ford factory tour address

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Review Highlights

“ I had much pride to be America when visiting and learning all the history of Henry Ford and this iconic place. ” in 13 reviews

“ Plan to spend about 2 hours or even more if you can't get enough of watching the F150 being assembled! ” in 11 reviews

“ No waving or talking to the workers at the assembly line (though one lady saw me above and smiled at me!) ... ” in 24 reviews

Location & Hours

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20900 Oakwood Blvd

Dearborn, MI 48124

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About the business.

Please note that active vehicle assembly times vary daily. Production is not expected after 2 p.m. on weekdays and all Saturdays. Ford Rouge Factory Tour is a five-part experience housed within Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant. Immerse yourself in the most iconic moments of American manufacturing history, as well as today's most progressive automotive concepts. Includes our Legacy Theater, Manufacturing Innovation Theater, Observation Deck Overlooking the Living Roof, Plant Walkway (Active assembly schedule varies), and Legacy Gallery and Electric Vehicle Display. Plus, our Seasonal Living Lab Outdoor Environmental Area. …

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On their webpage, there are other packages like Museum + Insider's Tour, Village + Rides, Giant Screen Experience, etc. Are they worth trying or worth the money? Or just this factory tour should be enough?

Hi Joan, There are too many variables to properly answer your question. Price being the biggest issue as with any attraction. Time is another factor. The factory is a short 10-15 minute bus ride and once in… more

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Being a big car buff, I had to tour at least one assembly plant during my visit to motor city! As I was researching prior to visiting, I am so happy tours were made available so easily (for a 25.00 fee) rather than having to call various plants hoping that they were offering tours. The rather strange thing is you also had to pay 9.00 for parking, so I was thinking that it was a parking structure but it is just a regular, open parking lot with no attendants. We just followed the instructions on our tickets and arrived at the Henry Ford Museum half an hour prior to departing on the shuttle bus (to the plant). We asked an employee where to catch the bus and she was very informative and helpful. We saw a bus arrive earlier than the anticipated time slot; however, the shuttle bus driver was able to get us into the earlier tour that was about to depart. The bus drive is approximately 15-20 min to get to the plant and drops you off right in front of the tour building. Once you've arrived, you are greeted by a couple of tour employees and they explain the rules and procedures, followed by a couple of informative and interesting shows in regards to the history of the plant as well as the future. Once done, you proceed to the observation deck where you can take as many pics that you'd like (cameras are not allowed anywhere else, aside from the inside entrance in addition to the deck). Basically, you are just able to view some parts of the plant, such as some holding lots, test track, and their "green roof". Once you are done, you are free to roam the observation deck above the assembly plant floor. This is such a smart idea as it is very noisy on the production floor and you are still able to see production taking place (production is not guaranteed though). We were also able to see the line stop for break time. Plan to spend about 2 hours or even more if you can't get enough of watching the F150 being assembled! After you're done, you simply catch the next available bus back to the museum.

See all photos from Jacob D. for Ford Rouge Factory Tour

I used to work at Ford's (that's how employees call it). I even had to frequently go to the old Dearborn Assy plant when Mustang builds were done there. But the new (sustainable plant) was in the making and I never got to see it. Took my two younger kids so they could see the automotive process. Ordered tix (and the odd mandatory $9 parking pass) and then arrived early per the instructions. The parking location was also a bit strange since it seemed too far from the actual check in location in the Henry Ford museum. That said we road the bus to the plant and given a quick orientation to the 5 stations we would be visiting. Because we were about to bump into UAW lunch we were encouraged to go directly to the plant tour. They did, indeed, go to lunch during our walk around. Oh well. Let's face it the plant tour itself is hugely disappointing. You're on a overhead walkway trying to watch the action below. Railings, which you're not supposed to lean on further impede the view along with the many trusses, struts and mechanicals between you and the assembly line. I can't help but compare it to the Corvette Tour in Bowling Green KY - which, as of early Feb 2024, no longer exists. At Bowling Green you walked the floor and saw soooo much more. The Ford plant was a letdown in comparison. Stations 1 and 2 were movies with #2 the big standout. The Art of Manufacturing is something worthy of Epcot at Disney World. It mixes video with live animations robots, lasers, smells and wind effects. It was great, but at 9 minutes long it went by too fast. The #1 video was a 12 minute Ford and Rouge plant history. Station 3 is the upper deck where you can see the green "living roof" over the final assembly plant. Station 5 is a handful of historic Fords, a new Raptor and a new F-150 Lightning (electric) pickup. The entire event took us about 2 hours but I was explaining a lot to the kids. I'd allow 1.5 hrs for most people. Be aware that photos aren't allowed in most of the stations (really, no where but 3 and 5). As I said, #2 was great but the rest was lackluster. I will say the volunteers were great and welcoming but I can't really recommend the tour. $24 for adults, $18 for kids and $9 parking fee.

See all photos from Clark B. for Ford Rouge Factory Tour

I was very interested in what seemed like a primo tour opportunity, but I left underwhelmed. The museum center has a bus ride to the factory (it seems you have to do it that way), and the dated bus and terrible roads can't help but make one think about urban decay. The tour itself opens with two movies, the first of which is a historical perspective with some interesting images but a shallow, hagiographic perspective, and the second an overly loud and snazzy series of pickup truck video that has no coherent message. Taking an elevator up to the top led to an observatory that was bizarre poorly positioned to get a view of the cityscape. By the time I finally made it to the factory floor overlook, I was surprised. Contradictions flowed vigorously; the initial movie emphasized the importance of the factory in creating an American middle class, but now we're told that most of the manufacturing isn't actually done here, just the final assembly. A quote in the observatory emphasized that Ford himself wanted his factory to be a model for others worldwide, so their insistence on not letting people take pictures was odd, though perhaps the Japanese auto industry visitors that joined us were business competitors. The factory floor was notable particularly for the locals working there, but it was hard to put together any clear picture of the manufacturing process, the supply chain, the occupational health factors. People were available to answer questions, but it didn't seem like a deep discussion. There are so many interesting issues here; when the museum talks about the transformational effect of the mass produced automobile, I certainly ponder the lifestyle that led me to come to a place like this. When I visited an abandoned mine in West Virginia whose signage spoke of its coal and coke being sent to the River Rouge plant, I felt the history. Here, I didn't get the feeling. Given the price of a tour, I think I could have expected to see a bit more.

This was definitely the highlight of my visit to the greater Detroit area. We booked the factory tour online 2 weeks ahead of time and parking was included as an additional cost. When we arrived, we found a spot pretty close to the Welcome Center and made our way to the bus pickup location. If you arrive ahead of your time, they will try to get you included on an earlier tour. The ride to the factory seemed long but it was worth it. No pictures were allowed but the tour was amazing and well thought out. The video at the beginning was informative and kept everyone's attention. Production was halted for the day but we were still allowed to walk and see the production lines. It was really cool, so I can only imagine how much more we wouldn't have enjoyed it if we had seen some real action. I'd love to go again and highly recommend!

This was so fun. You got to see all the workers make the trucks and learn how these stuff were made. They put on a great show at the beginning, and shocked me. The tour is worth the money!

See all photos from Vikram E. for Ford Rouge Factory Tour

We absolutely loved the Ford factory tour. The two videos were incredible. The first one gives a great overview of the history of Ford and the second goes into great detail about how cars are built. It was so cool to tour the actual factory and see a production line. This is a must see if you're visiting Detroit!

See all photos from Kate C. for Ford Rouge Factory Tour

We are big nerds so seeing a manufacturing operation is right up our alley. This tour isn't cheap but it is worth it. You get on a bus for a 15 minute ride from the Henry Ford museum. The tour starts with a movie on the history of Ford and the Rouge Factory. The second was a high tech light and laser show explaining how the new F150 is assembled. Both were very good marketing pieces... After the movies you go up to the observation deck where a tour guide gives you an overview of the exterior of the plant below and the surrounding area (sure glad it was clear and sunny). The gent did a very nice job explaining the lay of the land and answering our questions. Finally you get to tour the final assembly of the pick-up from a catwalk above the manufacturing floor. It started a bit slow since they were on break but soon enough the assembly line was moving. Along the way there were guides who were more than willing to explain what we were seeing and to answer questions. You could stay as long as you like. We were glad to have gone on the first bus at 9:20am since it took about two hours and it left plenty of time to then tour the Henry Ford museum all afternoon.

My group of five purchased a package with the Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Whether you're a fan of cars or not, it's still pretty cool to learn about the history of Ford vehicles and watch employees assemble a Ford truck. The tour began with two short films in two different auditoriums. It was neat to hear and see how the vehicles have evolved. Immediately after the films, we were brought to the factory where hundreds, maybe more, employees were busy assembling a Ford truck. There was an assembly line and each employee was tasked with one job, whether that was installing a light, a door, etc. After the factory, we headed up to the observation deck where you can see stunning views of the complex as well as of Detroit. The final stop was the exhibit featuring vintage Ford cars. There were tour guides at every stop, ready and willing to answer questions and share their knowledge. The tour was informational. The only thing I would have liked is an interactive section, where we can pretend to assemble a car, for example. Nonetheless, our group which included two teenagers enjoyed the experience!

Very impressed by their manufacturing video/experience. A bit loud so if you have sensitive ears you may want to put tissues in them. It's an all senses experience with an impressive model with CGI effects! The factory portion was also impressive, being able to see almost everything that goes into building and producing Ford trucks. If you want to see one of the biggest "green" roofs, this is the greatest. It's covered in something called sedum which collects water, has a place for migrating birds to live and nest and it also acts like insulation for the factory! This is a must-do if you are either going to the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield village or just coming to Dearborn!

Drove down for the day to observe what all the hype was about. We purchased our tickets in the summer while touring the muppet exhibit. The beginning of the tour had a few hiccups. The outdoor bus stop area where they have signs posted that say tour starts here was inaccurate. We sat out in the cold for 20 minutes. As we sat, and waited we watched the bus drive right past us. The employees at the front informed us that they moved the bus pick up to inside the museum and on the side of the building. They moved our tour times from 12:20 to 1:00. After finally getting to the factory we discovered that 1 of the 2 films wasn't t operational. The tour otherwise was phenomenal. All the employees were overly happy and polite. The assembly line was a marvel to see. We love the museum so much that we decided that the 2 hour drive was worth seeing the factory. This tour was worth it. If you have the opportunity then you should definitely visit. This tour was very informational and historical. So much rich history that lays out the foundation of the American way. Recommend that if you buy your tickets in advance that you go to the ticket counter to confirm where pick up is since they clearly move it from time to time. The tour was a 5 star otherwise.

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour

20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn , Michigan 48124 USA

• Independent
• More in Dearborn

Learn more about this business on Yelp .

“experience the legacy of Henry Ford”

Ford Rouge Factory Tour is a self-guided five-part experience that includes: Legacy Theater, Art of Manufacturing Theater, Observation Deck, Dearborn Truck Plant and the Legacy Gallery.  Theater seating is limited to 79 guests per show; shows run continuously until 4:00 PM and are seated on a first come first serve basis.

Reviewed by Jacob D.

Being a big car buff, I had to tour at least one assembly plant during my visit to motor city! As I was researching prior to visiting, I am so happy tours were made available so easily (for a... Read more

Reviewed by Clark B.

I used to work at Ford's (that's how employees call it). I even had to frequently go to the old Dearborn Assy plant when Mustang builds were done there. But the new (sustainable plant) was in the... Read more

Reviewed by John B.

I was very interested in what seemed like a primo tour opportunity, but I left underwhelmed. The museum center has a bus ride to the factory (it seems you have to do it that way), and the dated... Read more

View 87 reviews on

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour

See F-150 trucks roll off the assembly line where Henry Ford first perfected his self-sufficient, mass-production techniques. The self-guided tours start at the Henry Ford Museum, from which a bus takes you over to the factory. Allow a couple of hours for the overall visit.

Get In Touch

312-982-6001

https://​www​.thehenryford​.org​/

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ULTIMATE Guide to Planning a Ford Rouge Factory Tour

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Michigan has a proud automobile history and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour is one of the best ways to see the state’s rich history and learn about its exciting future up close!

Located in Dearborn as part of the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, the factory tour showcases all the things that have made Ford a household name in Michigan and throughout the world. You’ll see a glimpse of the past and you’ll see modern manufacturing in action as current vehicles are designed.

Added all together, it’s a truly immersive experience that visitors of all ages can enjoy. Whether you’re techy and love the technology of tomorrow, or you’re a fan of classic cars, there’s something here for everyone.

A History of Innovation at the River Rouge Plant

The famous Henry Ford had a vision of assembly line construction of cars and it became a reality in 1903 when Ford Motor Company was founded.

By 1906, Ford Motor Co. was the nation’s largest car producer and Ford introduced his famous Model T just two years later.

Construction of the Rouge Plant along the Rouge River in Dearborn started in 1917 and by 1918 the plant was producing boats for the US Navy. During WWII, the Rouge plant was a big contributor in establishing Detroit as America’s ‘Arsenal of Democracy.’

Over time, the plant would also produce tractors, the Model A, the V-8 Ford, the Ford Thunderbird, the Ford Mustang, and even the Ford F-150.

Public tours of the Rouge Plant began in 1924 and they instantly became a hit. In 1965, the plant set a new yearly record with more than 239,000 visits. That number continued to grow until the plant closed for tours in 1980. After the construction of a new, state-of-the-art facility, tours began again in 2004.

What does that mean for you? It means when you take a Ford Rouge Factory Tour you’re experiencing an important and special part of Michigan’s history.

Ford River Rouge Plant Tour FAQs

What is the Ford Rouge Factory Tour?

It’s a self-guided tour broken up into 5 different stations: The Legacy Theater, The Manufacturing Innovation Theater, The Observation Deck Tour, The Assembly Walking Plant Tour, and The Legacy Gallery.

How long does the Ford Rouge Factory Tour take?

If you’re visiting Henry Ford Museum to take the plant tour, plan on it taking a couple of hours. The tours are self-guided, but there’s a lot to see so visitors are encouraged to take their time.

Can you visit the Ford plant?

Yes. It’s open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Sunday and is closed for most major holidays. Tours begin with a short bus ride from the museum to the Ford Rouge Visitor Center.

How many people work at the Ford Rouge plant?

About 6,000 people work as Ford employees at the plant.

Henry Ford: Innovation On The River Rouge

In 2013, Awesome Mitten Creator Team member Jennifer Bowman visited the River Rouge Factory and shared her experience…

On the heels of Henry Ford’s 150th birthday in 2013, I couldn’t help but cook up an outing to Dearborn to commemorate the auto maker’s legacy. Having visited The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village on several occasions, one well-known spot was still foreign territory to me: The Rouge Factory. What better way to celebrate Henry Ford than spending a day at one of his namesake auto plants? As I planned for the afternoon outing, I was excited to find out more about Ford’s legacy and the journey he took to lead the “Big Three” contender to where it is today.

The tour started off at The Henry Ford Museum, where a bus shuttle transported me and several other sightseers across town to the factory site on the Rouge River (prior to this, I had just assumed that the factory was located somewhere on the grounds near the museum and Greenfield village). Upon reaching the factory, we were ushered inside a visitors’ building for a brief introduction, then to a small theater for a documentary on how the Ford Motor Company flourished throughout the 20th century, surviving hard times such as the stock market crash and World War II.

Next, a second theater gave us a look at the start-to-finish process of Ford vehicle manufacturing, complete with multiple screens, special lighting and temperature effects, and movable chairs that rotated 365 degrees for an immersive movie experience. If all of that wasn’t cool enough, the film was set to music performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, further driving the “home-grown” feeling of the Ford plant and its roots in Detroit history. Our third stop was an upstairs viewing deck, where we were surrounded by walls of windows for a better look at the factory grounds. The main attraction here was a view of the factory rooftop, which was carpeted in a layer of mossy plant matter. This design, we were told, worked together with the factory’s vine-covered outer walls to insulate the factory and regulate indoor temperatures year-round. Truly remarkable, actually—a simple, yet innovative way to keep a large, industrial building at a cool 60 degrees throughout every season.

Finally, we made it to the main attraction: the inner workings of the Rouge factory. Set up as an aerial walkway around the top of the factory, the self-guided tour allowed us to view several assembly stages of the Ford F-150, from windshield installation to quality inspection. Everything worked like clockwork—pulleys and gears circulated truck pieces throughout the building while employees manned organized posts, attaching doors, logo hardware, and other essential pieces to the vehicles. It was awe-inspiring to see how many people were actually involved in the production of each vehicle, and the whole thing got me thinking about how my own car was assembled (not by magic, mind you).

In the end, I got a better idea of all that goes into the products we rely on each and every day. It’s difficult to fathom how one man can come up with an idea that spins into a successful business venture, followed by a long line of successors and related innovations that continue to evolve over the years. That success story, however, is exactly what Henry Ford brought to the world—and as a result, the automobile, factory, and environmental technology industries will never be the same.

Taking a Tour of the Ford Rouge Plant

Tours of the Rouge Plant are self-guided, and there’s a lot to explore, including two different theaters and an observation deck where you can see Ford assembly up close.

Soak Up History at the Legacy Theater

Start your self-guided tour at the Legacy Theater. Here, you can watch a roughly 15-minute presentation about the history of the plant and Ford Motor Co.

You’ll see rarely-seen footage from the Henry Ford Museum’s archives and you’ll learn how the plant and Henry Ford’s ideas helped make Michigan the premier spot for car manufacturing.

Learn the Process at the Manufacturing Innovation Theater

The history of Ford Motor Co. is rich with ingenuity and the Innovation Theater allows you to see that innovation up close.

This 10-minute presentation takes visitors on a (visual) ride of the manufacturing process and how the Ford F-150 truck goes from being a concept to being built to hitting the open road. High-quality audio and 3D laser projection make this a really cool experience for visitors of all ages.

See Manufacturing Up Close on the Observation Deck

Once you’ve been through the two theater presentations, you’ll be ready to see the plant in action. You can experience just that by taking an elevator ride up to the observation deck. Here you’ll see the beauty of industry in motion as you watch Ford F-150 being constructed.

If you’re a fan of cars, your eyes will light up in amazement. Believe us, this is a real treat. The plant is where production meets innovation and you can see that all right before your eyes.

You can also get a view of Ford’s Living Roof, an eco-friendly wonder. The rough is made up of tiny plants and collects and filters water to bring down the plant’s energy consumption.

See How Cars Get Made on the Assembly Plant Walking Tour

Have you ever wondered to yourself how cars get made? On the factory tour, you no longer have to wonder because you can see it up close and personal!

The Assembly Plant Walking Tour allows visitors to watch how the Ford-150 truck is made, giving them a bird’s-eye view of where and how the magic happens. From an elevated walkway, you can see how a mix of complex equipment, parts, skilled hands, and robotics work together to build one truck every single minute.

This part of the tour lasts about 30-45 minutes, but if you like building things or seeing them put together, you won’t be able to get enough of this part of the tour.

Marvel at the Awesomeness of the Legacy Gallery

Once you’re seen Ford’s current innovation and the marvels of 21st-century sustainable design, take another trip back in time by visiting the Legacy Gallery. As you’ve read, the plant has been the site of some of the most famous vehicles in Ford’s history and you can see many of them right here.

Take a stroll through the gallery and you’ll see a display that includes a 1929 Model A, a 1949 Coupe, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, a 1965 Ford Mustang, and of course, a 2015 Ford F-150.

Not only can you see these amazing vehicles, some of which have been immortalized in songs and movies, but you can also learn about their history too at different kiosks throughout the gallery.

The gallery is located right next to the Factory Store gift shop, so stop in and get yourself a memento from your trip.

The River Rouge Factory Tour: A First-Person Perspective

As you’ve read, the River Rouge Factory Tour is fun, educational, and exciting. But don’t just take our word for it. Hayley went on the tour and had great things to say about her experience.

The famed Ford Rouge Factory had been on my to-do list of tours since I first began my journey through Motown. To those of you who, like me, aren’t what you’d call car-buffs and assume that the tour would be somewhat outside of your wheelhouse, allow me to quell those fears. The Ford Rouge Factory tour was thoroughly enjoyable, full of history, fun tidbits, and a behind-the-scenes look at the production and assembly of the F-150.

The first two stops on the tour were theaters. First, in the Legacy Theater, we were taken on a trip back in time through historic footage of the Rouge and the people who were a part of bringing the famed factory to life. One of my favorite factoids from this station was actually imparted before the film began: the guide who introduced the video made it a point to note that all music heard throughout the tour had been composed specifically for the Rouge Factory Tour, and performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The video in the Legacy Theater was a tale of Henry Ford’s vision and the history of how it was brought to life in the Rouge. The next video, in the Art of Manufacturing Theater, could not have been more different. A multisensory experience depicting the modern-day manufacturing of a Ford automobile, the experience of the Art of Manufacturing Theater was immersive and intense (in a good way), and a great segway into the part of the tour where we were able to observe the factory as it is today.

We first headed to the observation deck. Though we had chosen a less-than-ideal day (to describe the weather in layman’s terms, it was gross) and could not see as far as on a clear day, the bird’s eye view was still impressive. Not only can you see the F-150s as they are tested and shipped, we had a perfect (if not snow-covered) view of the plant’s living roof, the naturalized habitat, solar arrays, and more. From there, we continued to the elevated-walkway tour of the actual assembly plant. Because of shipping delays, the plant was not active on the day we were there. We had a still, quiet picture of the line, almost as if we had hit the “pause” button on the process. Movies and interactive stations throughout the walkways made it easy to understand what you were looking at and capture interesting tidbits on the assembly process.

We wrapped up our day at the Rouge in the Legacy Gallery, where a few of the historic vehicles manufactured at the factory are displayed. We read about and took pictures of classics like the Model A, the V-8, the Thunderbird, the Mustang, and even got to hop in the new and ultra-cool F-150 Raptor. So whether you’re an autophile or couldn’t tell a transmission from a transistor radio, the Ford Rouge Factory Tour is an interesting, informative, and fun journey through one of the Motor City’s most famous automotive hubs.

Plan Your Ford Rouge Factory Tour Today

The Ford Rouge Factory Tour offers the best of all worlds: history, technology, innovation, manufacturing, and cool cars all rolled into one. So if you love all those things, you should book your factory tour today!

Whether you love cars and trucks or not, the factory tour lets you see the fascinating process of how trucks are made. There’s something that’s really cool about seeing how the sausage (or in this case cars) are made. If you’re naturally curious, this is a tour where you’ll see some incredible sights, learn some interesting facts, and have some fun too.

Book your factory tour today and let us know what your favorite part of the tour is.

James Andersen is an award-winning journalist and editor who was born and raised in Metro Detroit but currently resides on the shores of Lake Huron in Alpena, Michigan. When he’s not knee-deep in research or conducting interviews for stories, he can be found fishing, cheering on Detroit sports teams, and spending time with his wife and two dogs.

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Description

Venue Fee* $$

Max Capacity 140 plated; 300 strolling

* Prices vary based on guest count and additional details.

Distinctive Features: Indoor, Outdoor, Industrial, Historical

Few venues can inspire innovation like the reimagined Ford Rouge Factory Tour. With its sweeping transformation complete, this facility is a model of 21 st -century sustainable design that showcases how community, business and the environment can thrive together in a single environment. During your three-hour event, guests will get a look inside America’s most iconic truck, the Ford F-150, and become immersed in modern manufacturing’s most progressive concepts. They’ll also experience the awe-inspiring scale of a real factory floor, and get a bird’s eye glimpse of one of the world’s largest living roofs.

Customize your event so your guests can participate in experiences like:

• The Legacy Theater, a short film that recounts the fascinating history of the Rouge through rare, never-before-seen historic footage.
• The Manufacturing Innovation Theater, providing a multi-sensory exploration of making the Ford F-150 truck.
• The Legacy Gallery, the perfect spot to explore the stories and engineering behind some of Ford’s most iconic vehicles.
• The Observation Deck, highlighting the ground-breaking environmental innovations throughout the Rouge complex.
• The Assembly Walking Plant Tour along a 1/3-mile elevated walkway above the final assembly area for the Ford F-150.

Plan your team-building event to begin no earlier than 6pm; your rental fees include the space and a fully guided interactive tour. Allow your guests enough time to visit the Factory Store to complete the experience.

Ford Rouge Factory Tour - 20900 Oakwood, Dearborn, MI 48124

Factory Tours

Celebrating american imagination and industry.

Ford Rouge Factory Tour

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour at The Henry Ford

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring scale of the real factory floor where the F-150 is made, and pop the hood on Ford’s rich design and manufacturing history during this one-of-a-kind tour. This is innovation on wheels.

Before you go, watch the show. The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation, hosted by Mo Rocca, builds a bridge from the great innovators of our past to today's most game-changing minds. Check your local CBS listings or watch online anytime to soak up some Emmy Award-winning inspiration.

Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd. Dearborn, MI 48124

• Hours: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Saturday

Additional Info

• Phone: (313) 982-6001
• Fax: (313) 271-0694
• Website: Website
• Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd.
• City: Dearborn
• Interest: Museums and Historic Homes, Arts and Entertainment
• Lat: 42.3031087
• Lon: -83.23310850000001

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Ford Rouge Factory Tour

Last updated on December 20, 2023 .

When visiting The Henry Ford in Dearborn , Michigan , you can’t miss the Ford Rouge Factory Tour . This is where the Ford Motor Company assembles every F-150 truck sold in the entire world.

The historic Ford River Rouge Complex was once the largest integrated factory in the world. It was built from 1917 to 1928 and was designed by Albert Kahn . The factory has over 16 million square feet of factory space. At its peak, it included its own steel mill, electricity plant, docks, and rail lines, and once employed over 100,000 workers. Most Ford production took place there until the 1960s.

After purchasing tickets at the museum, we boarded a shuttle to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour building. It dropped us off at the entrance where we saw a statue of Henry Ford speaking to a student. The base of the statue says “Henry Ford ‘Father of Industrial Education'”. It was dedicated on September 28, 2004, by alumni of the Henry Ford Trade School.

When we walked inside, we met our first guide, Henry, who worked at Ford for over 40 years. He greeted our group and explained how the factory tour works. He then led us into the Legacy Theater  where we watched a short film about the history of Ford and the factory.

Next, we walked over to the Manufacturing Innovation Theater to watch an amazing presentation with video, lasers, and robots. It went through the entire F-150 production process, explaining how the vehicles are designed, assembled, and tested. It was definitely one of the highlights of the tour.

Observation Deck

From there, we took an elevator up to the Observation Deck where another guide talked about some of the environmentally friendly features of the factory. Interpretive panels lined the windows highlighting the history of the plant and its features. What stood out to me is that Henry Ford purchased the land for a mere $1,100 on July 7, 1915.

We were also able to get a panoramic look at the entire factory. To the left is a blue building, which is a steel mill owned by U.S. Steel .

Directly in front of the building is the Living Laboratory , which was a brownfield converted into an ecological habitat. It contains crabapple and hawthorn trees as well as bee hives. During summer months, it’s possible to take a free guided walk through the laboratory. The employee parking lot behind the lab has the best spots reserved for Ford owners, while owners of other makes have to park in the back 12 rows. Finally, behind the parking lot, we could spot the blast furnaces (now owned by AK Steel ), office buildings, paint plant, and power plant.

The building nearest where we stood is the Dearborn Truck Plant, where F-150s are assembled. It’s a green building with one of the largest living roofs in the world . Across the road behind the building are brand new F-150s waiting to be sent to dealerships around the world.

Mezzanine Level

When we finished, we went down to the mezzanine level, where there’s a small interactive area. Guests can try their hand at assembling a small truck or take souvenir photos before heading into the assembly plant.

Assembly Plant

Inside the assembly plant , we walked along an elevated walkway and looked down to see how F-150s are made. Videos along the path gave more detailed information and guides were waiting to answer questions. What amazed me is that all orders are totally customized and a new truck rolled off the line every seven minutes during production hours, and is capable of producing one truck a minute at full operating speed. We weren’t allowed to take photos on this part of the tour.

Legacy Gallery

Finally, we walked through the Legacy Gallery , which is a showroom floor displaying some of the most famous vehicles made at the Rouge. A 1929 Model A, 1932 V8, 1949 Coupe, 1955 Thunderbird, and 1965 Mustang all showcase some of Ford’s greatest achievements.

In one corner sat a 2015 Ford F-150. Guests are able to get up close and kick the tires of the vehicle assembled in the plant they just visited.

The entire tour took us about two hours to complete, including the shuttle rides to and from the museum. It complements a visit to the museum by giving visitors a more complete experience into the history and production of automobiles, and the importance and innovation of Ford.

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Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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