Located 35 miles north of the DFW Metroplex, Denton still offers much of the atmosphere of a small Texas town, from its limestone courthouse to several attractions of interest to visitors. Downtown, travelers will find several restored historic buildings thanks to the city’s participation in the Main Street program.
Denton is home to the University of North Texas and the Texas Woman’s University, noted as the nation’s largest university designed primarily for women.
Attractions
Denton County Courthouse Museum. Exhibits range from early 20th century pottery and blue glass to local historical photos. There’s also a genealogy and family research center here. 110 W. Hickory St.
Denton County African American Museum. A historic home in the traditional African-American community of Quakertown houses a collection of photos and articles tracing African-American culture in the area. 317 W. Mulberry St.
Denton Firefighters’ Museum. Exhibits here trace the evolution of firefighting with historic equipment and other memorabilia. Fire Station No. 1, 332 E. Hickory St.
Ray Roberts State Park. This park, always popular as a weekend getaway from DFW, invites you and your dog to enjoy several distinct units. The Ray Roberts Greenbelt, a favorite with equestrians, is open to dogs on leash and offers 12 miles for equestrian and 10 miles for hike and bike use, starting at the Ray Roberts dam and ending at Lake Lewisville. The park itself has two units: the Isle du Bois Unit and the Johnson Branch Unit. Isle du Bois offers plenty of dog-friendly trails, swimming, picnicking and camping, while Johnson Branch has a primitive hiking trail, swimming, picnicking and camping. Isle du Bois Unit, 100 PW 4137, Pilot Point; Johnson Branch Unit, 100 PW 4153, Valley View.
Texas Motor Speedway. Located 14 miles south of Denton, this speedway is home to a wide variety of races including NASCAR. Peak racing season is March through June although the complex is open for tours throughout the year.
Texas Women’s University. Founded in 1901, this is the largest university in the country designed primarily for women. Its student population is approximately 15,000. The university includes several museums of interest to travelers including the Texas First Ladies Historic Costume Collection, a unique collection featuring gowns worn by First Ladies of Texas. The collection includes First Ladies Eisenhower, Johnson, and Bush but also the wives of governors of Texas and wives of the presidents of the Republic of Texas. Administration Conference Tower, 304 Administration Dr.
Map
For More Information
Denton Convention and Visitors Bureau
Photo Credit: Kevin Stillman via Texas Tourism