Regardless of where you go in Denton, you'll find countless gems (hidden and otherwise) that speak to the culture, personality and unique vibes of this big city with a small town community feel.
If you're feeling up to spending a few hours browsing the city to get a taste of the Denton experience, check out this ultimate Denton Scavenger Hunt list of 25 fun spots to explore and find out what makes Denton... well, Denton.
Average duration: 3+ hours
How to play: Guess the location of the clue and use your GPS to locate it. Take a fun photo at each of these spots for proof and post your journey to social media (tag the location or business name). You can compete against teams to see who finds these locations the quickest, or you can use this as a guide to take your time and enjoy the unique spots Denton has to offer without rushing the experience. Feel free to choose one area of town as it fits your timeframe and interests.
Downtown Denton
South of University Drive, you'll find two universities (UNT and TWU) and a local favorite hotspot, the downtown Denton Square.
While most people call it the Denton courthouse, it's not the real courthouse of Denton (just the one on the square). But take a step inside this Romanesque Revival / Siberian / Whatever-You-Want-To-Call-It architectural masterpiece and enjoy the unique character this place was built inside-out.
Photo: a unique feature inside (or out) of the building.
2) The Purple Door
Located right off the Denton square, you'll find a "hidden purple door" just behind a business branded with this same color. Just don't cross McKinney Street and you're destined to eventually come across this great photo op during the day.
Photo: sitting or standing by the purple door.
3) Books for Tall People
With purple (and pink) in mind, the Opera House has a famous bookstore with maze-like vibes. While you're browsing all the nooks and crannies filled with every type of used book you can think of, don't forget to look UP for a special kind of book section for really, really tall people. No, you won't be able to reach it or buy the books... but it's always picture worthy.
Photo: an artsy angle of this book section.
4) Sip & Opera*
For 21+ only: Speaking of the Opera House, if you want to gaze upon this iconic building while sipping a delicious gin cocktail (in fact, my favorite cocktail in Denton), you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind concoction named after this building at one of Denton's most popular local restaurants. Made with St. Germain and topped with a charred rosemary sprig, it's only $5 during happy hour.
Photo: sipping this drink with the hand gesture of an opera singer.
5) Sunset Shot* or Piano Stairs
If you're more of a beer person, you can grab a juicy burger and delicious brisket queso at another popular restaurant with the best (and highest) view of the courthouse. You might even catch some live tunes playing while enjoying the scenery. At sunset, they hand out a mini shot of local beer to everyone. If you aren't 21, you can simply enjoy the "piano" stairs and sing your own tune to each step. It may need a new paint job but who's complaining?
Photo: cheers to the courthouse view with your sunset shot (21+ only) or posing on the piano stairs.
6) Neon "Denton"
A popular New American restaurant named after Denton's area code has a classic neon sign that's perfect for photo ops. It's the only time asking where the bathroom's located isn't awkward.
Photo: posing next to this neon sign.
7) Gaudiest Lamp in Denton* or The "lil d"
Gaze upon the most eccentric, Victorian-style, gaudy-awesomeness-of-a-lamp located at Denton's first beer garden on the dark side of the Square. But before you sit outside on the patio with a delicious local brew, you'll need to go inside to capture a photo of this priceless piece.
Photo: artsy photo of the lamp (21+ only to go in the bar) or become the "i" in the lil d sign.
8) Fairytale Treat
There's gnome place like Denton, which is why it's the perfect place to get a cold treat served by a fellow gnome-y. If you choose to enjoy a treat from this fairytale dessert shop, hopefully a brain freeze or numb tongue won't keep you from figuring out this next clue.
Photo: posing next to their giant mascot on the front patio.
9) Late Night Treat
If you're out-and-about a little later in the evening, a fancy restaurant offers delicious "doughy" treats only from their "back door" area. It feels like a speakeasy for fluffy, gourmet donuts.
Photo: chomping on one of their delicious donuts.
10) Queen's Gambit*
After eating late night treats like a queen, you can practice your chess skills at this 2nd-story, old-world style speakeasy bar. If the game is already on with another duo, ask if you can take a picture of them intently playing as if it were the real Queen's Gambit.
Photo: playing chess.
11) Good Ol' Fashioned Sugar
You've got two options to get a throwback treat experience that'll have you singing "Sugar, Sugar." Along the Hickory Street side of the Square, you can find an old fashioned ice cream shop and a candy shop that both kids and old fogies love to visit on the reg.
Photo: buy a scoop of ice cream in a cone, or a piece of vintage candy.
12) Indian-Inspired Gems
The owner of this store literally goes to India and buys unique jewelry, clothes and accessories to sell in her artsy shop right here in Denton. Decorated top to bottom with bright and bold patterned colors, you can't miss this true "gem" when walking just south of the Square near the Denton Community Market field.
Photo: find the most unique piece in the shop.
Located on one of Denton's coolest murals, you can grab a "juicy" bite of delicious BBQ (my favorite in town) and walk right over to some faux steps that lead into "space."
Photo: acting like you're stepping into the camper and going into a new dimension.
14) Truck Bed Music Venue
Tucked away just north of the Square is a patio restaurant and bar that hosts live music on the reg. They turned an old-fashioned farm truck bed into a platform for artists to perform on. Try their Banderos appetizer before you go!
Photo: posing by the truck bed, whether or not a band is currently playing!
15) A Denton Keepsake
There's a real love for this community amongst locals and even visitors. Lots of shops near the square sell cool Denton-y merch so you can show your love for this place, because it's truly like nowhere else. And locals love buying Denton things, too. A couple of places you can step inside to find a keepsake are along the Hickory side of the Square, selling everything from t-shirts to ornaments and stickers. It's a great option to discover Denton, while you're at it.
Photo: your favorite Denton item at the store you're at.
16) Hand-Made in Denton
Denton is a creative town full of makers and artists. Support a local maker and shop at one of Denton's favorite shops "on a dime" filled with things made right here — including stationery, pottery, jewelry and so much more.
Photo: something unexpected that is Made in Denton.
All you need to do is walk into Denton's most popular brewery for this photo op. With their entrance walls covered in beer cans and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling to reflect groovy vibes, you can bust out some moves or stick around for a brew.
Photo: do your best disco dance move in the entrance hall.
18) Stone Henge Playground
Designed as a memorial for a former TWU professor and one of the founding members of the Denton Unitarian Fellowship, this stone "play wall" has been around Quakertown Park since 1970 and still standing strong for all to enjoy.
Photo: playing on the stone wall.
North Denton
North of University Drive are some additional hidden gems that people love to visit for various occasions.
If you want some fresh air, it's "clear as a creek" that you should put on some bug spray and take a walk around the trails at a this natural habitat not far from Hartlee Field.
Photo: a wildflower found along the trail.
22) Smell the Roses
Depending on the season, you can literally stop to smell the roses AND peaches at this tucked-away garden that's open to the public. Viewing the rose garden is free but picking peaches will cost ya. Call ahead to make sure they're open for peachy visitors but you're almost always welcome to browse the beautiful variations of roses growing.
Photo: a full-grown rose or perfect peach.
23) Sit in the Orchard
Filled top to bottom with a huge variety of chairs, this unique kind of "orchard" is one you don't want to miss. It's owned by the owner of Rose Costumes, and it's the public property next to her home near Avondale Park.
Photo: pick your favorite throne to sit for a photo op!
South Denton
A "lake" named after this fantasy creature resides in South Denton with a paved walking trail around the perimeter. While you're there, you can check out a different kind of "dive" bar with great happy hour prices and a large patio to enjoy the view.
Photo: hold one finger on your forehead like a unicorn and pose by the lake.
25) Haunted Bridge
Legend says this iron-truss span that once connected Denton to Copper Canyon is haunted at night, with many claiming they've seen a demonic goat-man figure around the bridge. But have no fear, you can still visit it during the day without the spooks to take a pic!
Photo: posing with a scared look by the bridge.
Need help with the clues? I won't leave you wandering helplessly around Denton trying to figure it out....
So keep scrolling for the answers!
And scrolling....
- Downtown Denton Square Courthouse
- Behind B&O Towing (along McKinney Street)
- Recycled Books and More
- Barley and Board
- LSA Burger
- 940’s Kitchen & Cocktails
- Oak Street Draft House
- Gnome Cones
- Back Dough (side of Queenie's)
- Paschal Bar (upstairs at Andy’s bar)
- Atomic Candy or Beth Marie's Ice Cream
- Juliet’s Jewels
- Juicy Pig
- Red's Yard
- Norman Roscoe or Discover Denton
- DIME Handmade
- Armadillo Ale Works (side patio entrance)
- Betty Jane Blazier Memorial (by the Civic Center)
- Chapel in the Woods (by TWU)
- UNT campus
- Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center trails
- Gemini Peach and Rose Farm
- Chairy Orchard
- Unicorn Lake (and The Dive)
- Goatman’s Bridge / Old Alton Bridge