2025 Woodward Dream Cruise Preview & Survival Guide

07.27.2025 | 4 min read

Nothing embodies the Motor City in the summertime like the Woodward Dream Cruise.

If you’re a Dream Cruise regular, you probably know how to prepare for the day. But if it’s been a while since you’ve been – or you are brand new to it – this survival guide should prepare you to fully enjoy the 30th celebration of this iconic Michigan event.

The Dream Cruise can be a grind if you’re not prepared. Read these packing tips, nearby restaurants, parking options and best viewing spots.

When is the Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan?

The Woodward Dream Cruise in 2025 lands on Saturday, Aug. 16. It is set to run from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. The event happens annually on the third Saturday in August.

Where does the Woodward Dream Cruise start and end?

The 16-mile Woodward Dream Cruise begins in Pontiac and concludes in Ferndale. Between those two cities the route encompasses seven other municipalities, in this order: Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods and Pleasant Ridge. Check out the map at this link.

Tips for the Woodward Dream Cruise: what to wear and pack

Packing for the Dream Cruise can be tricky because you want to pack lightly since you’ll likely bounce around during the day. But at the same time, you need to be fully prepared. Bring these essentials:

Drinking water and snacks
Portable camping chairs and/or a large blanket that you don’t mind dirtying up
Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
Umbrellas and/or ponchos if rain is in the forecast

You’ll probably walk a lot, so wearing comfortable shoes is a must. It might be tempting to whip out the cowboy boots for style points or flip flops for convenience, but your feet will thank you later if you wear a reliable pair of sneakers.

Woodward Dream Cruise parking

A handful of participating cities offer municipal parking at these locations:

Birmingham: All activities are within walking distance of the city’s downtown parking decks.
Ferndale: The municipal parking lots are surrounding downtown Ferndale, near Woodward Avenue & Nine Mile Rd.
Pontiac: Municipal parking lots and parking structures are in surrounding downtown Pontiac.
Royal Oak: Guest parking is available at municipal parking lots and walking distance from Woodward.
You can also visit the Woodward Dream Cruise Parking Facebook page for additional info.

How to watch the Woodward Dream Cruise

Arrive early: The Dream Cruise runs all day long, so if you’d like to beat traffic and set up shop at your first viewing destination, you might want to get to your parking spot as early as a couple of hours before the cruise begins. Conversely, you may want to leave before 9 p.m. to get ahead of that outgoing traffic.

Highly regarded spots to watch from: Some of these destinations have been shouted out by the Detroit Free Press and other publications over the years:

Woodward Ave. and 13 Mile Road in Royal Oak.
Along 12 Mile Road from Coolidge to Greenfield in Berkley.
On 9 Mile Road, east side of Woodward, in Ferndale.
The 555 Building in Birmingham.

Popular places to stop for food

If you’re looking for places to fuel up along the route – and we’re not talking about your car – keep these nearby restaurants in mind:

Imperial: open-air street taco spot – 22828 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale.
Como’s: Detroit-style pizza place – 22812 Woodward Ave. in Ferndale.
Vinsetta Garage: diner in an ex-garage that serves classic grub and Detroit eats – 27799 Woodward Ave. in Berkley.
Hunter House Hamburgers: Classic burger joint – 35075 Woodward Ave. in Birmingham.
Nicky D’s Coney Island: Detroit-based coney chain – 32657 Woodward Ave. in Royal Oak.

Visit the Woodward Dream Cruise official website at this link for hotel information, ancillary events happening on the weekend of the cruise and much more.

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Photo credit: Simons-Michelson-Zieve (SMZ)