Royal Oak, Suburban city in Oakland County, Michigan, United States
Description
Royal Oak is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, covering about 11.79 square miles (30.5 square kilometers) north of Detroit with residential areas and a commercial district along Woodward Avenue. Streets connect parks, shops and public buildings in a network of main roads and smaller side streets.
History
The settlement was founded in 1819 and took its name from a large oak tree that reminded Territorial Governor Lewis Cass of King Charles II's story. Over the course of the 20th century, the place transformed from a rural area into a suburb with growth along transport routes.
Culture
The National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica displays Art Deco design with a tower reaching about 130 feet (40 meters) and draws visitors who come to see the building and its interior spaces. The church serves as an active place of worship and shapes the local skyline with its recognizable form.
Practical
The farmers market has operated since 1925 and offers local produce and artisan goods at regular events throughout the year. A visit in the morning or late morning shows the offerings at their freshest and combines well with a walk through the surrounding area.
Did you know?
The Detroit Zoo sits within the city limits and houses numerous animal species across about 125 acres (50.5 hectares) in naturalistic enclosures with educational programs. The facility ranks among the older zoos in the region and draws visitors from across the greater metropolitan area.
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Detroit Zoo
1.7 km
Royal Oak Music Theatre
419 m
Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle
147 mRackham Golf Course
2.3 km
Horace H. Rackham Memorial Fountain
1.7 kmStagecrafters
475 m
National Shrine of the Little Flower
2.9 kmEland
1.9 kmGiraffe
2 kmSeal
2 kmCamel
1.6 kmLion
1.8 kmJapanese macaque
1.8 kmDevereaux Tiger Forest
1.6 kmCotton Family Wolf Wilderness
2.2 kmAfrican Birds
1.8 kmRhinoceros
1.8 kmWarthog
1.9 kmCotton Family Wetlands Boardwalk
1.6 kmGrevy's zebra
1.9 kmAustralian Outback Adventure
2.1 kmChimpanzee
1.8 kmGorilla
1.7 kmBison
2.1 kmFarm animals
2 kmCarousel
1.8 kmDance Chimes
2.6 kmThe Star Dream
17 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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