Start out with a visit to Denton Square, the historical and cultural hub of the city, centered around the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square. Following the 1986 restoration of the courthouse, this downtown area experienced a rejuvenation. The Square now features many local businesses and a vibrant nightlife and music scene.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square is a worthy attraction in its own right. The beautiful courthouse includes a well-curated museum of local history. If you bring your kids along, head down to the firehouse to check out the Denton Firefighters Museum. Run by the local fire department, this free museum displays firefighting equipment dating back to the 1800s. The exhibit includes antique breathing masks and a hand-pulled hose cart.
In 1875, the first African American family, the children of freed slaves, came to Denton. They established a community called Quakertown, which flourished until the 1920s, when the community was forced out to make room for a park. The Denton County African-American Museum tells the stories of its inhabitants and the challenges they faced. On a Friday or Saturday night, take the Ghosts of Denton walking tour. Renowned storyteller Shelly Tucker regales visitors with ghost stories and some of the darker bits of local history. The tour is well-researched, packed with information and promises to spook even the boldest guests.
Denton has a thriving local music scene, with live shows almost every night in places like Dan's Silverleaf. The music culture has been cultivated by the University of North Texas College of Music and is largely supported by students at the two universities. At Dan's Silverleaf there is live music for all tastes. To see the best of North Texas, make a reservation today at one of these hotels in Denton, TX below.