Royal Oak

I-75/the Chrysler Freeway is located directly east of Royal Oak, and runs north-south. I-696/the Reuther Freeway is located directly south or Royal Oak, and runs east-west. Bordering the left-hand side of Royal Oak is Woodward Avenue, which runs northwest-southeast, and will take you southbound directly into Detroit.

By train

• Amtrak

  address: 201 S Sherman Dr
  Train service to and from Chicago on the Wolverine Service (5-6 hours, $25-$50), with many connections in Chicago. Deeply discounted tickets at short notice are often available at Amtrak's Weekly Specials page.

Royal Oak is a very walkable city, the downtown area is a mile long, Main Street and Washington Street are the definite downtown areas to walk around.

• Bike NightsDuring Wednesdays you can see cruiser motorcycles and on Thursdays you can see sports bikes

• Detroit Zoo

  phone: +1 248-398-0900
  address: 8450 W 10 Mile Rd
  Recognized as one of the top zoos in the nation, ride the train, walk through arctic ring of wildlife. This is a must see.

• Affirmations

  address: 290 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale
  Lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender community center.

• Brew and View at the Magic Bag

  phone: +1 248-544-3030
  First-run movies are shown. 21+

• Main Art Theatre

  phone: +1 248-263-2111
  address: 118 N Main St
  Nice and clean Independent film theater; they also have special midnight movie nights on the weekends.

• Motor City PrideGay pride festival that takes place along 9 mile in Ferndale. (Now relocated to Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. Ferndale still has a street festival and shuttle service is provided between the two events.)

• Royal Oak Music Theatre

  phone: +1 248-399-2980
  address: 318 W 4th St

• Hilton Family Billiards

  phone: +1 248-541-2890
  address: 2141 Hilton, Ferndale
  All-ages pool hall, smoking is allowed.

Disc Golf

Royal Oak has 2 Disc Golf courses, it is an inexpensive game to get into; there are liquor stores located directly across from the parks that sell individual discs ranging from $9-$18. Also, the store "In Flight" in the Oak Park/Ferndale area also sells discs and other disc golf accessories. The Throw Shop in Ypsilanti, an hour West on I-94, is the largest disc golf store in the region, well worth the trip as it also features a 28-hole disc golf course.

• Starr Jaycee Park

  address: 1101 W 13 Mile Rd
  18 hole course, it is really just a 9 hole course with tees doubled up.

• Wagner Park

  address: 100 Detroit Ave
  9 hole course.

• Antiques at the Royal Oak Farmers Market

  phone: +1 248-246-3276
  address: 316 E 11 Mile Rd
  Come here on Sundays to shop for Antiques and Collectibles, baked goods and coffee are also sold here. There is also a tiny cafeteria in the corner that sells inexpensive breakfast and lunch.

• BDT Pipe & Tobacco

  phone: +1 248-542-6110
  address: 21640 John R Rd, Hazel Park
  The preeminent head shop of the Detroit metropolitan area. Knowledgeable and friendly staff.

• Cloverleaf Fine Wine

  phone: +1 248-357-0400
  address: 711 S Main St
  Obscure fine wines and craft beer, competitive prices. All craft brews are sold as singles with no extra markup on them.

• Holiday Market

  phone: +1 248-541-1414
  address: 1203 S Main St
  Upscale grocer, large craft beer and wine selection.

• In Flight

  phone: +1 248-586-9198
  address: 8106 W 9 Mile Rd, Oak Park
  Disc golf gear, locally blown glass pipes and other head shop paraphernalia.

• Lost and Found Vintage

  phone: +1 248-548-6154
  address: 510 S Washington Ave
  Vintage clothing store.

• Noir Leather

  phone: +1 248-541-3979
  address: 124 W 4th St
  Fetish fashion boutique, this is a must see.

• Nutri Foods

  phone: +1 248-541-6820
  address: 120 S Main St
  Health food store.

• Salvation Army

  phone: +1 248-542-6661
  address: 114 E 4th St
  Thrift store, not as large of a selection as other ones in the area.

• The Rust Belt Market

  phone: +1 810-441-0956
  address: 22801 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
  An indoor market that provides space for local artisans and merchants a place for vending. Handmade goods, food, art, photography, jewelry, and many other vendors are found here.

While a lot of fast food restaurants and chains such as Noodles & Company and Jimmy John's can be found in Royal Oak, as a visitor you shouldn't bother wasting your time eating in those establishments.

• 2nd Street Sub Shop

  phone: +1 248-543-7474
  address: 108 W 2nd St
  Large delicious submarine sandwiches. Don't waste your time eating Subway or Jimmy John's fare; this is the real deal.

• Beirut Palace

  phone: +1 248-399-4600
  address: 205 S Main St
  Family-owned Mediterranean restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating available. Those inclined can order a hookah and partake in smoking shisha with friends.

• Comet Burgers

  phone: +1 248-414-4567
  address: 207 S Main St
  '50s style restaurant, Sliders & Milkshakes, malt shakes, ice-cream. Known more for its pink-vinyl decor than its food. A good place to get a late night bite to eat if you can handle the crowds.

• Inn Season Cafe

  phone: +1 248-547-7916
  address: 500 E 4th St
  Vegetarian restaurant open since 1981, features assorted veggie & vegan friendly cuisine such as Mexican dishes and stir fries.

• Loui's Pizza

  phone: +1 248-547-1711
  address: 23141 Dequindre Rd, Hazel Park
  Tasty deep-dish pizza, A local favorite. Also has a bar.

• Peking House

  phone: +1 248-545-2700
  address: 215 S Washington Ave
  Mediocre Chinese cuisine

• Leo's Coney Island

  phone: +1 248-336-8093
  address: 110 S Main St
  A diner chain that covers most of south eastern Michigan and inspires nostalgia in all those who leave the area. Leo's is known for its Greek salads, gyros, omelets, and coney dogs (a Detroit specialty) .

• Toast

  phone: +1 248-398-0444
  address: 23144 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
  Popular spot serves breakfast and lunch.

• The Fly Trap

  phone: +1 248-399-5150
  address: 22950 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
  Described as a "Finer Diner" Lots of vegetarian options. Was featured on the Food Network show "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives".

• Zumba Mexican Grille

  phone: +1 248-542-1400
  address: 121 N Main St
  Mexican fast casual restaurant, fresh ingredients make the food here & features a salsa bar.

• Tom's Oyster Bar

  phone: +1 248-541-1186
  address: 318 S Main St
  Very good seafood

Non-Alcoholic

There is a Starbucks and Bean & Leaf Cafe located in Royal Oak, both of which are on Main Street.

• Cafe du Marquis

  phone: +1 248-398-4169
  address: 204 5th Ave
  Free Wi-Fi internet connection, one of few smoker friendly places in Royal Oak.

• Hookah Joe's

  address: 734 S Washington Ave
  Hookah Bar that attracts a young crowd. Free Wi-Fi.

• Java Hutt

  phone: +1 248-542-2438
  address: 165 W 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale

Bars

Royal Oak has a ton of bars such as Mr. B's Pub, Woody's, Duggans, O'Tooles, Rock on 3rd, Goodnite Gracie, Sky Club, Ye Olde Saloon, Norm's Field of Dreams and Luna Lounge.

• The Berkley Front

  phone: +1 248-547-3331
  address: 3087 W 12 Mile Rd, Berkley
  Around 40-50 beers on tap and around 80 bottled beers available. German food, Sandwiches, Burgers, Tex-Mex and a few vegetarian options. Has Pool tables and a jukebox. Live music upstairs Th-Sa. Half off appetizers and certain pints are $2.50 on Mondays.

• BlackFinn Restaurant & Saloon

  phone: +1 248-582-9460
  address: 530 S Main St
  Trendy Fake Irish Pub chain, Happy Hour 4PM-7PM $2 Domestic Drafts, $3 Import Drafts, $3 House Wine, $4 Calls, $5 Martinis. Good place for a cheap pint of Guinness during happy hour, Drink specials on Wednesday night also. Tends to get really busy.

• The Emory

  phone: +1 248-546-8202
  address: 22700 Woodward Ave, Ferndale

• Gusoline Alley

  phone: +1 248-545-2235
  address: 309 S Center St
  Local dive-bar, smoker-friendly. Notable beer selection. Bikers and hipsters tend to hang out here.

• The Loving Touch

  phone: +1 248-546-3644
  address: 22634 Woodward Ave
  Pool hall in downtown Ferndale near the Woodward Avenue Brewers and the Emory. Named after a seedy massage parlor that used to be in Ferndale.

• Post Bar

  phone: +1 248-546-7678
  address: 22828 Woodward Ave
  Good drink specials, frequented by hipsters. Features foosball, Golden Tee, plasma TVs and a pool table for entertainment.

• The Rock on 3rd

  phone: +1 248-542-7625
  address: 112 E Third St

• Snookers' Pool & Pub

  phone: +1 248-435-0030
  address: 30295 Woodward Ave
  Pool, Golden Tee Golf. Nice bar

• Vinotecca

  phone: +1 248-544-6256
  address: 417 S Main St
  Upscale wine bar with large selection. 4PM to 6PM everyday half-off all glasses of wine. 80s Thursdays 9PM-2AM, half off glass wines, $5 martinis, $3 pints of Bastone beer.

Brewpubs

Luckily for beer enthusiasts there are a fair number of brewpubs in this area. Brew pubs are restaurants that brew their own beer. For around 10 dollars you can also buy a "growler" from these establishments which holds a half gallon of beer and is a means to buy take-out beer. Besides being a great deal, growlers make a great souvenir. Also, just a short bus ride away is the Woodward Avenue Brewery in Ferndale, take the Smart 450/460 Direction: Inbound (Runs down South Washington) in Royal Oak to get there.

• Bastone

  phone: +1 248-544-6250
  address: 419 S Main St
  Award-Winning Beers & Belgian Fries, kids eat free on Sundays.

• Lily's Seafood Grill & Brewery

  phone: +1 248-591-5459
  address: 410 S Washington Ave
  Happy Hour is on Weekdays 2PM-6PM and Saturday 11AM-6PM with 2 dollar pints of their own beer. Also Monday nights is an You Can Eat Fish Fry $9.99 with $2 pints from 8PM-midnight.

• Royal Oak Brewery

  phone: +1 248-544-1141
  address: 215 E Fourth St
  Food and microbrews, $5.00 Growler refills on Tuesdays, Happy Hour: 2.75 pints. 3 dollar pints on Wednesdays from 9PM-Close.

• Woodward Avenue Brewers

  phone: +1 248-546-3696
  address: 22646 Woodward Ave, Ferndale
  Brew pub that features A deck and sidewalk seating. $2 pints after 9PM on Sundays. Half-off food on Mondays 4PM-midnight.

• Palms Motel

  phone: +1 248-548-2345
  address: 29806 Woodward Ave

• Saranay Motel

  phone: +1 248-543-0351
  address: 28202 Woodward Ave

• Seville Motel

  phone: +1 248-547-2710
  address: 28300 Woodward Ave

• Travelodge Royal Oak

  phone: +1 248-549-1600
  address: 30776 Woodward Ave

Royal Oak is generally considered a safe city with a low crime rate. Crime is highly uncommon during the daytime but spikes considerably during the night time.
While most crime in Royal Oak affects residents, there have been many cases where travelers were victimized, especially in the case of burglaries of vehicles with out-of-state plates.

Walking

While Royal Oak's downtown area is a very safe place, avoid walking into alleyways during the night time. Many strongarm robberies and rape attempts take place in the city's downtown alleyways. The sidewalks and streets of Downtown Royal Oak are otherwise safe to walk during the daytime and night.
Avoid walking in any neighborhoods near or around an industrial park, railroad or apartment complex at night. Drug dealers are often present in these types of neighborhood after dark. If you choose to walk through such neighborhoods after dark remember to wear neutral-colored clothing and avoid large groups of people.
In addition, try not to walk on the Eleven Mile corridor during the night-time outside of the Downtown area as it is where many robberies in the city take place.

Car theft

Always park in a well-lit area during the night time. Lock your doors and roll up your windows. Even during the day time, car burglaries are common, especially when an open window is involved.
Take further precaution regarding your vehicle if you are the owner of a Chrysler vehicle. Chrysler and Dodge automobiles are often targeted for navigation systems and owners of such vehicles may fall victim much easier.

Panhandling

Royal Oak has a significant homeless population in the city, mostly centered around the downtown area and industrial neighborhoods. If you are approached by a panhandler simply state in a firm tone of voice that you do not wish to pay them and walk away.