Cycling in the City
Detroit might be known as the Motor City, but you won’t need a motor to tour with us! Hop on a Public Bike Tour with Us
Bring your bike (or rent one from us) and join our engaging guides as they steer you around the streets of Detroit. Our public tour offerings differ in distances, lengths, themes, and routes.
With so many different offerings, you won’t be able to choose just one!
LET’S ROLL!
Choose your tour (details below)
Pick a day and time
Arrive and Ride
Tour Options
Want to learn more about each tour? Select the one you’re interested in to find out more!
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This informative overview of significant architecture in and around Downtown Detroit is one of our most popular tours.
Led by architect Chris Gongora, the discussion centers on architecture in relation to urban planning, past and future developments, and the social implications of architectural design, good and bad, in Detroit.
Sites include Hart Plaza, Financial District, Cass Corridor, Brush Park, Eastern Market, and the Dequindre Cut.
Ride Distance: 15 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Architecture Schedule: 5/12, 6/9, 7/21, 8/18, 9/8, 10/6 (Noon-3PM)
Max Capacity: 10 riders
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Discover how Detroit became the center of the automotive industry on this tour.
The tour takes in the Globe Building, Dequindre Cut, Packard Plant, the GM Detroit-Hamtramck (Poletown) Assembly Plant, Milwaukee Junction with a stop at the Piquette Plant, New Center (old GM Headquarters and Fisher Building) and TechTown, where we will learn how industry is evolving with advanced technology.
On the return trip, we will pass the Michigan Theatre, the location of Ford’s original workshop, the Bagley Garage.This tour is conducted in partnership with Ford Piquette Avenue Plant and Motorcities National Heritage Area.
Ride Distance: 12 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Auto Heritage Schedule: 4/28, 5/19, 6/23, 7/28, 8/25, 9/22, 10/13 (Noon-3PM)
Max Capacity: 10 riders
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Explore Detroit’s island gem, including the Flynn Pavilion, the Boat and Yacht Clubs, Scott Fountain, and the Casino. Depending on weather and the group’s interests, potential stops include the Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Oudolf Garden, the Nature Center, Livingstone Lighthouse, the Iron Belle Trail, and the wet-mesic forest area.
The route to and from the island includes a ride along the Detroit Riverfront, including the newly opened Uniroyal Promenade.
Ride Distance: 12-15 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Belle Isle Schedule: 5/5, 6/8, 7/13, 8/3, 9/15, 10/5 Noon-3PM
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Wheelhouse is partnering with Book It Detroit on the 10th Anniversary of Independent Bookstore Day to take you on a tour of some local book purveyors.
Stops will include John K. King Books, 27th Letter Books, Source Booksellers, Detroit Specials Used Books, and Vault of Midnight. We’ll also pay a visit to the gorgeous Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library.
A portion of proceeds from this tour will benefit InsideOut Literary Arts.
Ride Distance: 13 miles
Ride Length: 4 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Books & Bikes Schedule: 4/27 (Noon-4 PM)
Max Capacity: 15 riders
Tour Start/Finish Location: Wheelhouse Detroit
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Get inside info on the oldest neighborhood in Detroit. Check out Victorian homes, historic churches and buildings, vibrant and dynamic businesses and urban farms. Stops include Most Holy Trinity, North Corktown and several of its community gardens and urban farms, the West Riverfront, the site of Tiger Stadium, Michigan Central Station, the Southwest Detroit Greenway, and Roosevelt Park.
Discussion centers on historic demographic changes, urban renewal and the impact, good and bad, of current development in the community. Wheelhouse owner Kelli Kavanaugh will be your tour guide. She lived in Corktown for 19 years, wrote the book "Detroit’s Michigan Central Station," and previously worked for the Corktown Citizens District Council and Greater Corktown Development Corp.
Bring cash for a stop at a neighborhood watering hole.
Ride Distance: 10 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
Capacity: 6 riders max
2024 Corktown Schedule: 5/4, 6/16, 7/14, 8/24, 9/7, 10/12 (Noon-3PM)
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This tour will feature the Eastern Market's Tuesday Market, which is a more intimate version of the neighborhood's wildly popular Saturday Market.
Riders will head out from the RiverWalk to the can’t-be-missed Dequindre Cut. Our visit to Eastern Market will include information on the area’s history and current development plans. A survey of some of the district’s magnificent murals is included, and everyone will also have the chance to hop off their bikes and do some shopping.
If time permits, the group will stop on the way back in Lafayette Park, which boasts the largest grouping of modernist master Mies van der Rohe’s buildings in the world.
Ride Distance: 6 miles
Ride Length: 2-2.5 hours
Cost: $30/$40 with bike rental
2024 Eastern Market Schedule: 6/11, 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6, 8/20, 9/3, 9/17 Noon-2PM
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Celebrate Halloween with the Wheelhouse! This tour combines some ghostly anecdotes with factual historic info about Harry Houdini, the Nain Rouge, Elmwood Cemetery, and the St. Aubin Street Massacre. We will also visit a few spots rumored to be haunted, including the Fort-Shelby and Leland Hotels, The Whitney, and the Masonic Temple. The route includes Rivertown, Elmwood Park, Poletown, Midtown/Cass Corridor, and Downtown.
There will be time for a beer or coffee stop, per the group's preference.
Ride Distance: 13 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Haunted Detroit Schedule: 10/19, 10/20, 10/26, 10/27 Noon-3pm
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Music originating from Detroit has been innovative and impactful, spanning many genres that include techno, rock, rap, soul, punk, and, of course, Motown. This tour will take in many relevant sites, including the Masonic Temple, Michigan Theater, St. Andrews Hall, Detroit Opera House, Music Hall, Chin Tiki, the site of the Gold Dollar, United Sound Systems Recording Studio, and the Motown Museum.
There will be an extended stop in Midtown at Third Man Records and Motor City Brewing Works, home of the Cass Corrdior-bred garage rock ale, Ghetto Blaster.
Ride Distance: 12 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with rental
Max Capacity: 10 riders
2024 Music Heritage Schedule: 6/30, 7/20, 8/17, 8/31 (Noon-3PM)
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This tour will take in the near east side neighborhood known as Poletown because of its ethnic heritage. The group will visit several churches, including St. Stanislaus, St. Hyacinth, St. Albertus, and Sweetest Heart of Mary -- and learn about its overall history including depopulation, urban agriculture, and the legacy of the Poletown Plant.
Riders should bring cash for the highlight of the tour: a prolonged stop at the annual Pierogi Festival at Sweetest Heart with opportunity for Polish food and beer, live polka music, a rummage sale, and carnival games.
Ride Distance: 12 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Poletown Schedule: 8/10, 8/11 Noon-3:30pm
Max Capacity: 15 riders
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Detroit has a plethora of amazing public art, and this tour travels from the Riverfront through Greater Downtown, Midtown, and the East Side to take in a wide variety, ranging in scale, material, and era. This tour has been redesigned in 2024.
Ride Distance: 12 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Public Art Schedule: 6/29, 7/6, 8/4, 9/29
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This leisurely tour will explore the beautifully developed Detroit Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut. Points of interest will include Cullen Plaza, Mt. Elliott Park, GM Plaza, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, Hart Plaza, International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, Robert C. Valade Park, Milliken State Park and Harbor, DNR Outdoor Adventure Center (formerly Globe Trading), and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park (AKA the West Riverfront). History and future plans will be included in the discussion.
This tour is shorter than most of our tours and features a small group size. Most of this ride takes place on separated bike and walking paths, so it is well-suited for families or less-confident riders.
This tour is conducted in partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.
Ride Distance: 7 to 11 miles
Ride Length: 2-2.5 hours
Cost: $30/$40 with bike rental
2024 Riverfront & Dequindre Cut Schedule: 6/20, 7/2, 7/18, 8/1, 8/15, 8/29, 9/12, 9/26 12-2PM (Noon-2PM)
Max Capacity: 6 riders
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Explore the vibrant area of Southwest Detroit. The tour may include stops at the West Riverfront, Riverside and Clark Parks, Del Ray, 27th Letter Books, Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit, the Mexicantown restaurant district, and Michigan Central Station. The conversation will include a discussion of demographics, greenways and parks, historic districts, the Ambassador and Gordie Howe bridges, and current development plans. Bring cash for a rest stop where options include ice cream and fresh squeezed juice from La Michoacana or coffee and baked goods from Mexicantown Bakery.
Ride Distance: 13 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
2024 Southwest Detroit Schedule: 7/7, 9/21 (Noon-3PM)
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Detroit is one of the nation’s best sports towns, and this tour will visit some of the venues that contribute to that designation. Stops include the site of Recreation Park, former home of the Michigan Wolverines; Turkey Stearnes Field at Hamtramck Stadium, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and was home to the Detroit Wolves and Stars; Keyworth Stadium, home of the Detroit City Football Club; the sites of Tiger Stadium, Olympia Stadium, and Joe Louis Arena.
Neighborhoods visited include Corktown, NW Goldberg, Midtown, Hamtramck, and Downtown.
Bring cash for a stop at Nemo's, ranked the third best sports bar in the nation by Sports Illustrated.
Ride Distance: 15 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with rental
Max Capacity: 10 riders
2024 Sports Heritage Schedule: 4/26 Noon-3PM
Tour Start/Finish Location: Wheelhouse Detroit
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This tour will bring to life the beats that electrify Detroit. Spend an afternoon in the saddle visiting Detroit’s historic electronic music sites, including the Warehouse District, The Music Institute, and the Packard Plant. There will be a stop at Submerge/Underground Resistance for a tour of its Exhibit 3000, a museum and gallery dedicated to preserving the history of Detroit Techno. There is also a record store onsite.
We will also venture into Hamtramck for a visit to the site of the venerable Motor Lounge, a stop at Detroit Threads record/vintage shop, and a cup of coffee at the charming Oloman Cafe.
Ride Distance: 20 miles / Ride Length: 4 hours
Cost: $50/$60 with bike rental
2024 Techno Schedule: 5/26 (Noon-4PM)
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Detroit was an important station on the Underground Railroad, and the final American stop prior to freedom across the River in Canada for many escaped slaves. Stops include the Underground Railroad memorial sculpture on the Detroit Riverwalk, historic Second Baptist Church, the site of Finney Barn, Elmwood Cemetery, and First Congregational Church. Historical figures to be discussed include Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, Frederick Douglass, John Brown, and George DeBaptiste, among others.
This tour was completely redesigned and reconsidered in 2022.
Ride Distance: 10 miles
Ride Length: 3 hours
Cost: $45/$55 with bike rental
Max Capacity: 10 riders
2024 Underground Railroad Schedule: 5/24 (3-6PM), 5/25 (2-5PM)
2024 Public Tour Season
Public tours are scheduled for (almost) every Saturday and Sunday from the end of April through October as well as some weekdays.
As of May 25, the following tour dates are bookable: Architecture, Auto Heritage, Belle Isle, Books & Bikes, Corktown, Eastern Market, Haunted, Music Heritage, Riverfront & Dequindre Cut, Poletown, Public Art, Southwest Detroit, Sports Heritage, Techno, and Underground Railroad.
To book a private tour at the day and time of your convenience, email bookings@wheelhousedetroit.com.
To stay informed, follow us on Facebook, sign up for our newsletter at the signup box at bottom of page, and check out the Google calendar of our tours HERE.