Pure Detroit
Pure Detroit
5
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Welcome to Pure Detroit - the original local culture shop - since 1998. Spreading the love for Detroit through our brand of apparel and other exclusive artisan goods and gifts. We offer free architectural history tours every weekend at The Fisher and Guardian Building. Visit us at one of our 6 locations in Detroit or visit us online for more tour/retail information!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
194 reviews
Excellent
184
Very good
7
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Judi T
Naperville, IL2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
Amazingly beautiful buildings, architecture, design, and decor. Free tour given by very knowledgeable, friendly guides (Steve and Jacob?) who have great passion for the city of Detroit and its buildings. You’ve never seen anything like The Guardian! A must see!
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
divingmikeCambridge
Cambridge61 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
Pure Detroit offer free tours of the Guardian and Fisher buildings. Both buildings are amazingly beautiful. Michael the tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and passionate about architecture and Detroit. The tours last about 45 - 60 minutes and are on Saturday's only. We were visiting from England and glad we visited downtown Detroit and went on the tours.
Written May 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brentsalter
San Antonio, TX35 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
Detroit as a whole surprised me with what an incredible place it is, but Pure Detroit brought even greater depth and richness to my visit. I went on the Guardian Building and Packard Plant tours, coming away with a greater appreciation for the treasures of Detroit’s history and architecture. My guides, Steve and Jacob (respectively), were engaging and very well informed. I’d definitely recommend Pure Detroit to anyone in the city, whether as a first-time visitor or lifelong local.
Written September 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thesunburntpenguins
Cheshire, UK267 contributions
Nov 2019
We really enjoyed this free tour. This is an amazing building with an interesting history. Ryan was a knowledgeable and engaging guide. Thoroughly recommended.
Written November 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy R
Plymouth, MI17 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We took the Packard Plant Tour. It was a walk through history. Jacob had so much information and knowledge. He brought the Packard Plant back to life. You could imagine the 40,000 workers working in these structurally sound (Cohn Brothers) buildings. We went into the garage and the administrative building and between the manufacturing buildings. I didn't realize how large this complex was. Jacob was personable and took time to answer any and all questions that the group had. I would highly recommend taking this tour
Written October 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole C
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Couples
So amazing! Jacob was extremely knowledgeable and informative. We want to definitely do another tour it was so much fun! I highly recommend it!
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FussyGrl
Phoenix, AZ255 contributions
Nov 2019
We took a free tour of the Guardian Building offered by Pure Detroit (on Saturday and Sunday at noon and at 2 pm). What a terrific way to understand Detroit's history and see a beautiful building! Our tour guide, Steve, was so knowledgeable. I've been on a lot of architecture tours in Chicago (that weren't free), and this one rivaled all of those. Hard to believe something this terrific can be free. In addition to tipping your tour guide, you really need to buy something at Pure Detroit to make certain that these amazing Detroit tours can continue. HIGHLY recommended!
Written November 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul M
Detroit, MI27 contributions
Jan 2019
It is local and a don't miss adventure the art is beyond words. There are other sights to check out and also local food establishments are in the area. Watch were you walk due to looking up all hte time.
Written March 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karyn C
Westminster, MD186 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
We showed up to a dusty parking lot outside of the towering and majestic Packard Plant. It’s a rainy afternoon, and Steve welcomes us to the tour as we walk in. Steve is very knowledgeable and explains the history and some odd facts you wouldn’t hear anywhere else, while we stand there awestruck and take pictures. The Packard Plant isn’t something you can describe. Pictures don’t do it justice. If I could choose between waltzing around downtown like a clueless tourist or exploring this magnificent crumbling piece of history, it would be a no brainer, I could spend all day here. It was quite simply put, mind blowing. And I suggest you hurry up and get in on this because things are changing, and quick. They are rebuilding this, and it will only be in its original form for so long, or worse, closed to the public for an undetermined amount of time like Michigan Central Station.
Written August 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Picture_Perch
Windsor, Canada1,594 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
For years I have driven around the streets of the Packard Plant and now finally got to go explore it! Well worth the $40 a person and it took 2 hours, some surfaces are uneven to walk on but overall an excellent time. We would have never saw this building and learned about it.I did like the fact we weren't trespassing and it was a legal tour. They have security watching your vehicles and at no time did I feel in danger. I enjoyed our group of 30 people and the pace was great. They let us wander a bit away to take or own picture, I took well over 500 pictures. Our guide was informative on the building and Detroit. This place was amazing. I can't wait to join in on other tours this company offers!
Written October 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In terms of having the best natural light for pictures, what would be the best time to choose for a tour of the Packard Plant, the 11 AM or 2 PM tour?
Written July 9, 2018
Guess it would depend on what time of year you went, or if the day was overcast. You will get more overhead sunshine on the 11 am tour. I took the tour a few months ago, and most of it was indoors. So... not sure which time would be best. This is a regular walking tour, not really that accommodating for photo snapping. Luckily one of the tour guides was a photographer, so he was understanding of me and my friend falling a bit behind the tour. Good Luck, I'm sure you will be able to shoot some great photos - Make sure you find the fire hydrant that is being eaten up by a tree that has been going on for decades.
Written July 9, 2018
How do you go about getting the tickets for the tour of the Guardian Building?
Written April 20, 2018
I'm so sorry it took so long to answer your question. I was overseas and just saw the question. I hope it isn't too late.
It is really very simple. If you get to the Fisher Theatre by 2 pm you can join the tour. I believe the tours are only on Saturday and Sunday. You really don't have to make an appointment although if you are near the Fisher Theatre and you want to let them know you are coming that would be great.
They are all volunteers. You can tip the tour person if you like (I did) but you don't have to. I felt the tour guide was excellent. He really knew his information very well.
I hope I answered your question.
Written April 23, 2018
Are you going to have tours in October along with the Guardian building?
Written September 23, 2016
I don't work at Pure Detroit; just went on the tour. You can call the nice people directly at the detroit stores & they will be happy to advise their availability
Written October 12, 2016
What tours do you have going on between July 12 and July 18th?
Written July 1, 2016
I'm wondering if you meant to address this question to Pure Detroit, who runs the tours. I was part of the group that took a tour led by Pure Detroit. Here is there number: 313-963-1440
Written July 1, 2016
Hi. Are you doing tours on 19th February? Is there a transfer between Fisher and Guardian buildings? I won't have a car there.
Written February 14, 2016
Are you doing tours after Oct 17? I am interested in Oct 31.
Written October 7, 2015
Yes, we are. The tours will resume again on Saturday, November 7. Always working around tour guides schedules!
Please let me know if you need anything else!
Written October 7, 2015
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