If you are looking for a weekend getaway that’s packed with adventure and full of small-town charm, look no further than Denison, Texas. Just 75 miles north from the heart of Dallas, you’ll be in town and checked in before you know it with plenty of time left to explore!
Known as the gateway city, Denison was founded in 1872 in conjunction with the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad and was the entry point of the first non-Texas-based railroad. The historic Katy Depot still stands today and can be reserved for private events and weddings. You can also visit the Red River Railroad Museum one block away at 124 W. Main Street.
Denison is the birthplace of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was the only one of David and Ida Eisenhower’s seven children born in Texas. David brought his wife and their two young sons, Arthur and Edgar, from Hope, Kansas, in 1889 to pursue a new life in Texas, working on the railroad. His home has been restored and is open to the public for tours.
The home of T.V. Munson, who saved the French Wine Industry from devastation in the 1800s, Denison is rich with craft beverages that you cannot get at home. Take a stroll through the vineyards at Hidden Hangar Vineyards and Winery. From 1928 until the 1950s, the land the vineyard sits on served as a training airport for “wanna-be” pilots and a fuel stop for those traveling between Oklahoma City and Dallas. The tasting room is open Thursday-Sunday from 12:00-6:00 p.m., where you can sip on varietals such as Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Syrah.
For whiskey lovers, Ironroot Republic Distillery is a must. The name “Ironroot” pays tribute to T.V. Munson and the “iron” roots that helped save the French wine industry. The distillery is family-owned and -operated by the Likarish brothers (Robert and Jonathan) along with their mother Marcia, and everything is mashed, fermented, distilled, barrel-aged and bottled on-site in Denison. The spirits are made using high-quality heirloom and non-GMO corn from local farms to capture the authentic flavor of North Texas. The distillery is open for tours every Saturday at noon and 2:00 p.m.
If you like farm-fresh ingredients, check out the Downtown Denison Farmers Market. From farm-fresh eggs, meat, produce and even canned goods, purchase something locally grown and get to know our farmers! You can catch the market Saturdays on the 700 block of Main Street from the beginning of May through October.
After you’ve hit up the Farmers Market, take a stroll down Main Street, where you will find antique shops, boutiques, breweries, wineries and restaurants. Peruse the public art displays, galleries and studios and even create a masterpiece of your own to take with you. And in the summer, you can enjoy Music On Main, the 10-week free summer concert series on Friday nights.
For the outdoor lovers, Denison is surrounded by picturesque parks, trails and natural beauty. From biking around Waterloo Lake, to camping at Eisenhower State Park or striper fishing on Lake Texoma, you’re sure to relax, unplug and unwind.
Rebecca Robinson
Marketing & Tourism Coordinator
Denison, Texas
Photos courtesy of the city of Denison, Texas.
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