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There's so much to discover on Belle Isle, and this is where your adventure begins. Use our interactive map to find your way to historic attractions and landmarks, peaceful gardens, scenic lookout points, and park essentials like restrooms and pavilions. Select a category to start exploring, and be sure to check the individual pages for specific hours and openings.

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Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Instagram

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Facebook

Detroit’s Living Greenhouse

History Rooted in Growth

Experience, Access & Continuity

Open year-round and free to the public, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory features rotating exhibits and educational programming. Recent renovations restored the historic dome and improved accessibility. Located just steps from the Belle Isle Aquarium, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a lush, glass-domed escape filled with exotic plants and vibrant displays. It’s the oldest continually running conservatory in the U.S. and a cornerstone of Belle Isle’s charm.

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory

Open year-round Thursday–Sunday 10:00am–4:00pm

Belle Isle Aquarium Instagram

Belle Isle Aquarium Facebook

Belle Isle Gift Shop

A Living Legacy

An Underwater World of Discovery

A Community Treasure, Reimagined

Swim the globe! See fish from around the world in the country’s oldest original aquarium, opened in 1904. Designed by Albert Kahn, this Beaux Arts-style gem has delighted visitors for generations. Free admission, $5 donation encouraged. Open year-round, Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Belle Isle Aquarium

Home to the Detroit Boat Club Crew, the Belle Isle Boathouse has been a cornerstone of rowing and waterfront life in Detroit for over a century. A proposal to redevelop the Boathouse has been submitted to the MDNR for consideration. Read more about the process 

 also offers rowing lessons and programs for ages 11 through adult, inviting everyone to experience the beauty and camaraderie of rowing on the Detroit River.

Belle Isle Boathouse

A Detroit summer tradition for generations, the Belle Isle Giant Slide is a six-lane, 40-foot-tall slide that’s as nostalgic as it is thrilling. Open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day, typically Friday–Sunday, 12:00 PM–8:00 PM (weather permitting), it offers a quick rush of fun for kids and adults alike — burlap sack and all. You’ll find it near the Athletic Fields and Playground at Belle Isle Park, Detroit, MI 48207, just off Inselruhe Avenue. Each slide ride costs $1.

The Belle Isle Giant Slide

Belle Isle Golf Website

Belle Isle Golf Facebook

The Belle Isle Golf Center has a 300-yard-long driving range with 30-station grass hitting area, 6 Hole Par 3 short course, practice area greens with large sand bunkers and private golf fitness center.

Belle Isle Golf Range

Belle Isle Nature Center Website

Belle Isle Nature Center Facebook

The Belle Isle Nature Center connects guests to wildlife right in their own backyards through immersive exhibits and unique animal habitats. Perfect for kids and families looking to learn about our natural world. Open year-round, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM daily.

Belle Isle Nature Center

Rental Information

Historic Photo Gallery

Long serving as Detroit’s meeting place on the island, the Belle Isle Casino was designed by Van Leyen & Schilling in 1908 to replace the original wooden structure that was first built in 1887. Today, the Casino is closed to the public but available to rent for private events.

Casino

Detroit Yacht Club Website

Founded in 1868, the Detroit Yacht Club is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious private yacht clubs, known for its grand Mediterranean Revival-style clubhouse by architect George D. Mason. Members enjoy year-round amenities including dining, fitness, social events, and a full-service marina for boat docking and storage. Though membership is required, the DYC remains an iconic part of Belle Isle’s cultural and maritime heritage.

Detroit Yacht Club

Dossin Great Lakes Museum Website

Dossin Great Lakes Museum Facebook

Detroit’s port of destination. Learn all about the city’s rich maritime history and enduring connection to its waterways, from the Great Lakes to the Detroit River. Featuring permanent and special exhibits, films, lectures, and more. Open Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Dossin Great Lakes Museum

The Flynn Memorial Pavilion is a modernist venue designed by J. Robert F. Swanson in 1949, originally built to help summer canoers and winter ice skaters. While the space is closed to the everyday public, it is available to rent for private events.

Flynn Pavilion

Nestled between the Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Lily Pond has been a tranquil focal point of Belle Isle for over a century. Surrounded by stone pathways and shaded trees, its still water reflects the greenhouses above and the sky beyond. Water lilies bloom through summer–attracting dragonflies and visitors alike–as koi swim throughout, leading fish fans to call it Koi Pond. Regardless of how you refer to it, the pond is a gentle reminder of nature’s quiet beauty at the heart of the island.

Lily Pond (Koi Pond)

Lions, turtles, and dolphins, oh my! The James Scott Memorial Fountain is an intricately carved Vermont marble monument featuring animals and humans. Designed by Cass Gilbert, the century-old fountain is currently under renovation and expected to re-open in May 2027.

James Scott Memorial Fountain

Rising near the bandshell, the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon is a neo-Gothic bell tower standing about 98 feet tall, dedicated to peace and named after 

 columnist Nancy Brown. The carillon was completed in 1940 thanks to donations gathered by readers, and today it continues to ring out over the island, serving as a sound sculpture and symbolic landmark.

Nancy Brown Peace Carillon

Few views in Detroit are as iconic as a Belle Isle sunset. At Sunset Point, the sky glows as it reflects across the Detroit River and frames the city skyline. A peaceful escape that feels magical in every season, from warm summer nights to crisp winter evenings. Open daily from 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Sunset, at sunset time.

Sunset Point

Standing proudly at the island’s northern tip and designed by Detroit architect Albert Kahn, the Belle Isle Lighthouse has guided ships through the Detroit River since 1929, making it the oldest marble lighthouse in the country! Visitors can enjoy scenic waterfront walks and plenty of photo opportunities.

William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse

Attractions & Landmarks

Enjoy the beauty of Belle Isle Beach year-round, located along the island’s northern shoreline with sweeping views of the Detroit River and Windsor skyline. In warmer months, it’s perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking, while the cooler seasons bring peaceful spots for walks, photography, and watching the changing light over the water.

Belle Isle Beach

Hipster Beach

On the north side of the island near the Belle Isle Boat House, a small sandy launch provides easy access for kayakers and canoeists. It’s a favorite starting point for exploring the island’s calm inland lagoons and connecting waterways. Surrounded by willows and gentle currents, this area blends recreation and nature — a reminder that Belle Isle is as much a place for adventure as it is for reflection.

North Shore / Canoe & Kayak Launch Beach

The southern shoreline of Belle Isle faces the Detroit River and downtown, dotted with small sandy clearings and natural access points. These informal “beaches” aren’t for swimming, but they’re perfect for walkers, kayakers, and anyone looking to experience the island’s quieter side. It’s where you can hear the city in the distance but feel worlds away — just you, the water, and the rhythm of the river.

South Shore / Detroit River Lookouts

Beaches

Designed by world-renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, creator of New York’s High Line, this 3.4-acre landscape features over 35,000 perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees that transform beautifully with each season. Maintained by dedicated volunteers, it’s a serene, must-see destination for nature and design lovers alike.

Oudolf Garden Detroit

Gardens

This is hands-down the best place to watch the sunrise on Belle Isle. Facing east over the Detroit River toward Lake St. Clair, the Belle Isle Lighthouse catches the first light of day spilling across the water. Early mornings here are quiet, peaceful, and filled with birdsong. It’s where you’ll see the horizon ignite in pink and gold before the city fully wakes up. Be sure to share your photos on Instagram and tag #belleislesun

For Sunrise: Lighthouse Point (North End)

Lookout Points

Close to the Athletic Fields and picnic shelters, this facility supports Belle Isle’s most active visitors. It’s especially useful for families, sports teams, and group gatherings throughout the warmer months. Located near open lawns and parking, it’s a natural hub for recreation and relaxation.

Athletic Fields & Picnic Area Restrooms

Located in Shed 7 between two of the island’s most popular attractions, these restrooms are easily accessible from the main parking area. They serve guests visiting the Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, and Lily Pond throughout regular open hours. It’s the most central location for visitors spending a day among Belle Isle’s cultural landmarks.

Belle Isle Aquarium & Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory Restrooms

Situated near the lifeguard station and picnic shelters, the beach restrooms offer changing areas and easy access to parking. Open during summer, they serve swimmers, families, and sunseekers all day long. With the sound of laughter and waves nearby, they’re part of the island’s lively summertime rhythm.

Belle Isle Beach Restrooms

Restrooms are available inside and adjacent to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum for both guests and passersby. They’re a convenient stop for cyclists or walkers looping the island’s eastern waterfront. The location makes them a reliable midpoint between the Beach and the Lighthouse.

Dossin Great Lakes Museum Restrooms

Found near the Fountain and Central Avenue, these seasonal restrooms are close to one of Belle Isle’s most iconic gathering spots. They’re ideal for visitors enjoying events, photos, or quiet time by the water. During summer months, this area is one of the park’s busiest and most scenic rest stops.

James Scott Memorial Fountain Restrooms

At the island’s northern tip, a small facility serves visitors exploring the Lighthouse and scenic trails. Open seasonally, it’s a quiet stop surrounded by some of Belle Isle’s best views. Its peaceful setting makes even a short visit feel like part of the experience.

North End / Lighthouse Area Restrooms

Restrooms

Next to the Athletic Fields, this pavilion anchors Belle Isle’s active, outdoor spirit—perfect for leagues, meetups, and post-game cookouts. Reserve it like other shelters via the DNR channels.

Athletic Shelter Pavilion

Smaller riverside shelters like Shelter 19 offer shaded picnic areas with easy trail and fishing access—great for casual gatherings. Book these by shelter number using the state reservation system or through the park events office.

Shelter 19 and Other Riverside Pavilions

Pavilions

Encircling the entire island, the Outer Perimeter Trail spans roughly 5.4 miles of paved pathway — perfect for our slower cyclists, runners, and sightseers alike. It offers sweeping views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines, passing landmarks like the Fountain, Beach, and Lighthouse along the way. The trail’s gentle curves make it ideal for a long, scenic ride or a leisurely walk that takes in every side of Belle Isle.

Belle Isle Outer Perimeter Trail

Winding through the island’s northeast side, the Blue Heron Lagoon Trail is one of Belle Isle’s most peaceful routes. The path meanders beside calm water, over footbridges, and through stands of willow and cattail that attract herons, turtles, and other wildlife. It’s a favorite for birdwatchers and nature lovers, offering a glimpse into the quieter ecosystems that thrive just beyond the main roads.

Blue Heron Lagoon Trail

Surrounding the Nature Center, this network of short interpretive trails provides an immersive experience for kids and families. The paths weave through woodlands and wetlands, with signs highlighting local flora, fauna, and conservation efforts. Each step encourages curiosity — reminding visitors that even a small trail can open the door to big discoveries about Detroit’s natural environment.

Belle Isle Nature Center Trails

Stretching through the heart of the island, these grassy trails offer open views and easy access to Belle Isle’s central fields. On any given day, you’ll see joggers, dog walkers, and families out enjoying the space. It’s a simple, open-air kind of beauty — the kind that invites you to take your time and breathe deeply beneath wide Michigan skies.

Oakwood and Central Meadow Paths

These lesser-known dirt paths weave through the island’s interior, connecting the forested wetlands near the Nature Center to the shoreline near the Lighthouse. Soft underfoot and shaded by old trees, they provide a more rustic experience for those seeking solitude. In spring, wildflowers line the trail; in autumn, it becomes a tunnel of gold and amber leaves — a natural retreat in the middle of the city.

Wetlands and Woodland Trails

Trails

Kids Row Playground is a fantastic year-round destination for kids of all ages, with swings, tunnels, slides, and accessible play equipment. Built on a half-acre in the heart of the island, it offers ample space to burn off energy, any time of year.

Detroit’s best getaway is still Detroit.