An insider's guide to Denton, Texas, a town north of Dallas, Texas
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Denton: A Small City with Plenty to Do
This is an insider's guide to Denton, Texas for people visiting the Dallas area or local people who want to make a day trip to a city with a "small town" feel.
Denton is a city of about 105,000 people that is very diverse and eclectic for its size. Located about 40 miles north of Dallas, the town has managed to keep its unique character and not just become a typical suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
The city is known for jazz and music, including the Jazz and Arts Festival and Brave Combo, the University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, its courthouse square, and the small-town feel despite its recent growth.
I have lived in Denton for about 15 years and have grown to enjoy the many activities it has to offer. The two universities, the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University, often have many events and activities for the community at large.
The Denton County Courthouse, which now houses a museum, is a limestone and granite Romanesque- style building designed by W.C. Dodson and built in 1895-1896. Denton was named after John B. Denton, a captain, preacher, and lawyer that was killed in 1841 by Keechi Indians in one of the many ongoing conflicts and battles of the period.
I will tell you about things to do and see as well as my favorite businesses in Denton.
Denton is a city of about 105,000 people that is very diverse and eclectic for its size. Located about 40 miles north of Dallas, the town has managed to keep its unique character and not just become a typical suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
The city is known for jazz and music, including the Jazz and Arts Festival and Brave Combo, the University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, its courthouse square, and the small-town feel despite its recent growth.
I have lived in Denton for about 15 years and have grown to enjoy the many activities it has to offer. The two universities, the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University, often have many events and activities for the community at large.
The Denton County Courthouse, which now houses a museum, is a limestone and granite Romanesque- style building designed by W.C. Dodson and built in 1895-1896. Denton was named after John B. Denton, a captain, preacher, and lawyer that was killed in 1841 by Keechi Indians in one of the many ongoing conflicts and battles of the period.
I will tell you about things to do and see as well as my favorite businesses in Denton.
Greenhouse Restaurant
600 North Locust
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Denton with a casual though pleasant atmosphere. The mesquite grill adds a special flavor to chicken or burgers. Even the veggie entrees are delicious, including salads and wraps. I have enjoyed almost everything that I have tried there. Recycled Books
Corner of Locust and Hickory Streets on the Square
This locally-owned bookstore just celebrated its 25th anniversary. It has over 300,000 items including books in every subject, records, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes as well as rare books. You can spend hours browsing through their big selection.Recycled Books Website
Beth Marie's Ice Cream Parlor
117 West Hickory
A delicious variety of home-made ice cream in this old-fashined ice cream parlor on the Square. This is a popular spot for families in the hot summers. The Cupboard Natural Foods
200 West Congress Street
This locally-owned health food store is my favorite place to shop for groceries. They have a selection of organic produce and dairy products as well as dry and frozen goods. They offer an organic salad bar as well as a natural foods cafe. Wine² (Wine Squared)
110 West Oak Street, Suite A
Wine²: This wine tasting bar is a great place to have casual conversation with the locals while tasting top-notch wines. Two-ounce samples are about $2.00-$3.50, depending on the wine. They also have samples by the glass. If you are serious about wine, they also offer wine classes.It is located on the Square.
Wine2 Website
Jupiter House Coffee Shop
106 North Loust
This coffee house is definitely a hot spot in Denton, open 24 hours per day. It offers free Wi-Fi for laptops and is a popular hang-out for college students and other intellectuals and Denton locals.They offer an array of coffees, teas, juices, baked goods, and bagels.
The Campus Theater
214 West Hickory Street
This local theater, the Denton Community Theater, in the historic building just off the Square offers classic plays and musicals. We've enjoyed many of their productions.The building was originally a movie theater in 1949, and was then renovated to reopen in 1995. It is a unique landmark just off the Square.
Tickets are between $10 and $18 depending on student, senior,child, or adult status.
The City of Denton is currently improving local streets and sidewalks on side streets of the square, thus the cones are in the photograph.
Denton Water Works Park
Great Place to Take Kids in Hot Summer
The City of Denton opened their water park a few years ago. It offers water slides and other water activities and pools as well as an indoor pool for swimming.
Denton Water Works Park website
Denton Water Works Park website
Denton Texas
The North Texas Greenbelt
Highway 380, Denton
This is a beautiful State Park wilderness area with about 10 miles of trails through the forest for walking, biking, horeback riding, and kayaking. It is just on the outskirts of Denton proper.
While hiking on the long trail, you may encounter some of the many animals and birds that inhabit the area. We often have seen deer, owls, hawks, and many other local birds. We also enjoy bike riding on the trail as well.
While hiking on the long trail, you may encounter some of the many animals and birds that inhabit the area. We often have seen deer, owls, hawks, and many other local birds. We also enjoy bike riding on the trail as well.
Some Favorite Businesses We Use All the Time
These are some of our favorite businesses in Denton that we use for basic services.
- Dave's Foreign Cars
- They are very meticulous as well as honest. They will go out of their way to analyze problems and give any referrals if necessary.
- Spinal Health of North Texas
- "Dr. Steve" Eustice is a friendly chiropractor with the magic touch. We've been going to him for years. He also has massage therapists as well as an acupuncturist in his office.
- The Cupboard Natural Foods
- A health food store with organic and natural foods, a cafe, and supplements. It was started in Denton and is locally-owned and expanded to its larger size several years ago.
- First People's Jewelers
- They are a full-service jeweler located on the Square. I've had watches fixed, rings duplicated, and bought gifts there and they were always very professional.
- The Heritage Inns Bed and Breakfast
- We've stayed in these lovely bed and breakfast inns run by the Morris family. We also always have guests stay there if we do not have enough room at our house. They renovated historic homes from the turn of the century on North Locust Street.
Denton Yearly Events Not to Miss
Denton has several festivals throughout the year that are unique and draw people from all over the area.
Here are my favorites:
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival: This is one of the most popular festivals in Denton that draws thousands of people from the region. There are free concerts by known Jazz artists as well as booths of art and artists from all over the country.
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival Website
The Texas Storytelling Festival: hear storytellers from all over texas and around the country tell wonderul and interesting tales as well as attend classes on teaching how to tell tales. It is usually held in April at Texas Woman's University.
Texas Storytelling Festival 2008 Website
More events that are held throughout the year are posted on:
Denton Live Website
These are a few I have attended:
North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
Thin Line Film Festival
Holiday Lighting Festival
Here are my favorites:
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival: This is one of the most popular festivals in Denton that draws thousands of people from the region. There are free concerts by known Jazz artists as well as booths of art and artists from all over the country.
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival Website
The Texas Storytelling Festival: hear storytellers from all over texas and around the country tell wonderul and interesting tales as well as attend classes on teaching how to tell tales. It is usually held in April at Texas Woman's University.
Texas Storytelling Festival 2008 Website
More events that are held throughout the year are posted on:
Denton Live Website
These are a few I have attended:
North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
Thin Line Film Festival
Holiday Lighting Festival
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60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Dallas, Fort Worth: Includes Tarrant, Collin and Denton Counties
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Denton Texas Links
- City of Denton Official Site
- The "Enjoying Denton" link has some information useful to visitors and residents.
- North Texas Greenbelt
- This is a basic introduction to the Greenbelt Park.
- Lake Ray Roberts State Park site
- Texas State Park Guide for Lake Ray Roberts and the Greenbelt Corridor.
- Murchison Performing Arts Center, University of North Texas
- Website from UNT for the calendar and tickets at the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
- Denton Convention and Visitor's Bureau
- This site has announcements about upcoming festivals as well as general information about visiting Denton, Texas.
- The Campus Theater
- This local theater, the Denton Community Theater, in the historic building just off the Square offers classic plays and musicals. We've enjoyed many of their productions.
- Denton Record-Chronicle
- Denton's daily newspaper highlighting Denton news as well as the Dallas-Fort Worth area and national news.
- The University of North Texas
- This is a large state university with 34,000 students. They are known for their world-class music school, especially jazz and classical music, and have many concerts throughout the year.
- Texas Woman's University
- This is another university in Denton. It is largest university primarily for woman in the country. I think it has the prettiest campus in Denton, with beautiful landscaping and gardens. The Little-Chapel-in-the-Woods is worth seeing.
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Books About Denton, Texas
History of Denton, Texas: From its beginning to 1960
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Used Price: $205.87
Elizabethtown and Elizabeth Cemetery, Denton County, Texas
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Captain John B. Denton,: Preacher, lawyer and soldier
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
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An Illustrated History of Denton County, Texas: From Peters Colony to Metroplex
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Used Price: $76.50
A brief history of Denton County, Texas
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Favorite Ethnic Restaurants in Denton
This is a list of some of our favorite ethinic restaurants in Denton. There are still many more to try.
- Royal East Asian Cuisine
- This is the best Korean restaurant in the area. They also feature Japanese sushi. We love the jap chae (noodles) as well as the bulgolgi.
1622 W. Univesity Drive - Yummy's Greek Restaurant
- This is a small restaurant with affordable Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine. For a good, cheap meal, order the chicken souvlaki sandwich in pita bread. They also have gyros.
210 West University Drive - Andaman Thai Restaurant
- They feature authentic Thai cuisine that is always delicious and not too heavy.
508 S. Elm Street - El Matador Restaurant
- El Matador Mexican Restaurant has been a favorite of ours for Mexican cuisine for many years. We especially enjoy the Chicken Fajitas for Two which are tasty and a good deal for the amount of food served.
720 West University Drive
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Recommended Massage Therapists in Denton
- Love of Life - Intuitive Touch
- Dan has been a massage therapist for about 10 years and has studied cranial sacral therapy as well. He has appointments in his Denton office as well as Turtle Creek Dallas, or Your Locale.
- Bodywise Yoga
- Karin Ricketts operates this studio for massage therapy, yoga, and other modalities. She has been a massage therapist and business owner for several years in Denton. She also runs Kneaded Touch, the chair massages offered by many therapists at the Cupboard Natural foods.
(940) 898-1923
800 N Locust St # B
Denton, TX 76201
by ecovicki
I have been practicing healthier living for about 15 years. I would like to share my experiences in creating my healthy home.
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