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Saturday, August 17, 2024

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Woodward Dream Cruise Parking: The official Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise route is a 16-mile radius, running through nine participating municipalities (Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge, Pontiac) in the County of Oakland, located in southeast Michigan (metropolitan Detroit area).

Click here for Woodward Dream Cruise Events and Route Map

The following information is provided to better assist you with finding parking accommodations.

Municipal Parking Locations

City of Birmingham: All activities are within walking distance of the city’s downtown parking decks.

City of Ferndale: The municipal parking lots are surrounding downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue & Nine Mile Rd.

City of Pontiac: Municipal parking lots and parking structures are located in surrounding downtown Pontiac.

City of Royal Oak: Guest parking is available at municipal parking lots and walking distance from Woodward.

•      Royal Oak Golf Center: Corner of Coolidge and West 13 Mile Rd.
•      Gunn Dyer Park: South of Normandy between Coolidge and Woodward.
•      Upton Park: South of West 14 mile Rd and Coolidge.

Woodward Dream Cruise Parking Information: A helpful source for parking locations during the Woodward Dream Cruise, and including other events, links, and more.

Here's your guide to the 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise

Detroit — Auto enthusiasts from around the globe will rev up their engines and descend on Metro Detroit this weekend for the highly-anticipated Woodward Dream Cruise.

Ushering in more than 1 million people and roughly 40,000 classic street machines to the region, spectators will line up along Woodward Avenue for a stretch spanning nine Oakland County communities this weekend.

Here's everything you need to know.

More : Car lovers to unite at Woodward Dream Cruise

How far will the car parade stretch? 📍

The cruise runs along a 16-mile route through Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge and Pontiac in Oakland County.

Here's a map of the route.

Dream Cruise events Friday and Saturday

There are all sorts of events throughout the weekend, starting Friday.

Pontiac Classic Car Show, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. in Pontiac

Cruise in Shoes 5k Run, 8-9:30 a.m., Royal Oak

Performance Classic Car Show, noon-7 p.m., Royal Oak

Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show, 1-7 p.m.

Official Dream Cruise Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, 5 p.m., Ferndale

CruiseFest Classic Car Parade, 6:30 p.m. in Berkley

Birmingham Cruise, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Performance Classic Car Show, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Royal Oak

Woodward Dream Parade, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Pontiac

Pontiac Classic Car Show, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Ford Bronco Show, 10-a.m.-6 p.m., Pleasant Ridge, at Woodward Avenue and Oakland Park Boulevard.

But the cost — how much are we talking? 💵

Whether a driver or spectator, participation is free.

So, where should I park? 🚗

City of Birmingham:  All activities are within walking distance of the city’s downtown parking decks.

City of Ferndale:  The municipal parking lots are surrounding downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue and 9 Mile Road

City of Pontiac:  Municipal parking lots and parking structures are located in surrounding downtown Pontiac.

City of Royal Oak:  Guest parking is available at municipal parking lots and walking distance from Woodward Avenue.

•      Royal Oak Golf Center:  Corner of Coolidge Highway and West 13 Mile Road.
•      Gunn Dyer Park:  South of Normandy Road between Coolidge Highway and Woodward Avenue.
•      Upton Park:  South of West 14 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway.

For more event information, visit: www.woodwarddreamcruise.com

[email protected]

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The 2021 Woodward Dream Cruise is back! Check out a map, parking options and more

(WXYZ) — After a year break due the COVID-19 pandemic, the Woodward Dream Cruise is back.

The 2021 Woodward Dream Cruise will roll on this year all day.

• Examining the return of the Woodward Dream Cruise
• Restrictions for trucks & trailers along Woodward go into effect Saturday for Dream Cruise

WXYZ-TV is the official media partner of the Woodward Dream Cruise. We will have live coverage from Woodward both before and during the annual event. The Woodward Dream Cruise special will air from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on WXYZ-TV .

Ford Motor Company is once again serving as the presenting sponsor for the 26th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise, and the original 1966 Ford Bronco is starring as the featured heritage vehicle. Ford recently launched production on an all-new version of the iconic nameplate SUV.

Ford will display both the new and older Broncos, as well as some of their most recently announced vehicles, including the all-new 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT all-electric SUV, the all-electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lighting, and the recently revealed Ford Maverick compact hybrid pickup truck.

Ford Motor Co. & Mustang Alley will be at 9 Mile in Ferndale. The Ford Bronco Car Show will be at 10 Mile Road near Memorial Park in Pleasant Ridge, and the Ford Heritage Display is slated to be at 11 Mile Road near Western Market.

You can also check out events prior to the 21, such as the CruiseFest Classic Car Parade, which will be held on Friday, August 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on west 12 Mile between Coolidge and Greenfield.

For a full list of cities and events on Dream Cruise weekend click here.

If you're looking for places to park during the cruise, the Woodward Dream Cruise encourages visitors to download the ParkStash app. The app will connect you to nearby parking spaces provided by churches, hotels, restaurants, homeowners and municipal parking lots to plan ahead of time. You can also check out municipal parking locations here.

Here's the Woodward Dream Cruise map below to help you plan your visit:

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Woodward Dream Cruise returns this weekend. Here's what to know about parking, events and more

By Sara Powers

August 16, 2023 / 11:49 AM EDT / CBS Detroit

(CBS DETROIT) - The Woodward Dream Cruise is here for its 2023 season! Here's everything you need to know about the route, parking, free bus rides, community events and more!

When and where is the Woodward Dream Cruise? 

The event will happen on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The Woodward Dream Cruise was founded in 1995 and goes through nine Oakland County communities along 16 miles of Woodward Avenue. 

The participating communities include Pontiac, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale. 

To view the official map for the event, visit here . 

What can visitors expect during the Woodward Dream Cruise?

Every year, the event draws in about 1.5 million people who can expect to see over 400,000 cars, including muscle, street rods, custom builds, collector cars and special edition vehicles participating in the cruise. 

Ford Motor Company is again the event's sponsor for the sixth consecutive year. 

"It's incredibly special to celebrate Ford's 120th Anniversary with Henry Ford's first race car along with our entire portfolio to help power the Woodward Dream Cruise," said Bryan Guldi, Ford U.S. branded activations manager, in a press release. "Collaborating with the Woodward Dream Cruise is very important to Ford Motor Company because we strive to contribute and give back in meaningful ways to the communities where we live, work... and cruise."

The 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise features the new Mustang Dark Horse, which is debuting this summer with an updated look and maintains manual transmission.

Ford will also feature its Bronco Raptor and F-150 Lightning at the event. 

Will there be construction during the Woodward Dream Cruise? 

The construction on Woodward Avenue from Eight Mile Road to Oakridge Street will pause for the event. 

Cars will have access to all four lanes of Woodward Avenue in both directions. 

Where to park during the Woodward Dream Cruise?

Parking is available along the route, and according to the Woodward Dream Cruise's website, here are some areas guests can find parking:

Royal Oak Golf Center: Corner of Coolidge and West 13 Mile Rd. Gunn Dyer Park: South of Normandy between Coolidge and Woodward. Upton Park: South of West 14 mile Rd and Coolidge.

• City of Birmingham: All activities are within walking distance of the city's downtown parking decks.
• City of Ferndale: The municipal parking lots surround downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue & Nine Mile Rd.
• City of Pontiac: Municipal parking lots and structures surround downtown Pontiac.
• City of Royal Oak: Guest parking is available at municipal parking lots and within walking distance from Woodward. Specifically, guests can look for parking at the Royal Oak Golf Center, Gunn Dyer Park and Upton Park. 

In addition, the event website shared a Facebook account where the community shares more information about where visitors can find parking and other events. 

How to get SMART bus rides during the Woodward Dream Cruise?

During the Woodward Dream Cruise, the SMART Shuttle will be free for everyone who wants to ride. People can catch a ride at any of the SMART RED or FAST bus stops from Eight Mile Road to Pontiac. 

Where to buy Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise?

Official merchandise can be found at the following locations: 

• Ferndale City Hall, 300 East Nine Mile Rd., Downtown Ferndale (Mon - Thurs, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• Nine Mile Road., east of Woodward Ave., Ferndale (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Pleasant Ridge City Hall, 23925 Woodward Ave., west of Woodward, south of I-696 (Aug. 19)
• Corner of West 12 Mile Road @ Woodward Avenue, Berkley (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Westborn Market - 27659 Woodward Ave., Berkley (Aug. 19)
• Zoe's Restaurant - 25994 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Sherwin Williams - 27958 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• CVS Pharmacy, 30900 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Gus's World Famous Hot & Spicy Fried Chicken, 31105 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak (Aug. 18 & 19)
• Kinkos - 33100 Woodward Ave., Birmingham (Aug. 19)
• West Maple Road, north corner of Woodward, 35075 Woodward Ave., Birmingham (Aug. 18, 19, & 20)
• Birmingham Cruise, Downtown Birmingham, Old Woodward Avenue - multiple locations (Aug. 19)

Other related events happening this weekend

• The Woodward Dream Cruise Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: This ceremony will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, on East Nine Mile Road at Woodward Avenue.
• Lights & Sirens Cruise: This parade will happen at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The procession will head north on Woodward to 11 Mile Road and return to Nine Mile Road. 
• Woodward Dream Show: This event is happening Friday and Saturday at the M-1 Concourse in Pontiac. To celebrate Corvette's 70th anniversary, they will have 70 Corvettes, one from each production year. In addition, they will also have a 1983 Corvette, which is the only one in the world! For more information on the Woodward Dream Show, visit here.
• Woodward Avenue
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Sara Powers is a digital producer for CBS Detroit. Sara covers local news, often focusing on crime, politics and entertainment.

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PONTIAC, Mich. (FOX 2) - The unofficial holiday of classic cars, automotive evolution, and everything else that might travel on Michigan's most iconic roadway kicks off this weekend.

The Woodward Dream Cruise will officially kick off Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. - although Oakland County residents should be prepared for a little extra traffic on Woodward Avenue for the second half of the week.

Nine Oakland County communities participate in the rolling car show, some with scheduled events throughout Saturday like the Performance Park Classic Car Show in Royal Oak . Ferndale , the southern-most city on the Woodward Dream Cruise circuit has planned events the day before like the Kids Car Club and the Lights & Sirens Cruise.

The event typically draws tens of thousands of patrons, which means parking can be a bit of a headache. 

Woodward Dream Cruise parking

To help navigate the expected congestion, the event is using ParkStash to help guide drivers. The app is intended to help people find and reserve parking offered up by churches, hotels, restaurants, homeowners, and government lots. 

A video showing how to use the app to book a parking spot is here . 

The cities of Birmingham , Ferndale, Pontiac , and Royal Oak also have downtown parking decks that will be open to the public. 

• There are five city-owned parking decks in Birmingham. They include the N. Old Woodward Parking Structure, Park Street Parking Structure, Chester Parking Structure, Pierce Parking Structure, and the Peabody Parking Structure. More here .
• In Ferndale, drivers can use the City Hall Parking Lot and the Library Parking Lot. Learn more here . 
• In Pontiac, there are lots available on 17 West Huron, 34 W Lawrence Street, and 10 Water Street. More info can be found here .
• In Royal Oak, there's parking options include structures on South Center Street, 11 Mile Road, South Lafaette Avenue at West 6th Street and at West 4th Street. There are also surface parking lots that include the Sherman Street lot on 286 S Washington Avenue and Lot P7 on Main Street. Find more info here . 

Woodward Dream Cruise events

The official cruise will go 12 hours on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m., however there are events going on the day before as well. Here's what to expect:

In Birmingham:

• CruiseFest Classic Car Parade from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 19.

In Ferndale:

• Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show from 1 p.m. to 7 on Aug. 19
• Kids Car Club from 1 p.m. to 7. on Aug. 19
• Official Woodward Dream Cruise Ribbon Cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. on Aug. 19
• Lights & Sirens Cruise at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 19
• A Storyland of Floats from 1 p.m. to 8 on Aug. 19
• Rock'n Live Entertainment Stage from 1 p.m. to 9:30 on Aug. 19
• Mustang Alley from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 20

In Royal Oak:

• Performance Park Classic Car Show from 12 p.m. to 7 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 20)
• Cruise in Shoes 5k Run & Walk from 8 a.m. to 9:30 (on Aug. 20)

In Pleasant Ridge:

• Ford Bronco Show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 20

More event info can be found here . 

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Woodward Dream Cruise 2023 in Detroit | Dates, Schedule of Events, Where to Park, Map, M1 Concourse | Where to Eat | Check Out the World's Biggest Cruise!

By Sherry Trautman

Last updated: August 17, 2023 | By Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com

The Detroit Woodward Dream Cruise is the mothership of all car events. It's a celebration of Woodward Ave and car enthusiasm in the heart of the Motor City. I mean seriously, this incredible car cruise draws thousands of classic cars, muscle cars, trucks (and lots of crazy stuff ) to thunder down Woodward Avenue between Pontiac and Ferndale. 

Chris and I can't wait to go this August !

AND...more than 1.5 million car enthusiasts from all over the world are revved up to see some spectacular (and crazy) vehicles!

See the World's Biggest Cruise!

When is the 2023 Woodward Dream Cruise?

August 19, 2023!

BUT ... several communities have fun events and classic car shows on August 18, 2023. See the event schedule below!

The Woodward Dream Cruise is the World's Biggest Cruise?

Woodward Dream Cruise Frequently Asked Questions 

What day is the Woodward Dream Cruise 2023? August 19, 2023

Is the Woodward Dream Cruise free? Yes, the Dream Cruise is free to attend! 

How long does the Woodward Dream Cruise last? The cruise is just one day!

• Anyone not driving a classic/muscle car are asked to stay out of the two right lanes nearest to the curb.

What time is the Woodward Dream Cruise?  9 am to 9 pm.  BUT many people with show cars in the static car shows begin to leave parked shows (as they want to cruise) around 3:30 pm so I recommend hitting up the shows in the morning.

Are Their Bathrooms?   In the more populated areas, especially in Royal Oak, there are porta johns along Woodward Avenue. 

Is it Safe To Attend?   As with any large city, don't leave your items unattended. Make sure your bags/purses are zipped and closed. There is a very large police presence at the show and we felt comfortable.  We recommend going as it is a great family event!

Is This Your First Time at the Woodward Dream Cruise?

If it’s your first time to the show , we recommend finding a spot somewhere between Royal Oak and Birmingham as this stretch gets the most traffic and excitement. 

We recommend arriving early so you can find parking off Woodward Avenue before the side streets and lots are full.

We recommend bringing:

• Ear plugs if you are noise sensitive (especially for young children)
• Folding chairs with umbrellas 
• Water/non-alcoholic drinks
• TP (in case the porta johns are out)

The Dream Cruise Consists of 9 Communities within Oakland County, Michigan

• Bloomfield Hills
• Pleasant Ridge

Bloomfield Township

• Huntington Woods

History of the Woodward Dream Cruise

Woodward Dream Cruise was dreamed up as a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan. Then, in August 1995, a group of people wished to relive the fun of the 50's and 60's, when music and Motor City steel roared down Woodward Avenue.  Blowing away expectations, the event drew 250,000 people!

​ Now, the Woodward Dream Cruise is the World’s Largest One-Day Automotive Event!

The Cruise brings about 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars to the area each summer.

People travel from all over the world to attend and be in the show.  It's an incredible experience!

Woodward Dream Cruise Map

*** Remember to use the  Woodward Dream Cruise Map link   for LIVE connection  to Google Maps!!

• Click on the plus and minus in the left corner to zoom in or out of the map.
• Click on the icons for more info, addresses and photos of the stops.
• Click on the map to drag and move it to view surrounding areas.
• In the Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all of our stops. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header.
• In the Header, click on the "square" icon in the upper right side to expand the map for better viewing.

Detroit Woodward Dream Cruise Schedule of Events (August 18-19, 2023) and Where to Park

The official parking App for Woodward Dream Cruise is ParkStash

M1 Concourse Events During the Woodward Dream Cruise

Friday, August 18, 2023: 

Hot rod, custom, cruiser, and muscle car show displayed around the M1 Circuit.  Featured classes include the 70th anniversary of Corvette, MOPAR, and Ramchargers 65th anniversary. Food trucks, refreshments, and live entertainment.

Saturday, August 19, 2023

The Woodward Dream Parade is an escorted parade of 200 invited cars that will be cruising on Woodward Avenue and in downtown Pontiac.

The M1 Cruise-In (Saturday August 19th) will be an oasis open to anyone looking to park on the M1 Concourse Circuit. We will be there!!

Experience Race Speed Track Experience (RSTEs) where you can can take a lap with a professional driver on the M1 Concourse Circuit. Food trucks, refreshments, and live entertainment.

Get your tickets for the MI Concourse events . 

City of Pontiac

It's definitely a burn out zone along Woodward Avenue in Pontiac!   

Friday, August 18, 2023:

• 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM: Pontiac Classic Car Show
• 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM: DJ Aaron @ Hidden River
• 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM: Hidden River Entertainment Stage, Saginaw & Water St.
• All Day: Food Trucks & Strolling Art Show

Saturday, August 19, 2023:

• 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Woodward Dream Parade
• 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM: Pontiac Classic Car Show
• 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM: Hidden River Entertainment Stage, Saginaw & Water St.

City of Pontiac Parking:  There are several parking lots and parking structures in downtown Pontiac.

No scheduled events

City of Birmingham

The Birmingham Cruise Event will feature classic cars of all makes and models, sponsor exhibits, food and more. The Birmingham Cruise Classic Car Show is within walking distance of Birmingham's five parking structures.  The first two hours are always free so stop by! 

• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm: Birmingham Cruise Classic Car Show in Downtown Birmingham
• Birmingham Cruise

Get your Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise all day.

City of Birmingham Parking:  All Dream Cruise activities are close  walking distance from Birmingham's downtown parking decks.

WXYZ-TV Live Broadcast

WOMC 104.3 FM Live Broadcast

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City of Berkley

• 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: CruiseFest Classic Car Parade, On West 12 Mile Rd., between Coolidge & Greenfield Rd.
• 4:00 PM – 9:00PM: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, West 12 Mile at Woodward Avenue

Saturday, August 19, 2023 :

• All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, West 12 Mile Rd at Woodward Avenue

City of Royal Oak

Friday, August 18, 2023 :

• 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Performance Park - Classic Car Show
• ALL DAY: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, Vendors & Food Court
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Cruise In Shoes 5k Run
• 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM: Performance Park Classic Car Show
• All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, Vendors & Food Court

City of Pleasant Ridge

• All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, Woodward & Oakland Park Blvd.
• 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Ford Bronco Show , Woodward & Oakland Park Blvd.

City of Ferndale

Friday, August 18, 2023 – Nine Mile Rd & Woodward

• 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Ferndale Emergency Vehicle Show
• 5:00 PM: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
• 5:30 PM: Lights & Sirens Cruise (begins at the corner of E. Nine Mile Rd & Woodward Ave. north to 11 Mile Rd and back).
• 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Kids Car Club Zone
• 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM: MMRA'S Quarter Midget Racing Cars
• 1:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage
• All Day: Official Woodward Dream Cruise Merchandise, food and merchant vendors

Saturday, August 19, 2023 - Nine Mile Rd & Woodward

• 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Mustang Alley
• 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM: Kids Car Club Zone
• 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM: Rock’n Live Entertainment Stage

City of Ferndale Parking : Parking lots surround downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue & Nine Mile Rd.

Things to do Nearby the Woodward Dream Cruise

Cranbrook Art Museum , 39221 Woodward Avenue. Cranbrook has a marvelous music or science center. Their gardens are also excellent and you can tour:

• The Saarinen House
• Behind the scenes collections wing tour
• Frank Lloyd Wright home
• Self-guided outdoors sculpture tours
• Cranbrook Observatory

Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical - Listed as one of the World Almanac’s 100 Most Unusual Museums, this is a place you need to see to believe. Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum,  31005 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills

My friend Marcy highly recommends eating at Sylvan Table which we will try this year. It is a farm-to-table restaurant. The restaurant is in a few hundred year old barn they moved from the east coast and built a farm around it. Cool, huh!

• Other restaurant ideas that come highly recommended from locals include the Latin restaurant Freya and The Apparatus Room.

Are There Bathrooms at the Woodward Dream Cruise?

There are lots of porta johns along Woodward Ave in the more populated areas. Memorial Park in Royal Oak has a large bank of porta johns for the classic car show. 

Are There Food Trucks or Places to Eat at Woodward Dream Cruise?

Absolutely! There are food trucks and vendors lining Woodward avenue in the more populated areas, especially Royal Oak and Ferndale. There are also lots of great restaurants along Woodward Avenue.

We enjoy eating at Brown Iron Brewhouse in Royal Oak .

• Chris was eyeing the Brown Iron Burger with Wagyu Beef, applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese and a yummy caramelized onion spread but got the Slow Smoke BBQ Pork sandwich with yummy pickles!
• I got the Cali salmon BLT with avocado crema...be sure to order extra crema, it's yummy!

Um, can you say BACON CANDY?  Drool. 

Grab Lunch or Dinner at Detroit's Diners Drive Ins and Dives While Enjoying the Woodward Dream Cruise!

Here's another idea ....

Grab a meal at Detroit's Diners Drive Ins and Dive's ! Guy Fieri style! And here's ALL of Michigan's Diners Drive Ins and Dives!

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Woodward Dream Cruise 2022: Everything you need to know

Over a million spectators are expected along woodward avenue this year. here’s what you need to know before you go..

Carmichael Cruz , Digital Producer

DETROIT – On Saturday, get ready for a Michigan end-of-summer tradition. Tens of thousands of cars will ride down M-1 in a celebration of classic and muscle car culture. Over 1.5 million vintage enthusiasts from around the world attend the annual procession as cars honk and drive down Woodward Ave.

When is the Woodward Dream Cruise?

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The Cruise is on the third Saturday of every August. This year it falls on August 20th and will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Where is the parade route?

The parade runs northbound along the entire course of Woodward Ave. from Ferndale to Pontiac. Those not participating in the parade are asked to avoid the right two lanes near the curbs. You can find the official map here .

How can I watch and how much does it cost?

The Dream Cruise is free for both participants and fans. Spectators can watch anywhere along the parade route but be aware of businesses and private homes.

What should I bring?

While the entire parade runs for 12 hours, guests can come and go on their own time. We recommend bringing law chairs, sunblock, water and snacks. Classic cars can get very loud, so anyone sensitive to extreme noises should also pack ear plugs.

How do I get there?

Parking will be very limited in communities along the parade route, so allow for some extra time and patience. Parking can be found at lots and structures in Ferndale , Royal Oak , Birmingham and Pontiac , space permitting. Street parking is another option but take note of time restrictions and costs to avoid tickets and/or towing.

Free SMART shuttle busses will run on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Woodward Avenue from 8 Mile Road to Downtown Pontiac. To ride, look out for RED SMART and FAST bus stops on Woodward Avenue.

Busses will also run their normal routes, except for those on the parade route which will run on a detour. These busses will still pass by and stop in the communities along the parade route, but will avoid Woodward Avenue. The bus is $2 per person to ride and is good for four hours. More information on bus routes can be found here .

Ride shares like Lyft and Uber are another option for spectators looking to avoid driving and parking. Fans can also hop on a MoGo bike with MoGo stations available throughout Woodward Avenue from Downtown Detroit to Berkley.

What other events are occurring around the Dream Cruise?

Because of the parade’s central route on Woodward, many of the communities that the parade passes through will also be holding their own events in addition to the parade.

• Berkley Cruise Fest
• Birmingham Cruise Classic Car Show
• Ferndale Dream Cruise
• Performance Park Classic Car Show (Royal Oak)
• Woodward Dream Parade (Pontiac)
• Ford Bronco Show (Pleasant Ridge)
• Super Roll (Piquette Plant)

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About the Author

Carmichael cruz.

Carmichael Cruz is a digital producer at WDIV and curates the Go Guide, our weekly weekend events newsletter.

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Everything you need to know about the 2019 Woodward Dream Cruise

The world’s largest one-day car event rolls down Woodward Avenue on Saturday, August 17

Enthusiasts and spectators will soon be out showing off their rides for the 25th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise , which rolls through the northern suburbs along Woodward Avenue on Saturday, August 17. The world’s largest one-day automotive event is an enormous draw —last year an estimated 1.5 million people attended and 40,000 classic cars were on the roads at the free event.

While the main ride takes place from Pontiac to Ferndale, Detroit also has a few offerings for visitors this year. Here’s where to go if you want to watch—or avoid—the festivities.

The first Dream Cruise took place on August 19, 1995. It was organized by a couple of Ferndale residents—the mayor and a plumber—to help fund a soccer field, and it far exceeded expectations. The event drew about 200,000 more people than expected. The Detroit News put together an oral history of that first event.

It’s since expanded slightly—the ride now extends all the way to Pontiac and festivities take place on the days leading up to the main cruise.

Officially, the Woodward Dream Cruise runs Saturday, August 17 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Events have already started, and an official ribbon cutting will take place on Friday at 5 p.m. in Ferndale.

Route and parking

The Dream Cruise starts in Pontiac and rolls down Woodward through Birmingham, Royal Oak, Ferndale, and all places in-between. The event is free, and many visitors park along the side streets and bring lawn chairs to view from sidewalks or the medians. Parking goes quickly, and the Dream Cruise outlines official parking in each city.

If you want your parking money to go to a good cause, Wetmore’s, an auto repair shop in Ferndale is selling spots for $60 ; all proceeds to go to a shelter for women and children.

While Woodward, we’d strongly recommend taking a different route if possible. Getting stuck in traffic with thousands of other slowly driving cars is not fun.

A couple closures to note include the westbound I-696 ramp to southbound I-75 and 9 Mile Road near Woodward.

Looking to view the cruise but avoid traffic? SMART will offer a free shuttle service starting Saturday at 9 a.m.. Riders can hop on from any SMART Red or FAST bus stop from 8 Mile Road to Pontiac and cruise down Woodward along with the classic cars.

Fares will still be in effect for other SMART routes. Also, the 450/460 Woodward Local service and SMART’s FAST Woodward Routes 461/462 will operate to the Fairgrounds then detour to Pontiac . Riders may get on or off the bus at any safe spot along the Bypass route or any red SMART Bus stop.

Local businesses

Because of all the visitors, expect restaurants and bars to be open and busy. As for other businesses along Woodward, check ahead of time—they may close due to difficulty in customer parking.

What to see

Ford is the presenting sponsor this year (there are 35 in total), and the automaker has a few big activities set up along the route. Nearly 1,000 Mustangs will be lined up around 9 Mile at Mustang Alley. The new 2020 Shelby GT500 will be the featured model and parade down Woodward early Saturday morning.

Each city along the route has events planned on Saturday, and some on Friday and Thursday as well, including a number of classic car shows. Check out the schedule for a complete list.

Also, the Detroit Free Press put together a handy list of the best places to watch the Dream Cruise.

Detroit events

The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant will have a Super Roll from 8 to 10 a.m. See classic cars—where it all started—rolling down Woodward toward Palmer Park and then into the Dream Cruise with a police escort.

America’s Automotive Trust and Autoweek planned the Cruise Detroit event , a ride starting at 8 a.m. at the Lafayette Garage in Corktown, heading to the base of Woodward at Jefferson Avenue, then north towards the Dream Cruise. Spirit Plaza will be open for this event, “making it a rare opportunity to cruise the entire length of M-1.”

Interestingly, Tony Michaels, executive director of the Woodward Dream Cruise Inc., told Crain’s Detroit Business that there have been informal conversations of late about extending the ride into Detroit in the near future. “I think what’s going to happen is there will be some event in unison with the Dream Cruise in Detroit. It makes sense,” he said

We’ll continue to update this article with information about traffic, weather, and events as the date of the Dream Cruise nears.

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Woodward Dream Cruise: How to find parking, parties

If you're not going to be one of the thousands of people cruising in a classic, hot rod or muscle car during the Woodward Dream Cruise later this month, then chances are you'll be looking for a place to park -- and party.    

Woodward Dream Cruise is one of the biggest annual car events in the metro Detroit area, the "granddaddy of them all , " according to    Michael O'Callaghan, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau . 

That means more than 1 million visitors booking 40,000 hotel rooms to attend the event.

But those rooms just get you to town. Grand Blanc resident and Detroit native Mark Palazzolo gets you streetside. Palazzolo created and runs   Woodward Dream Cruise Parking , where he voluntarily   provides information on available Dream Cruise parking spots, along with other details like prices.

Palazzolo, who's been a "car guy" his whole life isn't affiliated with the official Woodward Dream Cruise, but started the website after   he noticed how hard it was to reserve a parking lot for he and his friends to take in the event in 2015. 

He said it was difficult to get through to many of the business owners along Woodward to rent a parking lot. Plus, many businesses already had private events planned, had already sold to other groups, or were having corporate events. Some lots being offered were charging astronomical amounts, he said in a Facebook message.

Ahead of Dream Cruise, top designers' auto art, cool cars on display

5 best places to watch the Dream Cruise

"I also found it very difficult to locate available parking," he said. "Nothing was really being advertised online, and certainly nothing in any single location. Anyone could drive up and down Woodward, and maybe a business had a sign indicating they had parking available, but that isn't very convenient, and doesn't help anyone coming in from out of town, which many attendees are!" 

He said costs for parking spots can run anywhere from $25 to hundreds of dollars per space depending on the lot owner and location.

The Dream Cruise, this year from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 18, brings around 1.5 million people and 40,000 cars from around the world, according to the event website .  

These people bring their money too, spending about $153 million during the week of the event, O'Callaghan said.

"Our hotel rooms will fill up, they'll spend their money and come again next year," he said. "And I'm one of those dopes. I'll make believe it's 1971 all over again for just a few hours."

O'Callaghan said he tries to go to the cruise every year in his red 1965 Mustang convertible.

John Vermeersch, owner of Total Performance , has rented out a parking lot for customers and friends for the past 15 years.

He said he pays $5,000 to rent the  Royal Oak Ford Body Shop parking lot at 30002 Woodward Ave, north of 12 Mile Road.

"It's a good, happy party," he said. "Everybody gets a good time." 

The location is fantastic, he said, and the people in the lot get a good view. 

There are around 60 to 65 spaces in the lot, which he rents to customers and friends for $100 per space, but only Ford vehicles are allowed since Total Performance services classic Ford vehicles and the lot is for a Ford body shop. 

He said someone in a Corvette once rolled up and asked if they could park there, and he said, sure, as they needed a car for the 2 p.m. sledgehammer bash. The Corvette left. 

Along with the view, he said a big advantage of the lot is with the nearby streets running east. People can get in and out of the lot with no trouble. 

Emaline Martin, executive assistant at Royal Oak's Arthur Murray Dance Studio , said traffic is a reason the dance studio is closed during the  Dream Cruise. 

She said the back roads get full and it's a hassle to get around during the event. However, since the studio is on Woodward,   just south of 13 Mile Road, it's a great location for watching the cruise. 

"We're basically right in the center of all the happenings, so a good place to be," she said. 

Salvatore Toscano agrees. He has rented out the dance studio's parking lot for the past five years so he and his other private car collector friends can all have their cars together in the same space for the cruise, which is almost impossible otherwise. 

He said the group usually has a few parking spaces left over and will sell the spots, with the added bonus of food and beverages all day, for $125 to other car collectors who want to join their group. 

Your guide to the 2018 Dream Cruise: Date, parking, tips and more

The 'mayor of Woodward' made the Dream Cruise a celebration of Michigan

Palazzolo. who tracks parking during the cruise, said the event does bring a lot of money into the area, but it can be inconvenient for those that live or work along Woodward Avenue.

Palazzolo said he thinks there are some business owners that shy away from the cruise when they could capitalize on the popularity of it. Offer a coupon, or flyer, or host an event just to get potentially new customers to find out about your business, he suggested, but he said he probably looks more at the positive sides of the cruise.  

He said even if a business does decide to close that day, it should have something to offer people.

"It is a great opportunity to approach those that may not have any idea that your business exists," he said. 

Cortney Casey, owner of  Michigan By The Bottle Tasting Room-Royal Oak at 29932 Woodward Ave., has considered finding someone to rent out the bar's tasting room for the event, but hasn’t really pursued it.

"For us, Dream Cruise is both a blessing and a curse," she said in a Facebook message. "I’m guessing there are a lot of Woodward businesses that feel that way. We get plenty of people in our doors who have never been in before, so from a visibility perspective, that’s great. However, the prospect of extra traffic sometimes scares away some of our “regulars.”" 

Due to this, she has felt it might be easier just to rent out the space for a big group, likely a corporate entity that wants a home base for the cruise activities for employees or clients, with the bar serving wine and snacks. But the event tends to sneak up on her and she always figures she'll try to do it next year. 

Casey said interest and the right offer would entice her to alter the regular operations during the cruise to accommodate a private party. 

"It’s a fantastic event and I’m glad it’s there, but I’d love to find a way to make it a little more logistically and financially worthwhile for MBTB," she said. "And ultimately, a private party may someday be the way to go." 

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M1 Concourse Celebrates 60th Anniversary of World’s First Muscle Car

The Pontiac GTO, the first American muscle car, will take over the Woodward Dream Show (not to be confused with the Woodward Dream Cruise ) in August to celebrate its 60th anniversary with car enthusiasts and the public alike. The anniversary celebration will bring together an exhibition of 64 GTOs and more than 650 hot rods, custom cars, cruisers, and muscle cars.

The Pontiac GTO is known for its unmistakable rumble of a V-8 engine, fire-spitting double exhausts, and ability to go from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds. The GTO, nicknamed the “Goat,” the “Tiger,” and “The Great One,” is said to have led to a generation built on performance and speed, setting Detroit’s muscle car culture in motion.

According to Motor Trend , the GTO was created after Pontiac experienced great success in the NASCAR Grand National Series in 1961 and 1962, just as baby boomers were reaching the driving age and needed wheels. Pontiac’s division head, John DeLorean, saw the need and over 32,000 GTOs passed through dealerships in its first year.

The 60th anniversary celebration of this Detroit innovation will kick off the Woodward Dream Show and Parade on the third weekend in August.

“We’re going to have 64 Pontiac GTOs from across the country come together on the plaza at our event center,” said M1 Concourse CEO Tim McGrane in a press release. “It will be among the largest gatherings of GTOs in the United States and a must-see way to start Dream Cruise weekend at our Woodward Dream Show.”

Tickets to the GTO anniversary celebration include access to rare and unique cars, People’s Choice Awards voting, parking, local food and drinks, live music, entertainment, and more. General admission tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for children. Kids six and under are free. VIP tickets, which include on-site parking, catered food and drink, and second-level views, are $160 each.

Eat from local food trucks like Green Lantern , Union 212 , Chick-A-Dee , Batter Up , and Sucree . There will also be ‘60s-themed live music and a family-friendly zone for the kids. Tickets also include access to the Insiders’ Garage Symposium, a panel of local and regional leaders discussing cars, car builds, and more.

The Woodward Dream Cruise, on Aug. 17, is metro Detroit’s biggest automotive event. The parade celebrates car culture, bringing thousands of custom collector and special interest vehicles to Woodward Avenue. The cruise spans nine communities from Ferndale to Pontiac, many of which are also hosting their own community events throughout the weekend.

M1 Concourse is a premiere automotive and entertainment venue. The 87-acre property holds a 28,000-square-foot event complex, a 1.5-mile closed track, 255 private garages, and a full schedule of events. The M1 Concourse also hosts the American Speed Festival, Cars and Coffee, Cars Under the Stars, and other automotive festivals.

“We invite everyone to join us for this unique opportunity to take part in a historic event that honors the region’s automotive legacy,” McGrane said in a press release. “It’s a day of cars, community, and culture and it all starts at M1.”

For tickets and more information, visit m1concourse.com , and visit hourdetroit.com for more community events.

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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Kuznetski Most area in Moscow

Kuznetski Most is a small area between Tverskaya street, Kremlin, and Kitai Gorod (Lubyanka) and it's a downtown of Moscow. First of all, 'Kuznya' is a great place to walk: it is a real Moscow area, not a postcard at all, hectic busy streets neighbour tranquil lanes and courtyards with traditional architecture. There are also many very nice cafes, restaurants, clubs, and shops. If you want a cool place to meet people, go for a walk and to get the real feeling of the city, check out this area.

Long time ago there were only half-broken low wooden houses in Kuznetski Most area, and it was the place where poor blacksmithes lived. Blacksmith is 'Kuznets' in Russia, hence the name. In the beginning of the street (on top) there was a bridge over a small river, later this river was put underground, so there's no bridge anymore. About 200 years ago there was a rich Moscovitan noble buying this area. He immediately put away all the blacksmiths' houses and started to build a fancy new district. Just in few years he built up beautiful houses, with impressive ornaments, rich decoration, pools in the courtyards. Also, he opened some French boutiques in the area. That's when Kuznetski Most started to become fashionable. In a short time all the elite moved to this  area, and those who wasn't so fast were coming here to make some shopping and to sit in many of the restaurants and cafes around.  In the 20th century, when the communist times arrived, most of the buildings were given to government offices, some were given to soviet shops. The area became boring, the architecture was slowly deteriorating , but nobody seemed to care. In the beginning of the 90s  the area was revived again: the buildings were  restored , there was many new cafes being opened, boutiques, and shops. One important landmark of Kuznetsky Most is that it's home to FSB (Federal Security Bureau - former KGB) offices, and if you walk along Kuznetsky Most street you can get to the FSB reception, which is open 24 hours (in case you have something to report).  

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