Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Royal Oak, MI

  • Published 2021/11/20

Located north of Detroit and found within Oakland County is the city Royal Oak.

Royal Oak is a suburb that has plenty of great places to visit.

From zoos with various animals to different theaters, Royal Oak has plenty of options for visitors.

With all the options available in Royal Oak for both day and night, it can be hard to choose what to do first.

Here are the 15 best things you can do when visiting Royal Oak, Michigan:

Visit the Detroit Zoo

View of Detroit Zoo

Fsendek / Shutterstock.com

Are you an animal lover?

If yes, then the Detroit Zoo is the best place for you when visiting Royal Oak.

With hundreds of exhibits and over two thousand inhabitants, the Royal Oak Zoo has plenty of animals to see.

View of Detroit Zoo

NicoleTaklaPhotography / Shutterstock.com

From jungle animals to arctic animals, there are a variety of sights to explore within the zoo.

The zoo is under the management of the Detroit Zoological Society and has different open hours depending on the month.

You can book an appointment or check out the different memberships available for subscription.

View of Detroit Zoo

alisafarov / Shutterstock.com

Admire Glass Pieces at Habatat Galleries

For anyone interested in art or who wants to see something unique, the Habatat Galleries is the place to go.

With a gallery that mainly features glass artworks and a space size of over 10 thousand square feet, the art gallery gives plenty for you to enjoy.

Some of the pieces you can find in Habatat Galleries range from intricate sculptures to beautiful glass renditions of fauna.

More than the variety of unique glass pieces you can browse in the gallery, you can also check out different events and auctions available this month.

Watch a Show at Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre

If you are more into performing arts, then head over to the Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre for a show.

Stagecrafters Baldwin Theatre is a community theater that dates back to 1992 and holds over a thousand seats, plus a theatre organ.

If you are interested in checking out the building itself, you can find it in South Lafayette.

Catch a Film at Emagine Royal Oak

On the chance you missed a show with the performing arts theater, a next great option would be to watch a film at the Emagine Royal Oak.

Going to a movie theater may not seem like the best thing to do, but visiting Emagine Royal Oak can be a memorable experience for you.

Have you ever gotten served pizza or enjoyed some local beer while watching the big screen?

Emagine Royal Oak does just that for you.

To get the theater’s complete experience, you best get a ticket online; you may even avail yourself of the theater’s other services.

Have a Laugh at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle

Among the different places you can visit in Royal Oak, the best place to watch a show and get a laugh would be at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle.

The establishment made its appearance back in 1979 and continues to feature a variety of comedic talent today.

You can find the venue at South Troy Street and check out their site for any current and upcoming shows that you can book for your time in Royal Oak.

Once you book a show, not only do you get a chance to enjoy some great laughs, but you can also enjoy your choice of meals, drinks, and even dessert.

Watch a Show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre

Inside View of Royal Oak Music Theatre

A sentient pickle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Royal Oak also offers different music locations, and one place you can go to listen to some great concerts would be at the Royal Oak Music Theatre.

The theater made its debut in 1978 but only rose in popularity in 2004.

By 2007, the theater had turned into a hotspot for concerts.

View of Royal Oak Music Theatre

A sentient pickle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

You can find Royal Oak Music Theatre by heading to W. 4th Street, and you can enjoy your choice of a concert by booking a ticket online.

If you’re unsure how your accommodations will turn out at the venue, you can find all you’re looking for at the theater’s site.

Taste Some Whiskey and Drinks at the Motor City Gas

If you are interested in Royal Oak’s drinking scene, then you’d best make a stop at Motor City Gas.

When visiting Motor City Gas, you can try a variety of unique whiskey.

Is whiskey not your taste?

If not, the distillery also offers a selection of seasonal cocktails available for tasting.

Play Games and Enjoy a Meal at the LFG

Royal Oak has plenty of great places to eat, but have you ever been to a restaurant where you can also play games?

LFG offers you just that with a selection of game consoles you can play with while enjoying a meal of your choice.

You can find this restaurant in the city’s downtown area.

LFG is open every day, except Thursdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Aside from a variety of meals and snacks, LFG also offers memberships if you are interested.

Otherwise, there is an hourly rate that you’ll need to pay if you want to play with any of the restaurant’s consoles.

Shop for Vintage Items at Lost and Found Vintage

A variety of stores are available at Royal Oak for you to enjoy, and one shop you can check out for a vintage theme style is the Lost and Found Vintage store.

Whether you are into the vintage style or not, there is plenty of apparel you can enjoy at the store.

From brightly patterned dresses to fun accessories, there are plenty of products you can choose from.

The store also offers online purchases via direct messaging.

Browse Around the Royal Oak Farmers Market

View of Royal Oak Farmers Market

Paul R. Burley , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Royal Oaks has its share of local products you should check out, and you can see all of them at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

The market is nearly a hundred years old and continues to provide all kinds of products for visitors to explore.

Depending on the day you decide to visit, there are different types of markets you can check out.

View of Royal Oak Farmers Market

Paul R. Burley , CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Get a Knitted Souvenir at Ewe-Nique Knits

If you like knitting or knitted items, visit the Ewe-Nique Knits store.

Located in the Lafayette Avenue area, the store is open at 10:00 a.m, except Sundays and Mondays.

From knitting tools to knitted products, there is a variety of knit pieces that you can browse in Ewe-Nique Knits.

The store first opened in 1996 and, since its purchase in 2005, has expanded to over two thousand square feet.

More than knitting items you can purchase from the store, Ewe-Nique Knits also offers different accessories and events you can check.

Check the Made in the Mitten’s Products

The Made in a Mitten store is a great shop to stop at if you want to get a gift or if you are a fan of gift baskets.

The store hours are currently open to shifts, so you’ll need to contact the staff before making visiting it.

You’ll find that the store features all kinds of products from various artists, and if you’re interested, you can also sell your apparel/product.

From food products to bath items and different crafts, there’s plenty you can browse in this store.

In addition to different products you can peruse, you can also look into the events that the store holds.

Make Art at the Creative Arts Studio

If you are interested in making a personal souvenir, head over to Creative Arts Studio.

There is plenty you can choose to do at Creative Arts Studio, but you need to book an appointment ahead of time.

Whether you want to make some pottery or have fun with canvas painting, Creative Arts Studio is the best place for artistic fun in Royal Oak.

Don’t have time to make something?

You can also choose to purchase an art piece you can bring home.

Try Skating at the Modern Skate & Surf

Royal Oaks has plenty of activities you can choose to do, and one of them is skating at the Modern Skate & Surf.

Modern Skate & Surf is a shop that offers various skating apparel and parks where you can try your skills.

The store first got established in 1976 and has since a long line of skating products and services.

For anyone who wants to try the parks, there are different sessions that you can book and memberships open for subscription.

You can also choose to join classes or rent a room for your choice of event.

Test Your Skills at the Breakout Escape Rooms

There are many different attractions you can visit in Royal Oak, but one of the unique ones is the Breakout Escape Rooms.

While it is one of the different branches you can visit, Breakout Escape Rooms is a great place to have fun in Royal Oak, with different features unique to the city.

The venue is open by appointment from 10:00 a.m to 11:45 p.m. and has six different game rooms you can choose from.

Each room has different themes, time limits, and people allowed to play.

Whether you want to test your escape skills or want to have fun with different rooms, Breakout Escape Rooms can make for a great addition to your travel list.

Book a Stay at Hyatt Place Detroit

With the various activities you can choose to do while in Royal Oak, you will want a place to relax in, and the best place you can choose to stay in would be the Hyatt Place Detroit.

The hotel offers guests various types of rooms and different amenities for your convenience.

In addition to the different amenities, Hyatt Place Detroit is also a convenient place you can choose to stay at and has a list of offers for their guests.

Whether you want a comfortable place or a place to relax, you can find all kinds of comforts with Hyatt Place Detroit.

Solve Puzzles at The Great Escape Room

Do you want to explore more escape rooms that Royal Oak has to offer?

Another ideal puzzle venue you need to visit in Royal Oak would be The Great Escape Room.

There are different types of rooms you can choose from.

The admission fee costs around $50 per person, and the venue is open via booking.

From a poker theme to a mystery theme, the venue features all kinds of options for you to have fun with your friends.

The venue is open by booking, and the availability of different rooms depends on what’s open.

Try Kosher Food at Inn Season Cafe

Every place has its selection of great eats, and Royal Oak is no different.

One unique place you can choose while visiting Royal Oak would be Inn Season Cafe.

The Inn Season Cafe features all kinds of fresh dishes for you to try, with a vintage aesthetic for its setting.

With local ingredients and quality dishes, the cafe is a great place to add to your list of places to visit while in Royal Oak.

If this isn’t enough for you, you’ll find that the cafe also encourages eco-friendly practices and purely fresh meals.

Final Thoughts

Royal Oak is a city that offers its fair share of sights and places where you can enjoy some exploration and shopping.

If these are not things you are into, there are various unique places you can check out while visiting this city.

From testing out puzzle rooms to enjoying the local nightlife, there is no shortage of activities and options you can choose while staying in Royal Oak.

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