Hoofing it

Ferndale + Royal Oak
The neighboring, hip and pedestrian-friendly downtowns of Royal Oak and Ferndale combine to form what could be described as downtown South Oakland County. Both towns are known for their food, funky shops and nightlife, but they have their own distinct flavor.

In Ferndale, for example, is AJ’s Music Café, a gathering spot with an extensive selection of veggie-friendly fare, fresh-roasted coffees and one of the most vibrant open-mic scenes in the metro area.

If you happen to have a yen for brunch, Ferndale’s a mecca on the weekends, with the Fly Trap; Josephine Creperie & Bistro; and Club Bart, which offers creative takes on brunch classics with a positively buzzing ambience. Amble over to the corner of 9 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue for a few options in al fresco dining, including the funky-but-chic microbrewery Woodward Avenue with its ample outdoor patio.

Some Ferndale businesses worth perusing include Naka, which features locally designed wearables and accessories. Next door, American Pop is a pop culture geek’s dream with vintage goodies, gags, gifts and other collectables. Mother Fletchers specializes in vintage outfits and accessories from the turn of the century through the ’70s and is a fashionista’s bonanza.

Royal Oak offers many of the same joys of wandering as Ferndale, but in a slightly more mature setting. On Saturdays, the Royal Oak Farmers’ Market is an explosion of colors, tastes and sights featuring locally grown and made food products. On Sundays, it’s a flea market of epic proportions.

The landmark Memphis Smoke expertly blends truly remarkable BBQ eats and local blues. At the corner of Washington and 4th streets, Lily’s Seafood Grill and Brewery offers imaginative and tasty fare, microbrewed beer and, during spring and summer, outdoor seating prime for people watching.

Birmingham
The compact, charming downtown of tony burb Birmingham is dotted with a cross section of vibrant hangouts, ranging from independent coffeehouses like the 24-hour Java Hutt and local landmark Leo’s Coney Island to familiar franchises such as Starbucks and Max & Erma’s. Upscale noshing spots such as 220 Restaurant and Forté both offer top-notch dishes for lunch and dinner and, during the warmer months, comfortable outdoor, street-
side seating options.

Birmingham also offers two movie complexes within two blocks of one another. The Birmingham 8 has eight theaters featuring first-run indie and art-house fare while its sister movie house, the Palladium 12, indulges wholeheartedly in weekend box-office blockbusters. Both offer comfortable seating and a rewarding film experience.

But the true delight in Birmingham’s charms is merely taking a stroll, ambling and people watching between upscale clothiers like Anthropologie and inventive and
well-stocked toy stores like Adventures In Toys.

Midtown
If the Central Business District near Campus Martius Park is the beating heart of downtown Detroit, the Midtown neighborhood and cultural center is the city’s soul.

Home to the acclaimed College for Creative Studies (CCS), the prominent research university Wayne State, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the main branch of the Detroit Public Library and other cultural institutions, Midtown is the epicenter of hip in The D.

In the span of a few blocks you can marvel at the inspiring Diego Rivera Detroit Industry mural at the DIA, and then take in a meal, check which of the area’s hottest bands are playing and bowl a game at the nation’s longest continually operating bowling alley — all under one roof — at the Majestic Theatre complex.

You can arrange your own gallery crawl, taking in avant-garde and established area and national artists at galleries such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, the Detroit Artists Market, C-Pop Gallery and the Center Galleries at CCS. And if you’re taking your tour of the area during the week, do yourself a favor and head to the International Institute’s basement restaurant, the International Mini-Cafe, which serves up some of the finest and most inexpensive Indian and Middle Eastern dishes in town.

If you so happen to plan your pedestrian tour on a Thursday from June through August, you’ll want to check out the Whitney Garden Party at the landmark Whitney restaurant. The Garden Parties feature local talent in the restaurant’s lush, sculptured outdoor gardens along with a fine buffet of gourmet eats and drinks all for a reasonable price.

Just around the corner, tucked away at the back of a parking lot, is one of the city’s true gems — the Motor City Brewing Works. It concocts some of the best microbrews in town and serves them alongside handmade pizzas during lunch hours. The outdoor seating area is an urban oasis where you can kick back and enjoy a respite from the hustle.

Northville
Summertime is prime time in Northville, with street fairs and dusk band concerts on the calendar about every month. During the day, amble over to natural oasis Ford Field Park, just outside downtown proper, for an idyll amongst playing families and Frisbee-whirling couples.

Adjacent to Ford Field Park is one of Northville’s culinary gems — Little Italy, particularly the bistro-esque Bacchus Bar. The outdoor seating and airy casual vibe of the Bacchus’ small dining room complements the modern take on traditional Italian fare.

If you’re in the mood for a hearty dose of pub food, it’s hard to beat the family-owned, townie-friendly Poole’s Tavern, with its ample supply of outdoor seating, great beer selection and hearty comestibles.

Several quaint boutiques showcase everything from finery to funkiness. Dancing Eye Gallery, at the northwest corner of Main and Center streets, is a great place to start, with its mix of fine and craft art that ranges from the Martha Stewart-approved to fun and more edgy pottery, paintings and gifts.

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