Belle Isle State Park, Michigan
Belle Isle remains the biggest city-owned island park in the U.S., 40% larger than Olmsted’s better-known Central Park.
It sits right in the middle of the Detroit River, giving you a zoo, an aquarium, a garden, and several marble structures, all in one day.
Here’s why this 982-acre playground’s been wowing people since the 1800s.
Olmsted-Designed Island Larger Than Central Park
Frederick Law Olmsted planned Belle Isle in the 1880s, turning the 982-acre space a main avenue and a detailed canal system amidst native wooded areas.
The island contains four different habitat types: upland forest, wet-mesic flatwoods, marsh, and coastal wetlands that aren’t found in other city settings.
Kahn’s Conservatory Has Century-Old Plants
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, designed by Albert Kahn, opened in 1902 and is now America’s oldest continuously operating conservatory.
In 1955, the name changed to honor Anna Scripps Whitcomb after she gave 600 rare orchids she saved from Britain during World War II.
The striking dome rises above five different climate zones. Now it houses one of the largest city-owned orchid collections in the United States.
Boat House Has Been Operating Since Eons
The Belle Isle Boat House, one of America’s oldest rowing clubs, was rebuilt in 1902 after a fire destroyed its previous structure.
85-foot Michigan white pine beams create an open boat storage area, with stained-glass windows showcasing Detroit’s rowing history.
For 120 years, the building has hosted rowing competitions, with its distinctive ‘widow’s walk’ giving race officials clear views of the action.
Detroit’s Historic Aquarium Shows Off 1500 Fish
Right next to the garden sits Belle Isle Aquarium which opened its doors on August 18, 1904, the oldest of its kind in the continental United States.
Inside the 10,000-square-foot space, visitors can explore more than 50 specialized tanks exhibiting fish from 150 different species.
It houses one of North America’s only collections of all seven gar species and one of the world’s largest groups of air-breathing fish.
Deer Habitat Housing Animals Gifted By Royalty
The nature center at Belle Isle keeps a special area for fallow deer, which aren’t native to Michigan but have lived on the island since the 1920s.
These animals show off distinctive flat, palm-shaped antlers and spotted coats that look different from Michigan’s native whitetail deer.
Their ancestry comes from animals originally given to Detroit by a European royal family, creating a living connection to the park’s grand history.
Marble Fountain That Cost $500,000 in 1925
The James Scott Memorial Fountain became quite the controversy.
A nationwide contest was held in 1914 to create a memorial statue of James after his death but World War I delayed construction until 1921.
Architect Cass Gilbert and sculptor Herbert Adams created this structure with 109 water jets, 14 lion heads, and detailed bronze sculptures throughout.
Water flows through many levels through a hydraulic system. Gilbert also designed a special amphitheater and lagoon for the western end.
Michigan’s Marble Lighthouse Stands 58 Feet Tall
William Livingstone’s 1930 Memorial Lighthouse, made of Georgian marble, uniquely resembles anything but a lighthouse.
The lighthouse was a key navigation point on the Detroit River, helping freighters travel through one of North America’s busiest shipping channels.
Six-Story Slides Entertain Visitors (since 1967)
Belle Isle’s giant metal slide rises six stories high with its easy-to-spot green and white colors, visible from many parts of the park.
Riders zoom down on burlap sacks, reaching speeds up to 20 mph on the bumpy surface. Though it closed during the pandemic, it reopened in 2022.
Maritime Museum Displays Shipping History
The Dossin Great Lakes Museum fills 16,000 square feet with Detroit’s rich maritime past. Walk into the actual pilot house from the S.S. William Clay Ford freighter, kept exactly as it was when guiding ships across the Great Lakes.
Check out the bow anchor saved from the famous Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck. Ship lovers can study the huge collection of scale models, including accurate versions of boats from the 1700s through modern times.
Where Michigan’s 1,273-Mile Trail System Begins
The Ralph Wilson Gateway marks the southern start of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, with signs highlighting the trail’s significance.
From this spot, a 6-mile segment on Belle Isle connects to a massive 1,273-mile statewide system that offers separate paths for hiking and biking.
Finished in 2021, the Belle Isle portion includes specially designed rest areas with markers pointing toward the northern endpoint in Ironwood.
Golf Courses Overlook Two Country Skylines
Golf fans can practice their swing at Belle Isle’s golf courses while getting amazing views of Detroit and Windsor skylines.
The island setting means groundskeepers use special methods to care for the turf, taking into account the unique soil and the river nearby.
Visit Belle Isle Golf Center anywhere between 11 AM to 7:30 PM. They offer a 9-hole executive golf course, driving range, and miniature golf.
The facility also provides lessons, club rentals, and a pro shop.
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