Feet On The Street Tours

I was super disappointed in the Eastern Market tour. While I think that Linda probably knows her stuff, it wasn’t evident on this tour. The selected vendors were ill prepared and had little to say, even her assistant was put on the spot on several occasions and seemed uncomfortable and unprepared. It didn’t feel like a real tour, but hastily thrown together and unplanned. I’ve been on other food tours and walking tours, and loved them, which is why I was looking forward to this one. A total bummer.

While aimlessly exploring Detroit’s outdoor Eastern Market in August two summers ago, I noticed a walking group nearby which seemed to be having a much more engaging experience than I was. Their guide, I soon learned, was Linda Yellin, a resident social worker and Detroit aficionado. Two days later, I joined Linda on a bus tour of Detroit chartered by a group of women from the JCC who graciously let me join them for the day.
My understanding of Detroit would have been entirely incomplete without Linda. This particular tour of Mexicantown and Southwest Detroit showcased a slice of the city’s history, transformation, and distress which Linda balanced with a healthy dose of civic boosterism. Highlights included a visit to a Mexican community arts center that has a growing after-​school program, lunch at a restaurant in Mexicantown, and a tour of a Mies van der Rohe townhouse in Lafayette Park (whose owners welcomed all 20 of us into their home). Throughout the day, Linda explored a range of topics, from art, culture, history, and food to urban and economic development, the effects of deindustrialization, and the city’s changing landscape.
Linda’s passion for Detroit is palpable, and her insight, profound knowledge, and social conscience make her tours all the more compelling. I highly recommend her and will be sure to tour with her again next time I am in Detroit.