Belle Isle Park
An island park in the Detroit River, partly planned by the designer of New York’s Central Park, with a conservatory, an aquarium, and fountains.
Belle Isle is an island of about 4 square km in the Detroit River. In the late 19th century Frederick Law Olmsted took part in planning it, and today it is a Michigan state park. Highlights include the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, completed in 1904; the Belle Isle Aquarium, one of the oldest public aquariums in the United States; the marble James Scott Memorial Fountain; the Great Lakes Museum; beaches; and walking paths with views of the downtown skyline. Driving onto the island requires a Michigan state park pass, or you can cycle over via the MacArthur Bridge.
Opening hours
05:00–22:00; greenhouse and aquarium Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Heidelberg Project
- Dequindre Cut
- Renaissance Center
- Greektown
- Eastern Market
- Detroit RiverWalk
- Guardian Building
- Campus Martius Park