Things To Do
in Royal Oak
Royal Oak is a vibrant, walkable suburb north of Detroit known for its lively downtown, independent shops, and dining scene. It combines small-city energy with suburban green spaces, including parks and the Detroit Zoo. The community draws young professionals, families, and visitors for music venues, craft breweries, and frequent events.
Royal Oak offers easy access to metropolitan Detroit while maintaining a strong local personality and calendar of seasonal activities.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Start your adventure with a leisurely breakfast at a local café in downtown Royal Oak, where you can savor freshly brewed coffee and homemade pastries. After your meal, take a stroll along the vibrant streets filled with quirky boutiques and specialty shops. Don’t forget to visit the Royal Oak Farmers Market for a taste of the community's fresh produce and handcrafted goods.
Spend your afternoon exploring the Detroit Zoo, which is just a short drive away. Walk through the various exhibits and encounter wildlife from around the globe, making sure to visit the Arctic Ring of Life and the new penguin exhibit. As you leave the zoo, grab lunch at one of the many nearby eateries offering delectable local flavors.
As evening descends, enjoy a delightful dinner at one of Royal Oak’s renowned restaurants, where you can indulge in everything from classic American fare to international cuisine. After dinner, take a leisurely walk through the city to soak in the nightlife, or catch a live music performance at one of the local venues. End your day with a nightcap at a cozy bar or a dessert treat at an ice cream parlor.
Begin the day with a visit to the Royal Oak Arts and Activities Center, where you can view local art exhibits and participate in workshops. After enjoying the creative atmosphere, grab a coffee and walk over to nearby parks for a peaceful morning stroll. Immerse yourself in nature with the beautiful scenery and sculptures around you.
In the afternoon, visit the historic Royal Oak Theatre, an iconic venue that hosts a variety of performances and movie showings. After the show or tour, head to a local café for a light lunch and people-watching. Browse through art galleries and antique shops, picking up unique pieces to remember your trip.
As night approaches, enjoy dinner at a trendy bistro that offers an array of dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. After your meal, explore the lively pub scene, perhaps trying out a trivia night or enjoying live music. For a sweet finishing touch, stop by for gourmet cupcakes or desserts at a local bakery.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $12-20 |
| ☕Coffee (regular) | $3-5 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (pub) | $5-8 |
| 🚕Short taxi or rideshare | $10-25 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $100-180 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Compact, lively downtown with many restaurants, bars, and shops within walking distance
- Good mix of cultural attractions (music venues, market) and outdoor green spaces
- Easy access to Detroit-area attractions and major highways
- Family-friendly options like the Detroit Zoo and local parks
- Can be busy and noisy on weekend nights, especially around bar corridors
- Winters are cold and snowy, limiting some outdoor activities
- Public transit options are limited compared with larger cities—having a car is useful
Places to Visit in Royal Oak
Visit one of these nice places.
Colorful storefronts, murals, and busy sidewalks make for excellent street photography day or night; the neon signs and lit windows are great after dusk.
Architectural features, animal habitats, and landscaped gardens provide varied photo opportunities—best lighting is morning or late afternoon.
Wooded trails, ponds, and seasonal foliage offer classic nature shots, especially during fall color and spring blooms.
Vibrant produce displays, flower stalls, and candid vendor-customer interactions are ideal for market photography.
Capture the historic theatre’s marquee and evening crowds for iconic night shots.
Food in Royal Oak
Royal Oak Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A locally sourced beef or plant-based patty topped with inventive fixings; available at many downtown pubs and casual restaurants.
Must-Try!
Square, chewy, and topped edge-to-edge with sauce and cheese—find renditions at pizzerias and some neighborhood spots.
Fresh pies, preserves, artisanal cheeses, and prepared foods reflecting Michigan’s produce—best picked up at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Open seasonally (with indoor offerings in colder months), it’s the central spot for produce, prepared foods, baked goods, and occasional food trucks—try local apples, pies, and artisanal bread.
On weekends and during events, you’ll find rotating trucks and pop-ups near Main Street; good for tacos, sandwiches, and ethnic street fare.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
People are generally polite and conversational; small talk about sports, weather, or local restaurants is common.
Maintain polite distance in queues and on sidewalks; line up for service and avoid cutting in.
For reservations and appointments, be on time; casual social meetups may be more relaxed but it’s courteous to arrive within a reasonable window.
Detroit sports are important locally—avoid assuming allegiances and be open to friendly sports banter (Red Wings, Tigers, Lions).
Safety
Tipping in Royal Oak
Ensure a smooth experience
In the U.S., tipping is customary: 15–20% at full-service restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and 10–15% for taxi or rideshare drivers; tip more for exceptional service. For small transactions at cafés or markets, tipping is optional but appreciated.
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted; contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are common. Carry a small amount of cash for farmers market stalls, tips, or smaller vendors that might not accept cards.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Warm to hot and humid with long daylight hours—ideal for outdoor dining, festivals, brewery patios, and the farmers market. Pack light clothing, sunscreen, and expect busy weekends and special events. Bring water for outdoor activities and book accommodations in advance for peak weekends.
Crisp air and attractive foliage make it a beautiful time for hikes and park photography. Many local eateries switch to seasonal menus, and crowds thin after Labor Day. Evenings can be chilly—bring layers.
Cold with regular snowfall; outdoor ice-skating and holiday events are common but some attractions have reduced hours. Dress warmly with insulated boots and a heavy coat; road conditions can be icy—allow extra travel time.
Variable weather—muddy trails early on and rapid greening later; farmers markets resume full schedules and patios reopen. Light rain is common, so pack a waterproof layer and flexible plans for outdoor activities.
Royal Oak at Night
Hiking in Royal Oak
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Local nature center with wooded trails, interpretive programs, and easy loops—great for families and birdwatchers.
A multi-use linear trail through Oakland County with scenic stretches, connections to nearby towns, and good cycling opportunities.
Follows portions of the Clinton River with paved and unpaved sections suitable for walking, running, and biking.
Larger park north of Royal Oak offering more challenging trails, hills, lake views, and seasonal trail activities—about a 30–45 minute drive depending on the trailhead.
Regional green spaces and trails suitable for hikers and mountain bikers; scenic overlooks and rolling terrain are highlights in fall.
Airports
How to reach Royal Oak by plane.
Primary international airport for Metro Detroit, about 25–35 minutes by car depending on traffic; offers domestic and international flights and car rental services.
Located in Ypsilanti, serves cargo and some passenger services; roughly 45–60 minutes by car and may be useful for specific flights and charters.
General aviation and some corporate flights in Waterford Township, about 20–30 minutes away—handy for private flights and charters.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A sizable population of young professionals living in and around downtown attracted by dining, nightlife, and proximity to Detroit.
Many established neighborhoods house families drawn to quality schools, parks, and community programming.
Multi-generation families and older residents who contribute to local history and community organizations.
Students and young adults attend nearby colleges and participate in the area’s cultural life and service industries.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Hockey is very popular in the region, with strong local youth and adult leagues and passionate fan support for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings.
Major and minor league baseball enjoy local followings; many residents attend Detroit Tigers games and play in community leagues during summer.
High school and NFL football (Detroit Lions) are important to local sports culture—watch parties and community support are common on game days.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Royal Oak.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Most restaurants offer vegetarian options such as salads, grain bowls, and veggie burgers; many pubs and cafés are accommodating—call ahead for large groups.
Vegan choices are increasingly common (plant-based burgers, dairy-free desserts); specialty cafés and some breweries list vegan items on the menu.
Gluten-free menus or options are widely available—ask servers about cross-contamination if you are highly sensitive or have celiac disease.