Royal Oak

Detroit Zoo on one side, walkable downtown on the other.

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About Royal Oak

A compact city with one of metro Detroit's most active downtowns.

Royal Oak is a compact, dense city of about 59,000 residents, just north of the Detroit city line on the Woodward corridor. The downtown has been one of metro Detroit's most active for the better part of two decades, with restaurants, bars, music venues, and comedy clubs running shoulder-to-shoulder along Main Street and Washington Avenue.

The Detroit Zoo, located on Royal Oak's southern edge (and partially in Huntington Woods), is home to more than 2,400 animals across 235 species and one of the most-visited family destinations in Michigan. The Royal Oak Music Theatre, the Royal Oak Farmers Market, and Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle (one of the oldest stand-up comedy clubs in the country) round out the cultural scene.

Royal Oak Schools serves the city, and the housing stock spans bungalows in older neighborhoods, mid-century ranches, and newer two-story builds in the closer-in subdivisions.

Lifestyle

What life looks like here.

Dining & Shopping

One of metro Detroit's most active downtown food and bar scenes. Trendy bars, restaurants, and clubs span Main Street and Washington Avenue, plus the bigger national chains along Woodward.

Parks & Outdoors

The Detroit Zoo's 125 acres at the southern edge, the Royal Oak Farmers Market site, and a deep neighborhood-park system that gives most homes a walkable green space.

Schools

Royal Oak Schools serves the city, with Royal Oak High School as the comprehensive option. The district offers AP coursework, IB consideration through partnerships, and a strong arts and athletics tradition.

Things to Do

Detroit Zoo year-round, Royal Oak Music Theatre concerts, Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle stand-up, the Farmers Market on weekends, the Arts, Beats & Eats festival on Labor Day weekend, and the downtown bar scene any night of the week.

Local Favorites

Places worth knowing.

Family

Detroit Zoo

More than 2,400 animals across 235 species. One of metro Detroit's most-visited family destinations and a Royal Oak signature.

Music

Royal Oak Music Theatre

A historic, intimate, club-style music venue with a year-round schedule of concerts, comedy, and special events.

Comedy

Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle

A nationally acclaimed comedy club that has hosted top stand-up talent for more than 40 years.

Annual Event

Arts, Beats & Eats

The Labor Day weekend festival that takes over downtown with hundreds of acts, restaurants, and artists.

Outdoors

Royal Oak Farmers Market

A long-running weekly market in a covered downtown pavilion, hosting flowers, food, and special-event craft fairs and concerts.

Dining

Downtown Main Street

A continuously dense run of restaurants, bars, and shops. One of metro Detroit's true walking downtowns.

Education

Royal Oak Schools.

Royal Oak Schools serves the city, with Royal Oak High School as the comprehensive high school. The district offers AP coursework, an IB consideration path through partnerships, and a long-standing reputation in arts, music, and athletics.

Many Royal Oak families also have access to nearby private and parochial options, and the city's downtown character draws families who want city-scale amenities with a public-school path that is steady and well-supported.

1 High School

AP Coursework

Strong Arts & Music

Walkable Neighborhood Schools