Detroit's Hidden History Guided Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Ready to venture beyond the history books and uncover the hidden past of Detroit? Join our historian-led, 90-minute tour and dive into the Motor City’s most gripping tales—stories that shaped a legend, told as you stroll through North America’s most stunning architectural gems.
- Intimate small-group atmosphere and plenty of time for questions
- Tour is perfect for history buffs and first-time visitors
- Walking tour lets you get to know the city intimately
- Hear 8 unique historical stories from Detroit’s past
For those hungry for more, an optional 30-minute extension reveals Detroit’s strangest and most enigmatic legends—mysteries that linger in the shadows, waiting to be explored.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Grand Circus Park
Our tour begins at Grand Circus Park, in the center of Downtown Detroit. We will introduce our tour and familiarize you to one of the most impressive bearded statues in Detroit. We will also discuss potatoes.
Michigan Theater Building
When a relentless tinkerer rolled his first horseless carriage out of a Detroit garage, he couldn’t have foreseen the revolution he’d ignite. Henry Ford crowned Detroit the Motor City—but did his legacy also sow the seeds of its unraveling?
What‘s Included
Stories to fascinate and delight
A knowledgeable local guide
Well researched history
Gratuity for the guide
Options
Standard Tour + Extension
Duration: 2 hours Extended Tour: An extra 30 minutes at the river's edge investigating shipwrecks, an evil curse, and pyramid symbolism.
Standard Tour
Reviews
56 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great time with Mike,...
Zil M,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great time with Mike, learning about the nitty gritties and very cool historic stories about Detroit!
Great Experience
Amy T,May 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was a great way to learn about Detroit. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. Would highly recommend.
Start here on your visit to Detroit!
jessiedenbowl,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour is absolutely the best way to learn about Detroit! Our guide Michael was engaging, knowledgeable & had great stories that helped give us a sense of the city’s history & character (past and present)! Don’t hesitate to sign up, and add on the extra 30 mins!
The guide was very...
Tammi H,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Detroit and showed the beautiful parts of the city.
Recommended - we learnt a lot about Detroit’s vastly varied history through the people, the architecture and much more!
Ruth H,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Interesting tour with great storytelling and some quirky insights - it was great to hear from someone who was a real historian and also Detroit born and bred. Learnt a lot in just 90 mins and felt like our tour guide really engaged with us.
Michael was the...
Dean E,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Michael was the consummate tour guide and showed us all of the highlights of downtown Detroit. Very engaging. Highly recommended!
Fun and enjoyable tour
Marlene G,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We loved this tour! It was really fun to walk around the city and check out all the beautiful architecture. We enjoyed learning the hidden history of Detroit. Our tour guide, Michael, was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Who knew?
467livingthedream,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great addition to my trip to Detroit! Michael could not have been more pleasant and knowledgeable. During the tour, he shared so many interesting stories about Detroit's fascinating history and amazing architecture. Highly recommend!
A Special Tour
DayTrip58044945448,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I really enjoyed the tour despite the rather frigid conditions. Michael did a wonderful job of explaining some of the lesser-known facts about the Motor City in a fun and entertaining way.
Great time even when freezing in Detroit
MarkCBurbank,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was great to meet Michael and have an opportunity to have him show us around the city. We discovered a lot of things we didn't see or know about on our prior visits. Take this tour as it is excellent. Taste Detroit pizza and GO Redwings!
From US$35.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Detroit's Hidden History Tours