Detroit Neighborhood Tours Explore Beyond Downtown

Discover the heart and soul of Detroit with personalized small-group tours that take you beyond the downtown core. Led by educators and retired police officers, these tours provide unique insights into the city’s vibrant neighborhoods, historic schools, and cultural landmarks. Delve into the community's pride and resilience while sampling local favorites at neighborhood eateries. Each themed experience, whether exploring Detroit diverse communities or engaging with local residents, fosters meaningful conversations and authentic interactions. These tours offer a deeper understanding of Detroit’s rich heritage and everyday life through the eyes of those who truly know it.

1. 1

   Detroit

   20 min

   Jefferson-Chalmers – Riverfront and Jazz Roots Belle Isle State Park Talk about the neighborhood’s jazz/blues heritage and cultural revival.

2. 2

   Detroit

   30 min

   Lunch at a local Coney Island sampling food items unique to those from Detroit. Lunch is included in tour.

3. 3

   The Heidelberg Project

   30 min

   . Historic Black Bottom / Paradise Valley Visit the area where Hastings Street once thrived. Storytelling: African American businesses, jazz clubs, displacement, and legacy. Contrast old Black Bottom with modern development.

4. 4

   Detroit

   30 min

   Southwest Detroit (Mexicantown) – Food and Murals Guided walk along Bagley Street, explore Mexicantown murals. There is time to stop and shop. Stop at local bakery for a sweet treat. Storytelling: immigration, culture, and today’s thriving Latino community.

5. 5

   Detroit

   30 min

   University District, Palmer Woods, and Boston Edison District (Affluent Neighborhoods) Palmer Woods: Historic mansions, tree-lined boulevards, legacy of Detroit’s upper/middle-class Black families. University & Boston Edison District: Architectural gems, strong neighborhood associations, beautiful homes. Storytelling: Black professionals, artists, and entrepreneurs who made these areas thrive. Photo stop: In front of various iconic homes.

6. 6

   Detroit

   45 min

   Livernois Avenue of Fashion (Black Business District) Once the hub of Black-owned businesses during segregation — today, a revived corridor of fashion, food, and culture. This is time you can get to shop on your own. Stops could include but are not limited to: Detroit Pizza Bar (Black-owned restaurant, community anchor). Good Cakes and Bakes (popular bakery featured on national TV). Art galleries & boutiques run by Detroit entrepreneurs. Storytelling: Civil Rights era, Detroit’s Black economic power, and today’s entrepreneurial spirit.

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.