Name: Detroit in Context Downtown Walking Tour
Start: 2026-05-17T13:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-05-17T15:30:00-04:00
Location: Detroit in Context Downtown Walking Tour

May 17
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Website

Overview

Detroit has tons of amazing assets but also faces many challenges. One thing is for sure there is so much more to the city than the headlines and stereotypes portray. On this walking tour, our expert guide will provide insights and put things in context as they take you around the downtown and throughout the decades in order to help locals and visitors understand how Detroit’s history shaped where we are today, what’s happening now and how we can become a model for what a 21st century equitable city should look like.

Tour Highlights & Discussion Points include:
-Public spaces like Campus Martius Park and Spirit Plaza
-Art & Architecture like the Guardian Building and Spirit of Detroit
-History of Detroit including racist policies that impacted the Indigenous and Black community and shaped where we are today
-Integral locations to Detroit’s Black history like Paradise Valley District
-Discussion of Detroit’s challenges including population loss and blight
-Overview of some of Downtown’s innovative and impactful people and projects

Total walking distance: ~ 2 miles

Tour Duration: ~2.5 hours
Your purchase of a ticket, tickets or redeemable gift cards to this tour support City Institute's ability to offer free public tours such as Detroit's Black History by the People That Lived It Walking Tour and our Redlining, Racism and Segregation in Detroit Virtual Tour.

Accessibility:
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. To request accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact hello@thecityinstitute.com at least 2 weeks prior to your desired tour date.

Want to send someone a gift certificate to use for tickets to any of these dates? Purchase those here: https://www.thecityinstitute.com/gift-cards