Self Guided Detroit's Spirit and History Solo Walking Tour
WalknTours
4.6
Jenn_F
76 days ago
This was the perfect tour to get a little history about the city in under an hour. Definitely worth the time and $.
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.
Departure Point
- 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.
- 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”.
- Audio guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Parker StreetParker Street, Detroit, MIThis 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.Duration: 3 minutesStop At: The Belt1234 Library St, Detroit, MichiganThe 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. Duration: 3 minutesStop At: Penobscot Building645 Griswold St, Detroit, MichiganThis 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.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: The Guardian Building500 Griswold St, , Detroit, MichiganWhen 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. Duration: 3 minutesStop At: The Spirit of Detroit2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MichiganThe 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.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Joe Louis Monument5 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MichiganThe 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. Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Campus Martius Park800 Woodward Ave, Corner of Michigan Avenue, Detroit, Michiganoe 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."Duration: 3 minutesAdditional Information
- 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
- 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
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.
Departure Point
- 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.
- 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”.
- Audio guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Parker StreetParker Street, Detroit, MIThis 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.Duration: 3 minutesStop At: The Belt1234 Library St, Detroit, MichiganThe 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. Duration: 3 minutesStop At: Penobscot Building645 Griswold St, Detroit, MichiganThis 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.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: The Guardian Building500 Griswold St, , Detroit, MichiganWhen 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. Duration: 3 minutesStop At: The Spirit of Detroit2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MichiganThe 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.Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Joe Louis Monument5 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MichiganThe 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. Duration: 5 minutesStop At: Campus Martius Park800 Woodward Ave, Corner of Michigan Avenue, Detroit, Michiganoe 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."Duration: 3 minutesAdditional Information
- 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
- 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
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
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4.6
based on Groupon 39 reviews
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N5769QUmargaretm
Tour was easy to access and "map" button helped with orientation. Nice you could pause if you wanted more time or to stop to shop or for coffee. Despite preparations for the marathon we were able to navigate around and see all the stops with no problem. I'll definitely check our Walkntours when I travel to other places.
Jenn_F
This was the perfect tour to get a little history about the city in under an hour. Definitely worth the time and $.
5FamilyOfFive5
wow, so glad I stumbled upon this walking tour. What a great way to get to know Detroit. It was my first time in the Motor City and this walking tour was just perfect. Super easy to follow. The narrator had a very pleasant voice. It's a perfect 10.
Rebecca_D
For a low-tech person, it was difficult to follow all the downloading that was needed. However, once it was finally accessed after downloading several apps it was a good tour.
marypatf2024
This smartphone tour was perfect to get a taste of Detroit. It gave insight and info into the important aspects of downtown.
We were able to do it on a shorten time since we had to be back to a spot. Would highly recommend