Blog
Real life in Oakland County
First-person guides to family life, neighborhood deep dives, and the Michigan housing market. Written from someone who actually lives here.
Family Life
The Booth Park Splash Pad, Honestly
When to go, where to park, and why my kid slides down the turf hill on a cardboard box.
Family Life
A Year of Sundays at the Birmingham Farmers Market
The vendors I actually go back for, and why I always end up spending more than I planned.
Neighborhood Guides
Royal Oak versus Birmingham on a Saturday Morning
From someone who spends time in both, here is how the mornings actually compare.
Family Life
The Rainy Day Plan for Oakland County Parents
From the Robot Garage on Eton to the Cranbrook Institute, here is where we go when it pours.
Family Life
The Best Playgrounds in Troy, Ranked by a Parent Who Has Been to All of Them
An honest, opinionated ranking of Troy's playgrounds from someone who has dragged a toddler to every single one.
New in Town
New Restaurants and Shops Opening in Downtown Birmingham for 2026
From a plant-based restaurant from a celebrity chef to national retail brands, downtown Birmingham has added several new places this year that are worth knowing about.
Events & Festivals
Troy Family Daze 2026: A Full Guide to Troy's Biggest Fall Festival
The 56th annual Troy Family Daze runs September 17 through 20 at the Troy Civic Center with carnival rides, a petting zoo, Touch-a-Truck, and fireworks.
Family Activities
Slick City Action Park in Troy: A New Indoor Play Destination for Oakland County Families
This indoor dry-slide and air court park opened in March 2026 on Crooks Road, offering a weather-proof option for active kids with slides, zip lines, and a junior climbing area.
Events & Festivals
Fall Festivals in Oakland County 2026: A Family Guide to the Best Seasonal Events
From the Art and Apples Festival in Rochester to the Bowers School Farm Fall Festival in Bloomfield Hills, here is a rundown of the best fall events for families this season.
Events & Festivals
Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival in Rochester Hills 2026: What Families Should Know
The Rochester Hills Museum hosts its annual Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival on October 11 with pumpkin carving, hayrides, live entertainment, and a nighttime pumpkin lighting.
Events & Festivals
Birmingham Pumpkin Patch 2026: A New Fall Family Event on the Final Farmers Market Day
The City of Birmingham has announced a new Pumpkin Patch event on October 25, coinciding with the final Birmingham Farmers Market of the season.
Events & Festivals
Bloomfield Township Open House 2026: Fire Trucks, Bounce Houses, and Family Fun
The Bloomfield Township Open House returns September 27 with fire safety demonstrations, patrol car rides, a bounce house, a dunk tank, and a performance stage.
New in Town
New Restaurants and Dining Options in Downtown Birmingham for Families
Several new restaurants have opened in downtown Birmingham in late 2025 and 2026, giving families more casual dining options alongside the area's established fine dining scene.
Events & Festivals
September Events in Birmingham Michigan for Families 2026
From an outdoor movie night at Booth Park to the Farmers Market Harvest Festival, here are the family events happening in downtown Birmingham this September.
Events & Festivals
The Big, Bright Light Show in Downtown Rochester 2026: A Holiday Tradition for Families
The Big, Bright Light Show returns to downtown Rochester on November 24, 2026, with more than a million lights running nightly through mid-January, plus the Festival of Trees and a Lagniappe kickoff celebration.
Events & Festivals
Troy Frightful 5K and Pumpkin 1K 2026: A Family Halloween Race in Troy
Troy Recreation hosts its 10th annual Frightful 5K and Pumpkin 1K on October 25, 2026, at the Troy Community Center, a costume-friendly race with a dedicated kids fun run.
New in Town
New e Fiori Restaurant and Floral Shop Opens in Downtown Birmingham
e Fiori, an Italian restaurant paired with a European-style floral shop, opened in June 2026 on Willits Street in downtown Birmingham, giving families a new dining option just off Old Woodward.
Events & Festivals
Troy Family Fall Fest 2026: Trick-or-Treat Trail and Pumpkin Picking at Stine Park
Troy's free Family Fall Fest takes place Saturday, October 10, 2026, with a trick-or-treat trail, bounce houses, pumpkin picking, and cider and donuts at Jeanne M. Stine Community Park.
Family Activities
Model Train Exhibit at the Rochester Hills Museum: Indoor Family Fun in November
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm hosts the Get On Board model train exhibit on select Saturdays and Sundays starting in November, from noon to 4 p.m., with a scavenger hunt through the display.
Family Activities
Royal Oak Farmers Market: A Family Guide to Hours and Weekly Events
The Royal Oak Farmers Market runs year-round on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it adds a Sunday antiques and collectibles market plus a monthly food truck rally that make it a family destination in the fall.
Events & Festivals
Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Rochester 2026: Halloween Fest for Families
Downtown Rochester hosts a free family trick-or-treat and Halloween Fest on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with downtown shops handing out treats to costumed kids.
Events & Festivals
Halloween Events for Families in Oakland County 2026: Confirmed Dates
Family Halloween events with confirmed 2026 dates in Oakland County, from downtown Rochester's trick-or-treat to Troy's kids' fun run and Birmingham's season finale, each with its source.
New in Town
RH Rooftop Restaurant and Street Beet in Downtown Birmingham 2026
RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Detroit is open on South Old Woodward, and the plant-based sandwich shop Street Beet lists a Birmingham location as coming soon.
Events & Festivals
Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo 2026: Dates and What Families Should Know
Zoo Boo runs the first four weekends of October at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, with trick-or-treat stations and family-friendly Halloween activities each afternoon and evening.
Events & Festivals
BirminghamBURGER 2026: A Month of Signature Burgers in Downtown Birmingham
BirminghamBURGER runs October 1 through 31, 2026, across downtown Birmingham, with participating restaurants competing for the title of best burger in the city for the month.
New in Town
Kaishin Izakaya Opens in Downtown Birmingham on South Old Woodward
Kaishin Izakaya is now open at 176 South Old Woodward Avenue, bringing Japanese small plates and izakaya-style dining to the former Sushi Japan space downtown.
Events & Festivals
Trick-or-Treat at the Troy Historic Village 2026: Under the Sea Theme
The Troy Historic Village holds its family trick-or-treat on Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24, 2026, with an Under the Sea theme, games, and crafts.
Events & Festivals
Trails of Treats at Spencer Park 2026: Rochester Hills Free Family Trick-or-Treat
Rochester Hills hosts Trails of Treats on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Spencer Park, a free community-wide trick-or-treating stroll from noon to 3 p.m.
Events & Festivals
PastArts Beats and Eats in Royal Oak 2026: What Families Should Know
Royal Oak's signature Labor Day weekend festival returns Sept 4 through Sept 7 with live music, food vendors, a juried art show, and a dedicated kids stage.
Events & Festivals
PastTroy Porchfest 2026: Free Family Music Festival in the Southwest Historic District
Forty bands performing on forty porches with free admission. Troy's Porchfest returns September 12 for a day of live music and neighborhood community.