Major city · United States
Denton, TexasDenton
Give Denton one night, two if a festival is on: the square, live music and cheap food are the draw, not sights.
Denton is a college town of about 113,000 at the north tip of the Dallas–Fort Worth triangle, roughly 40 minutes from both by car. Its historic courthouse square holds the restaurants, bars and shops; the University of North Texas supplies the music scene. Most travellers pass through for a night or use it as a cheaper base for the Texas Motor Speedway and the northern DFW suburbs.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (35°C (95°F)+ afternoons), late Dec when campus emptiesavoid Jul–Aug (95°F (35°C)+ afternoons), late Dec when campus empties
- Airports
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) · Dallas Love Field (DAL)
- Nights
- 1–2
About Denton, Texas
Denton is a college city in Texas that marks the northern corner of the Golden Triangle, with Dallas and Fort Worth lying roughly the same distance to the southeast and southwest. Interstate 35 splits here into 35E toward Dallas and 35W toward Fort Worth, each about 30 to 45 minutes away by car. The city is reached by the A-Train commuter rail from Carrollton, which links to Dallas Area Rapid Transit lines serving both major airports.
The historic courthouse square is the center of activity, holding antique and specialty shops along with a range of restaurants and bars. The University of North Texas gives the city its music reputation, including the One O'Clock Lab Band and a circuit of live venues. Annual festivals fill the calendar, among them a large spring arts and jazz gathering at Civic Center Park.
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
See
What is worth your time in Denton, Texas.
- Historic courthouse and the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum — The 1896 courthouse houses a free museum of local artifacts, including heirlooms, pottery and weapons.
- Bayless-Selby House Museum — This 1880s Victorian house gives a look at local history and charges no admission.
- Acoustic Lawn Jam — On the Hickory side of the courthouse, musicians bring fiddles, guitars, banjos and mandolins for a free Saturday jam.
- One O'Clock Lab Band — The University of North Texas group is known for its jazz performances.
- UNT on the Square — An arts and meeting space presenting University of North Texas programming to the public, also home to the UNT Institute for the Advancement of the Arts.
Do
- Hear jazz from the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band.
- Visit the University of North Texas Sky Theatre Planetarium.
- Attend the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival at Civic Center Park in spring.
- Catch live music at downtown venues during the 35 Denton festival in March.
Eat and drink
Specialities of this place.
- Beth Marie's Old Fashioned Ice Cream — A 1950s-style parlor on the south side of the courthouse square serving freshly made ice cream.
- New York Sub Hub — A long-standing Denton sandwich institution, with a second location on West University Drive.
- Metzler's — A take-out spot known for barbecue and traditional German sausages.
- Trail Dust Steak House — A steakhouse in the country east of town where staff may cut off a necktie with scissors, with occasional live music.
Customs
- Denton is a college town, and its music scene is tied to the University of North Texas.
- The historic square holds antique and specialty shops.
- Live music is part of the bar and venue circuit, from the square to the warehouse district east of downtown.
Events
- Denton Arts and Jazz Festival — A city-sponsored event usually held over the last three days of April at Civic Center Park, drawing more than 200,000 people for music, food, drink, crafts and recreation.April
- 35 Denton — A music festival held downtown each March.March
- Thin Line — A film and music festival held every February.February
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Denton, Texas911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Denton, Texas, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyDenton is a low-risk college town; the real issues are heat, drink, and driving after a night on Fry Street or the square.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckDFW Dallas/Fort Worth International (About 35–45 min by car via I-35E; DART Silver Line plus A-Train by rail (check Sunday service).).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the square, the two universities and the interstate hotels are 5–10 minutes apart.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealBreakfast burrito$5–9
- BeerDraft beer at a square bar$6–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$130
- Mid-range bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedChain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$130 · High US$240
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DFW Dallas/Fort Worth International (About 35–45 min by car via I-35E; DART Silver Line plus A-Train by rail (check Sunday service).) · DAL Dallas Love Field (About 45 min by car; DART Green Line to Trinity Mills, then the A-Train.)
Map of Denton, Texas
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Denton, Texas
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Lewisville · 23 km straight line
- The Colony · 27 km straight line
- Southlake · 30 km straight line
- Frisco · 31 km straight line
- Coppell · 31 km straight line
- Grapevine, Texas · 31 km straight line
- Carrollton, Texas · 34 km straight line
- Addison · 40 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
Avoid*
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Denton, Texas: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the square, the two universities and the interstate hotels are 5–10 minutes apart. DCTA buses run through the day and the A-Train links downtown Denton to Trinity Mills in Carrollton for DART connections to Dallas and Love Field. The A-Train does not run on Sundays (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 40–60 min by car; about 1 h 45 min by rail
I-35E south by car, or A-Train to Trinity Mills then DART Green Line
Rail is cheap but slow and stops early; a car is easier for a full day.
Door to door: About 40–50 min
I-35W south by car
Stockyards and museums; go on a weekday to avoid I-35W rush hour.
Gainesville, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
I-35 north by car
Outlet shopping and a small historic square; only worth it if you are already driving north.
Decatur, Texas
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
US 380 west by car
County-seat square and barbecue; pair it with a loop back through Wise County.
Lake Ray Roberts
cautionDoor to door: About 20–25 min
Locust Street north out of town by car
Swimming and trails; facilities are minimal, so bring water and food.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown square
Walk to restaurants, bars and the courthouse; limited hotel stock, so book early for festival weekends.
I-35E corridor
Chain hotels with parking, 5–10 min drive from the square; best value for car travellers.
UNT / Fry Street
Student bars and cheap eats; noisier at night, closest to campus events.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Rideshare, DFW airport to downtown Denton1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| DCTA local day pass2 × US$6 · check | US$12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$12 | US$24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$50 |
| Trip total≈ US$273 per person per day, bed included | US$546 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax is added at the till. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Breakfast burrito | $5–9 |
| Burger with a side | $12–18 |
| Draft beer at a square bar | $6–9 |
| Rideshare, square to I-35E hotels | $8–14 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The A-Train has no Sunday service: check the DCTA timetable before you plan a rail arrival or departure.
- Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 35°C (95°F); plan indoor stops between noon and 16:00.Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 35°C (95°F); plan indoor stops between noon and 4:00 PM.Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 95°F (35°C); plan indoor stops between noon and 16:00.Summer afternoons from June to August regularly pass 95°F (35°C); plan indoor stops between noon and 4:00 PM.
- Fry Street allows open containers on the street until 02:30, but not in glass and not on UNT property.Fry Street allows open containers on the street until 2:30 AM, but not in glass and not on UNT property.
- Festival weekends (Arts and Jazz in April, 35 Denton in March) fill the few downtown rooms: book weeks ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Denton, TexasDenton
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Denton; consulates-general sit in Dallas and Houston, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- A-Train, Downtown Denton to Trinity Mills: about 45 min, hourly off-peak (check)
- Rideshare, DFW airport to downtown Denton: $50–70 (check)
- DCTA local bus day pass: about $6 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the courthouse square? — Where is the square?
- Can I get the check, please? — Can I get the check, please?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Denton, Texas. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (35°C+ afternoons), late Dec when campus empties · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for DFW and DAL: last A-Train and DART departures field-checked, rideshare fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the square, Fry Street and UNT, the I-35E hotel strip, the warehouse district.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (courthouse museum, Bayless-Selby House, UNT on the Square) and eat pages with last orders.
- Festival-date fixtures (Arts and Jazz, 35 Denton, Thin Line, PolaCon) so gate checks can go green.
Sources
Ask about Denton, Texas
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