The Best of Belle Isle: Things to do when Visiting the Island
Story by Maggie Jackson
Belle Isle has a host of great things to do year-round, but there is something special about the island when the weather starts to turn.
Whether you have the kids in tow or just want a day alone, Belle Isle has been a staple location for metro Detroiters and travelers alike.
Located along the Detroit River, Belle Isle is a 2.5-mile-long park that was created to provide an urban oasis in Detroit. Having a unique history of its own, Belle Isle has its own unique ecology with 230 acres of forested wetlands, several trails, and being located along international waters.
One thing to keep in mind is that all vehicles entering Belle Isle will need a recreation passport, which allows entry year-round to Belle Isle as well as all Michigan state parks.
Check out some of the sites you should hit the next time you visit Belle Isle:
Nature Zoo
At the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, visitors will get the opportunity to get up close and personal with different distinct species native to Michigan. There are many kinds of wildlife that may be observed there, such as snapping turtles, black rat snakes and fallow deer.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=07b7b2650cd184d162fd17b4047e06ce 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=3b8896f22e4b1aa098c6c9e1288ba337 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=48fb0a25a172849e63381967b1ab54b9 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=36de284f7eda4d2f754f1fb031c1c461 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=da5a6a6f32c25e5f4b59ccd1e99a0fe4 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f1d4575df42535d5dffed0a731aee523 1440w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=cb35e6d1c334f85cf35f0ded97015d86 1920w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/309423168_793467588760896_7417471237724121067_n.webp?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=bd6b8a8aa996f6545b362c24ecc165a1 2048w)
Belle Isle Conservatory
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is the oldest continually running conservatory in the United States. Designed by Albert Kahn, it is divided into various distinct sections and provides visitors with a unique, up-close look at different types of flora and fauna.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=b7994ae5aa484249629ffcafd26d7e1c 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=350fc3ae5e2a2945a9f32054d1aeb9cf 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e566686b4529581695f7aa70d57b2f91 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=9baba8ced125897f42769cf35330f0ba 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=b92a4f78324eb9d0a6e5f17b727be39e 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=09171e02904cb1402ab8fef30c3f10d1 1440w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=7f2b8b52095ce9c872654ac7d55ba1cc 1920w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/Belle_Isle_Conservatory-2048x153.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=bf9f6cf46072c1eb9a35b111ff8e99a9 2048w)
Belle Isle Aquarium
Also designed by Albert Kahn, the Belle Isle Aquarium is a must-stop location for those who love architecture, history and design. After years of being closed, the aquarium was recently restored and is now home to a collection of rare animals.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/ALookAtTheBelleIsleAquarium-20180718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2b21f512c0f210f111d9d52af06c825f 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/ALookAtTheBelleIsleAquarium-20180718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8dd0568e5751f270a5b4e5dea84f1a50 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/ALookAtTheBelleIsleAquarium-20180718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7fc39014f6d9f8d434c36baa15368bc0 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/ALookAtTheBelleIsleAquarium-20180718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a49cf354781f18db9d625b57b1878fc3 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/ALookAtTheBelleIsleAquarium-20180718.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=326e6fa57f49b5b80567db55be1b0ed9 1200w)
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
Located on Strand Drive on Belle Isle, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum is dedicated to showcasing the story of the Great Lakes, with a special emphasis on Detroit’s role in regional and national maritime history. The 16,000-square-foot museum has several fascinating exhibits, including the bow anchor of the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-DossinMuseum_Bill-Bowen085-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2fa6a928d8f35c6d8ed63decfb794351 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-DossinMuseum_Bill-Bowen085-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=87df8455a15f9150a32f6e8948cdc5ff 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-DossinMuseum_Bill-Bowen085-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=a53c26afe5ccdf444886983481354f4b 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-DossinMuseum_Bill-Bowen085-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5bc2063b91116d72c733261e82c9faeb 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-DossinMuseum_Bill-Bowen085-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=3d0a91ef301e02e164b8ecb69d6b08bd 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/wsi-imageoptim-DossinMuseum_Bill-Bowen085-1300x867.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=ec39331bc2c40778405979d9aa04d805 1300w)
Belle Isle Golf Course
The nine-acre driving range has 4 sand traps, 3 putting greens, and 2 chipping greens for golfers to practice their skills. Overlooking Canada and the Detroit River, this picturesque location on the island is also perfect for picnics.
Belle Isle Beach
Overlooking the Detroit skyline, this urban beach is a nice respite on a hot day. While the Detroit River’s waters might be chilly, there are often food trucks nearby in case you want to grab a bite to eat and lay out on the sand.
![](https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/MDCVB-2015_105_LRG-_VITO-PALMISANO1280x720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0fc26a9dc7215d4a37f25d38737c93aa 320w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/MDCVB-2015_105_LRG-_VITO-PALMISANO1280x720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=52d64d282eaaa946134eafbeb0b8af32 540w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/MDCVB-2015_105_LRG-_VITO-PALMISANO1280x720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=401cf9343d3a17bf4f04d6677c7184e6 768w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/MDCVB-2015_105_LRG-_VITO-PALMISANO1280x720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=64e067de8ba8adb12fe50ee6e75afdec 1024w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/MDCVB-2015_105_LRG-_VITO-PALMISANO1280x720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=5702260ca578d530ff3ce5d9feb9788f 1200w, https://visit-detroit.imgix.net/images/MDCVB-2015_105_LRG-_VITO-PALMISANO1280x720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=5d583a61d311f683626cb5774eedf01d 1280w)
Belle Isle Athletic Complex
Managed by HYPE Athletics, the athletics complex features facilities for soccer, baseball, softball, football, basketball, etc. There is also a free outdoor Fitness Court® across from the complex sponsored by Priority Health.
James Scott Memorial Fountain
When you first drive over the bridge to Belle Isle, you will notice a stunning fountain overlooking the Detroit skyline. This go-to photography spot on the island, especially at sunset, contains over 100 water outlets and can shoot water 125 feet into the air.
For more information on what to do on Belle Isle and what you should know, visit the Belle Isle Conservancy’s website.
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