Tours of Detroit: For ACA Convention Attendees

Feb 27, 2006


From Motown to Henry Ford -- See the new Detroit with special tours for ACA Convention attendees.

Please note the tour cost is in addition to your convention registration.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21

Tour #1: 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm
The Detroit Institute of Arts & Detroit Historical Museum Tour
$45 Adults, $35 Children (12 and under)
Fee includes admission to museums, guided tours, gratuities, and transportation departing from and returning to Cobo Center. Meals are not included but are available.

The tour will start at The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), which is internationally recognized as a top venue for the arts. It is the fifth largest fine arts museum in the country and has a collection of over 60,000 pieces, including works from Rembrandt, Picasso, Matisse, and Van Gogh. After the guided tour, the Detroit Historical Museum is our next stop. Located directly across from the DIA, it boasts cobblestone streets, 19th Century stores, an auto assembly line, toy trains, a pilot house from a Great Lakes freighter, and a fur trading post from the 1700s.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

Tour #2A: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm & 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Henry Ford Museum
$45 Adults, $36 Children (12 and under)

Fee includes admission to the museum, gratuities, and transportation departing from and returning to Cobo Center. This is not a guided tour as there is so much to be seen and is best accomplished at your own pace based on your interests. Meals are not included but are available.

Visit the internationally acclaimed Henry Ford Museum. It is a must-see for visitors to Detroit. In 1912, Henry Ford began collecting examples of agricultural equipment, power machinery and the precursor to his Model T - wagons and "horseless carriages." Ford quickly acquired a large collection of these artifacts from America's past. Some highlight exhibits include the bus that Rosa Parks made famous, Presidential Limousines from Theodore Roosevelt to JFK, Automobiles of American Life and the "House of the Future".

NOTE: Admission to the Henry Ford Museum is valid for the entire day and you may opt to arrive at the earliest time and depart at the latest for no additional cost. The Museum also has an IMAX theatre ($10 for adults, $8.50 for children) on property. The show schedule is released 1 month in advance and multiple listings are generally available.

Tour #3A: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Ford Rouge Factory Tour
$40 Adults, $34 Children (12 and under)
- FACTORY TOUR ONLY

Fee includes admission, guided tour, gratuities, and transportation departing from and returning to COBO Center. Meals are not available.

This tour is an up close look at modern production and assembly of Ford products. The original Rouge Factory Complex was 1.5 miles wide and over 1 mile long and was designed to build vehicles starting from raw materials to completion all under one roof. The Ford Rouge Factory is larger than some cities and even has its own railroad with 100 miles of track.

Tour #4: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Henry Ford Museum/Ford Rouge
Factory Tour Combo Package
$65 Adults, $55 Children (12 and under)

If you opt to spend the whole day at The Henry Ford, we can offer you a discounted rate on both of the above tours.

Tour #5A: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Charles H. Wright Museum & Motown Historical Museum Tour
$50 Adults, $44 Children (12 and under)
Fee includes admission to museums, guided tours, gratuities, and transportation departing from and returning to COBO Center. Meals are not available.

You will begin with a guided tour of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. This is a cultural gem in the city and a "must see." Dr. Wright, an obstetrician and gynecologist, envisioned an institution to preserve Black history after visiting a memorial to Danish World War II heroes in Denmark. The museum is one of the finest in the entire country and was the site of the Rosa Parks funeral service. Afterward a guided tour at the Motown Historical Museum and Hitsville USA will provide an up-close and entertaining look at the genesis of one of the richest musical heritages in the country.

This is one of the most popular stops for visitors to Detroit to see "where it all began." Although it is not a big museum in relation to others in the city, it is deep in musical history and guests will leave amazed. The gift shop is sure to offer you the perfect keepsake of Motown.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

Tour #2B: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm & 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Henry Ford Museum
$45 Adults, $36 Children (12 and under)
See complete description above.

Tour #3B: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Ford Rouge Factory Tour
$40 Adults, $34 Children (12 and under)
- FACTORY TOUR ONLY

See complete description above.

Tour #5B: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Charles H. Wright Museum & Motown Historical Museum Tour
$50, Adults, $44 Children (12 and under)

See #5A for a complete description.

Tour #6A: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Evening Fun in Detroit's GreekTown (Dinner & Casino)
$50 (Adults Only)

Price includes a dinner voucher, roundtrip transfer on The People Mover, free play vouchers for Greektown Casino and tour coordination fees. Greektown is one of Detroit's cultural gems although it is only about 2 city blocks. You can make this an evening as intimate as you want or gather as a large group for socializing and fun. It can be casual or elegant. Our tour guide will take you to all of the excitement in Greektown. Your biggest challenge will be selecting where to dine from our three excellent restaurants. Fishbones Rhythm Kitchen Caf? is an experience like no other. It's a throwback to 1920's Bourbon Street capturing the fine dining and festive atmosphere of the New Orleans French Quarter. The Pegasus Taverna Greek Restaurant offers authentic Greek food in an upscale atmosphere right in the heart of Greektown and adjacent to the Casino. Mosaic is the newest restaurant in Greektown featuring an upscale menu of unique appetizers, seafood & steak entrees sure to please your palette, and the finest selection of cocktails all set in a hip atmosphere. You may order anything off of the menu at any of the participating restaurants and simply pay with the voucher provided. After dinner, head to the casino to try your luck with the casino "free play" comp cards that we provide you. Greektown Casino is voted Detroit's Best Casino and The Best Place to be Seen offering over 2,400 slot machines and over 80 table games.

NOTE: Because this outing is self-directed, whether you choose to dine early or late or play at the casino early or late, it's up to you. Roundtrip transportation will be provided on Detroit's People Mover which operates until Midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 2:00 am, Friday and Saturday.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

Tour #6B: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Evening Fun in Detroit's GreekTown (Dinner & Casino)
$50 (Adults Only)

See Tour #6A for description.

NOTE: All tours are based on minimum participation levels. Should the required minimums not be met, tours may be cancelled. All affected participants will be notified and all monies refunded.


Tickets: All tours are provided by Premium Event Services and for your convenience, a tour desk will be at COBO Center on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. If you register for tours in advance, please feel free to stop at the tour desk to pick up your tour information packets. Actual tickets for tours will be distributed the day of the event at tour departure locations, and you must check in to receive your tickets. Guests without advance registration may also purchase tickets on site at our tour desk, based on availability; a late registration fee may apply.

Tour Departures: All tours, with the exception of Greektown will depart at the Civic Center/Atwater Street entrance of COBO Center. The Greektown Dinner & Casino Outing will depart from the People Mover Station located on the 3rd floor of COBO Center. We suggest that you check in between 15-30 minutes prior to your tour's scheduled departure time. All tours will depart promptly and on time. For directions or a site map, please inquire at the Premium Event Services tour desk or the General Information Desk at COBO Center for assistance. All tour staff will be attired in burgundy shirts.

Cancellation Policy: Tour cancellations received by February 1, 2007 will be refunded, less a $10.00 handling fee. After this date, no refunds are available. Refunds will not be issued if you miss your scheduled tour so please be aware of your tour departure times.