Self Guided Detroit's Spirit and History Solo Walking Tour

4.6
(39 reviews)

45 minutes to 1 hour (approximately)
Offered in: English

You will discover Detroit’s hidden gems, artistic Alleys, funky food spots, golden era buildings and world class parks. Go at your own pace, your own schedule and stop and go as you please. This is a Self Guided Tour navigated by your smart phone on the WalknTours app. The technology is so good visitors say "It's like walking with Rick Steve's".

Detroit is a city on the rise. Not long ago this was a different city, today it’s thriving and the people of Detroit are carving out a culture that is authentically D Town. Discover how Detroit is changing, and see how it's past changed world history.

The tour starts at Buddy’s on Broadway, the shop that invented Detroit Style Pizza. So, grab a slice and let’s get this party started.

What's Included

Virtual walk you can take after taking the in person tour
Smartphone Guided Walking tour on the WalknTours app
No in person guide, this is a smart phone navigated tour on the WalknTours app

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Buddy's Pizza

Buddy’s Pizza shop, the inventors of Detroit Style Pizza. It all began at Buddy’s Pizzeria on the famous Six Mile in 1946 when Gus and Connie made their first square-shaped pizza. Boom! From then on, the pizza world would never be the same.

End point
Hart Plaza

The plaza opened in 1975 and since then has been the location for many festivals and special events. The big ring is Transcending which honors the “Working Men and Women Who Built Our City”.

Itinerary

Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour (approximately)
  • 1
    Parker Street

    This brick-lined street is known as Parker's Alley and it is named after Thomas Parker, a free black man who was one of the city's first black landowners in Detroit.

    3 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    The Belt

    The Belt is named after the alleyway's location in the former garment district which was shaped like a belt. It is part of a larger project by the Library Street Collective to reimagine underutilized spaces throughout the city.

    3 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Campus Martius Park

    This park was created in 2004 and is a main hang out in Detroit. It was even named a “Top 10 Public Square” in the USA by USA Today. Not bad for an area that few people felt safe enough walking into 20 years ago.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Penobscot Building

    When it was built in 1928, it was the 4th highest building in the United States and 8th highest in the world. It soars above you like the edge off a cliff with a series of setbacks at the top.

    3 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 5
    The Guardian Building

    The Guardian building is one of the finest art deco skyscrapers in the United States. It was completed in 1929 and was originally called the Union Trust Building. It also had the rather cute nickname of the Cathedral of Finance.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 6
    The Spirit of Detroit

    The sun-like thing on the right is meant to symbolize the rays emanating from God, and the people in his other hand are supposed to represent all human relationships. The Spirit is widely recognized and well-loved and you can find the image all over the city.

    5 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Joe Louis Monument

    oe Louis didn’t just throw his weight around in the boxing ring. He fought against segregation and Jim Crow laws and encouraged young African American men to join the US Army during World War II despite the fact that it was still racially segregated. When he was asked why he did it, he famously replied "Lots of things wrong with America, but Hitler ain't going to fix them."

    3 minutes Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by WalknTours

Tags

Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Excellent Quality
Best Conversion
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

4.6 Based on 39 39 reviews
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