Word: dentoning

Definition: Exploring the shops, restaurants, music venues, and cultural attractions in Denton, TX.

Denton officials are always looking for ways to make their city stand out, like creating new verbs. Uniqueness, diversity and independence are embraced in Denton, a college town that is home to both the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. The city’s organic, grassroots vibe mixes well with the youthful energy that nearly 50,000 college students bring and the innovations business owners continually bring forward, making Denton one of the Top 10 Best College Towns.

See where Denton ranked on our list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live 2015.

Denton’s eclectic music scene holds its own against even much larger cities, with auditory experiences ranging from street corner serenades by jazz groups and singer-songwriters to hip music venues and clubs like Dan’s Silverleaf, Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio and Hailey’s. Coffee houses and small pubs often fill with college students looking for a study break and young professionals looking to relax at the end of a busy day. Oak St. Drafthouse is one of the most popular hangouts in Denton, especially when the weather is nice and the patio is open.

The most popular restaurants in Denton serve southern comfort foods like burgers, barbecue and breakfast foods. Rooster’s Roadhouse scores well with diners looking for hearty meals and a great place to people watch. LSA Burger Co. gets plenty of action, especially when they have live music and drink specials. (LSA stands for Lone Star Attitude.)

Surrounding Denton are a collection of horse farms containing one of the highest concentrations of horses in the country. Residents and students often venture into the North Texas Horse Country to catch views of Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Quarter Horses and Warmbloods. A pair of nearby lakes provide opportunities to swim, fish and boat while city parks offer places to picnic, walk, play sports and enjoy the sunshine. Residents are able to use the outdoor pool at TWU for a small fee, while the city also provides a natatorium and outdoor pool.

Fun Fact: A military airport tug purchased on eBay is used to carry the 1,600-pound bell that used at UNT football games and other events.