Resource person: Alicia Pardo - (248) 544-6767 x503 - apardo@ferndalemi.gov

Location: Pleasant Ridge Community Center | 4 Ridge Road, Pleasant Ridge, MI, 48069

Description:

Explore Michigan Central Station and discover the rich history and incredible transformation of a Detroit icon, on a 90-minute guided station tour. First opened in 1913, the iconic Beaux-Arts structure once served as Detroit's bustling railway hub until its closure in 1988. Now, as one of the city's most beloved landmarks, the station is undergoing an ambitious restoration led by Ford Motor Company and Michigan Central.

Step inside Michigan Central Station and delve into its fascinating past, from the vision of railroad tycoon William Vanderbilt to its role as a sister station to New York City's Grand Central Terminal. Expert guides will bring to life the station's rich history, sharing stories of its grandeur, decline, and rebirth. This tour offers a rare opportunity to explore the historic spaces of the station, while learning about the continuing restoration process. Marvel at the work of over 3,100 skilled craftspeople, see how innovative technologies like 3D printing are being used, and learn about what’s next for Michigan Central.

Afterwards, enjoy Roosevelt Park and the Corktown neighborhood to shop, eat, and be entertained!

More information about the Michigan Central Station tour can be found at their website: https://www.detroithistorytours.com/michigan-central-tours-copy

 

When: Thursday, September 25th, 2025

Tentative Schedule:

7:15AM - Meet at Hunter Community Center to get on Clawson bus

7:45AM - Clawson arrives at Pleasant Ridge Community Center

8AM - Bus leaves Pleasant Ridge Community

8:45AM - Arrive at Michigan Central Station

9:15AM - Group tour starts

10:45AM - Group tour ends

12:15PM - Group gathers back to bus

12:30PM - Bus leaves Michigan Central Station

1:15PM - Bus arrives at Pleasant Ridge Community Center

 

Hunter Community Center address:  509 Fisher Ct., Clawson, MI 48017

Pleasant Ridge Community Center address:  4 Ridge Rd., Pleasant Ridge, MI 48069

Michigan Central Station address:  2001 15th St., Detroit, MI 48216

Cost: $24 ($18 group tour ticket + $2 admin fee + $4 bus fare (if taking the bus)), anything additional is paid on your own

 

If you have any questions with registration, please reach out to Alicia Pardo, Senior/SMART Coordinator for the City of Ferndale at apardo@ferndalemi.gov or (248) 544-6767 x503.

Available spots: Full

Price: $20.00 Taxes waived

Notes: Please be aware that the station is an active construction site. Guests may encounter noise, dust, and limited access to certain areas. Routes may vary without notice. Tours at Michigan Central adhere to a no-tipping policy. FAQs: What areas of The Station will we have access to as tour guests? At this time tour guests will have guided access to the ground floor of The Station. Please note that areas of the station may become unavailable to tour groups without notice, due to ongoing construction or events taking place on site. Comfortable Footwear: Comfortable footwear is highly recommended for the enjoyment of all tour guests. Photography: All photography is limited to personal use only, without written pre-authorization from Michigan Central. Guests are encouraged to capture their experience and use #MichiganCentralOPEN on social media. Professional photo and video equipment is not permitted inside The Station without prior approval. Contact info@michigancentral.com for more information. Selfie sticks, tripods, lighting equipment, wireless microphones, or any UHF/VHF wireless devices are prohibited. Unauthorized devices will be powered down. Photography cannot block or disrupt other guests or operations. Accessibility: All guest entrances are accessible. Parking is available at the Bagley Mobility Hub for visitors, located one block from The Station (1501 Wabash St, Detroit, MI 48216). This structure is accessible, as is the path to The Station. Limited accessible street parking is also available on surrounding roadways. ADA drop-off is available at the East entrance triangle off 15th Street. Visitors may drop off members of their party and park at the Bagley Mobility Hub. Restrooms: Facilities are available for guests. All restrooms are ADA accessible. Tour Guide Audio System: At your tour guide’s discretion, a Whisper tour guide audio system may be used. Guests will be given headphones and a wearable receiver to hear the tour guide. The Whisper System is compatible with all digital hearing aids. Everything needed will be provided to tour guests. All audio equipment is professionally cleaned between uses to ensure the highest standards of hygiene. Detroit History Tours reserves the right to not use the Whisper System based on group size and overall noise level within the station. Do tour guests have access to the station after the 90-minute tour? No, ample time is included within the tour for photos and questions. At the conclusion of the tour, groups will be escorted back to the exterior location from which they began. This excludes tours that take place during times when the facility is open for general public hours, in which case guests are welcome to remain in public spaces. Where can my group congregate before or after a tour? Roosevelt Park, a Detroit public park in front of Michigan Central Station, is open to the public and features beautiful views of the station as well as Corktown. Lobby Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Tags: Seniors

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