Explore hidden vaults and Art Deco details in Detroit's Cathedral of Finance
1 Hour
Guided tour, insider-area access
Explore the Guardian Building’s Art Deco architecture and the stories behind Detroit’s "Cathedral of Finance." Discover details throughout this historic skyscraper with a professional Detroit guide.
Full refund with at least 72 hours' notice. No refund for cancellations within 72 hours or no-shows. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Product ID: GXZ6M8
Arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time.
Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Flip-flops, high heels, and dress shoes are not recommended.
No. Leave pets at home or at your hotel.
Detroit Food & City Tours gift shop, Promenade level, Guardian Building, 500 Griswold St, Suite 250, Detroit, MI 48226
Step inside 500 Griswold Street and you are immediately surrounded by one of the most ornate interiors in American architecture. The Guardian Building rises above downtown Detroit with a terra-cotta exterior streaked in amber and burnt orange, visible from blocks away. Inside, the Guardian Building rewards every upward glance with intricate Pewabic tile mosaics, a vaulted ceiling that stretches stories overhead, and corridors lined in rich Numidian marble. Few buildings anywhere in the country match its craftsmanship.
Detroit's architecture and food tours earn consistently glowing reviews, largely thanks to a roster of genuinely passionate guides. Melissa, Megan, Lorrie, Phil, and Davy are among those frequently called out by name, and reviewers describe them as knowledgeable, warm, and entertaining without being over-the-top. The Guardian Building tour in particular seems to be a crowd favorite, winning over even longtime Detroit residents who thought they already knew the building well. The walking and food tours round out a solid lineup, with one reviewer recommending the walking tour as the ideal first stop on any Detroit trip. Private and customized tours are also available and seem to deliver an especially personal experience. One reviewer noted that large group sizes can occasionally make it harder to catch every detail, particularly for those who move at a slower pace, so that's worth keeping in mind when choosing your format. Overall though, the guides clearly love what they do, and that enthusiasm tends to be contagious.
Our Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He also quickly communicated with us even late into the evening.
Kenneth
VerifiedJuly 20, 2026
Our Guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He also quickly communicated with us even late into the evening.
Kenneth
VerifiedJuly 20, 2026
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