Behind The Scenes Tours

Each season, the Detroit Historical Society hosts special Behind the Scenes tours of historic locations and other venues throughout metro Detroit. Let our expert guides show you these places in ways you’ve never experienced before!

These weekly tours normally take place on Saturdays, but some do take place on weekdays. On average, tours last from 90 minutes to two hours. To ensure the safety of our guests, tours require you to meet at the tour location.

Because reservations are required and many tours are only able to accommodate a very limited number of guests, we recommend that you make your plans well in advance - and become a member and create an online account to get the earliest access to tickets. Tour information is released quarterly and posted on the 1st of January, March, June and September for each upcoming season. Tickets will become available to members about two weeks later (please see postings for exact on-sale dates).

The Detroit Historical Society continues to monitor the COVID-19 public health situation closely. You can purchase Behind the Scenes Tickets with confidenceIf any tour is cancelled or postponed due to the virus, your ticket price can be transferred to the new date, refunded or kept on credit for a future tour. However, tickets are non-refundable in all other circumstances; if you need to cancel, we will make every effort to reschedule you for a future tour but cannot offer refunds.

To take advantage of your Detroit Historical Society membership benefits online, you must create an online account by clicking here.

After your one-time sign up, you can shop for discounted Behind the Scenes tour tickets through the listings below. (Please sign in to access your discount.) Thank you for your continued support! 

Need to buy or renew your membership? Click here.

 

Current Behind The Scenes Tours:

Willis Show Bar
March 29 2025 | 7:00pm to 10:00pm

SOLD OUT! Please email education@detroithistorical.org to be added to the waitlist. This Cass Corridor hotspot, closed in 1978,...

View Event

Christ Church Cranbrook
April 5 2025 | 10:00am to 11:30am

On sale now! Visit this stunning English Gothic-style house of worship in Bloomfield Hills that was built on farmland in 1928...

View Event

Historic Houses of Worship: Corktown
April 7 2025 | 10:00am to 3:00pm

On sale now! Visit a series of houses of worship in the city, transported between sites on a comfortable bus. Ticket cost...

View Event

Detroit Flyhouse
April 19 2025 | 1:30pm to 2:30pm

SOLD OUT On this tour, we’ll learn about circus arts and watch some performers in action. The Detroit Flyhouse’s curriculum...

View Event

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Detroit Branch
April 22 2025 | 10:00am to 11:30am

SOLD OUT Did you know that Detroit has a branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago? Join us for a discussion of the...

View Event

IHM Sisters Motherhouse Chapel
April 29 2025 | 10:00am to 11:30am

SOLD OUT Tour the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters Motherhouse and 100-acre grounds. This beautiful structure was built in...

View Event

Pingree Detroit
May 10 2025 | 10:00am to 11:00am

SOLD OUT Pingree Detroit is a worker-owned cooperative that transforms upcycled automotive materials into handcrafted...

View Event

The Whiskey Factory
May 14 2025 | 5:30pm to 7:00pm

SOLD OUT Explore the historic home of Stroh’s Ice Cream and Goebel Brewing Co. and learn how it has evolved into a thriving...

View Event

The Hustle: Mr E. in the D
May 21 2025 | 10:00am to 11:00am

On sale now! Youth volunteer and teacher Emmanuel Smith is devoted to finding innovative ways to support his pupils. His...

View Event

J. W. Westcott Boat
June 13 2025 | 10:00am to 11:00am

SOLD OUT Known for delivering mail and supplies to ships on the Detroit River, the J.W. Westcott Co. was founded in 1874. See...

View Event

Detroit Riverwalk
June 14 2025 | 9:00am to 11:00am

On sale now! Opened in 2007, the Detroit Riverwalk project transformed an industrial shoreline into a lively and thriving...

View Event

Belle Isle Bike Tour
June 21 2025 | 9:00am to 11:00am

On sale now! Get your bikes out of the garage for this fun tour of Belle Isle! Tayna Stephens, who serves on the Board of...

View Event

Detroit People Mover Art
June 27 2025 | 10:00am to 12:30pm

Rescheduled date! A painting, tile mural, Venetian glass mosaic, cast bronze sculpture, and Detroit’s own Pewabic Pottery...

View Event