ROYAL OAK & FERNDALE

 

These two are the liveliest cities of the Detroit metro area. Unique shops and dining mingle with hip community spaces and rich dedication to the arts. When it comes to nightlife and entertainment, Royal Oak and Ferndale are at the top of every list. 

 

They both began as farming communities in the 1800s, but by the early 20th century, they were incorporated and experienced major population booms thanks to the budding auto industry. They plateaued through the second half of the century, but the 1990s brought significant development initiatives to the downtown areas of both Royal Oak and Ferndale, transforming them into the thriving communities they are today.

 

Unique single-family homes and condos make up the bulk of housing in Royal Oak and Ferndale. More spacious dwellings sit farther from the city center, in the more residential areas, and there are many dazzling options closer to the heart of the activity.

 

Living in Royal Oak and Ferndale gives residents a beautiful combination of gorgeous neighborhoods and beautifully revitalized downtown areas. Many areas of these cities are bikeable and walkable, but the city purposefully made downtown parking-friendly as well, making it easy to enjoy the amenities. This pair of communities have a high standard of living for those who crave the excitement of urban amenities with the charm of lush neighborhoods.

 

Ferndale and Royal Oak both have wonderful nightlife options with plenty of cocktail bars and restaurants. They also have some of the best shopping in the area, particularly if you’re looking for vintage finds.

 

Take a tour of Valentine Distilling or visit their Ferndale cocktail bar to try these Detroit-made spirits in unique recipes. Ronin Sushi is a high-end Japanese restaurant with an intimate lounge and a killer happy hour. If you’re in the mood for classic Detroit-style pizza, Como’s is slinging dough well into the evening. Assaggi Bistro is a casual, upscale eatery that takes its inspiration from Italian, French, and Lebanese cuisine.

 

The Rust Belt Market has over 40 craft vendors and vintage resellers and a full bar, so order a drink while perusing the most unique goods in Ferndale. Margaux & Max and Vogue Vintage are small but mighty vintage retail shops. Not to be outshone, Downtown Royal Oak is full of vintage and contemporary stores selling everything from clothing to home goods to vinyl.

 

Ferndale and Royal Oak are hubs of activity for the Detroit area. With everything from iconic Detroit locations to vibrant community events to a thriving nightlife, there is never a shortage of things to do.

 

Royal Oak is home to the Detroit Zoo. Come visit the many wildlife exhibits or get up close and personal with the zoo’s educational experiences. Royal Oak Music Theatre has an incredible calendar of music, comedy, and dance events throughout the year. No matter your taste in entertainment, they will have something to excite you.

 

Ferndale is ripe with art galleries, including M Contemporary Art and Lawrence Street Gallery. There are also myriad events and fairs that happen in both Royal Oak and Ferndale. Bring out your four-legged friends for the annual Fido Does Ferndale event. The city also puts on a concert series called Nine on Nine. Tap into inspiration and enjoy the entertainment of DIY Street Fair & Funky Ferndale Art Fair.