8 delightful things to do in Denton, Texas
There are so many fun things to do in Denton, Texas, from exploring a unique bookstore to attending a local festival.
Maybe you’re in town for a Mean Green football game or you’re visiting your college student at one of the two incredible universities. Or maybe you just wanted to visit somewhere cool and close to home? No matter your reason, while you’re here, you may be wondering: What are some fun things to do in Denton? As an alum of the University of North Texas, I can tell you that there is always something interesting to do here!
Fall in love with their treasured shops or truly unique festivals (c’mon, coffin races are not typical activities). Explore local food and drinks and check out some of the most unique parts of this incredible city. Denton’s wassail is magical, and their live music scene rivals anything you might find in Nashville. Most of all, this city is a wonderful mix of people, activities, new things, and old traditions, and I love every part of it.
Just be prepared. This quirky, fun, and beautiful city has so much to do that it might take multiple visits just to fit it all in.
1. Peruse Recycled Books
Location: 200 N Locust St,
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Daily
If you think it’s odd I’m recommending a bookstore first, then it’s obvious you’ve never been to this bookstore. Recycled Books is one of my favorite used bookstores in all of Dallas-Fort Worth. (It’s also the largest independent bookstore in Texas.) It’s set up inside the old purple-pink Wright Opera House, built in 1899.
Recycled Books has half a million books packed into the nooks and crannies. You’ll have to crouch under staircases, go around corners, and dig deep to discover the novels, records, video games, and more located here.
The most interesting part of all? Locals claim that there has been paranormal activity here—from flying books to creepy sounds. Talk about a one-of-a-kind experience!
2. Fill up on LSA Burger
Location: 113 W Hickory St
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
A burger at LSA Burger (which stands for “Lone Star Attitude”) is unlike anything you’ve ever had before. A stop here is always part of my itinerary when I’m visiting Denton. Located in the heart of downtown, you can enjoy gorgeous views from the upstairs patio while listening to live music and enjoying lunch or dinner.
Every gourmet burger honors a musical legend, like the Chili Willie with Texas chili, Fritos, cheddar, and more packed into a burger. Pair it with amazing garlic Parmesan fries, a cold draft beer, or a frozen margarita. And if you come in the evening, you can join in on the sunset toast tradition. You won’t want to miss this!
3. Take a craft beer tour
Location: Multiple
Hours: Varies
What goes better with burgers than a cool, refreshing glass of craft beer? There are so many unique brews in Denton that your best bet is to go on a tour to try as many as you can. Like Denton’s Beer Alley at 122 E McKinney St, which contains Denton County Brewing Company, The Bearded Monk, and EastSide—you can also get custom screenprinted t-shirts and enjoy live music in this area.
Invite friends to d20 Tavern, a craft beer and board game spot at 112 W Oak Street, which serves 20 local craft beers on tap and has over 350 board games to play.
You can also sign up for the free Denton Beer Tour through Discover Denton, which takes you to popular spots to try, all led by your mobile phone.
4. Walk around Denton Main Street
Location: 110 W. Hickory Street
When: Varies
Walk around Denton Main Street for a whole day of fun. You can score treasures at local salvage shops, boutiques, and community markets, or admire the history of the community, with most of the area holding the honor of being on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visit the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum to learn more about the city—and try to spot the ghost of a cowboy that allegedly haunts the top floors at night. You can also grab a bite to eat, listen to frequent live music, and check out local events here. Or just walk around and admire the various goings-on at different times of the year.
5. Attend a fun and funky festival
Location: Varies
Hours: Varies
Denton is famous for its world-class festivals that celebrate local musicians, unique cultures, and can’t-find-anywhere-else activities that the whole family will enjoy.
Some of my favorite festivals include the Denton Day of the Dead Festival in October (this is where those coffin races come in), the Holiday Lighting Festival and Wassail Fest in December, the Texas Storytelling Festival in March, and the North Texas Fair and Rodeo in August.
There are cool things to experience, no matter what time of year you visit.
6. Get a cone at Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream
Location: 117 W Hickory St
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Saturday
Ice cream is always a good idea, and at Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, anything you order will be delicious. This charming soda shop lists its flavors of the season on a huge chalkboard sign. Every scoop is made the old-fashioned way, with a machine designed in 1927.
In honor of the restaurant’s 25th anniversary, you can enjoy a special flavor that represents its history in Denton. It’s called North of Ordinary, and it includes a rum flavor base to represent Denton’s nightlife, cherries in honor of the Red Bud Festival, pecans for the pecan trees on Denton Square, chocolate chips and butter brickle just to be a little different, and fudge swirl, which is “like a hug; swirling and welcoming all.”
7. Catch a show at Campus Theatre
Location: 213 W Hickory St
Hours: Varies
The performing arts is another area that Dentonites excel in. Catch a live show at Campus Theatre, a building named a Texas State Historical Landmark. Theatre Denton puts on seven main stage productions each year, plus a holiday show and a children’s show. The theater is also used for various film and ballet events throughout the year.
Upcoming shows by Theatre Denton include “Dial M for Murder,” a murder mystery with “a web of deception and danger,” and the classic musical, “The Sound of Music,” based on the memoir of the real-life Maria Augusta Trapp and the seven children of Captain von Trapp.
Check their website for up-to-date event information.
8. Head to Harvest House
Location: 331 E. Hickory St.
Hours: 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday; noon-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday
Catch a fantastic live show at Harvest House, Denton’s largest live music, bar, and beer garden venue. This is a hot spot in town for everything from draft beers and cocktails to coffee and freshly squeezed juice.
Hang out by the fire pits in the patio while your ears are treated to talented live music, or catch a comedy show if you’re in the mood to laugh until you drop.
You can also bring your family and dogs (until 8 p.m.) to play corn hole, pool, and darts in the backyard. This is the best all-in-one entertainment venue with something for everyone.
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