2023 Preservation Detroit Cultural Center Saturday Tour

Explore Detroit's Cultural Center - 2nd and 4th Saturdays

On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, we explore the institutions and neighborhood that has housed Detroit’s cultural institutions for more than a century. The tour departs from the Detroit Public Library Main Branch at its Woodward Avenue entrance.

How did so many museums and two major educational institutions come together in one neighborhood? The vision for Detroit’s Cultural Center began more than 110 years ago and has continued to evolve through the decades. Hear the stories behind Detroit’s great cultural institutions and learn about the magnificent architecture and art of the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Public Library and such neighboring institutions as the Detroit Historical Museum and Scarab Club as well as the Ferry Street neighborhood, its people, and their magnificent homes.

The tour departs from the Detroit Public Library, 5201 Woodward Avenue. Please meet in front of the Library.

Parking: Metered and non-metered street parking is available in the immediate area. Paid parking is also available at the DIA parking lot and the WSU parking structure on Putnam.

Items to note about our tours:

THIS IS A WALKING TOUR. All guests should be prepared to walk, sometimes on surfaces under construction, for more than two hours.

All tours take place rain or shine and are about 2 to 2.5 hours long. Please arrive 15 minutes before the start of the tour. Advance ticket purchases are available through the afternoon the Friday before the tour. If there is a date missing from the tour page, the tour for that location/date is sold out. Tickets may be refunded up to 7 days prior to the date of a tour; after that, tickets are not refundable.

For info on booking private tours, please email Samantha Ellens at [email protected].

How Preservation Detroit is addressing COVID-19 concerns

Preservation Detroit is concerned with the health and safety of our tour program volunteers and tour attendees. We continue to monitor the CDC and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines regularly.

At this time, we are comfortable with leading tours at full capacity (20 guests) and requiring masks only when entering a building that requires masks. Of course, masks may be worn outdoors for tour attendees’ comfort.

Note: Some buildings remain closed or, if they are open, they may have restricted access and require a mask to be worn. Restroom facilities may be unavailable along the tour route.

If you are not feeling well or have any cold or flu-like symptoms, please do not come on the tour; we will gladly work to reschedule your tour. Contact Samantha Ellens at [email protected] to make arrangements.

When you purchase a ticket for a Preservation Detroit walking tour, you acknowledge and accept Preservation Detroit’s COVID-19 safety policies.

Host or Publisher Preservation Detroit