DETROIT - Stay at home orders and the need for social distancing in Michigan have led to the cancellation of all tours both public and private for local nonprofit, Detroit Experience Factory (DXF) which has taken more than 130,000 people on tours of Detroit since it was founded in 2006. Now, they are launching an innovative way to continue their tour program: virtual tours that participants can attend from the comfort of their couch in every corner of the world.

“We’re really excited about this opportunity to try a new way to tell Detroit’s story. With  virtual tours we can provide even more context than we normally do by utilizing historic photos, infographics and other tools that add to the narrative. In some cases, we can provide a more robust experience than if we were doing the tour in person,” Chloe Seymour, Program Director at Detroit Experience Factory, said. 

To develop this new product, DXF worked with DXF Founder, Jeanette Pierce, who  stepped down as Executive Director in 2018 to launch the City Institute. City Institute shares lessons learned from Detroit and helps organizations, cities and individuals create innovative ways to tell their story.   Pierce has spent the last couple of years working with clients around the world but came back to her roots to help DXF pivot during this unprecedented time.

“They say that crisis breeds innovation, and Detroit has seen more than its fair share of crisis and subsequently, an inspiring amount of innovation,” Pierce said. “That’s why it’s so important for people to hear the story of Detroit and Detroiters, both locally and around the world and why, though we face major challenges, we will always rise from the ashes as Detroit’s city motto encourages us to do.”

The virtual tours will take place via zoom led by a guide using google maps & street view, photos and infographics to enhance the tour narration. Starting Friday, May 1st three free tours will be offered each week and customized private virtual tours are available for purchase. 

Schedule

• Thursdays at 12pm: Best of Downtown

• Fridays at 2pm (rotating): Detroit 101, Woodward Corridor, East Side Overview, West Side Overview

• Sundays at 1pm: Downtown Art and Architecture
  

For more details and to register, please visit www.detroitexperiencefactory.org/public-tours.