Denison Shines: A Summer Road Trip Destination
Denison, Texas, has officially earned its spotlight as a must-visit summer road trip destination, highlighted by winning the prestigious 2025 Great American Main Street Award under the dedicated leadership of Donna Dow, Denison Main Street’s dynamic manager.
A vibrant hub of small-town charm, Denison’s historic six-block Main Street buzzes with boutique shops, colorful murals, and lively events, all framed by the town’s rich heritage and beautiful architecture. Join us as we chat with Donna Dow about the exciting transformations fueling Denison’s revitalization and why this Texas gem should be at the top of your summer getaway list for great food, art, history, and unforgettable community spirit.
The following interview reflects the personal views and experiences of the Main Street Manager of Denison, Donna Dow, as shared in the context of exploring Denison as a road trip destination. The responses have been edited minimally for clarity and length. Statements made are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily represent the official position of Denison city authorities or tourism offices. Readers are encouraged to independently verify travel information, attractions, and event details before planning their visit.
Congratulations on Denison’s recent win of the Great American Main Street Award! Donna, can you share what this recognition means to you and the community?
Thank you. It validates our belief that we are one of the top downtowns in the nation. We are beyond excited to be named a Great American Main Street. It has been part of our mission for years.
What were some of the key factors that led to Denison receiving this prestigious award?
Main Street America highlighted our extensive community engagement efforts to support businesses impacted by Designing Downtown Denison (D3), the most ambitious infrastructure renovation in Denison’s 152-year history. Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America, mentioned, “Denison has shown how meaningful community engagement can drive lasting change. By fostering open communication, creative outreach, and strong local partnerships, they ensured that businesses and residents remained at the heart of their significant transformation.”
What makes Denison stand out compared to other Texas towns?
We have the “Longest Main Street District” in the State of Texas. What this means to the traveler is more shopping and experiences in our welcoming downtown, where one feels instantly at home. The shops and businesses go the extra mile to help you find what you might not know you were looking for.
What are some can’t-miss experiences or attractions for first-time visitors?
We have several short-term lodging opportunities in the downtown area or within walking distance. This allows guests to live like a local, where recent surveys indicate it immediately feels like their hometown. With a variety of businesses, one can enjoy many dining options, including a recent business receiving a Shark Tank deal, a growing craft beverage scene, international award-winning coffee competition winners, and wonderful shops with a nice variety of merchandise. Music on Main is free and runs through July on Friday nights, and Denison hosts international touring acts in an outdoor lawn setting. Of course, we love our history, and a visit to Denison isn’t complete without going to the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site. This can be coupled with a visit to the Red River Railroad Museum, where visitors can learn about the roundhouse where the President’s father worked while in Denison.
How does the city celebrate its heritage as well as being the birthplace of President Dwight D. Eisenhower?
We love working with the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site to celebrate our distinction of being the Birthplace of the first Texas-born President. We are proud to have the home on its original site so visitors can imagine what it might have been like when he was born. Of course, we have an Ike Hike that showcases murals of Eisenhower as well as the parade route taken on a return visit by General Eisenhower. You can push a button and listen to a speech given by Ike while standing in the same location and looking at a photo of the day. You can also visit the 16’ bust of former President and Five Star General Dwight David Eisenhower. The statue is the centerpiece of the Eisenhower Veterans Monument, which is surrounded by bricks of military Veterans. Come join us on the second Saturday of October each year as we celebrate Eisenhower’s Birthday!
What are some unique shops, galleries, or dining experiences visitors can expect on Main Street?
Monsters on Main provides fun, eco-friendly, and one-of-a-kind gifts and decor for creative and environmentally conscious people of all ages. It has been featured on TV shows such as The Blox, Season 17, and Expedition Texas.
Café Blackbird was featured on The Daytripper, and sales always receive a boost when the episode re-airs. Carli’s soups and sandwiches are wonderful, but her desserts are phenomenal.
The Deviled Egg Co. is a collective of food enthusiasts dedicated to bringing you the finest and most imaginative deviled egg creations. After receiving a deal on Shark Tank, they have opened in other North Texas cities, but their headquarters is in Denison.
We have many other outstanding dining options: Watson’s is the oldest drive-in in Grayson County; Rustico provides fine Mexican cuisine with flavors from the Gulf of Mexico; 34 Chophouse is a modern steakhouse with old school roots and a lounge in back; and Lettuce Indulge has the best of a farm-to-table experience.
Zig Zag Galleries regularly creates hats on TikTok, and her customers have come to Denison from throughout the United States. Zig Zag Galleries is a contemporary art gallery, gift shop, hat bar, and workshop space.
Denison Arts Council has a gallery on Main Street with unique shows and activities throughout the year. Sparrows Gallery features world-renown artists alongside the areas best artists.
Can you describe some of the public art and architectural highlights that travelers will find downtown?
We have over 150 pieces of public art in our downtown. We are currently undergoing streetscape construction, and some pieces are in storage until completion of this phase in June 2026. However, there are still a very healthy amount on display. The All Aboard Statue was erected in 2022 as part of our sesquicentennial celebration and features a mother and her child running toward a conductor to meet the train at the Katy Depot. Our 22 murals are highlighted by murals of our most famous people, including Sully Sullenberger (Landing on the Hudson), TV Munson, President Eisenhower, Major Jewel Butler, and Clora Bryant. The Yellowjacket Express is the perfect postcard of our city’s history. Our architecture includes 8 ½ blocks of some of the finest architecture in a city our size as the size and scale of the buildings form a magnificent setting of historic charm.
What outdoor activities do you recommend for visitors seeking adventure or relaxation?
Denison borders beautiful Lake Texoma, and we see visitors year-round due to the outstanding fishing. In the summertime, boating, swimming, and water sports are bountiful. With over 580 miles of shoreline spanning Texas and Oklahoma, the lake attracts over 6 million visitors per year, and we hope to get our share by visiting Denison. Eisenhower State Park has wonderful trails for hiking or biking along their picturesque bluffs along the shoreline, just minutes from downtown Denison.
Denison also has a great Parks and Recreation department that oversees Waterloo Lake Regional Park. The 211-acre park has baseball and softball fields, a dog park, a fishing pond, a lighted sand volleyball court, 1.5 miles of ADA-compliant walking trails, 7.8 miles of hiking/biking trails, lighted horseshoe pits, lighted pickleball courts, and more.
How does the city balance its historic charm with opportunities for modern recreation?
Our downtown businesses offer opportunities such as Elite Athletics offers training while next door at Downtown Escape Rooms has opportunities for groups to share their intellectual expertise. The Horses’ Axe has axe throwing challenges as well as pool tables. Just this week, we announced a golf experience that will offer swing analysis as well as recreational opportunities in our downtown. We also have gaming experiences.
What are your hopes for Denison’s future as a travel destination?
We have a significant amount of lake development occurring, and it could double the size of our community. Our people want to maintain the small town feel. My hope is that we can maintain our hometown feeling and serve all our population and guests. Downtown is the heart of our community, and I hope that will never change.
How can visitors and potential new residents stay informed about Denison’s events and developments?
Anyone can keep up with what’s going on at www.downtowndenison.com and DowntownDenisonTX on our social media. We have an active downtown with a lot of events, and they should check out the calendar of events, so they don’t miss a thing!