city tour detroit

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Souvenir and Gift Shop hours: 11 am to 5 pm daily, noon – 5 pm on Sundays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

KARIN: OWNER, TOUR GUIDE, AUTHOR

Karin has been showing off Detroit for over a decade. When the demand for tours increased dramatically in 2016, she decided that it was now or never and launched City Tour Detroit, a full-time business venture. Since then, she’s never looked back. Every day is still a new adventure. “I get to meet wonderful people from all over the world, fuel my passion for history, and discover all the fun new developments underway today.”

Karin loves hearing guests remark about how wonderful Detroit really is. She strives to counter guests’ low expectations of the city and dispel the image of Detroit as some new discovery. “C’mon now, we put the world on wheels” and “Detroit’s European roots predate the founding of our nation” are examples of oft-repeated phrases Karin utters on tour and off to emphasize the city’s long history and significant global contributions.

Karin has always marveled at Detroit’s fascinating history. In fact, when she graduated from Central Michigan University many moons ago, she thought about how great it would be to start a tour company. Now, years later, that’s exactly what she’s done! While many of her peers are enjoying retirement, Karin continues to expand her company which shows off the many different facets of Detroit’s fabulous and quirky history.

She’s also the author of A History Lover’s Guide To Detroit , published by The History Press in November 2018.

PAT: TRAINING COORDINATOR & TOUR GUIDE

Pat is a self-proclaimed expert on history—well, mostly Ford history relating to both Henry and Clara as well as Ford Motor Company. This former docent and historical presenter learned all the secrets during her long stint at Fair Lane Estate, home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford for over 30 years, and Greenfield Village, Henry Ford’s 80-acre time capsule. “I can enthusiastically and knowledgeably dazzle you with history,” says Pat with a smile.

Pat, a retired school secretary and human resources specialist, is stoked by the revitalization underway in Detroit. That’s why she jumped at the opportunity to be part of the City Tour Detroit team and extol the virtues of her former hometown. Changing perspectives about Detroit one person at a time is Pat’s personal mission. A guest recently wrote in a Trip Advisor review: “To be honest, I didn’t have the best impression of Detroit before visiting, but Pat changed all that!” Over the past four years, Pat has been able to change the perspectives of hundreds of people from all over the world in her role as tour guide, a position she relishes.

In her free time, this mom of four adult children and grandmother of six can be found enjoying the city’s rich and diverse cultural offerings with her husband Ed. Of course, these outings always involve dining out at a new hot spot or an old favorite.

JASON: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, TOUR GUIDE

Jason was born and raised in Detroit and is a lifelong resident, graduating from Renaissance High School and Wayne State University. He has always had a love for the culture and history of the city. Whenever he finds out a friend has not gone downtown, Jason will inevitably drag them to all of his favorite landmarks and businesses. Jason loves Detroit’s culture of perseverance and strength and sees that reflected in the artwork that is painted on the walls of buildings, the community gardens built in neighborhoods, and in the eyes of its residents.

Growing up with a musician father who played in many of the bars around Southeast Michigan, Jason was exposed to Detroit’s music scene as a constant soundtrack to his childhood. Whether it was Aretha Franklin or Smokey Robinson, The Marvelettes or The Temptations, Detroit’s music was an integral part of Jason’s life; his favorite being Stevie Wonder.

Jason has previously worked as a museum educator and actor, so he was ecstatic when he learned that he would be able to use his public speaking skills to give tours of Detroit. Being a tour guide combines his favorite things: presenting to groups, sharing Detroit history, and helping people see the true beauty of the city and the people who live here.

When not working, Jason volunteers at local community gardens and rides his bike along the Rouge River. You’ll also find him strolling around Belle Isle or visiting Detroit’s many museums. His favorite activity is going to Detroit City Football Club (DCFC) games. To him, the energy of the fans and the players is a reflection of the energy of the city he loves.

NANCY: TOUR GUIDE

A lifelong metro-Detroiter, Nancy remembers childhood shopping trips to Crowley’s Department Store, the popular dime store S.S. Kresge, and indulging in Sanders hot fudge sundaes, a habit she still hasn’t kicked. When she worked downtown by Grand Circus Park, a lunchtime trip to Hudson’s was her favorite type of retail therapy.

A 36-year veteran of Detroit’s auto industry working in IT and operations at Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz, Nancy attributes her love of travel to childhood trips across the U.S. with her parents. Throughout the years, her friends have relied upon Nancy, their personal tour guide, to help plan their vacations. Often, she goes with them!

When it came time to plan for her second act following retirement, a career in the travel industry beckoned. In 2019, Nancy enrolled in the International Travel Management Institute and received certification in tour management and tour guiding.

After retiring in 2020, Nancy immediately applied for a tour guide position at City Tour Detroit so she could show others the great city that she calls home. A lover of history and architecture, she is thrilled that she can tell Detroit’s fascinating history and show its amazing architecture to visitors and locals.

Nancy is married and has two grown sons and a granddaughter. Both her sons participated in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Jazz Orchestra, so Nancy knows every nook and cranny of backstage at Orchestra Hall. Her son Phil, a trombone player, has performed at two Detroit Jazz Festivals and has turned his parents into Jazz fans.

You will see Matt and Nancy downtown every Labor Day weekend at the Jazz Festival. They also enjoy the waterfront – either walking the award-winning Detroit Riverfront and watching the freighters go by or taking a break at their cottage on Lake Huron.

PAUL: TOUR GUIDE

A lifelong resident of metro Detroit, Paul Vachon is an author, freelance writer, and public speaker. He possesses a strong interest in Detroit history-so much so that he’s published several books on the topic.

A few of his published titles include Detroit: An Illustrated Timeline, Lost Restaurants of Detroit, Legendary Locals of Detroit, and Forgotten Detroit. The scheduled release of his latest book, Becoming The Motor City, is September 2021.

In response to his books and subsequent presentations on Detroit, Paul started giving walking tours several years ago as fundraisers for his church. Realizing his new talent as a tour guide, Paul wanted to put his expertise to use hosting tours on a regular basis, while gaining some exercise at the same time! That’s how he came to City Tour Detroit.

Paul lives in Oak Park with his wife Sheryl and their crazy, yet lovable dog Sophie.

Our Experience Will Make Your Detroit Tour Experience Memorable!

Welcome to Detroit – a world-class city with enough innovation and imagination to fuel a nation with  attractions, entertainment and character to charm even the most discerning urban explorer. Customize your own tour or choose from one of Destination Detroit Tours authentic city tours, along with your knowledgeable local guide, you will  experience the best the Motor City has to offer.

Get a unique  perspective on Detroit’s amazing architecture. Your guide will point out Art Deco skyscrapers and One Woodward, a precedent design for the original World Trade Center designed by Minoru Yamasaki and many more architecturally significant buildings designed by Albert Kahn and others. Detroit  is considered a hub for industrial design and the beating heart of creative industries in the state of Michigan. In the light of its industrial past, Detroit has built itself as a cradle of American contemporary design and as a global center for prolific designers, including Eames, Knoll, Saarinen and Yamasaki.

Stroll around captivating pieces of public art, including the Joe Louis Fist and the Spirit of Detroit by world famous sculptor artist Marshall Fredericks, and make sure to leave time to visit the Detroit Institute of Art, whether you have an hour or a day you not want to miss the DIA.  If you’re in need of retail therapy, explore Midtown and the many new shops along Woodward Ave. or Parkers Ally, and don’t forget to indulge in one of Detroit’s Coney Island restaurants; your guide will make sure you know how the local’s order! Whether you want to take in a game at Comerica Park or Little Caesars Arena or a performance in the Entertainment District, or sing your heart out at Hitsville USA aka Motown, Kim will customize a Detroit city tour to suit your unique travel interests.

Detroit Tour Provider

Group tour and step on guide

• No public tour schedule. Call to book your private tour.
• Destination Detroit Tours works with Tour Operators and with tour groups of all types, sizes, and ages:
• Adult & Senior Adults
•  “Reminiscing” Tours
•  Mystery Travel
•  Convention and Spouse Tours
•  Corporate Groups/ Team Building
•  Church Groups
• Girlfriends
• Shore Excursions, etc.-

We provide tour guides to “Step-On” your chartered bus.

To make charter bus arrangements, consider:

• All Star Transportation
• Indian Trails

• Deluxe Private Van Tours for 1-5 guests. Families, friends and colleagues who want a more individualized Detroit tour this is the perfect option for you. We will come to your hotel or other prearranged location to begin your tour. No need to navigate the city on your own or pay for parking. Touring van is equipped with microphone, Full View Sunroof, heated seats and USB ports. This is as easy as it gets!

• Choose from 6 unique Detroit tour itineraries or we will help you create your own custom itinerary.

Our experience will make your Detroit tour experience memorial!

Our Reviews

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• Destination Detroit Tours

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The 7 best detroit tours.

Get to know the historic and quirky side of Motor City.

The Best Detroit Tours

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Detroit's rich and varied history is best explored on a guided tour led by an enthusiastic local.

If you only think of the auto industry when you think of Detroit , then it's time you acquaint yourself with this fascinating and complex city. Its many attractions include museums, parks, impressive buildings, public art and numerous watering holes. Rather than exploring on your own, begin your trip with the help of an informative local. U.S. News determined the following tours as some of the best available based on traveler opinion and expert input. No matter how you choose to tour – whether by antique vehicle, a bus or your own two feet – you're sure to leave with a new appreciation for Motor City.

City Tour Detroit – See the D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour

In addition to its distinctive skyscrapers, downtown Detroit features notable public art, including the Spirit of Detroit statue and the Monument to Joe Louis. These are just two of the spots visited on this 2 1/2-hour walking tour, which also encompasses The Belt (an art-adorned alleyway), the riverfront, the Greektown entertainment district and, of course, the city's famous skyscrapers. Walkers enjoy the informative, enthusiastic guides' commentary. Tickets costs about $30 for adults and $15 for anyone 17 or younger. From late April through September, tours depart every day at 10 a.m. with an additional 6 p.m. start on Wednesday and Sunday. From October through December, tours are offered less frequently, and only private tours are available the rest of the year. City Tour Detroit also runs a tour about the city's involvement in the Underground Railroad.

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Show Me Detroit Tours – Daily Sightseeing Tours

You can glimpse many of Detroit's most popular attractions during this two-hour van ride, which moves through the downtown area and beyond. Among the sights visted are the district where the city's ballpark and arenas are located, Midtown, Eastern Market and Belle Isle. Visitors regularly praise drivers for their insights about the city's architecture, history and culture. Tickets start at $65 for adults and discounts are available for students, seniors and children. The price includes round-trip transportation from select hotels . Excursions are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Show Me Detroit also runs private outings.

Courtesy of Antique Touring Company

Explore Motor City in a classic vehicle during a trip with the Antique Touring Company.

Antique Touring Company – The Motor Cities Heritage Tour: From Tinkerers to Titans in the Auto Age

Explore Detroit's automotive heritage while riding in an antique Model A Ford. This tour focuses on car manufacturing in the early 20th century by visiting sites of factories, company offices and homes of leaders who oversaw the transportation revolution. You'll also visit the factory where Ford built its famous automatic assembly line. Car enthusiasts find this a fun way to learn about Detroit's legendary car history. The 2 1/2-hour tours are offered from mid-April to early November. Tours typically run Wednesday through Sunday multiple times daily. Prices vary depending on how many tickets you book. Antique Touring Company also offers tours of Belle Isle in its antique Fords.

The Detroit Bus Company – Drunks of Antiquity: The Historic Bar Tour

Visit four of Detroit's oldest bars along this four-hour ride in repurposed school buses. As you drink your way around, you'll visit a bar that's been open since 1874 and learn of the city's drinking history and culture from expert guides. You're also welcome to bring your own beverages for the bus ride. Participants regularly praise the bars visited and are complimentary of guides and drivers. Tours take place on most Fridays and Saturdays around 7 p.m., though area pickups begin a bit earlier. Tickets cost around $45 with discounts for seniors and groups. All revelers must be at least 21 years old. The company also runs a prohibition-themed tour, as well as a sightseeing tour of the city.

Detroit Segway – The Whole Shebang

Ideal for travelers short on time, this three-hour Segway tour covers approximately 5 miles of downtown Detroit. It departs from the Eastern Market, Detroit's main farmers market, and then proceeds along the Dequindre Cut Greenway. You'll then zip alongside the river, see the Campus Martius and Grand Circus Park before heading through the redeveloped Brush Park neighborhood on the way back to the starting point. Riders enjoy the tour, calling it a fun way to see the city. Tickets cost around $90, which includes the use of the Segway. Tours are available from May through mid-November on Wednesday at noon, Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Rider restrictions may apply. Detroit Segway offers a number of other tours around the city, including one that glides around Belle Isle

Riverside Kayak Connection – Belle Isle Blue Heron Lagoon Tour

Paddle your way through Blue Heron Lagoon to observe its beautiful wildlife on this kayak excursion. In addition to the natural scenery, you'll also get a glimpse of some of Belle Isle's historic structures, including the Detroit Yacht Club and the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse. Kayakers find the guides knowledgeable about the area's history and say the excursion is well organized. Tours last approximately two hours; there is an additional 30 minutes of preliminary preparation and instruction. It costs about $45 to tour; the price excludes the entrance fee to the park. Outings are available starting at 9:30 a.m. on select Saturdays and Sundays during the summer. Participants must be at least 14 to tour, but no previous kayaking experience is required. This company also offers several other kayaking trips near and around Belle Isle.

Detroit History Tours – Wild Women of Detroit Bus Tour

This 4 1/2-hour bus ride spotlights the integral role women played in Detroit's history, from the wife of its French founder to the female stars of Motown. It also stops for drinks at two area bars. Because of the adult nature of some of the stories, as well as the bar stops, participants must be at least 21 years old. Reviewers rave about the tour, saying they learn a lot from the guides, who are expert storytellers. Buses depart from the historic Eastern Market on select Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost roughly $50 and do not include drinks at the bars. The company also runs a Detroit food tour as well as a Detroit mobsters bus tour.

Tags: Travel , Tours , Vacations , Detroit

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City Tour Detroit

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City Tour Detroit 500 Griswold St, 250 Detroit, Michigan 48226

Distance In Miles

• Detroit Metro Airport: 23
• Downtown Detroit: 7

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THE 10 BEST Detroit Tours & Excursions

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