The Great Migration Tour 

Step into one of the most transformative stories in American history on the Great Migration Tour of Michigan Central Station, a powerful 75-minute guided experience exploring how Detroit was reshaped by the movement of millions of Black Americans from the Jim Crow South to Northern cities between 1910 and 1970.

The tour departs from the Graffiti Foyer of Michigan Central Station, the very gateway through which countless migrants first stepped seeking opportunity, and dignity. Inside this monumental restored landmark, we trace the push factors of racial terror and economic exploitation, and the pull of Detroit’s booming industries, railroads, and the promise of the Five Dollar Day.

You’ll follow the journey from Southern farms to Northern factories, from segregated train cars to the streets and neighborhoods that migrants built and transformed. The tour also examines the world that emerged from the Great Migration—Detroit’s labor movement, housing struggles, music, culture, and enduring legacy.

This is not just a history lesson—it’s a journey through movement, resilience, and change, told in the place where so many journeys began.

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.