5 Ideas for a Fourth of July Staycation in Royal Oak

Trek through Royal Oak and St. Mary Cemeteries

There are more than 100 war veterans buried in Royal Oak and St. Mary Cemeteries bound by Rochester Road, Main Street and 12 Mile Road, including those from the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War.

In section K, look for the tomb of Ezra Parker, who took part Revolutionary War at Lexington and at the Battle of Bunker Hill, or Elijah Drake, who was a private in Captain Benjamin Schooner's Company in the Revolutionary War, according to A Walking Tour of the Royal Oak And St. Mary Cemeteries.

Distance: .74 miles* 
Walking time: 17 minutes
Drive time: 2 minutes

Reflect at Veterans War Memorial Plaza

Remember Royal Oak military service personnel who gave their lives for this country at the Veterans War Memorial Plaza between City Hall and the Royal Oak Public Library (ROPL). The memorial commemorates fallen servicemen and women who died in World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

The memorial is located near the Barbara A Hallman Memorial Plaza, which features The Star Dream fountain crafted by the late Royal Oak sculptor, Marshall Fredericks and ROPL's butterfly sanctuary with its nectar plants and original artwork.

Distance: .18 miles*
Walking time: 4 minutes

Catch a summer blockbuster

When you resurface from your time of reflection and remembrance, enjoy a movie at one of Royal Oak's two air-conditioned movie theaters - the Emagine Royal Oak and the Main Art Theatre.

Here's what's showing, plus showtimes.

Distance: .12 miles*
Walking time: 2 minutes

See the Red, White and Blue at the Detroit Zoo

Detroit Zoo visitors can spend more time with the red pandas, white rhinos and blue poison dart frogs – as well as thousands of other animals – thanks to extended hours for Independence Day. The Zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and will remain open until 8 p.m. on July 4. 

Holiday visitors can take advantage of the extra hours to check out some of the Detroit Zoo’s recent arrivals: Daphne and Violet, warthog piglets born in April; a female southern pudu – the smallest species of deer – born in May; and a macaroni penguin chick hatched in May. 

Distance: .84 miles* 
Walking time: 22 minutes 
Drive time: 3 minutes

Nothing says the Fourth of July like sparklers in the sky, right?

Stick around after your visit to the Detroit Zoo for the City of Huntington Woods / Huntington Woods Men's Club fireworks display at 10 p.m. at Rackham Golf Course, which is just west of the zoo at 10100 W 10 Mile Rd.

Spectators set up lawn chairs and blankets along Ludlow Avenue ahead of the display. Parking is restricted along Ludlow, Scotia and nearby streets, so visitors are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to the celebration.

Distance: 1.31 miles* 
Walking time: 31 minutes 
Drive time: 7 minutes

*Distances and times are calculated from the Center Street parking structure in downtown Royal Oak.If your Royal Oak business is open July 4, leave a comment below.