The 498 RefleX runs seven days a week between Troy and downtown Detroit along Woodward. Limited stops allow for buses every 45 minutes.
Somerset
(Behind Neiman Marcus) Somerset Collection is the premier mall in Metro Detroit. Follow this link to the directory. Anchor stores are Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Macy’s and there are many dining options both in and around the shopping center. Getting to this location is easy with its proximity to I-75 and Big Beaver (16 Mile Road). Parking is ample but just don’t leave your car overnight or they may tow it. Four other SMART buses stop here (430 Main Street-Big Beaver, 460 Woodward Local, 465 Auburn Hills Limited & 780 15 Mile Crosstown).
Birmingham
(South Adams and Bowers St) Directly across from Adams Square Shopping Center is the SB stop and NB stop (no shelter). According to the directory, there are 76 businesses in this shopping center. Just north of the plaza is the Birmingham Post Office. A 10-minute walk (.5 miles) to the east and you’ll find Griffin Claw Brewing Company, Big Rock Chophouse, The Robot Garage, Whistle Stop Restaurant, and The Reserve event space. Walk or UBER/LYFT to the Troy Transit Center and catch Amtrak which runs three times daily between Pontiac and Chicago. To the west is downtown Birmingham which is full of high-end stores, restaurants, two movie theaters and a beautiful city square. SMART bus (465 Auburn Hills Limited and 475 Woodward Troy Limited).
Northwood
(Woodward and 13 Mile Road) SB bus stop is just south of 13 Mile (covered) and the NB stop is just north of 13 Mile (covered). The former Plaza is being rebuilt as a “lifestyle center” similar to an outdoor mall and will also feature a 41,000-square-foot grocery store; six commercial buildings, including national and local retailers; a conference center; and a five-story, 100-room hotel. Beaumont Royal Oak is the largest destination here. Nearby you can find several dining options including McDonald’s, White Castle, Panda Express, Chicken Shack, Olga’s Kitchen and Pei Wei to the south. Burger King, Duggan’s Irish Pub, Redcoat Tavern and Pasquales to the north. A Walgreens and CVS oppose each other on the SE corner. Also at this intersection you will also find Shrine Catholic High School, Waltonwood Assisted Living, Memorial Park, Starbucks, Manus Power Mowers, Arthur Murray Dance Studio and if you need a car, there is Hertz and Enterprise. Bus 760 runs across 13/14 Mile and (445, 450, 460, 465 and 475).
Huntington Woods
(Woodward and 11 Mile) SB bus stop is near the SW corner (shelter) and NB bus stop is at Woodward and Hendrie (no shelter). Within walking distance is The Blarney Stone Pub, O.W.L. restaurant, Einstein Brothers Bagel, and Sign of the Beef Carver. A 1/2 mile walk north on Woodward will take you to Westborn Market, Vinsetta Garage and Trader Joe’s. Downtown Royal Oak is about a 15-minute walk to the east (.8 miles) or a quick UBER/LYFT ride. East/west bus options include 730 10 Mile Crosstown and 740 12 Mile Crosstown which both use 11 Mile through Royal Oak. SMART (445, 450, 460, 465 and 475).
Ferndale
(Woodward and 9 Mile) SB bus stop (shelter) is in front of the Rust Belt Market (NW corner), the gateway to downtown Ferndale. NB bus stop (shelter) is on the NE corner. Places of note in Ferndale along Woodward: Treat Dreams, Southern Belle Bistro, Twisted Tavern, Inyo Restaurant, Detroit Bubble Tea, Grasshopper Underground, Anita’s Kitchen, John King Books, Sneakers Pub, The Loving Touch, Woodward Avenue Brewers, The Emory, J’s Penalty Box, Dino’s Lounge, Ringwald Theater, Como’s, Danny’s Irish Pub, Imperial Bar, Howe’s Bayou, Ferndale Elk’s Lodge, M-Brew, Valentine Distilling, Hambo Coney Island, Sakana Sushi, The Magic Bag concert venue, The Bosco, The Fly Trap, Snap Fitness and further up is the New Way Bar, Om Cafe and Toast. On 9 Mile from east to west: Voyager, Luxury Lanes & Lounge, Blumz flower shop, Otus Supply, City Offices and the district court, Go Comedy! Improv, Ferndale Library, The Conserva, Professional Guitars, Orchid, Clean Plates, China Ruby, Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop, Organic Food Center, Soho, Star of India, Modern Natural Baby, Java Hutt, The Hi Hat, The Oakland, Public House, Zeke’s BBQ, The Red Hook, Bangkok Express, Boston Tea Room, Found Sound records, Natural Food Patch, Greenspace Vegan Cafe, MiChicago Pizza, Rosi O’ Grady’s, Pop’s for Italian, Cupcake Station, Affirmations, Schramm’s Mead, Bangkok Cafe, Assaggi Bistro, Local Kitchen, 8 Degrees Plato Beer, Blue Nile, Western Market and Ferndale Foods. There are also many other shops and salons. One-Eyed Betty’s is one street south. Other SMART buses 710 9 Mile Crosstown and (445, 450, 460, 465 and 475).
Fairgrounds
(Woodward and State Fair Grounds) The bus pulls into the old State Fair Grounds bus terminal to pick up and drop off then heads back out. From here you can walk up to Meijer, Mr. Alan’s, Five Below, Payless, Applebee’s and Starbucks or down to the storied Stonehouse Bar. DDOT buses here (12 Conant, 17 Eight Mile, 30 Livernois, 53 Woodward, 54 Wyoming) SMART (415, 420, 494, 495).
Palmer Park
(Woodward and 7 Mile) SB bus stop (no shelter) and NB bus stop (no shelter). This neighborhoods show up on Google maps as Chaldean Town to the east and Palmer Woods to the west. From this stop you can reach the amazing Dutch Girl Donuts, Tasty World, Ancient Pyramids Bakeryand Tigris Restaurant. If you happen to bring your bicycle, take a ride through historic Palmer Woods to see some amazing homes, including the Bishop’s Mansion and the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Turkel House. DDOT (45 Seven Mile & 53 Woodward).
Highland Park
(Woodward and Manchester) SB bus stop (shelter) and NB bus stop (shelter). Once the bustling location of Henry Ford’s Model T plant, the hulking remains hide behind the Model T Plaza. Places of interest: George Washington Carver Academy, Dollar Tree, ALDI, Checkers, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Subway, CVS, Rainbow, Family Dollar, Popeyes, Knight Pharmacy, Red Hots Coney Island, Victor Bakery, Ruth Ellis Center, Glory Supermarket, Citi Trends, Ashley Stewart, Style UR, VIP Wear, My Alternative Education, Payless and the former admin offices of Ford. Highland Park is being eyed for redevelopment. DDOT bus 42 Mid-City Looppasses through this intersection. Also DDOT (15 Chicago-Davison, 39 Puritan, 43 Schoolcraft, 53 Woodward) and SMART (445, 450, 460, 465 and 475).
Trowbridge
(Woodward and Trowbridge/Calvert) SB bus stop (no shelter) NB bus stop (shelter). At this stop is a CVS, Church’s Chicken, gas station, Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament and the Boston Edison neighborhood with its big beautiful homes on Boston Blvd, Chicago Blvd and Arden Park Blvd. Catch the DDOT 38 Plymouth bus towards downtown Hamtramck / City Airport here or go up a block to Harmon St to go west to Redford. DDOT (38 Plymouth & 53 Woodward) SMART (450, 460).
Milwaukee
(Woodward and Milwaukee) This area is referred to as New Center. It is the origin of the M-1 QLINE. To the west is the Fisher Theater, Hotel St. Regis, Henry Ford Hospital, Albert Kahn and Associates, New Center Park, City Wings and future apartment complex Third and Grand. There are big plans for the business district between W. Grand Blvd and Baltimore. The Amtrak Wolverine train runs north to Pontiac and west to Chicago from here three times daily. Check out Shinola, CCS Alfred Taubman Center, Detroit Hardware Company (est 1924), White Castle, Atomic Chicken and the burgeoning Milwaukee Junction district full of potential living, industrial, dining and creative spaces to the east. To the west is Northern Lights Lounge and Cass Ave, a great bicycle route alternative to Woodward. DDOT bus (53, on Woodward 16, 80, 89 on Grand) and SMART (445, 450, 460, 465, 475 on Woodward and 851 on Grand).
Warren
(Woodward and Warren Ave) The SB bus station is on the south side of Warren and lets out near the Wayne State University Welcome Center(west side) and the Horace J. Rackham Education Memorial Building (east side). Other places of interest include Wayne State, Michigan Science Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, The Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Seva (Veg/Vegan eats), Mac ‘n Brewz, La Pita Fresh, The Potato Place, Epicurus Restaurant of Wayne State, Olympic Grill of Wayne State, Old Main(former Detroit High School), Tim Hortons, Blimpie, Hillberry Theater, Preservation Detroit, Shangri-La and a dozen other food options on and off campus. For more info on the places between Warren and MLK/Mack, check out the Canfield Station on my QLINE blog. DDOT (14 Crosstown & 53 Woodward) and SMART (445, 450, 460, 465 and 475) Board the QLINE here also.
Mack/MLK
(Woodward and Martin Luther King JR. Blvd / Mack Ave) At this stop (SB) and (NB) you are steps away from the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fischer Music Center (Orchestra Hall) home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra), Starbucks, Whole Foods Market, The Garden Theater, UofM Detroit Center, MSU Detroit Center, Grey Ghost, The Scott luxury apartments, WSU Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy an Health Sciences, Detroit Medical Center, Bonstelle Theatre, Detroit One Coney, Pho Lucky, The HUB / Back Alley Bikes, Canine to Five, Detroit’s Chinatown featuring 8 Degrees Plato BeerCo, The Peterboro, Iconic Tattoo and future Founder’s Taproom. DDOT (53 Woodward) and SMART (445, 450, 460, 465, 475 and 610) Board the QLINE here also.
Grand Circus Park
(Woodward and Adams) Exit here for Comerica Park, Central United Methodist Church, Chelli's Chili Bar, Elwood Diner, Ford Field, Detroit Athletic Club, Gem Theater, Detroit Opera House, Music Hall, La Casa Cigar Bar, Harmonie Park, Vertical Wine Bar, Colors, The Ashley, Dilla’s Delights, Detroit Beer Co, Small Plates, Ashe Supply Coffee. To the west on Adams is Brass Rail Pizza and Rusted Crow. At the top of downtown Detroit’s central business district are the recently restored David Whitney Building and David Broderick Tower. Board the People Mover (elevated rail) here. Places of note on Woodward: Aloft Hotel, Broderick Grille, Bleu Detroit Nightclub, Wright and Company, John Varvatos, Cornerstone Barrel House, Shinola Hotel, Moosejaw, Avalon International Breads and GSTV. West on Griswold is Downtown Louie’s Lounge, Isaac Agree Synagogue, Cafe D’Mongos Speakeasy, Urban Bean Co, Detroit Institute of Music Education, La Pecora Nera, Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters, Capitol Park, City Bark, La Lanterna pizza, Archdiocese of Detroit and the Bad Luck Bar. East on Farmer is Queen’s Bar, PuppetART Theater, YMCA, Vincente’s Cuban, Citizen Yoga, Blumz, Z Lot parking and street art experience, The Belt Alley, The Skip, Punch Bowl Social, Standby and Detroit Public Library. Board the QLINEhere also.
Monroe
(Farmer and Monroe) From here you can walk east to Jimmy John’s, Orchid Thai, Detroit Experience Factory, Cottage Inn Pizza, Mr Kabob, The Well, The Baltimore, Buffalo Wild Wings, (Greektown) Delux Lounge, The Old Shillelagh, Fishbone’s, Firebird Tavern, Harbor House, Hilton Garden Inn, Basement Burger Bar, Five Guys, Santorini Estiatorio, Pappy’s Bar, The Golden Fleece, Exodos Rooftop, Astoria Pastry Shop, Cold Stone, Pegasus Taverna, New Parthenon, PizzaPapalis, Monroe Steak House, Wahlburgers, Red Smoke BBQ and Greektown Casino. To the south is Loco’s Tex-Mex, Niki’s Pizza, Detroiter Bar, Saint Andrews Hall, The Shelter, Sweetwater Tavern, Mo Better Blues, Briggs Detroit, Checker Bar, The Keep, Greenwich Time Pub, Lunchtime Global, Central Kitchen, Roasting Plant, Grand Trunk Pub, and Townhouse Detroit. To the west is Calexico Detroit, Texas de Brazil, Detroit Hard Rock Cafe, Compuware, Quicken Loans, Avalon Cafe and Bakery, Campus Martius Park, Parc Restaurant, Shake Shack, Michigan Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Starbucks, Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Detroit Dime Store. West on Michigan Ave is American Coney Island, Lafayette Coney Island, 24 Grille, Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Roast, Holiday Inn, Big City Bar and the Rosa Parks Transit Center. Hop on the QLINE or People Mover here to get around town.
Last bus heads north at 12:20 am M-F, 12:54 am Sat and 9:15 pm Sunday. *Check the bus number before you board! 598 is Gratiot.
David Gifford is a *manufacturing program manager by day, blogger, transit advocate and musician by night. He lives in Warren with his wife, cat and two dogs.