Whether you're on a first date, second date, or 100th date, this list is for you.
First we'll cover some fun date ideas to make your day extra unique. Then we will list some go-to places like restaurants, bars and coffee shops that you can go enjoy for the first part of your date.
Let's dive in!
DENTON DATE IDEAS
Denton Square
- Picnic on the square lawn. It's also BYOB / open container, so bring a bottle of wine or beer — support local and get your booze from Steve's Wine Bar, Denton County Brewing Co, or Midway Mart!
- Enjoy a concert or live music at Harvest House, Dan’s Silver Leaf, Andy's Bar, or Thursday “Twilight Tunes” on the square (seasonal).
- Watch a play at the Theatre Denton.
- Get artsy at the BYOB Painting with a Twist. Find a couple's painting class!
- Learn about the great town of Denton at the Denton Courthouse Museum.
- Browse the Antique Mall and buy a small gift for each other.
- Channel your inner 80's gamer at Game Changers or Freeplay Arcade.
- Free boulder at Movement Gym Rock Climbing with a day pass.
- Browse the local vendor booths at Denton Community Market.
- Play board games or bar games (darts, pool, corn hole, etc.) at Oak Street Drafthouse, Denton County Brewing Co, d20 Tavern, etc.
- Get a couples massage at Denton Massage on the Square or Essentials Day Spa.
- Buy a board or card game from More Fun Comics & Games or Recycled Bookstore to play at home. Or take it to a local coffee shop or d20 Tavern to play!
- Cool off with some ice-cream from Beth Maries or gelato and Italian pastries at Two Gentlemen of Verona.
- Try on costumes for fun at Rose Costumes.
- Pick out a bottle of wine to-go from Steve's Wine Bar or Applejacks Liquor, and buy a puzzle from More Fun Comics & Games to do together at home.
- Go to Recycled Bookstore or Patchouli Joe's Books to buy two of the same book to read, and do a "couples book club" to discuss each chapter. Or go to The Plot Twist to read a romance book and enjoy a cocktail!
- Find free live music to attend (i.e. Twilight Tunes), or get tickets to another music venue spot like Steve's Wine Bar, Harvest House, Rubber Gloves, and Dan's Silverleaf
Active
- Disc golf: North Lakes Park (buy discs from Secondhand Sports!)
- Fishing: North Lakes Park
- Driving Range: North Lakes Park
- Tennis: Goldfield Tennis Center, South Lakes Tennis Courts, West Tennis Courts
- Pickleball: North Lakes Tennis Center (outdoor), The Picklr (indoor), Dinkers (indoor)
- Lake Ray Roberts (Pilot Point): Bike Riding, Hammocking, Picnic, Beach, Fishing, Kayaking
- Bike Riding: Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, Denton Branch Rail Trail, North Lakes Park, South Lakes Park, Greenbelt (entrance at Lake Ray Roberts dam, or Aubrey), Isle du Bois Lake Ray Roberts State Park (Pilot Point)
- Parks: North Lakes Park, South Lakes Park, McKenna Park
- Dog Parks: Wiggly Field, North Lakes Dog Park
- Trails: North Lakes Park, South Lakes Park, Lake Ray Roberts (Pilot Point), Denton Branch Rail Trail (Denton Square to Lake Dallas)
- Bowling: Twin Pins, Bowlero, Andy B's
- Arcade: Game Changers, Freeplay
- Roller Skating: Lone Star Rink (check schedule), Interskate (Lewisville)
- Slide Park: Slick City
- Swimming: Denton Natatorium & Water Works Park
- Geocaching
- Indoor Rock Climbing: Movement Gyms
- Digital Scavenger Hunt
- 5K: Denton Running Club - Free Wednesday 5ks and Summer Runs
- North Texas Horse Country Tours
- Sand volleyball: North Lakes Park, The Strand (Lewisville)
- Basketball: North Lakes Park, McKenna Park, South Lakes Park
- Dancing: Salsa with Jo, Dance Amazing (Flower Mound), Electric Cowboy (Lewisville).
Misc.
- Drive around and visit garage sales or estate sales (weekend).
- Attend an annual festival or event like Arts & Jazz Festival, North Texas Fair & Rodeo, Holiday Lighting Festival, etc.
- Attend a local high school or college sporting event.
- Visit the Texas Tulip Farm. (seasonal, Pilot Point)
- Visit the Lavender Farm. (seasonal, Gainesville)
- Visit the Strawberry Farm. (seasonal, Pilot Point)
- Eat pizza "with" bears at the Bear Den & Pizza. (Pilot Point)
- Volunteer at Our Daily Bread or another nonprofit organization on the weekend.
- Take a tour of UNT or TWU campus.
- Take a shot at winning some cash at Denton Bingo.
- Test your knowledge at Trivia at a local bar.
- Take pictures at various Denton art mural locations.
- Watch a movie on Wednesday nights on the megatron at East Side, or hit up the theaters at Movie Tavern or Alamo Drafthouse.
- Buy peaches or take pictures next to the rose garden (seasonal) at Gemini Peach and Rose Farm.
- Do random acts of kindness for strangers or the homeless.
- Buy local merch from your favorite spots and tie-dye it at home.
- Go shopping at a local thrift store like Twice as Nice Resale to buy an outfit or fun item for each other.
- Explore places you’ve never been to in Denton.
- DIY "BYOB Painting Class" - Get paint supplies from Thistle Creative Reuse and paint a canvas at home by looking at a picture online. Enjoy a bottle of wine while you paint.
- Book a show or concert at the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
- Have a cocktail tasting event or make boozy popsicles at home using liquors from Applejacks Liquor.
TOP DENTON BARS & COFFEE SHOPS
Coffee/Tea
- Coffee and dessert: West Oak, Zera's, Jupiter House, L'Amitie
- Coffee and food: West Oak, Zera's, Jupiter House, L'Amitie
- Coffee and alcohol: Union Bear, L'Amitie
- Tea: 3 Roses Tea Room
Adult Beverages
- Beer: Oak Street Drafthouse, Denton County Brewing Company, Black Fox Brewing, Toasty Bros Brewery, Union Bear, East Side, Uptown Rail Brewery (Sanger)
- Beer flight: Oak Street Drafthouse, Denton County Brewing Company, Black Fox Brewing, Toasty Bros Brewery, Union Bear
- Cocktails: Paschall Bar, 940’s K&C, Miss Angelines
- Wine: Steve’s Wine Bar, Fortunata Winery (Aubrey)
- Margaritas: El Taco H, Mexican Oak, Wild Cactus Cantina, Corozon Roto, Pappa D's (Sanger)
- Bar + Entertainment: d20 Tavern, Freeplay, The Plot Twist, Steve's Wine Bar, Yellow Dog Art Bar
Patio Restaurants & Bars:
- Shuck Me
- Harvest House
- Oak Street Drafthouse
- East Side Social
- Miss Angelines
- Food truck parks: East Side, El Zocalo, Hilltop (Argyle)
- Greenhouse
- Hannah's
- LSA Burger
- Roosters
- Denton County Brewing Co
- Anderson's Distillery
- Dan's Silverleaf
- Steve's Wine Bar
- Black Fox Brewery
- Chestnut Tree Cafe (limited outdoor seating)
- Bearded Monk (limited outdoor seating)
- Queenie's (limited outdoor seating)
- The Lake Haus
- Rusty Taco
- Fuzzy's Taco
- Juicy Pig BBQ
- Villa Grande
- The Loophole
- 2 Charlies
- Lucky Lou's
- Cool Beans
TOP DENTON DESSERTS & TREATS
Dessert / Apps
- Ice cream & gelato: Beth Marie’s, Two Men from Verona
- Pastries, baked goods & desserts: Ravelin Bakery, Two Men from Verona, Dulce Mami
- Candy: Atomic Candy
- Appetizers & Small Plates: 940's, Taan Eatery, Union Bear, Wild Cactus
- Cheese & Charcuterie: Ten:One
TOP DENTON RESTAURANTS
Special Occasion
- $$$: Queenies, Hannah's, Keiichi, Osteria il Muro
- $$: 940's, Greenhouse, 3 Roses Tea Room
BYOB Restaurants:
- Picone
- Yummy's
- Green Zatar
- Bagheri's
- Thai Ocha
Our Go-To Restaurants:
- Shuck Me (kid-friendly patio! fried shrimp baskets)
- Union Bear (happy hour + all things dinner)
- Komodo Loco (happy hour + all things dinner)
- El Taco H (taco plate and guacamole)
- Mexican Oak (happy hour)
- Thai Ocha (yellow chicken curry)
- 940's (happy hour + all things dinner)
- I Love Sushi (tempura cali roll + specialty rolls)
- The Tomato / East Side food trucks (Veggie Wedgie)
- LSA Burger (brisket queso)
- New York Sub-Way (off University)
- L'Amitie (brunch or lunch)
- Cartwright's (breakfast + mac-n-cheese burger)
- Hannah's (Sunday brunch)
- Chuy's (sorry, know it's a chain but can't help myself)