Tours and Tickets
Detroit Urban Exploration and Photography Tour
4.5

Detroit Urban Exploration and Photography Tour

By Motor City Photography Workshops
About
Explore the city of Detroit and capture images of the crumbling industrial Midwestern metropolis on this guided photography tour. Wander through vacated factories, warehouses, and buildings, while getting photography tips on composition, exposure, and more from your guide who specializes in shooting urban landscapes. There’s no fussing with directions as an air-conditioned coach brings you to each location.

Ages 18-90
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Capture images of Detroit’s abandoned buildings with a guide in the lead
  • Learn about composition, exposure, and more from a photographer
  • Comfortable transportation between stops included
  • Souvenir photos available for purchase (own expense)

  • Bottled water
  • Driver/guide
  • Professional photographer guide
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
What's not included
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meet at Things From Detroit, a shop in the Detroit suburbs. On this guided small-group photography tour, you explore the city's abandoned schools, factories, warehouses, municipal buildings, and theaters with a professional photographer as your guide. Shoot photos of the city’s urban landscape, learning the history of various buildings as you move from location to location in a comfortable coach bus. Plus, receive photo guidance on composition and exposure. Since part of your tour includes walking across rough terrain strewn with bricks, glass, and debris, it’s recommended that you wear boots (avoid open-toe shoes) and dress in layers. In addition to any camera equipment such as a tripod and wide-angle lens, bring a flashlight or be prepared to use your cell phone for light to explore the various locations. The tours ends at the point of departure.

Start:
  • 1814 Parker St, Detroit, MI 48214, USA
    Departure Point: Things from Detroit Address: 1814 Parker St Detroit, MI 48214 Directions: Meet Inside Things from Detroit Gift Shop and sign in On the corner of Kercheval and Parker St is The Villages Marketplace where you can find coffee and bake goods.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Infants must sit on laps
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 9636P1

    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Minimum age is 18 years to sign waiver for yourself
    • A liability waiver will be required for signature to take part in this tour
    • Dress appropriately (layers, boots, etc.)
    • Bring a flashlight or use your cell phone light
    • Restrooms are provided at the start and conclusion of the tour
    • No open toe/sole shoes (rough terrain of bricks, glass, and debris my be encountered)
    • Photographers should consider a tripod and wide angle lens
    • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 9636P1

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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Motor City Photography Workshops
      88
      Detroit, United States
      Joined in February 2014
    • Michelle V
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Nice field trip
      I had expected a little more.. I've been exploring for 12 years in Europe and it was a dream to do some things in Detroit. Jessys's tour was just what we needed. First we did a church.. What was really cool.. A school next to it was unfortunately an empty box.. Next stop Packard.. One on top of my list! We could only look at the building not even go in.. When I pay like 70 euros for this tour I expected to go in.. Could not even walk around the building... To bad.. But hey.. It is what it is.. No hard feelings.. Next stop was a little bitter to swollow for me.. An empty hall with bad grafitti and a lot lot lot of garbage.. U kidding me!? Temper got a little bad... Next stop also an empty box.. But hey there was still one nice room.. Overall I took 2 pictures on this trip... Expensive ones.. I understand that people who don't know urbex of never haven been exploring like this kinda stuff.. Maby I'm just a spoiled Bratt.. But hey it was a fun morning... People if you want to see a bit of Detroit Jessy is your guy good guide also.. Explorers... My dear friends.. This tour.. Not worth the money xx sorry x
      Written 18 August 2018
    • bouviercharline
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent tour of Detroit! Highly Recommended!
      We highly recommend this tour of Detroit for tourists but also residents! Jesse was a super guide and gave us great inputs about Detroit, he is very knowledgeable! We visited some abandoned churches and Plants but also some neighborhoods close to Detroit (Indianvillage, West Village). Thanks a lot Jesse!
      Written 5 June 2018
    • jasminpruckner
      0 contributions
      1.0 of 5 bubbles
      We didn‘t get a confirmation
      We were on vacation and the website said there will be feedback within 12 hours if the booking is accepted or rejected. We didn‘t get a response within this time frame so we ended up calling Viatator around 3:30 pm if the tour next day 9 am will take place or not. The duration of the call was 20 minutes (as a tourist from Europe this call costs a lot of money)! They said the cannot reach the operator and that we have to wait for their response. After explaining that I need to know because of hotel booking etc and that I don‘t have Wifi access all the time Viatator agreed to simply reject the booking and give me the money back.
      Written 19 May 2018
    • MikeMfromWashDC
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fascinating places and insights on Detroit
      Our guide, Jesse, drove us in a van to four incredible stops, all abandoned long ago: a factory, Catholic turned Baptist church, elementary school and radio station. He gave us general background, but we really appreciated that he also let us wander and discover on our own. Great perspective on Detroit.
      Written 5 May 2017
    • Karen S
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great Adventure
      This is a well run adventure. Not knowing where you're going makes it more fun; you'll learn about the city and see some fascinating sites
      Written 23 April 2017
    • Nando C
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Detroit photography tour
      Fantastic tour! Picked us up at our hotel and gave our group a length tour of amazing urban sites. Jesse was a great guide, telling interesting history of the various sites. Dress in layers, and wear proper footwear. This was a fantastic way to see parts of the city that a typical tour would never take you. Highly recommended!
      Written 10 October 2016
    • clicky2015
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Urban Detroit Tour
      This was a fantastic tour, Jesse was very knowledgeable and a terrific guide. He showed us the beauty in the decay. Would certainly recommend this tour. Wear strong shoes and have a flashlight handy. Can't wait to go again to see more. Thanks Jesse.
      Written 9 October 2016
    • granhermano
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour to see the beauty of Detroit ruins ...
      this tour was longer than told before which was good as we did not had any time restrictions to stay in the places. So plan a big gap or a rest after this tour. We came back to the office at about 3pm because there was a camera team joining too. We looked at a school, a library, two churches and at Fischer Stamping plant. Inbetween we stoped at Sister Pie which is also recomendable to have nice cake and coffee or tea. On request Hotel Pickup is possible for an extra charge. The price was worth every penny. Take the advice for a tripot it is worth it. Flashlights are helpful but you can get them from the guide too. Don't forget to fill your batteries and empty your camera memory before you start the tour. The tour does not include much physical exercise, but the area is not clean. Upstanding nails or glass could cut into the feet so better have good shoes. Not sure whether it is a good idea to bring your dog.
      Written 17 September 2016
    • gregory667
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best thing I did in USA
      Was like being in a post world war science fiction film. Hard to believe the city has been allowed to fall into this state of disrepair. Scary stuff.
      Written 24 April 2016
    • Javid K
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Dare I say amazing?
      This was an amazing experience. Took my wife for her birthday and she loved it. I don't take photography but she does, yet I had a fantastic time shooting on my iPhone and observing all of the interesting things with my eyes. Jesse knew all of the interesting parts of the city and a lot about the city. We never felt particularly unsafe and were in great hands all the way through.
      Written 19 March 2016
    • Tudor A
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Unique views of Detroit
      Jesse does a great job on these tours explaining the history of the buildings. If you're a photographer, it's an endlessly fascinating array of architecture, decay, light, shadow, patterns that you won't find anywhere else. You can find some of my photos at : https://www.flickr.com/photos/tudorapmadoc/sets/72157655390634261 Enjoy!!
      Written 3 August 2015
    • benjamin w
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Even better than expected
      Experience truly unique ! An extraordinary way to discover some amazing places. Jesse does a very good job;
      Written 13 April 2015
    • Fraser L
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Interesting, sad, and highly recommended
      This was the highlight of a two-week US trip. I never felt unsafe, but it can be a little nerve-wracking — you're essentially trespassing, after all — but no-one seems to care at all. Your guide Jesse seems alert, cautious, and full of stories. I'd recommend it: in the end, the ruins have a strange beauty, make for great photographs (even if you only have a phone), and you'll learn a lot about a city with a unique history.
      Written 11 April 2015
    See all 88 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members 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.

    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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


    4.5
    4.5 of 5 bubbles71 reviews
    Excellent
    59
    Very good
    4
    Average
    1
    Poor
    1
    Terrible
    6

    Bridget I
    19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2018 • Couples
    I did this tour about two weeks ago and it was without a doubt the highlight of my trip to Detroit, possibly even my year! Jesse was incredibly knowledgeable about each building and provided us with a brief history before we went inside. He also pointed out several of the revitalization efforts going on throughout the city as we drove from location to location, and took us through a number of different neighbourhoods. On our tour, we visited 4 abandoned buildings: a church, a school, and two factories. We had plenty of time to explore each place at our own pace and were not expected to stay with the group, which I appreciated. My friend and I are just iPhone photographers, as were most of the other guests on our tour, but we were able to get some great shots, and neither of us felt unsafe at any point during the tour. My advice to others considering this activity would be to wear boots and to dress in layers. We had expected a warmer day than what we got and both of us got cold quickly, especially inside the dark buildings. I can't wait to do this tour again in the near future, next time with my mom who shares my love of abandoned buildings. Thanks for everything Jesse!
    Written 23 October 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.

    MrsDottieParker
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2019 • Solo
    This was a great trip. Our guides gave us some background/history about each site and the neighborhoods we drove through and made sure we got some great shots. Detroit’s accessible ruins are slowly disappearing as the city works to rebuild, so don’t wait too long to take this tour. You don’t have to be a big photography buff to enjoy it, either. I just used my iPhone, which was perfectly fine. If you’re sensitive to dust or mold, or concerned about asbestos or lead, bring a filtered face mask (but life is short and I can think of much worse ways to die).
    Written 10 June 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.

    Larry S
    Hamilton, OH13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2019 • Couples
    Same as previous reviews. Jesse and Tom were fantastic. Educational and fun. It's like Pripyat, Ukraine near Chernobyl. The method of destruction is different but just as palpable. The rebuilding part is inspirational, personified by Jesse and his plans for the future. Nothing beats climbing ladders on the roof of an old Nash, Hudson, AMC, Chrysler building after hanging out in George Romney's office.
    Written 10 May 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.

    5Mackenzie
    United Kingdom29 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2019
    I've tried twice to book one of these tours but after a few days Tripadvisor comes back to me saying they can't make a booking. Are these photography tours no longer running?
    Written 10 October 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.

    Cathy H
    Sydney, Australia3 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2017 • Solo
    The operator cancelled this tour which had been booked for months at 1.30am before a start at 9am that same morning.

    The reason cited was unfavourable weather however the tour took place in a mini van so walking distances was not really an issue.

    Given that the tour was one of the reasons for my visit to Detroit I was dismayed at the late notice given to me which meant I wasn't able to replace the tour with anything comparable.

    I would not recommend this operator.
    Written 25 December 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.

    Joe S
    1 contribution
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    I was really looking forward to doing this tour. The business did not even have the decency to contact me that the tour was not going to happen. Drive through Detroit traffic to get here, that was a joy. I would not recommend this tour to my enemies or my friends.
    Written 11 April 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.
    If you didn't get a confirmation the booking isn't confirmed. In the future please try calling or emailing me directly through Viator if you're having trouble with scheduling.
    Written 21 May 2018
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Michael T
    5 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Apr 2018 • Solo
    DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM!
    * No Communication from the company whatsoever.
    * No Communication from TripAdvisor about the cancellation.

    I bet this is a great tour if you get the chance to go, but it seems like the majority of people never get the chance. I tried to go on a weekday and they never confirmed my booking, but worse they never reached out to me or contacted me in any way. I waited all night, the night of, to see if they would confirm (I booked 4 days in advance) and when I woke up the day of the tour it was still not confirmed and no one reached out to me telling me otherwise.

    Now I have to track down the charge to my credit card and make sure it's refunded. This went from being a fun tour to a major pain in the butt.
    Written 16 April 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.
    If you didn't get a confirmation the booking isn't confirmed. In the future please try calling or emailing me directly through Viator if you're having trouble with scheduling.
    Written 21 May 2018
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Samantha B
    Bristol4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sept 2018 • Solo
    I was really impressed with this tour and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about Detroit and its history. You will learn a lot about Detroit's past and you will get dirty exploring abandoned buildings. If you're a photographer like I am, it is like a dream! Jesse was generous with his time and his knowledge and we got a lot for our money. He also advised us on which areas are up and coming and which are to be avoided. He's doing a lot to help towards restoring Detroit to its former glory with his own business interests including providing jobs through a new restaurant that he's about to open. He's a great person and I wish him every success in the future. Sam Brown
    Written 17 September 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.

    Deborah D
    Campton, KY43 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2018
    This is the best tour in Detroit. You will get a good education of the fall of detroit. You will see the crumbling buildings of the schools, factories, municipal buildings, theaters. Devastation of the area is very real on this tour. It's worth it if you love history. You will get info on the buildings all along the tour.
    Written 16 September 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.

    Karyn C
    Westminster, MD177 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you like spending hours in lines waiting at museums or staring at “historical” fountains, this isn’t for you, you might get your shoes dirty... but if you want a REAL, no bs, down and dirty American history lesson, throw some jeans on, grab your camera and buckle up. This tour shows you a side of Detroit that most “tourists” will never see or ever experience. They leave this city without seeing some of the most fundamental parts of the Motor City. Our knowledgeable local tour guide Jesse was fun and ready to dive into the city, and I don’t mean the pretty green leaves you see downtown. I’m talking about the gritty, dirty, down deep roots that built this city. Pretty soon, these sights will be either renovated and never the same, or worse, demolished and wiped from history forever. So what’re you waiting for, get off your butt and suit up for the most exciting tour you’ll ever get if this city. If you came here to TRULY explore this city, you better not leave without doing this tour. The photos speak for themselves.
    Written 26 August 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.

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    Detroit Urban Exploration and Photography Tour provided by Motor City Photography Workshops