City Institute

09/07/2026

If you haven't been to Greektown lately, Monroe Street might look a little different.

Wider sidewalks, outdoor cafés, new trees and greenery, and more space for people are all part of a major transformation focused on making Greektown a more pedestrian-friendly destination.

But the small businesses that have anchored the neighborhood for decades are still at the heart of what makes Greektown a must-visit destination in Detroit.

Join us this Saturday for our FREE Greektown Small Business Walking Tour at 1pm. We'll experience the newly transformed Monroe Street, meet some of the business owners who have been part of Greektown's story for generations and introduce you to a few newer places you might not know yet.

It's the perfect way to experience everything Greektown has to offer and meet the people behind the place.

🎟️ Reserve your free spot here: https://app.gopassage.com/events/40349

Thanks to Greektown Detroit for sponsoring this tour series!

This free tour series is generously sponsored by Greektown Neighborhood Partnership.Only registered participants are guaranteed a spot.There are so many amazing businesses in Greektown and each one has a story behind it. The magic happens when you can taste that story and feel the passion of the own...

09/03/2026

"Professional development can be fun AND have a lasting impact on your work.

Our Learning Journeys get professionals walking neighborhoods, meeting entrepreneurs and community leaders, experiencing public spaces (yes, sometimes that means getting on the playground!) and having conversations that connect directly back to their work.

“City Institute designed a learning journey that helped our board truly understand the story of our foundation’s impact. By connecting us directly to our grantees and the people on the ground, they brought context, clarity, and meaning to the work we support. Some Board Members visited organizations for the very first time, and they left inspired, better informed, and eager to deepen their commitment moving forward.”

We build custom Learning Journeys around your team’s goals so you leave with new ideas, stronger connections and an experience you’ll actually remember. 2027 is already booking so reach out to plan your team’s experience!

What could your team learn by getting out of the conference room?

https://www.thecityinstitute.com/contact-us

09/01/2026

Summer isn't quite over yet, and neither is public tour season.

September is one of your last chances this year to join several of our walking tours across Metro Detroit.

Come meet small business owners, hear the stories behind familiar places and get to know a part of the region a little better.

See what's coming up this month, then grab a friend and join us.

🎟️ Register for all public tours here: https://www.thecityinstitute.com/public-tours

08/31/2026

What makes a city sought-after?

It's a question City Institute has spent nearly 20 years helping communities answer.

That's why we're excited to officially launch the Sought-After Cities Scorecard, a new partnership with StateBook International that gives communities a practical framework to better understand their strengths, identify opportunities, and attract and retain residents, businesses, and talent.

Whether you're part of a chamber, Main Street organization, economic development agency, local government, or community organization, the Scorecard is designed to help your community move from insight to action.

🎥 Missed our launch webinar? You can watch the recording for free and learn more about the Scorecard at

Sought-AFter City Program

08/24/2026

August is National Sandwich Month, and Detroit has plenty of reasons to celebrate. 🥪

We're highlighting a few sandwich spots from the Detroit Bars and Restaurants Checklist to add to your list this month:

🥪 Mudgie's Deli & W**e Bar
🥪 Rocco's Italian Deli
🥪 What’s The Dill
🥪 Rincon Tropical

Try one you've never had, grab a friend and make a day of getting to know the neighborhood around it.

Then finish the month at Detroit Sandwich Party on September 6 at Eastern Market, where some of the city's best sandwich makers will come together for a one-day celebration created by sandwich enthusiasts, for sandwich enthusiasts.

📅 September 6
⏰ 11 AM–5 PM
📍 Eastern Market

And if you need more ideas for where to eat next, download the updated Detroit Checklist here: https://www.thecityinstitute.com/detroit-checklist

08/19/2026

There's a new way to get to know our neighbors across the river. 🇨🇦

With the Gordie Howe International Bridge now open to people walking and biking, we're heading to Windsor for a FREE Downtown Windsor Walking Tour on August 27.

We'll spend the afternoon getting to know downtown, hearing some of the stories behind the city and visiting a few of the people and places shaping Windsor today.

And if you're making the trip over, stay awhile. A few places worth adding to your Windsor list for this visit or the next:

🌳 Ojibway Park
🥟 Shanghai Bistro
🎨 Art Windsor-Essex + Chimczuk Museum
🍷 Maiden Lane W**e & Spirits
☕ March 21 Café
🍺 Rock Bottom Bar & Grill in Sandwich Town, not far from the new bridge

Swipe through for a few of our Windsor favorites, then join us for the tour.

🚶 FREE Downtown Windsor Walking Tour
📅 August 27
⏰ 3–5 PM

Reserve your spot: https://app.gopassage.com/events/41766

08/17/2026

We're heading to Dearborn for our next Small Business Social Hour with New Economy Initiative.

Join us at Tejara Innovation Hub on August 20 for an afternoon of conversation with entrepreneurs, small business owners and people working to strengthen our local business ecosystem.

These gatherings are intentionally simple: come meet someone new, reconnect with someone you know and spend some time with people who care about supporting local businesses.

📅 August 20
⏰ 4–7 PM
📍 Tejara

RSVP for free: https://app.gopassage.com/events/40714

08/12/2026

What if tours weren't really about tourism? 🎙️

That's the conversation Tourpreneur For Tour Operators/Experiences Professionals invited our founder, Jeanette Pierce, to have on its latest podcast.

For nearly 20 years, City Institute has used tours to help people better understand where they live and the people, businesses and stories that shape it.

Jeanette talks about how that idea has grown into work around resident engagement, attraction and retention, Learning Journeys and economic development.

Give it a listen or watch here: https://tourpreneur.com/ep-327-how-jeanette-built-a-local-tour-business-only-for-locals/