At the tender age of nine, Erik Weisz hung upside down, his legs curled over a trapeze attached to a sturdy tree branch. His only stage costume, the red socks his mother had knitted for him, glowed in stark contrast to his muted and well-worn street clothes. Between his odd jobs hawking newspapers and offering shoeshines, the muscled Wisconsin youth called himself "Ehrich, the Prince of the Air" and performed acrobatics and trapeze shows for passersby's spare change. Yet, within two decades, he would change his name three times, generously revise the story of his birth, and take his show from street corners and park trees to the largest theaters in the world. On stage, he would astound whole cities, American Presidents, and royal courts of Europe. He would grow to become one of the world's most famous men and wealthiest entertainers - Harry Houdini.

Nearly a century after his death, the world is still in awe of Harry Houdini. His legacy, indeed his legend, looms large in the histories of vaudeville, magic, mysticism, spiritualism, showmanship, film, art, and illusion. Any theater, large or small, that hosted Houdini wears his appearance as a badge of honor. Hotels where he once slept have renamed rooms in tribute. The neighborhood in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he spent his childhood, is now called Houdini Square. Hungary, the nation of his birth, claims the magician as their own, as does the state of New York where he resided in life and chose to be buried. And here in Detroit, the city of Houdini's untimely death, we claim a little bit of the man who once said, "The easiest way to attract a crowd is to let it be known that at a given time and a given place someone is going to attempt something that in the event of failure will mean sudden death."

Join Detroit History Tours for a two-hour adventure into Houdini's time in Detroit; spanning his first appearance in the Motor City to his untimely Halloween death, from 1900 to 1926. Together with your guide, you’ll also explore the highlights of a cross-section of Houdini's life; from his early heart-stopping and death-defying escapes to his later stage shows, focusing as much on debunking fraudulent spiritualists as escaping handcuffs. From his first show in Detroit as "The King of Handcuffs" to his last performance on earth, we'll track the locations, stories, and enduring legends of Harry Houdini in Detroit.

The Details:

• Departure Point: The Detroit History Club, 3103 Commor, Hamtramck, MI 48212. Street parking may require a short walk. Doors open 30 minutes before the tour start time for check-in and relaxation.

• Timeliness: Late arrivals will not be admitted. All Detroit History Tours start on time and depart without a grace period.

• Amenities: Tickets include a small snack and bottled water. Non-alcoholic beverages are welcome on the tour. Please, no coolers.

• Age Requirement: Guests over the age of 14 are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

• Physical Requirements: Guests should be prepared to walk up to 30 yards at a leisurely pace over uneven terrain. Good shoes are highly recommended.

• Tour Vehicle: Conducted aboard a luxury motorcoach, guests will be invited to exit the bus twice, weather permitting. Stops are outdoors; please dress appropriately.

• Photography: Recreational photography is encouraged. Professional photography or videography requires written approval at least 15 days in advance.

• Bathroom Breaks: This is a two hour, fast-paced tour without bathroom or bar stops. An onboard bus bathroom is available if needed.

• Tickets: Your order confirmation email is your ticket. Save it to show on your phone or as a printout. Prices are final at checkout with no added fees.

• Transportation: Enjoy the comfort of leather captain's chairs on a luxury motor-coach equipped with an onboard bathroom.

• Private Tours: For large groups, consider booking any of our tours as a private charter. We can customize the pickup location, date, and time.

• Gratuities: Tips for your guide are appreciated but never expected. The best tip is a positive review!

Meet Your Guide:

Bailey Sisoy - Moore

Bailey Sisoy-Moore is the owner of Detroit History Tours and the proprietress of the Detroit History Club. She is an author, humorist, workaholic, Faygo-loving tour guide from the great City of Detroit. A lover of city ephemera, her most prized possessions include her antique books about Detroit penned by Clarence M. Burton himself, her Library of Congress readers card, her collection of vintage jewelry, and signed pay stubs of Edsel Ford. A frequent essay contributor, her most recent work can be seen in The Detroit Neighborhood Guide Book. Her first children’s book, Rosie A Detroit Herstory, hit shelves in the fall of 2018 from Wayne State Press and is receiving rave reviews. She has appeared on television as a contributor on the Travel Channel’s Tough Boats and Globe Trekker series, is a common guest on history-themed podcasts, and has written op-eds for local papers. She also likes to think her mother is proud. When she isn’t tramping around Detroit giving tours, drinking at century-old bars, and talking history with anyone who’ll join her, she can be found at her home in Highland Park, “a little slice of heaven inside Detroit”. She is meticulous in her research and passionate about historical accuracy, yet she takes great joy in presenting history in the most exciting, playful, and accessible way possible. A passionate connoisseur of all things delicious, she adamantly argues the health benefits of coney dogs and Vernors floats.