Automotive Heritage

Day Tour 2: Other Dearborn Attractions

Tour Overview

So the plethora of exciting and engaging exhibits at the Henry Ford Museum and Rotunda Drive Village (highlighted in Day Tour 1) just isn't enough automotive history for you? An action-packed tour of the Ford Rouge Factory and a visit to Henry Ford's Estate is bound to change that!

If time permits, we recommend also visiting the Benson Ford Research Center and IMAX theater, both located on the campus of The Henry Ford.

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Dearborn [A]

In case you haven't heard, the City of Dearborn is Ford country. Not only does Ford maintain its corporate headquarters here, the company's Land Development Division owns and manages over 5 million square feet of commercial real estate and development properties in the City. Nearly every corner of Dearborn it seems has ties to Henry Ford or the Ford Motor Company.

Your immersion into Ford country begins even before you reach the gates of The Henry Ford. As you run west off of Schaefer onto Rotunda Drive, you will get a glimpse of the infamous Rouge Factory complex you will be touring to the east over the I-94 Freeway. Further west on Rotunda is the Jack Nicklaus-designed Tournament Players Club of Michigan. Past the Southfield Freeway and making the turn north onto Oakwood Boulevard, you will see on your right a red brick wall, the inside of which used to contain Henry Ford's private airport. On the opposite side of the road is the Dearborn Inn [B] (pictured to the left), a 23-acre Albert Kahn-designed colonial retreat built by Henry Ford in 1931 to house overnight guests. The airport is now used as a Ford Motor Company test track, and the Dearborn Inn is now a Marriott Hotel offering a setting reminiscent of a bed and breakfast. Arriving at Village Road, you will note to the left the entrance to Ford's Research and Engineering campus where the bulk of the company's design and development activities take place. On your way out of town along Michigan Avenue, you will pass the Henry Ford Library, Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, and Ford Motor Company World Headquarters, also known as the "Glass House."

Ford Rouge Factory Tour [C]

20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn

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By 1927, Ford Motor Company had built the Rouge Factory into the largest manufacturing facility in the world and a symbol of America's industrial strength and ingenuity. Ford gave new life to the aging complex with a top-to-bottom overhaul initiated in 2000. Ford spent three years and $2 billion turning the Rouge into a world-class and environmentally responsible manufacturing gem. The improvements include state-of-the-art manufacturing flexibility and the world's largest ecologically inspired living roof. You will tour Dearborn Truck, the plant in the Rouge complex that that produces the industry's best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-150 pickup truck. Make sure to buy your tickets early, as the tours tend to sell out well in advance due to their popularity. Tickets and tour buses can be obtained at The Henry Ford.

Henry Ford Estate -- Fair Lane [D]

4901 Evergreen Rd., Dearborn

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This Great Estate and National Historic Landmark was the home of Clara and Henry Ford for over thirty years. Construction began in 1914 with between 500 and 800 masons, wood carvers, and artisans working under the direction of architect William Van Tine to complete the estate. Tour the 31,000 square foot, 56-room residence, where the Fords entertained some of the world’s most influential people, including President Herbert Hoover, the Prince of Wales, aviator Charles Lindbergh, and lifelong friend Thomas Edison. Explore the spacious rooms with original furnishings and eight intricately designed fireplaces. View the six-level working powerhouse, research laboratory, and 12-car garage with some of Ford's personal vehicles. And follow Ford’s favorite walk down to the pond hidden in the woods. The meadow and cascade were designed by renowned landscape designer Jans Jensen and are acknowledged to be two of the greatest examples of landscape in America. Last but not least, do not forget a bite to eat in the mansion's unique swimming pool room. An unforgettable experience all around!