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‘s Included
Stories to fascinate and delight
A knowledgeable local guide
Well researched history
Gratuity for the guide
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?
Options
Standard Tour
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.
Reviews
44 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Seeing the city...
B4905SVstephaniem,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to see the city for the first time. Our guide was friendly and interesting. We learned a lot about the dynamic changes that have happened to detroit to get us to where this beautiful city is today.
Detroit the comeback City!
Marisela H,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Michael was very entertaining and knowledgeable of the Detroit history without being boring!! Very impressed with how this city has made such a positive comeback!
Great and affordable historical walking tour
Marian G,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide is a history teacher. He's incredibly knowledgeable and personable. I learned so much, and the guide engaged us. The tour was a good pace between walking and stopping. It was waaay better than other more expensive tours. It's all about the guide!
I thought I knew a lot about Detroit -- I was VERY wrong! This was FASCINATING!
Z179DDmoniqueb,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was great start to finish! I kept thinking, "Had my history teachers been this interesting, I might have learned something." Or at least remembered it. Now I find myself retelling many of the things I learned so I can now be the most interesting person. Like where the Cadillac logo came from. I can't unsee that! We bought the extra part at the end. Well worth it! That was our favorite part of the tour. Fascinating and mind-boggling. I since went on another tour on Mackinac Island. I was so excited, thinking it would be like this tour. NOPE! They need this guy on Mackinac Island. They're not all the same. This was truly the best tour. Highly recommend.
Highly recommended!
Marta A,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guided tour is a must-do when visiting Detroit. Michael gets you to know the best bits of the city and his amazing history in a very entertaining way. He truly is able to share his love for the city and its history with everyone! He will give you very useful tips for during your visit. Highly recommended!
Informative and Fun
Julia H,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We learned history and stories about Detroit. The tour offers great highlights of the city and a different perspective from just driving through.
Tour excellent
Waldenise P,
Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The Guide was excellent! He extended the tour and gave us a Lot of information. A person Very interested in giving us ALL information
Great way to get an insider's view of Detroit history
mpmellon,
Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Full disclosure: I signed up for this walking tour as something to do between arriving on a late afternoon flight and museum visits I'd booked for the next morning. Although I had planned to "coast" through the experience, absorbing bits here and there, I was pleasantly surprised to have this tour change my mind--it was not your typical recitation of dates and postcard landmarks where you stroll and nod along. As a professional storyteller myself, I appreciated how Michael used storytelling to bring the city's history to life. His knowledge and passion for history were evident and infectious. As a bonus, his insight and experiences as a native Detroiter helped make the stories he told and the places he showed us that much more special. I took the 2-hour extended tour, which I would recommend for anyone, but especially folks who like to learn about the unusual and "mystical" quirks of the city. Great value, great use of time, great introduction to a fascinating city. Definitely recommend!
Great way to get an insider's view of Detroit history
Michelle M,
Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Full disclosure: I signed up for this walking tour as something to do between arriving on a late afternoon flight and museum visits I'd booked for the next morning. Although I had planned to "coast" through the experience, absorbing bits here and there, I was pleasantly surprised to have this tour change my mind--it was not your typical recitation of dates and postcard landmarks where you stroll and nod along. As a professional storyteller myself, I appreciated how Michael used storytelling to bring the city's history to life. His knowledge and passion for history were evident and infectious. As a bonus, his insight and experiences as a native Detroiter helped make the stories he told and the places he showed us that much more special. I took the 2-hour extended tour, which I would recommend for anyone, but especially folks who like to learn about the unusual and "mystical" quirks of the city. Great value, great use of time, great introduction to a fascinating city. Definitely recommend!
Enjoyable tour
marybX8691AB,
Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Michael did a great job sharing historical stories throughout various downtown locations. Nicely paced tour. Would recommend.
From $35.00
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Operated by Detroit's Hidden History Tours