Ferndale

Detroit-adjacent, art-forward, unmistakably Ferndale.

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About Ferndale

A walkable downtown with strong personality and stronger murals.

Ferndale is one of metro Detroit's most distinctive suburbs, anchored at the corner of Woodward Avenue and 9 Mile Road, just north of the Detroit city line. The downtown is dense, walkable, pedestrian-friendly, and busy at almost any hour.

Ferndale's identity is rooted in the arts and a long-standing reputation as one of metro Detroit's most welcoming communities for the LGBTQ+ population. Ferndale Pride draws more than 25,000 attendees each spring. The Funky Ferndale Art Fair brings 140-plus juried artists each fall. Public murals are everywhere.

In 2010, Ferndale won the Great American Main Street Award. The bungalow-heavy housing stock keeps the city accessible to first-time buyers and young families, and the downtown's restaurant inventory has steadily climbed up the regional rankings.

Lifestyle

What life looks like here.

Dining & Shopping

Pedestrian-friendly streets connect dozens of independent restaurants, dance clubs, bars, and coffee shops, with a steady cycle of new openings. Ferndale's restaurant scene punches well above its size.

Parks & Outdoors

The Rouge River Park system, Geary Park, and the Detroit Zoo are all nearby. Compact city by design, but the Royal Oak and Oak Park park systems are minutes away.

Schools

Ferndale Schools serves Ferndale and parts of Hazel Park, Royal Oak Township, Oak Park, and Pleasant Ridge. The district runs the magnet University High School Academy program and Roosevelt Primary, an early-elementary magnet.

Things to Do

Ferndale Pride, Funky Ferndale Art Fair, the Magic Bag concerts and comedy, the Blues Festival, Holiday Ice Festival, and a downtown that hosts events almost every weekend.

Local Favorites

Places worth knowing.

Music

The Magic Bag

An iconic concert venue in a converted theater on 9 Mile. Independent music, comedy, burlesque, and tribute nights. A Ferndale cornerstone.

Annual Event

Ferndale Pride

Draws more than 25,000 attendees each spring. Parade, performances, vendors, and a downtown reset for one of metro Detroit's biggest celebrations.

Annual Event

Funky Ferndale Art Fair

A free juried art fair with 140-plus artists each fall. Paintings, jewelry, sculpture, and immersive experiences along 9 Mile.

Culture

Public Murals

Walking the downtown is its own gallery walk. Colorful, often political, often funny street art across most major buildings.

Dining

Como's

An old-school Italian restaurant on 9 Mile that anchors the dining scene. The patio is a Ferndale institution.

Annual Event

Holiday Ice Festival

Winter takes over downtown for the December festival, with ice sculptures, fire pits, and one of the most-photographed Ferndale weekends.

Education

Ferndale Public Schools.

Ferndale Schools serves Ferndale and parts of Hazel Park, Royal Oak Township, Oak Park, and Pleasant Ridge. The district runs the regionally recognized University High School Academy magnet program, plus Roosevelt Primary, an early-elementary magnet, and several traditional neighborhood elementary schools.

Ferndale High School is the comprehensive option, with a strong arts and athletics culture that mirrors the city's broader identity.

Magnet University High Academy

Diverse Student Body

Strong Arts Tradition

Multi City Coverage