2023 Preservation Detroit Saturday Downtown Tour

See Downtown Detroit through our eyes

Our award-winning walking tour of downtown Detroit! Explore the plan for the city from the ground up. Way up! Historic high-rises, towering monuments, grand boulevards, parks, and plazas are all part of this groundbreaking tour. Spanning over 300 years of Detroit history, see Detroit gems from streetscape to skyline.

Our experienced guides will share the evolving story of Detroit's vibrant downtown area, from Cadillac's landing to the most recent development news. As Michigan's oldest preservation organization, our entirely volunteer-run tours draw curious and passionate Detroiters and visitors alike.

The tour meets at 10 am next to the fountain in Campus Martius Park, rain or shine.

Parking: Metered on-street parking is available in the surrounding area of Campus Martius Park. Several parking garages are also located within walking distance.

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