What a wonderful experience in Detroit! I have lived in Michigan for 20+ years and have only been to a few key places in Detroit (Comerica Park and the Fox theater mainly). This tour provided me with so many ideas, restaurants, and places to come back and check out. We had a short stop at a restaurant for snacks and drinks and we had a really great time. The sunset was beautiful and it was a perfect date night for a young couple. Karin also provided us with a ton of history about Detroit, she is full of knowledge and we loved to hear everything she had to say about the various places we were driving by. We are looking forward to more tours with City Tour Detroit!
Let Us Show You the Motor City
From Its Industrial Roots to Its Thriving Café Culture Scene
Detroit holds a unique spot in world history due to its role in putting the world on wheels and its meteoric rise as an industrial powerhouse in the first half of the 20th century followed by its dramatic fall. While the city’s automotive heritage is definitely a major part of the city’s identity, there is so much more to the Motor City than cars. Take a walk through the city on our See the D Walking Tour or discover Detroit’s important role in the antislavery movement on our Detroit Underground Railroad Walking Tour. We’ll take you to all the city’s must-see attractions like the Guardian Building, Greektown and Motown as well as a few out-of-the-ordinary gems that us locals love to show off. We’ll also show you the ever-evolving dining and drinking scene that’s made Detroit a top foodie destination. Check out our offerings below to learn more!
Check back often! We’ll soon be adding our exciting food, music, art and true crime tours to the calendar.
Passionate Tour Guides
Our staff is composed of locals who want to help you make the most of your trip to our vibrant city. We love Detroit, and we want you to love it, too!
Multiple Transportation Options
Whether you want to explore the city by foot or travel in our late model vehicles, we have a tour to suit you.
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence
We’ve served thousands of happy customers in our short time in business as City Tour Detroit—and we’d love to add you to our list!
Tours Designed for You or Your Group
Want a private tour of Detroit? Have your own itinerary in mind or want one created specifically for you or your group? Check out our private and customized tours and make the most of your time in Detroit.
Gift Certificates Make Great Gifts
Treat your friends and family to a new Detroit experience!
Check back often! We’ll soon be adding our exciting food, music, art, and true crime tours to our schedule. Private walking and sedan tours make great gifts too. See Private & Custom Tour tab for private tour pricing or shoot us an email.
Gift Shop
Come and visit our Souvenir and Gift Shop in the spectacular Guardian Building! You can find us at 500 Griswold Street, Suite 250 in downtown Detroit. Our opening hours are 10am – 4pm, every day except Tuesdays. We have all sorts of great gifts and merchandise, and you might be lucky enough to run into City Tour Detroit owner Karin!
Hear From Our Previous Guests
Absolutely fantastic experience with City Tour Detroit. The tour is very well-thought-out, rich with fascinating history, and punctuated with stops for some of Detroit’s best culinary experiences.
Karin was our tour guide, and she is a font of knowledge about both the historic and contemporary details of Detroit. She is an excellent ambassador for the city, as well as a gold mine of knowledge about a city so abundant in history, character, and significance.
Excellent tour! Highly recommended! The tour explore the rich historical events that took place in Detroit during the slavery. With a very prepared guide and actors a vivid drama shows how the fugitive slaves were able to find freedom crossing Detroit in their way to Canada.
An outstanding tour! Jason was exceptionally informative and answered just about every question I could think of about Detroit. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the city, and really gave the impression that Detroit never “went away” – but that the spirit of the city remained thanks to the welcoming people who inhabit it. Can’t recommend enough.
Had a wonderful time with Jason and Laurie. So much to learn about this beautiful city. It is a hidden gem! Highly recommended a walking tour so you can get to know Detroit up front!
Paul is a great tour guide. Very knowledgeable. He provided lots of info and answered all our questions. Even though it rained and was cold and windy, we had a great time and would do it again! Highly recommend this tour.
Our Story
About City Tour Detroit
Founder Karin Risko started the company to showcase her love for Detroit. She’s been leading tours for over a decade, but officially launched City Tour Detroit in 2016 to meet the increased demand for her tours. Karin, and her talented team of tour guides who love the city as much as she does, are here to help you make the most of your time in the D!
Get the Scoop on All Things Detroit
Follow Us on Instagram @citytourdetroit
#MondayMemories #thompsonhomeforoldladies
In 1882 Mary Thompson purchased a large lot on the SE corner of Cass & Hancock and hired Detroit architect George D. Mason to build a large structure dedicated to the housing and care of elderly women. Built in the Queen Ann architectural style, the Thompson Home for Old Ladies opened in 1884, and for the next 80 years was often at its 35 resident capacity. The name was shortened at some point to "Thompson Home".
The building is still there and is still in use. It was purchased by Wayne State University in 1978. It was first used as a faculty meeting space, then by the School of Social Work. In 2016 it once again became residential with renovations designed to house up to 65 arts and theater students. While none of the current occupants are likely to (or want to) be considered "old ladies", there is a distinct possibility they could be called upon to play one in a Theater Department production across the street!
All photos courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
Grand Opening underway. Refreshments. 10% off. Candi @zombiedgirls is working in the store. Stop in and keep her busy.
#TBT #ThrowbackThursday #UnionTrust #guardianbuilding
Many people are familiar with the amazing Art Deco features of the the Union Trust/Guardian Building. Tonight we're going to take a sneak peek at a few features of the building that might be less well known. In ascending order (after the postcard), you will see 1. Vacuum pumps in the 3rd basement, 2. Pistol Shooting Range in the 2nd basement, 3. Beauty Parlor on the 22nd floor, 4. Barber Shop on the 22nd floor, 5. Refrigerated storage locker for garbage in the 32nd floor restaurant kitchen 6. Private dining room, 32nd floor.
All photos shown courtesy of Detroit Public Library's Burton Historical Collection.
It’s getting rather fancy in our souvenir and gift store located inside the beautiful Guardian Building thanks to our amazing tour guide Melissa who just happens to be a professional decorator. A few more hours tomorrow, and our cute store will be beautiful. Thanks @adayinthelife_mrw