Founded in 1857 and named for frontier preacher John B. Denton, it grew as a county seat and market town for the surrounding farms, and its ornate 1896 Courthouse-on-the-Square, built of local limestone and granite, remains one of the most photographed buildings in Texas.
Two large universities shape the city's character: the University of North Texas, with one of the most respected music schools in the country, and Texas Woman's University. As a result Denton has an outsized live music scene, with venues around the square and the long-running Denton Arts and Jazz Festival drawing crowds each spring. Its slogan, Keep Denton Quirky, reflects a mix of vintage shops, record stores, coffee houses and murals.
The downtown square is the heart of it all, with the Campus Theatre, the Fine Arts Theatre building and restaurants in restored storefronts, plus regular car shows and festivals. The Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum covers county history, and the DCTA A-train links downtown Denton to the DART rail network. Lake Lewisville and Ray Roberts Lake State Park offer boating, camping and trails nearby.
Denton's striking 1896 county courthouse built of local limestone and granite, at the center of the downtown square. It houses a free museum on Denton County history with exhibits on early life and the courthouse. Visit the museum and then explore the surrounding shops.
A beautiful chapel on the Texas Woman's University campus, built in 1939 and designed by O'Neil Ford, with stained glass windows made by students and handcrafted details. It is often used for weddings. Visitors can see the interior when open; check ahead.
The lively downtown square around the courthouse, with independent shops, bookstores, record stores, cafes, bars and live music venues. It is the heart of Denton's creative scene. Visit in the evening to enjoy live music and the relaxed college-town atmosphere.
A large public university known for its College of Music and famous jazz program, with a busy campus, art galleries and concert halls. Many concerts by student ensembles are free. Check the music school's event calendar and catch a jazz performance.
A public university with a pleasant campus, home to the Little Chapel-in-the-Woods, the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and gardens. It is quieter than the big university nearby. Stroll the campus and see the chapel and historic buildings.
A restored 1949 Art Deco movie theater on Denton Square, now a performing arts venue for community theater, musicals and special events. Its neon sign is a downtown landmark. Check the show schedule and pair a performance with dinner on the square.
A well-known live music venue and bar near Denton Square, hosting local and touring bands in rock, country, jazz and folk. It is a cornerstone of Denton's music scene. Check the show calendar, and expect a small cover charge on most nights.
A park next to downtown Denton on the site of Quakertown, a thriving Black community forced out in the 1920s, with lawns, trails, the Denton Civic Center and historical markers. It hosts big festivals. Read the markers to learn the history of Quakertown.
A large free festival held each spring in Quakertown Park, with several stages of jazz, blues and rock, plus art vendors, food and children's activities. It draws big crowds. Bring chairs and sunscreen, and arrive early to find parking.
A small history park near downtown Denton with the Bayless-Selby House Museum, a restored Victorian home, and the Denton County African American Museum. It shows family life in the region in the early 1900s. Check open days before visiting.
A nature preserve at the meeting of Clear Creek and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, with trails through forest, wetland and prairie, and birdwatching areas. It is a quiet place to see wildlife. Bring insect repellent and wear sturdy shoes.
A large state park on Ray Roberts Lake north of Denton, with swimming beaches, boating, fishing, camping and trails. It is popular for weekend getaways. Pay the day-use fee, arrive early on summer weekends and bring your own shade.
No reviews yet. Been to Denton? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Denton? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Aaron Jacobs on en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Steven Wagner from Fort Worth, Texas, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mick Watson from Atascocita, Texas, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mahanga, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Clint Miller, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Rich Anderson from Denton, United States, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Michael Modecki, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Preserve America, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Barera, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: HominyGrits007, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Brian Bergman from Humidville (Fort Worth), Texas, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Amanda Nordstrom from Ponder, Texas, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
