Getting Around

Royal Oak is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 57,236. It should not be confused with Royal Oak Charter Township, a separate community located nearby.

It is the 5th-largest city in Oakland County and the 18th-largest city in Michigan. The area is known for its shopping, dining, and many cultural activities.

Royal Oak was incorporated as a village in 1891, and as a city in 1921. The city’s name originates in 1819, from one of Territorial Governor Lewis Cass’ expeditions surveying land. A tree located near the present-day intersection of Crooks, Rochester, and Main reminded Cass of the Royal Oak tree within which King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester.

Royal Oak is home to the Detroit Zoo, one of the region’s leading tourist attractions. Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle, a comedy club, was an early venue for performers such as Tim Allen and Dave Coulier. The many restaurants range in fare from take-out sandwiches to high-end establishments specializing in cuisines like Italian, Belgian, Nepali, and others.
Pubs include biker bars, dance clubs, upscale breweries, sports bars, and rooftop bars.
During the summer, downtown Royal Oak becomes host to hordes of motorcycle enthusiasts from around Metro Detroit. On Wednesday nights Main Street is often lined the Harley-Davidsons, whereas on Thursday night the streets fill up with sport bikes.