10 Fun Things To Do In Royal Oak
#1 Creative Arts Studio
The Creative Arts Studio is a great place to visit with family and friends for a fun and creative time. Choose from tons of art projects including pottery painting, mosaics, glass fusing, beading, wax hands, wheel throwing, canvas painting, and pallet board painting. Walk right in for walk in projects, no appointment necessary or schedule a lesson for a by appointment project. You can even hold a party in the private party room for special occasions like birthdays, bachelorette parties, showers, corporate events, and more!
#2 The Detroit Zoo
Opened in 1928, the Detroit Zoo is a fantastic experience for all ages. Home to over 2,000 animals and 245 different species, the sprawling 125 acre campus is sure to have something for every visitor. Enjoy interactive habitats like the Arctic Ring of Life and Australian Outback Adventure or spend your day in the Butterfly Garden or the brand new Penguin Conservation Center!
#3 The Farmer’s Market
Every Saturday, the Royal Oak Farmers market greets visitors with fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and all sorts of other food stuffs. On Sundays, the space transforms into a bustling Flea Market with over 50 different vendors selling all sorts of fascinating items. The building is also used as an event space, hosting events such as the monthly food truck rally, beer and whiskey tasting nights, and much more.
#4 The Restaurants
Downtown Royal Oak has become a destination for foodies and those looking for an exciting restaurant scene. From BBQ to small plates to burgers to bistros there is something for every palette. Diners will find cuisines from a variety of countries and styles peppered throughout the bustling downtown area. Check out this link for a list of all of the restaurants Royal Oak has to offer: http://www.downtownroyaloak.org/dine/
#5 The Bars/Breweries/Distilleries
Downtown Royal Oak is known around Metro Detroit as one of the best places to spend your Friday and Saturday nights. The streets are lined with bars of all types. Dance the night away at the club, find the perfect dive bar, or you can even check out the dueling piano bar. There are also many breweries and distilleries that make their own drinks and spirits right in the heart of the city. http://www.downtownroyaloak.org/play/
#6 The Shopping
Spend your day walking around the city and visiting the many small shops and stores. Pick up the perfect vintage jacket at Lost and Found, that hard to find vinyl record at UHF, or just the right gift for a loved one. Longstanding favorites like Funky 7 and Deco Doug carry items that few others do and newcomers Scout and Rail and Anchor have all sorts of trendy things for sale. Check out all of the shops here: http://www.downtownroyaloak.org/shop/
#7 The Royal Oak Music Theatre
Originally opened in 1928 as a movie theater, this beautiful art deco theatre hosts hundreds of live music and comedy shows a year. Acts such as Adele, The Black Keys, Louis CK, Lady Gaga, Wilco, and more have graced the stage located on 4th street right in the middle of the downtown area. Check the theatre’s website for upcoming shows and come experience the old school beauty of this awesome local venue. http://www.royaloakmusictheatre.com/
#8 Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle
A Royal Oak staple for almost 50 years, comedians have made this venue a must on their way through the midwest. Big names in comedy like Jim Carrey, Lewis Black, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, and many more have made crowds roar with laughter over the years. Come downtown, grab dinner and get ready to laugh at Michigan’s premiere comedy club!
#9 Stagecrafters
Stagecrafters is a volunteer based performing arts theatre that puts on around 10 different shows each year. The shows change and rotate throughout the year and the theatre plays host to thousands of visitors throughout the season. There is even a youth theatre, featuring youth actors with shows intended for toddler aged children. Check out all of the shows coming up this season on the Stagecrafters website at http://www.stagecrafters.org/
#10 Emagine Theater and Main Art Theater
Royal Oak’s two movie theaters serve every type of moviegoer. The Main Art Theater plays indie and art films as well as documentaries. There are also weekly midnight movies that have earned a cult following in the downtown area. The newly constructed Emagine Theater plays all of the newest and biggest blockbusters. It’s more than just a movie theater as it is also home to a bowling alley, full bar, and restaurant.
