Detroit, Michigan is a city with many stories to tell and the best way to experience them for yourself is on one of the fantastic walking tours of the city.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Motor City has experienced a turbulent history, from the heights of car production excess to the lows that followed the industry’s demise in the city. Motown Records turned the city’s culture on a dime, with Hitsville USA making Detroit the center of the music world for a while. There is so much legacy and history, on top of the present urban evolution here, for visitors to explore. The best way to learn all about it is with an insightful guide on one of these popular walking tours.
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Guided Tour
Nothing is quite as synonymous with Detroit as Ford. The car manufacturing giant’s first purpose-built factory was the Piquette Plant. Today, as costs and new manufacturing techniques, first pioneered by Henry Ford here, have driven much of the work farther afield, the plant has become a US National Historic Landmark. This 90-minute guided factory tour will showcase Ford’s history over three floors of exhibits and classic cars, including the famed Model T. From $15 per person.
Detroit Like a Local: Customized Private Tour
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There’s no better way to explore a new city, or even one you’ve been to before, than through the eyes and experience of a local guide. Detroit draws in visitors with all sorts of interests, and no one tour can suit all tastes, which is why this private, customizable option is a great choice. Once you’ve booked, the right guide to suit your tastes will be chosen and you can then determine what route would be ideal. These tours are available daily at multiple times. Please note that if you are booking for two or more people, the price per head drops to $30. From $50 per person.
Architectural Gems and Undiscovered Beauty Tour
With so much money pouring into Detroit at one point, understandably a lot of it made its way into the architecture, art and design of the city. This 2.5-hour walking tour aims to help visitors discover just how remarkable and multicultural Detroit really is, through some of its most precious and underrated architectural gems. See buildings such as Fox Theater, the Motown Museum, and the Fisher Building. It’s a great way to get to know Motor City better. From $89 per person.
Explore the Undiscovered Beauty of Detroit
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Another tour that treads a similar path explores the city’s most recent changes as it evolves to meet the needs of the modern world. By contextualizing the present through the buildings of the past, this walking tour offers a great way to better appreciate Detroit’s history and culture. Check out the General Motors Renaissance Center, Hart Plaza, Shinola Hotel and the Guardian Building, among other sites of local, humanmade beauty. From $97 per person.
Detroit Revival Food Tour
Sometimes, the best way to get to know a city is through your tastebuds. This unique walking tour aims to explore the architecture and history of Detroit through buildings such as the Guardian, while also sampling plenty of local food along the way. Try samples made by a Michelin chef at Apparatus Room: a restaurant at the Detroit Foundation hotel. You can also sample plenty of multicultural fare of Motor City at the Detroit Shipping Company, a modish shipping container food park. From $139 per person.