Get ready to experience Detroit history in a new light this October, as the famous Michigan Central Station opens its doors for guided tours. After a six-year, nearly $1 billion restoration by Ford Motor Co., the station, which first welcomed visitors in 1913, is ready to unveil its secrets and stories. Launching on October 8, Detroit History Tours will conduct the guided visits at a $20 ticket price. "Experts will offer inside anecdotes from the building’s restoration and guide visitors all over the historic Station’s ground floor, including areas not accessible to the general public," according to a Detroit News report.
This new chapter for the station is not just about looking back at its glory days, it's also ushering in modern amenities. Later this year, Michigan Central will see its first retail tenant since 1988, Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts. Founded on Detroit’s east side in 2020, the eatery has quickly become a local favorite, sharing owners with notable city restaurants such as Green Dot Stables and Johnny Noodle King. "Offering our in-house roasted coffee, scratch-made doughnuts and biscuit sandwiches to Corktown and Southwest is beyond exciting for our growth in Detroit," co-owner Christine Driscoll told Metro Times. The outlet will be conveniently located off the station’s east entrance.
During months of open houses over the summer, more than 167,000 visitors have explored the revitalized space. Now, with the introduction of guided tours and new retail options, Michigan Central is poised to become both a nostalgic landmark and a vibrant community hub. Bailey Sisoy-Moore of Detroit History Tours expressed excitement about the partnership, "From The Station’s legendary past to its exciting future, we are excited to share this landmark’s story with the world," she remarked in an interview with WXYZ.
Additional retail tenants are expected to be announced in the coming months. Ford Motor Co. will also be moving its workers into three floors of the building this fall, according to Metro Times.
