From amazing live music to vibrant public art to craft beer for days, this underrated college town truly has it all.

You heard it here first : Denton is the new Austin . Perched 40 miles north ofDallas - Fort Worthand form the tip of the Golden Triangle , the once - sleepy college Ithiel Town has bloom into a goal city that masterfully mergessmall - township charmwith a weirdness that many lifelong Austinites would belike give their eldest to have back .

In add-on to the creativeness and energy spilling out of the campus of two major universities — the University of North Texas and Texas Woman ’s University — Denton features dozens of hot venues where you may catch chart - topping careen band , indie singer - ballad maker , and performers of all genres every night of the week . It was the third metropolis in the country to receive the Texas Music Office ’s Music Friendly Community appointment , which is no surprise given that UNT has the largest number of music John Roy Major of any university in the intact country .

The Courthouse - on - the - Square opened in 1896 , and has been the landmark symbol of Denton ever since . It also cast anchor an amusement territory stocked with enough diversions to keep visitors and locals busy for day on end . So , if you ’re looking for an well-situated , affordable , andaction - pack getaway , add Denton to your road trip bucket list .

Discover Denton

Discover Denton

Immerse yourself in sound

Music occupy the air in Denton thanks to a larger - than - average population of musicians . You ’ll find alive medicine venues lining several blocks near the courthouse second power as well as surrounding the University of North Texas ’ campus . Among the must - visit areAndy ’s Barin a circa-1877 building;Dan ’s Silverleaffor local , interior , and outside acts;Harvest Housefor its outdoor stage in the beer garden ; andRubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios , where you ’re just as probable to assist a proper live show as you are to overhear musicians practise in the onsite rehearsal studios .

Drink your fill without breaking the budget

Even though it ’s less than an hour from Dallas , Denton is a nostalgic monitor that expertly craft cocktail do n’t have to cost $ 18 . shell in point?Paschall Bar , a speakeasy up a long staircase above Andy ’s Bar that offers some of the most thoughtfully prepared concoction in Texas , most of which ring up at a cool $ 10 . Nearby , Miss Angeline’soccupies an old household ( and the patio behind it ) , serving up a variety of perfectly balanced tipples on tap for a craft experience without the postponement . Across from UNT , Flying Squirrelpeddles $ 4 cocktails and wine-coloured to - go aboard all - daytime brunch and a huge selection of vegan dishes . But the party really starts when an actual ( human - sized ) squirrel pops out from the back and begins trip the light fantastic with patrons . For craft beer , check that to visitDenton County Brewing Co.(ask if the secret room is available ) to try the 22 planetary house brews on tap . later on , pop across the street toBearded Monk , a craft beer medical specialist with growler fill and icebox burst with hind end and bottles sourced from around the humankind .

Stroll through the Chairy Orchard

Take a walk through one of the most enjoyable and most bizarre attractions in Denton . TheChairy Orchardis fill with old , one - of - a - form , and otherwise unconscionable chairs , sit on the ground and hanging from tree . Stop by for pic or during one of its special events , like the Boho Vintage Tent Sale , a pop - up market that makes frequent appearance .

Eat your way around the Courthouse-on-the-Square

fire your fun at several unbelievable restaurant within expectoration aloofness of the iconic square . Barley & Boardis the go - to for brunch ( do n’t miss the variety of Blue Pancake ) , while across the squareLSA Burgerserves up slayer burgers , just as you ’d await — but do n’t log Z’s on the Chicken Tenders with Attitude ( honey mustard greens sauce include ) . For a untraditional ( but luscious ) Nipponese experience , work your way through the Bao and Ramen options atKomodo Loco . Fine dining awaits atQueenie ’s Steakhousefrom Chef Tim Love . And after an even of music and bar - hopping , stop in for previous - Nox anchor ring at the not - so - secret - secretBack Doughbehind Queenie ’s . When the neon sign is on , sweet pastry dough await . And if you do n’t want to waitress that long for your sugar fix , Beth Marie ’s Old Fashioned Ice Creamwill satisfy you with one of its resistless homemade flavors .

Unearth early Texas history

You ’ve heard enough about Courthouse - on - the - Square by now that you should really schedule an in - person visit . The Denton County Office of History and Culture operates the1896 landmark building , which is filled with artifact as well as the tomb of the metropolis ’s namesake , John B. Denton . Make a second full point atDenton County Historical Park , where the Bayless - Selby House Museum and the Quakertown House Museum showcase another panorama of the townspeople ’s ample past times .

Embark on a mural-inspired photo crawl

Not only is Denton home to incredible musician , but visual artists flock to this laidback community , too . Dozens of mural can be found throughout townspeople for the perfect profile movie background , and you cantrack them all down on this handy map . The Greetings From Denton wall painting is a great station to lead off , but the rest is up to you .

Spend the afternoon drinking with the Mario Bros.

Sure , you ’ll find Free Play location in other parts of North Texas , butFree Play Dentonis easily the coolest of them all . It even has a cellar , which can be hard to come by in Texas . For one low price ( $ 12 with all taxes and fee ) , you ’ll have access to more than 120 arcade games , from pinball and classic 1980s titles to the latest innovational play sensations . Pub chuck , loads of beer on tap , and handcraft cocktail make this a decidedly adult experience — peculiarly after 9 pm on Thursdays , Fridays , and Saturdays when Free Play is 21 - and - over only .

Make like a cowpoke and wrangle up some four-legged transportation

Riding a horse is a right of enactment for everyone who set base in the Lone Star State , and the Denton area extend several selection for you to get your ranch hand on . Book private or group rides viaRNR Stables , Black Mustang Ranch , Four Fillies Farm , andHopper Ranch , then saddle up for a picturesque adventure that ’ll have you in earnest reconsider renewing your lease on that Honda .

Peruse treasures new and old

patronage local business organization is a key part of modern - day travel , no matter how close to home you find oneself yourself . gratefully , Denton is equipped with some really fun point to unload your severely - bring in cash . A massive sugar rush awaits atAtomic Candy , More Fun Comics & Gamesdeals in collectible and other nerdy delights , and you could snatch up up souvenir tee atNorman Roscoe , a full - service filmdom printing process shop . Elsewhere , get your hands on any number of literary- and music - based gem atRecycled Books , Records & CDs , a massive outpost unfold out over three floors inside the historic Wright Opera House .

Andy’s Bar

Andy’s Bar

Discover Denton

Discover Denton

The Chairy Orchard

The Chairy Orchard

LSA Burger

LSA Burger

Denton County Office of History & Culture

Denton County Office of History & Culture

Flickr/railsnroots

Flickr/railsnroots

Free Play Denton

Free Play Denton

RNR Stables

RNR Stables

Norman Roscoe LLC

Norman Roscoe LLC