Self Guided "Detroit's Spirit and History" Solo Walking Tour
Overview
Detroit is a city on the rise. Not long ago this was a different city, today it’s thriving and the people of Detroit are carving out a culture that is authentically D Town. Discover how Detroit is changing, and see how it's past changed world history.
The tour starts at Buddy’s on Broadway, the shop that invented Detroit Style Pizza. So, grab a slice and let’s get this party started.
Inclusions
- Smartphone Guided Walking tour on the WalknTours app
- Virtual walk you can take after taking the in person tour
What to expect
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Parker Street, Parker St, Detroit, MI, USA
This brick-lined street is known as Parker's Alley and it is named after Thomas Parker, a free black man who was one of the city's first black landowners in Detroit.
Duration: 3 minutes
Stop At: The Belt, 1234 Library St, Detroit, MI 48226-2208
The Belt is named after the alleyway's location in the former garment district which was shaped like a belt.
It is part of a larger project by the Library Street Collective to reimagine underutilized spaces throughout the city.
Duration: 3 minutes
Stop At: Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave corner of Michigan Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226-3580
This park was created in 2004 and is a main hang out in Detroit. It was even named a “Top 10 Public Square” in the USA by USA Today. Not bad for an area that few people felt safe enough walking into 20 years ago.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Penobscot Building, 645 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226-4105
When it was built in 1928, it was the 4th highest building in the United States and 8th highest in the world. It soars above you like the edge off a cliff with a series of setbacks at the top.
Duration: 3 minutes
Stop At: The Guardian Building, 500 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226-3480
The Guardian building is one of the finest art deco skyscrapers in the United States. It was completed in 1929 and was originally called the Union Trust Building. It also had the rather cute nickname of the Cathedral of Finance.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: The Spirit of Detroit, 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226-3437
The sun-like thing on the right is meant to symbolize the rays emanating from God, and the people in his other hand are supposed to represent all human relationships. The Spirit is widely recognized and well-loved and you can find the image all over the city.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Joe Louis Monument, 5 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226-3473
oe Louis didn’t just throw his weight around in the boxing ring. He fought against segregation and Jim Crow laws and encouraged young African American men to join the US Army during World War II despite the fact that it was still racially segregated. When he was asked why he did it, he famously replied "Lots of things wrong with America, but Hitler ain't going to fix them."
Duration: 3 minutes
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a solo, self guided tour, on the WalknTours app, making it very safe for social distancing and going at your own pace. No guides, not other people, just you and your smart phone.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
Cancellation
Took a small group of high school seniors with me. They had a great time, the directions were super easy to follow (even for people like me who are navigationally challenged!) and the history notes added a lot. Highly recommend this if you want to see some of the main sights of the Motor City.
Took a small group of high school seniors with me. They had a great time, the directions were super easy to follow (even for people like me who are navigationally challenged!) and the history notes added a lot. Highly recommend this if you want to see some of the main sights of the Motor City.A lovely way to spend an hour or two in downtown Detroit. My husband and I really enjoy doing walking tours, and for $7 ea, you can't beat this one!
A lovely way to spend an hour or two in downtown Detroit. My husband and I really enjoy doing walking tours, and for $7 ea, you can't beat this one!Easy and informative. We were able to pause and continue easily. Learned a lot in an hour or two……………………………………………………..
Easy and informative. We were able to pause and continue easily. Learned a lot in an hour or two……………………………………………………..I enjoyed all the interesting facts, trivial and history given during the entire tour.I also loved the fact that you can take your time and customize the tour to fit your needs.
I enjoyed all the interesting facts, trivial and history given during the entire tour.I also loved the fact that you can take your time and customize the tour to fit your needs.Good narrative but very difficult to find the streets with their directions could not find part of it sorry...
Good narrative but very difficult to find the streets with their directions could not find part of it sorry...Met m’n zoon (20) tijdens springbreak o.a. Detroit bezocht. Je wandelt langs de highlights van de binnenstad. Is de moeite waard, leuke tocht.
Met m’n zoon (20) tijdens springbreak o.a. Detroit bezocht. Je wandelt langs de highlights van de binnenstad. Is de moeite waard, leuke tocht.