The Global Meaningful Travel Map

City Institute

City Institute

Neighborhood tours connecting visitors with Detroit’s people, small businesses, and history while supporting equitable community development.

OUR EXPERIENCES

City Institute offers immersive walking tours and learning journeys that explore Detroit’s neighborhoods, culture, and evolving urban landscape. Visitors engage directly with local entrepreneurs, community leaders, and grassroots organizations while learning about the city’s past, present, and future. Experiences highlight neighborhood stories, small businesses, public art, and community initiatives, offering a deeper understanding of Detroit beyond traditional sightseeing.

ABOUT US

City Institute is a Detroit-based organization dedicated to helping people understand and engage with the city in meaningful ways. Through tours, educational programs, and community partnerships, City Institute connects residents and visitors with local leaders, entrepreneurs, and organizations working to strengthen Detroit’s neighborhoods. Their work encourages thoughtful exploration while supporting local businesses and community-driven initiatives.

IMPACT

Since 2006, City Institute’s founder, Jeanette Pierce, has used experiential learning and non-traditional tours to help more than 160,000 locals and newcomers in Detroit love where they live and work by teaching them about Detroit’s assets, small businesses, historic neighborhoods, city planning & development policies and innovative solutions to the challenges the city faces. 80% have been current or potential residents, employees or college students in the region. Of those tour attendees surveyed: 93% feel more connected to Detroit, 90% were more likely to take a job in Detroit, and 88% of participants had a better understanding of Detroit. Jeanette and her team continue to combine observations of current conditions, historical facts and recent statistics with powerful anecdotes and individual stories of Detroiters to help clients understand the complexity and dynamism of the city of Detroit.

DETAILS

To learn more, contact: info@thecityinstitute.com

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
Varies depending on tour type

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Yes

Do you have group rates?
Yes

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
Not specified

What languages do you offer your services in?
English

When are you open?
Tours operate throughout the year depending on schedule

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
Varies by tour; accommodations may be available upon request