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From History to Present, Check Out these Tours in Detroit

Story by max white.

There is plenty of history in the City of Detroit, going back more than 300 years, and plenty to learn about the area. The city has unique stories, great architecture, delicious food, great outdoor spaces, the Detroit River and much more. From walking to bus, architecture to distilleries, on a segway or bikes and much more, here are some of the best tours in Detroit.

Walking Tours

City institute.

City Institute is a great company that will give people a deeper understanding of Detroit, digging into its history, challengers, assets and more. They offer private tours, learning journeys, free public tours and more. Some of their tours are walking, others are via bus and some are virtual.

Preservation Detroit

One of Detroit’s oldest tour organizations, preservation Detroit does walking tours starting in the spring where you can learn all about the city and its history.

They also do bike tours, preservation tours, cemetery tours and private tours for different groups.

City Tour Detroit

City Tour Detroit is a great company to learn all about Detroit and get out in our city. They have several tours, including the See The D Walking Tour, an Underground Railroad walking tour, or a Guardian Building architecture tour. If you’re looking for a more customized option, they have private and custom group tours.

Detroit Tour Connections

You can try a variety of walking or bus tours with Detroit Tour Connections. They have tours highlighting the past and present, plus the rise, fall and renewal of the city.

Let’s See Detroit Tours

Let’s See Detroit offers walking tours or van tours of the city for the public and offers private tours that can be customized. They hit up several Detroit neighborhoods including Downtown, Midtown, New Center, Eastern Market, Belle Isle and more.

Detroit Motown Tour Co.

You can do different walking tours or create your own tour with Detroit Motown Tour Co., and they offer them in a variety of languages. They have city tours, architecture tours, music tours, food tours and more.

Bianco Tours

Bianco Tours has been serving metro Detroit since 1979 and has 20 motorcoaches. They offer various day trips in Detroit and around the metro area, as well as overnight vacations to areas around the country.

Detroit Destination Tours

You can work with Detroit Destination Tours to create a custom group tour focusing all on Detroit and the area surrounding it. They provide tour guides to step-on your chartered bus to see the area.

Antique Touring Company

See the city like you’ve never seen before – from the seat of an antique car. The company offers four different tour types, with three of them private tours, charged by car. The tours will check out the Detroit Riverfront, Belle Isle, Corktown and MotorCities Heritage Area.

Show Me Detroit Tours

Show Me Detroit does private deluxe van tours hosted by a local guide and chauffeur. They see a variety of areas including daily sightseeing, Detroit design and architecture, new investment in the city and more.

Detroit Princess Riverboat

In the summer, you’ll have a great experience on the Detroit Princess, a premier riverboat in the city that’s been operating for two decades. They have a variety of events and cruises starting in May, plus you can host corporate events on the boat.

Diamond Jack’s River Tours

Diamond Jack’s offers public and private tours along the Detroit River starting in May. They have public departures from the Detroit Riverfront in the summer that start at 1 p.m. and go through 5:30 p.m. with the last tour. They also have group charters, corporate parties, field trips and more.

Infinity & Ovation Yacht

Get dressed up and hop on a massive yacht to tour the Detroit River on either the Infinity or Ovation yacht. They offer private cruises for weddings, corporate events or special occasions.

They also have a summer cruise series with themed nights that include food, drinks, dancing and more. Themed nights include Motown, Great Gatsby, brunch, summer solstice and more.

Detroit River Sports

You can get up close to the Detroit River on a kayak with Detroit River Sports. They have public tours for beginners and experienced kayakers, showing off the sunset or Detroit’s historical canals. You can also book your own private tours.

Museum and Building Tours

The henry ford, greenfield village and ford rouge factory tour.

Located in Dearborn, about 20 minutes west of Detroit, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation offers some of the most incredible artifacts from American history. You can see the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated, the bus Rosa Parks was on when she refused to give up her seat, George Washington’s cot and much more.

Right next door is Greenfield Village, a village that’s more than 80 acres with 300 years of American history and buildings, including Thomas Edison’s lab. You can also ride in a real-word Model T.

Finally, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour allows you to see how America’s best-selling truck, the Ford F-150, is built along an assembly line.

The Parade Company

The Parade Company has a variety of events in Detroit, the biggest being America’s Thanksgiving Parade. You can tour their massive warehouse that includes more than 200,000 square feet of floats, learning about the parade’s history, seeing how they’re built and much more.

Arena and Theatre Tours

Fox theatre.

The historic Fox Theatre is nearly 100 years old and has hosted some of the biggest entertainers in history. You can get a 60-minute guided tour of the theatre, learn about its history and performances, go backstage to see the wall signed by the artists who have played there, and even walk on the stage.

Little Caesars Arena

The new arena that is home to the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons offers 60-75-minute tours where you can visit the suites, press box, gondola, Detroit Red Wings organ and other areas not available to the public. During the offseason for the Red Wings and Pistons, you may even get a chance to see the locker rooms.

Comerica Park

You can tour the home of the Detroit Tigers for about an hour where you’ll learn the history of the stadium and even get to walk the field where the Tigers play.

Historical Homes and Garden Tours

Cranbrook house and gardens.

Located about 30 minutes north of Detroit, Cranbrook House and Gardens in Bloomfield Hills is a more-than 100-year-old home. You can learn more about the property and explore more than 40 acres of beautiful gardens, and check out the first floor with a guided tour of the nearly 30,000-square-foot home.

About 20 minutes east of Detroit, you can explore the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House and grounds. You can get a guided tour of the main residence, behind-the-scenes tours, explore the acres of gardens and grounds, and more.

Other Tours

The detroit underground railroad historical tours.

The DURHS offers tours that include lectures at the beginning, building tours at the historical Second Baptist Church or worship tours that are offered on Sunday. Detroit’s Second Baptist Church was one of the last stops for slaves before reaching freedom in Canada.

Detroit Segway

You won’t have a more unique experience seeing Detroit than from a segway. The company offers tours that show off the Detroit Riverfront, the downtown area, the Dequindre Cut, holiday lights and more. Tours span 1.5 hours to three hours.

Two James Distillery

The distillery in Corktown offers tours for both the public and private, where you will learn the history of the distillery and the process of distilling spirits. You can also try some of their spirits.

Detroit City Distillery

Another distillery in the city, DCD offers tours of The Whiskey Factory on Saturdays that show off the distillery, the distilling process and end with a tasting of their spirits. They also offer a deeper Bespoke Bourbon Experience on Thursdays for whiskey enthusiasts where they go deeper into the distilling process and offer single-barrel tastings.

Wheelhouse Detroit

You can check out Detroit from two wheels with Wheelhouse Detroit. They have tours that check out Detroit architecture, Belle eIsle, record stores, Detroit neighborhoods, sports heritage, the Underground Railroad and more.

Expedition Detroit

Expedition Detroit has a variety of outdoor hiking, backpacking, trail running and other tours throughout Michigan. They have trips across 11 state parks, and you can get in the woods, on the water, or more.

Distinctively Detroit Tours

You can work with Distinctively Detroit Tours to see some incredible areas of the city and work with them to create your own custom group tours.

The HandleBar Detroit

You can take a pedal pub through the City of Detroit for a bar bike tour that takes about two hours. You can bring your own drinks and play music while checking out the sites.

The Michigan Pedaler

The Michigan Pedaler also allows you to see the city from a pedal pub and they have electric pedal assist on the pedal pubs.

Custom Holidays

A family-owned tour company, Custom Holidays has a variety of tours in and around Detroit. One option, the “Made in Detroit” tour, visits three iconic venues – The Parade Company, The Motown Museum and The Whitney.

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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.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

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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• Rise, Fall & Renewal Tour
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DETROIT TOUR CONNECTIONS

Excellent Guided Tours of Detroit since 2004

(313)-701-1900           [email protected]

"Detroit's Rise, Fall, and Renewal"

Our popular downtown walking tour, "Detroit's Rise, Fall & Renewal" is being

offered at 1PM most days from May-October.  The cost is $25 per person.

SIGN UP ONLINE, and meet in front of 1529 Broadway shortly before the tour begins.

It's enjoyable and informative  -- with a knowledgeable and friendly guide.  In less than two hours, you'll get a mix of Detroit's history, skyscrapers, sculptures, murals, music, sports, events, boutique hotels and more.  A visit to the Guardian Building is a highlight.  We also explain how many  major downtown buildings were abandoned for 25 years or more, before billions of dollars of restoration and renovation took place.  

If 1pm doesn't fit your schedule, and if you have 2 people or more, reach out at least 24 hours in advance (by text message or phone/voicemail) about possibly starting at 10am or at 4pm.  Some days we can make that work.

Click here for additional information

Private Guided Walking Tours

This can be a version of our "Rise, Fall & Renewal" tour.  It can have a theme like Downtown Skyscrapers, Downtown Murals, or Historic Churches.  Or it can focus on a particular area like the EASTERN MARKET, CORKTOWN, MIDTOWN or the RIVERWALK.

Prices are reasonable -- and depend mainly on the number of people and length of the tour.  For example, a two hour walking tour for four people is generally $100.    Meanwhile, a two hour walking tour for 20-25 people may be available for $250 or $300.

Contact us in advance by phone, text message, or email to ask about a private guided walking tour.  (313)-701-1900 or email [email protected]

Click here for more info   

Step-On Guides for Bus Tours

If you have a bus and a driver for your large group, our guide will "step on" and provide you with a great tour.   We charge a reasonable fee based on things like number of hours and number of people.  

Bus tours are good in any weather -- and they allow you to see highlights in Downtown Detroit and beyond, including places like Belle Isle, the Eastern Market, the Motown Museum, Fisher Building, Indian Village, Corktown, Heidelberg Project, urban farms, and more.

Bob will usually be your guide.  He has given guided tours of Detroit for more than 20 years.   

Or call (313)-701-1900 or email [email protected]

Copyright © 2022 Detroit Tour Connections, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.

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

See The D: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour

Fun and informative overview of Detroit

Small Groups

Detroit's most comprehensive walking tour

Discover Downtown Detroit’s Must-See Spots

Discover downtown Detroit, the heartbeat of the Motor City, and experience stunning riverfront views, architectural masterpieces, riveting history, and all the local must-see sights. On this outdoor adventure, knowledgeable guides deliver memorable tours of Detroit, a historic city that has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few years and continues to evolve today. This popular walking tour offers visitors and locals an exciting opportunity to see Detroit up close and personal.

Peek inside an art deco masterpiece some say is Detroit's most beautiful building

See Michigan's tallest building, a foreign country, and the "Best Riverwalk in America"

Stroll through historic districts, visit an urban beach, and learn all about Detroit's vast history

Enjoy excellent photo opportunities in front of iconic statues, inside activated art alleys, and other Insta hotspots

Click the tabs to find out more

Trip details.

Adult: $49 Youth: $16 (8-17) 6% booking fee assessed on tickets booked online (you can avoid the booking fee by purchasing tickets via phone).

Departure time

Varied – Please see the booking calendar for scheduled times

Meeting point

Inside The Guardian Building, 500 Griswold Street, Suite 250, Detroit MI 48226

Availability

2024 Season Open!

Private tours available by request year-round. Get in touch to schedule yours !

3 minimum, 12 maximum

(Want to make sure tour is a go? Purchase 3 adult tickets or 2 adult and 2 youth tickets).

Requirements

• This is a walking tour covering approximately 2 miles at a fairly brisk pace.
• Minimum of 3 adult attendees required for tours.
• Advanced registration required.
• Please check text messages and email 24 hours prior to tour start so you don’t miss notice of cancellation.

Fun, informative and narrated tour

10% discount in the City Tour Detroit Souvenir & Gift Store

Not included

Guide gratuity

What to bring

Dress for the weather and wear comfy walking shoes

Cancellation policy

No refunds on tickets purchased unless tour is cancelled by tour operator.

Experience the excitement of Detroit firsthand! On this tour, you’ll witness the revitalization of a major post-industrial American city many had written off and learn about its fascinating past. Join us on this intimate tour of the city that put the world on wheels and discover the amazing history of innovation, philanthropy, social justice and culture.

Detroit is an old city where the flags of three nations have flown. Its European roots date back over three centuries, and Native American heritage transcends 1000 years. Discover how the past influences the city’s identity today.

This tour not only takes you to some of the city’s architectural gems, but also includes ample photo stops in front of our iconic landmarks. You’ll visit an art deco masterpiece so spectacular it’s called the “Cathedral to Commerce” and witness where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Believe it or not, the Motor City is transforming into a pedestrian-friendly place with an abundance of popular outdoor spaces such as Campus Martius, Spirit of Detroit Plaza, Capitol Park and the Detroit RiverWalk (yes, you can see Canada from here). You’re guaranteed to enjoy great views, an urban beach (or ice skating rink depending upon the season), fun food and retail pop-ups, public art, and more.

The Belt and Parker’s Alley are a couple other pedestrian-friendly places you’ll visit. These repurposed alleys feature funky murals, boutiques and numerous places to grab a cocktail or bite to eat. Our guides are well-versed in the ever-evolving dining and drinking scene. They’ll point out many of the legendary establishments and trendy new hotspots along the way.

NOTE: The book A History Lover’s Guide to Detroit , written by our founder, is the perfect complement to this tour. Purchase it online at major bookstores before your visit to acquaint yourself with the city. Or, purchase an autographed copy as a souvenir when booking your tour and receive the special price of $16 (down from $21.99, the regular retail price).

Check out what our guests are saying

Akmeek | august 2019.

Thank you Nancy from City Tour Detroit! 3 adults & 4 tweens spent a wonderful morning learning about Detroit. A native, who repatriated after 8 years away, I wanted some how to show my guests this amazing city, and Nancy was spot on! Read more

Charles B. | August 2019

On behalf of Eden’s Garden Club, I would like to thank Karin Risko and City Tour Detroit for organizing the Aug 8 “Gardens of Detroit” bus tour which served as a fundraiser for our organization. Read more

likane77 | July 2019

Entered and shot the interior of buildings we would have never found on our own. Well worth the money and time. Photographers’s heaven! Read more

Rebecca G. | September 2019

To be honest, I didn’t have the best impression of Detroit before visiting but Pat at City Tour Detroit changed all that! She was a wonderful tour guide that had so much passion and love of Detroit…it was definitely contagious! I learned so much from her — she had great facts about all the locations we visited. 10/10 Read more

heideu | October 2019

We had an informative and entertaining tour “See the D”. Nancy was our tour guide. She is very enthusiastic about Detroit and presented just the right mixture of history, stories, places to eat and general information. If you decide to go to Detroit, this is the right way to get to know about the city. Read more

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7 Detroit tours that tell a deeper story of the city: What to know

As a little boy, about 8 years old with his brown hair spiked in the late ‘90s style, Gabriel Gutierrez would take his brother’s hand and cross the street from his parents’ tortilla business, enter a heavenly smelling donut shop, pass the lively store patrons, and order a coffee for his mom or their employees.

For himself, he’d order a white cream Long John, somewhat like an éclair, just to eat the cream.

These days, Gutierrez owns that hand-cut donut shop, Donut Villa, in southwest Detroit, which has ties not only to his personal history but that of his family, whose first southwest Detroit business opened in the 1940s. It is part of the greater fabric of community histories that make up Detroit’s story, as told by the City Institute on one of their "Detroit in Context Learning Journey" tours.

The City Institute is one of a number of organizations to offer tours that go a bit deeper than sightseeing and basic headlines in Detroit. The groups seek to give context to where Detroit is now, where it is going, and often to correct the record on where it’s been.

Some tours explore the once prominent Black Bottom neighborhood, some explore Detroit’s history with the Underground Railroad, some explore Corktown, and ones like the City Institute’s "Learning Journey" also bring the city’s story forward to today and look to the future.

Though not a definitive list of all the tours in Detroit, here are some tour groups and guides to help deepen your knowledge:

City Institute

The "Learning Journey," on which Gutierrez’s business was featured , is a yearly, all-day bus tour that goes neighborhood by neighborhood so that attendees can hear from business owners, investors, and nonprofit and city leaders on the history of the neighborhoods, what’s currently offered there, how it supports itself, and future projects. A shorter version of the tour is also offered, primarily for private tour groups.

The City Institute’s mission is to equip residents and stakeholders to build an inclusive, equitable and thriving future for Detroit. Southwest, with its shifting demographics over the last century, is just one neighborhood that can serve as a foundation for those seeking to understand the city a bit better, said Gutierrez.

“There's a lot of history and a lot of stories,” Gutierrez said of the city. “Not always great, right? And for people to just understand that the communities that they are involved with, they have extensive roots and histories of their own that can provide context.”

Learning the city’s wins also encourages retention and keeps energy to fight for Detroit’s future, by the telling of Jeanette Pierce, founder and president of the City Institute.

“We believe it's important for people to understand how we got to where we are … then come to today, where we actually meet and hear about and talk to people doing amazing work in the city,” said Pierce.

• Topics: Public tours include a virtual one on redlining, a form of housing discrimination, walking ones on architecture, specific neighborhoods including New Center and Black history, as told by those who lived it
• Cost: Public tours - free (with donations welcome) - $20, with "Learning Journey" tours $125 including meals; Private tours and private "Learning Journey" tours: $20 -$100 per person
• Length: 1.5 hours for virtual redlining history tours; generally 2 hours – all day for others
• Mode of transportation: Walking, bus or virtual
• Where to register: thecityinstitute.com/public-tours

(Note: Tour costs, lengths and topics vary for most organizations named in this story. Many are open to creating special programs upon request. Contact each tour guide and group for further details)

Black Scroll Network History & Tours

Jamon Jordan, Detroit’s first official historian, was appointed to his role in 2021 by Mayor Mike Duggan. Before that, however, he was already known as a prominent unofficial historian of the city, founding the Black Scroll Network History & Tours.

While Jordan said he encourages folks to do the tours that exist on restaurants, bars, the auto industry and the like, he said he realized they were leaving out a big part of the Detroit story – African American history.

On his various tours, Jordan may point out the neighborhood where three Detroit music legends grew up or talk about the presence of Black people in the region in 1700s. Some tours also explore the once thriving Black neighborhood and business district that were destroyed through racist officials, urban renewal and highway building , with Jordan pointing out the still present apartments, townhouses and school building that were given the space instead.

“A big portion of Detroit’s history is invisible, and you have to have someone help you see what is no longer present,” he said.

• Topics: Motown, slavery, African origins, Black Bottom, the Underground Railroad, the 1967 rebellion and more
• Cost: Generally $5 - $50 for walking tours, $60 per person for bus tours, and $50 for virtual tours
• Length: 2 hours for most
• Mode of transportation: Walking, bus and virtual
• Where to register: Black Scroll Network's Eventbrite page for public tours, and [email protected] or blackscrollnetwork.weebly.com for private tours

Wheelhouse Detroit

Another way to get a deeper knowledge of the city? By bike.

Wheelhouse Detroit is a bike shop along Detroit’s riverfront, but tours have been a part of its mission since its opening in 2008 thanks to owner Kelli Kavanaugh and her founding partner’s backgrounds in community development.

“It was important for us to tell a story of Detroit that isn’t necessarily the one that the masses hear or understand to be true,” she said, later adding: “We’re not cheerleaders, we’re trying to tell a real story of a very interesting and complicated city.”

This story includes discussion of history and current developments. On the Corktown tour she gives, Kavanaugh delves into how freeway development, urban renewal, and parking for Tiger Stadium shaped the neighborhood as it is now, along with gentrification there. She also uses history to counter any belief that it only got “cool” now.  

• Topics: Poletown churches, Eastern Market, Hamtramck, the auto industry, techno and more.
• Cost: $30 for shorter, weekday tours ($40 including bike rental), $45 for 3-hour tours ($55 with rental) and private tours starting at $200-$250 for up to six people.
• Length: 2 hours for shorter, weekday tours, 3 hours for others
• Mode of transportation: “Pedal power,” using bikes or e-bikes, used manually. Attendees can bring bikes or rent from Wheelhouse Detroit
• Where to register: wheelhousedetroit.com

Ken Coleman

As a Detroit historian, journalist and communications professional, Ken Coleman likes to say he’s been dedicated to chronicling Black life in Detroit since 1991.

His extensive historical knowledge goes back way further, of course, and it’s his passion to share Black history as an independent tour guide, covering whatever topics in that area a client may want.

Some favorite stops include the Gateway to Freedom International Memorial along the Detroit riverfront which pays homage to those who used and were involved in the Underground Railroad . There’s also the Second Baptist Church of Detroit, which lays claim to being the oldest religious institution owned by the Black community in the Midwest, a former station on the Underground Railroad and establishing the city’s first school for Black children.

• Topics: Motown, the Underground Railroad, Black Bottom and more
• Cost: Prices starting at about $50 per hour per small group, and generally $300-$500 for a 3-4 hour tour for a larger organization
• Length: 1-2 hours for walking tours, 3-4 for bus tours
• Mode of transportation: Walking or bus, if provided
• Where to register: Email Coleman at [email protected] or call him at 313-551-1304

Preservation Detroit

Preservation Detroit was founded in 1975 as a student organization fighting the demolition of historic campus buildings at Wayne State University. These days the group works to preserve historic sites throughout Detroit, and it hosts tours on the history of architecture, sculptures and more to educate the masses.

A high point of downtown tour coordinator Davis Zaleski’s walking excursion is a visit to the Guardian Building, the 1920s, cathedral-like, Art Deco skyscraper. There’s also a quick stop by the recently reopened 38-story, Italian Renaissance-style Book Tower.

“During the early part of the 20th century, with the advent of the auto industry and all the other industries, they built like crazy and they built some of the most beautiful buildings in the country,” Zaleski said.

Some of that history has been torn down or poorly developed, but preservation has increased over the years, Zaleski said. Preservation Detroit likes to emphasize good development, and Zaleski said he hopes attendees walk away with an appreciation for what Detroit was and could be.

• Topics: Ferry Street, Midtown, Eastern Market, downtown, public art, cemeteries, churches and more
• Cost: $15 for members, students and seniors; $18 for all others on public tours; private tours, per the website, can be arranged for $100 for groups of five people or less and rates of $20 per person for larger groups
• Length: Between 2 and 2.5 hours
• Mode of transportation: Walking
• Where to register: preservationdetroit.org or through Eventbrite

Detroit History Tours

Detroit History Tours, along with the Detroit History Club, serves several purposes, said Bailey Sisoy-Moore, executive director of the two. Key among its motivations are the ideas that Detroit’s history should be written by Detroiters and that it’s hard to defund or vote to implode historic sites that are fully understood.

“History education helps make sure that the important parts of our history don't disappear quietly,” Sisoy-Moore said.

The tour group tells the history of the city starting with the Native American tribes that were here first through to present day and even future development plans.

• Topics: Suffragettes, the Detroit People Mover transit system, cops and mobsters, LGBTQ history and more
• Cost: $27 for walking tours, $30-$65 for bus tours, $5 - $20 for self-guided mobile app tours with lifetime download; food tours are $80 - $120, including the meals and tips. Private tours start at $250 if transportation is provided, $450 for walking and $1,525 for tours with the van or bus provided by Detroit History Tours.
• Length: 2 hours for walking tours, 90 minutes to 3.5 hours for bus tours
• Where to register: detroithistorytours.com

Detroit Historical Society

Founded in 1921, the Detroit Historical Society now boasts tours at not only the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, but also at locations throughout metro Detroit.

Guided tours at the historical museum take groups of 15 or more people through the indigenous populations that were here, auto history, culture and more, said Kimmie Dobos, manager of education and public programs. There are also tailored museum tours that dive deeper into the African American experience and what led to the 1967 rebellion.

The Great Lakes museum, on Belle Isle, also features a maritime history tour exploring Detroit’s long history on the water from canoes to freighters and more.

For some off-site explorations, there are “Behind The Scenes” tours of historic locations including neighborhoods, a gallery, and a battlefield.

• Topics: The summer of 1967, Temple Beth El, Boston Edison, Eastern Market, tiny homes and more
• Cost: Guided tours at the museums are $11 for adults and $10 for seniors, the 1967 rebellion tour is $12 for adults and $11 for seniors, and the “Detroit’s African American Perspectives” tour with Jamon Jordan is $300 for up to 20 people.“Behind The Scenes” tours are $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers.
• Length: Generally 1- 1.5 hours
• Where to register: detroithistorical.org

Of course, these are just some of the tour offerings in the city. You also can see the sights with a Segway tour , by boat and there’s even a tour to learn some Detroit history on a historic bar tour , among others.

Did we miss your favorite tour? Email [email protected] and you might see it in a future story.

Michigan Central to start offering guided tours in October, announces first retail tenant

Members of the public who haven't gotten a chance to tour the restored Michigan Central station yet will be able to do so starting next month.

Starting Oct. 8, Michigan Central will be offering guided tours in partnership with Hamtramck-based Detroit History Tours. Tickets will cost $20 a person, according to Detroit History Tours' website.

"Experts will offer inside anecdotes from the building’s restoration and guide visitors all over the historic Station’s ground floor, including areas not accessible to the general public," according to a news release issued Tuesday. "Personal photography is welcomed."

The 1913-built depot reopened to the public in early June after a  six-year renovation  as a part of a nearly $1 billion investment Ford Motor Co. is making to  create a 30-acre advanced mobility technology hub .

Approximately 167,000 visitors enjoyed free self-guided tours of it over the summer, according to Michigan Central. The last day of tours was Sept. 2.

Michigan Central on Tuesday also announced its first retail tenant. Later this year, Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts, a business on Detroit’s east side, will open in the station’s historic retail arcade.

The coffee shop will become the first food-and-beverage tenant in the station since the building’s closure in 1988, according to the news release. It will be located immediately off the station's east entrance and will offer take-out and dine-in options daily, with more information on hours to come.   

As for the tours, they'll be offered on many different days in the coming months, according to the Detroit History tours website. In addition to selling individual tickets, the company is offering private tours for larger groups. More information is available at  michigancentral.com/visit .

“Detroit History Tours is honored to be powering tours of The Station,” said Bailey Sisoy-Moore of Detroit History Tours in the news release. “From The Station’s legendary past to its exciting future, we are excited to share this landmark’s story with the world.”

Sisoy-Moore said the arcade will be the only area of the building open to members of the public who aren't on a tour.

[email protected]

Watch CBS News

Michigan Central offering guided tours, opening new restaurant this fall

By DeJanay Booth-Singleton

September 17, 2024 / 8:58 PM EDT / CBS Detroit

(CBS DETROIT) — Michigan Central announced it will offer guided tours after seeing more than 160,000 visitors this summer and will open its first restaurant in the fall.

Officials say tickets will be required to tour the station, according to a news release. The tours, offered in partnership with Detroit History Tours, will take visitors through the station's ground floor, including areas not accessible to the general public.

Visit  michigancentral.com/visit  for more information on the tours.

In addition to the tours, Michigan Central will open Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts this fall. The Detroit-owned restaurant will be the first food and beverage business in the station. 

Yellow Light opened in 2020 on the city's east side. The restaurant will be located at the station's east entrance take-out and dine-in. More information on the hours will be released at a later date.

"We are so humbled by the outpouring of support and excitement from the community that came to explore The Station this summer and share in this new beginning," Joshua Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central, said in the news release. "To those who have traveled near and far, your support is instrumental as we continue to breathe new life into this iconic landmark and build a brighter future for Detroit around it."     

Michigan Central  celebrated its grand reopening in June , including a 10-day open house celebration and concert. After welcoming more than 100,000 during the summer, it  extended public access through Labor Day weekend .

The station has welcomed 167,000 visitors over the summer.

The building in Corktown reopened after six years under reconstruction. It closed down more than 30 years ago and was acquired by Ford Motor Company in 2018.  

• Small Business
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DeJanay Booth-Singleton is a digital producer at CBS Detroit. She covers various topics such as crime, business and politics.

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Michigan Central Station to offer guided tours, opening first restaurant in four decades

Tickets for guided tours required.

Samantha Sayles , Digital Content Producer

DETROIT – Michigan Central Station announced it will offer guided tours and open its first restaurant in four decades.

The guided tour announcement comes after the station saw 167,000 visitors using the free self-guided tours of the revitalized building since it reopened in June . In partnership with Detroit History Tours, experts will talk about the building’s restoration and guide visitors through the station’s ground floor, including areas not accessible to the general public.

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Tickets will be required for the guided tours. Visit the station’s website for more information on accessibility, pricing, hours, parking and photography policies.

“Detroit History Tours is honored to be powering tours of The Station,” said Bailey Sisoy-Moore, the Hamtramck-based company’s owner. “From The Station’s legendary past to its exciting future, we are excited to share this landmark’s story with the world.”

Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts will open in the station’s historic retail arcade. This will be the building’s first food-and-beverage place since the station’s closure in 1988. It will be located right off the station’s east entrance. It will offer take-out and dine-in options daily—more information on hours will be announced later.

“Offering our in-house roasted coffee, scratch-made doughnuts and biscuit sandwiches to Corktown and Southwest is beyond exciting for our growth in Detroit,” said Christine Driscoll, one of the co-founders of the coffee shop. “We’re also humbled that we will be part of this newest chapter in The Station’s history starting this fall.”

The coffee is hiring for the station location. Anyone interested in working there can send their resume to [email protected] .

Michigan Central Station reopened in June after a six-year restoration by Ford Motor Company. It initially closed down for nearly four decades.

Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

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Samantha sayles.

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History Tours, Coffee Shop Coming to Michigan Central Station

Whether or not you visited the newly-restored Michigan Central Station during the open house this past summer, there’s still plenty more to do there during the fall.

Michigan Central is now offering ticketed historical tours in partnership with Detroit History Tours , a local company known for its award-winning walking and bus tours like “ Wild Women of Detroit ”  and “Art History, and Oddities of The Detroit People Mover.”

The Michigan Central tours will feature historical insights, and an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the building’s restoration. It will also allow visitors into areas not accessible to the public. The tours are photography-friendly. While The Station is currently closed to the public due to construction, tours can now be booked for group and guided tours, which will begin in three weeks.

“From The Station’s legendary past to its exciting future, we are excited to share this landmark’s story with the world,” said Detroit History Tours owner Bailey Sisoy-Moore in a press release.

Additionally, this fall, Yellow Light, a coffee and donut shop on Detroit’s east side, is getting a second location in Michigan Central Station — making it the building’s first food and drink tenant since 1988. It will be located immediately off The Station’s east entrance in the building’s historic retail arcade. Apart from the entrance and coffee shop space, access to the rest of the ground floor will be limited for customers outside of tours, a spokesperson told Hour Detroit .

The café and bakehouse has unique offerings like coffee slushies, hot chicken/pickle biscuits, and donuts in flavors like birthday cake, key lime, or brown butter plantain. It was founded in 2020 by Christine and Jacques Driscoll ( Johnny Noodle King , Green Dot Stables ) and Niko Dimitrijevic.

Michigan Central Station opened June 6 after years of renovations following Ford Motor Co.’s purchase of the building in 2008. For the past three months or so, The Station hosted an open house on weekends with food trucks and outdoor music, as well as free self-guided tours of the ground floor, which featured several displays about the building’s history and restoration. The Station saw about 167,000 visitors during that time, according to a press release.

For more information and to purchase tour tickets, go to michigancentral.com/visit .

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Michigan Central Station new amenities include guided tours, coffee shop

This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.

Michigan Central Station is adding new amenities for visitors, including guided tours and its first new restaurant since closing in 1988.

Tours are being offered in partnership with Detroit History Tours and will start on Oct. 8.

They include inside anecdotes from experts about the building's history, restoration, and next chapter. A purchased ticket will allow participants through the station's ground floor and areas inaccessible to the general public.

Tickets are required and are available on Michigan Central's website . They are $20 per person.

More: Detroit to launch free 'The Connect' autonomous shuttle 2-way route service

More: Detroit neighborhood named top 'up-and-coming' in US

New restaurant

Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts , a coffee shop on Detroit's east side, will open its second location on Michigan Central's east entrance.

“Offering our in-house roasted coffee, scratch-made doughnuts and biscuit sandwiches to Corktown and Southwest is beyond exciting for our growth in Detroit,” said co-owner Christine Driscoll in a news release . “We’re also humbled that we will be part of this newest chapter in The Station’s history starting this fall.”

The coffee shop will offer takeout and dine-in options daily. Hours of operation have not been released.

The coffee shop is hiring for its Michigan Central location and interested applicants can send their resume to [email protected].

Approximately 167,000 visitors took part in free self-guided tours over the summer, according to Michigan Central. The last day of summer tours was Sept. 2.

Jalen Williams is a reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected] .

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Central Station has new coffee shop and offers guided tours

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Michigan Central announces first tenants, guided tour dates

(Stephanie Rhoades Hume / Michigan Central)

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Visitors to Michigan Central will soon be able to enjoy a locally brewed cup of coffee and donut inside the historic building.

Michigan Central's first tenant, Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts, was revealed Tuesday. The Detroit-based coffee shop with a location on the city's east side plans to open inside the old train depot this fall.

Tour Michigan Central with virtual walk-through

A digital experience provides a wide open tour of Michigan Central's main floor, including the grand waiting room and south concourse.

"Offering our in-house roasted coffee, scratch-made doughnuts and biscuit sandwiches to Corktown and Southwest is beyond exciting for our growth in Detroit," said Christine Driscoll, the co-owner of In-Laws Hospitality. "We’re also humbled that we will be part of this newest chapter in The Station’s history starting this fall."

The hospitality group also owns Green Dot Stables and Johnny Noodle King, two other Detroit restaurants not far from Michigan Central.

Yellow Light is currently hiring for the Michigan Central shop. Interested applicants can send their resume to [email protected].

Michigan Central history: A timeline of historic train depot's fall to decay, revival

Michigan Central spent 30 years empty, becoming a symbol of Detroit's decay, but before that it was a bustling hub for train travel in and out of the city. Here's a look back at key moments in the depot's history as the grand reopening nears:

Along with the tenant announcement, reps for Michigan Central shared that guided tours are beginning at the building next month. These tours follow self-guided open houses that were held all summer.

"We are so humbled by the outpouring of support and excitement from the community that came to explore The Station this summer and share in this new beginning," said Joshua Sirefman, CEO of Michigan Central. "To those who have traveled near and far, your support is instrumental as we continue to breathe new life into this iconic landmark and build a brighter future for Detroit around it." 

Unlike the summer open houses, guided tours will cost $20 per person and must be booked in advance. Group tours are also available.

Book a tour slot here.

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Michigan central to add first restaurant and guided tours.

Jay Davis is a reporter covering restaurants, retail and small business issues for Crain’s Detroit Business. Prior to joining Crain’s in 2020, Jay held roles covering prep sports, local government, and education. 

Michigan Central Station is getting its first food and beverage tenant since the historic train depot closed in 1988 and it's adding guided tours.

Detroit-based In-Laws Hospitality, owned by Jacques and Christine Driscoll and Niko Dimitrijevic, plans to open a new location of its Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts later this fall inside Michigan Central’s retail arcade space.

“Offering our in-house roasted coffee, scratch-made doughnuts and biscuit sandwiches to Corktown and Southwest is beyond exciting for our growth in Detroit,” Christine Driscoll said in a news release. “We’re also humbled that we will be part of this newest chapter in The Station’s history starting this fall.”

The Corktown location of Yellow Light will follow a drive-through location that opened in 2020 at 14447 E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood.

The new Yellow Light will run out of a 650-square-foot space for carryout and seating for six people. The shop will have a staff of about six, according to Dimitrijevic. 

The owners did not disclose revenue projections or its investment into the new space. The group has a five-year lease at Michigan Central.

The move came about when Michigan Central retail, food and beverage leasing agent Grant Holtan took a liking to In-Laws Hospitality's other concepts, according to Dimitrijevic. That includes Green Dot Stables and Johnny Noodle King in Detroit.

Dimitrijevic told Crain’s that the group had been talking about expansion for a few years. The move is being made in part to help grow production, he said.

Being the first food and beverage tenant in the restored train station is humbling, he said.

“It’s not lost on us how enormous this project is for the city of Detroit,” Dimitrijevic said. “It’s a real honor more than anything to be considered as one of the first tenants there. We’re very much looking forward to being a part of the new history that’s about to emerge at the site.”

Ford Motor Co. reopened Michigan Central Station in June after a six-year, $950 million restoration and renovation project. The building's first official tenant, Google’s Code Next program, moved into its space in July . The program is an immersive computer science education program focused on helping Black, Latinx and Indigenous high school students pursue careers in tech.

The Michigan Central Center for Mobility and Society is a nonprofit founded by Ford Motor Co. to help program the technology and cultural spaces at the redeveloped train station and neighboring Book Depository building in Corktown. Both properties are owned by Ford and managed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Michigan Central Innovation District LLC. 

New tours coming

Following a summer celebration that saw 167,000 visitors enjoy free self-guided tours of the revitalized Michigan Central Station, details were announced Tuesday on how the public can continue to see the historic landmark going forward.

Guided tours are being offered in partnership with Detroit History Tours, which has been sharing the rich history of the Motor City with more than 200,000 people over 12 years. Experts will offer inside anecdotes from the building’s restoration and guide visitors around the historic station’s ground floor, including areas not accessible to the general public.

“Detroit History Tours is honored to be powering tours of The Station,” Bailey Sisoy-Moore, the Hamtramck-based company’s owner, said in the release. “From The Station’s legendary past to its exciting future, we are excited to share this landmark’s story with the world.”

Unlike the tours over the summer, tickets will be required for the experience. Options are available for not only individuals but private tours for larger groups. More information, including accessibility, pricing, hours, parking and photography policies, is available at michigancentral.com/visit .

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