Region: Prairies and Lakes
Established 1857, seat of Denton County, named for John B. Denton, pioneer lawyer, preacher and soldier. His grave is on the lawn at the historic Courthouse-on-the-Square. The city and county are a blend of agricultural and modern industries. Recreational activities include intercollegiate sports, golf, hunting, and a wide range of water sports at nearby reservoirs, and canoeing and kayaking on the Trinity River Greenbelt. Denton is a Main Street City and located 35 miles north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
Standing guard over the city is the stately Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square. Designed in 1895 and in continuous operation since 1896, it underwent a major restoration in 2004. With its massive limestone walls and soaring clock tower, it's been called "the most picturesque pile of rocks in North Texas." Around the courthouse square are a variety of antique shops, restaurants and specialty stores.
Wind your way through the beautiful Horse Country of North Texas, also known as "Horse Country USA," as area is populated with more than 300 farms and ranches, many of which are breeding and training facilities. There are an estimated 25,000 horses in Denton County and the horse industry represents the No. 1 economic impact in agriculture for the county. Guided tours for public first Saturday of the month. Call the Denton Convention & Visitors Bureau for tickets: 888/381-1818. www.horsecountrytours.com.
Cultural attractions center on several major annual festivals, the Center for Visual Arts and two major state universities: The Univ. of North Texas and Texas Woman's Univ. UNT is the fourth-largest university in Texas, and TWU, including the Dallas and Houston campuses, is the nation's largest university primarily for women.
The North Texas Greenbelt is a joint project between the city of Denton, Dallas and the Army Corps of Engineers to connect Lake Ray Roberts and Lewisville Lake reservoirs. Greenbelt is a 1,500-acre wilderness corridor area that follows the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and features approx. 10 miles of trails and waterways for bicyclists, equestrians, hikers, kayakers, canoeists and others. It has become the premier North Texas destination for outdoor enthusiasts from the surrounding area looking to escape the hustle of city life for a little while.
Shoppers find great treasures in shops within its award-winning downtown district. Bed & breakfast accommodations are also available.