MLive says: “Belle Isle is something truly special. You can spend a whole day exploring the nearly 1,000-acre island park. There's an aquarium, an amazing fountain and the only marble lighthouse in the U.S. The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a must-see destination. It's the oldest continually running conservatory in the country and is home to exotic and rare plants you'll want to see up close. The only way to end your day at Belle Isle is to head to Sunset Point to enjoy a beautiful sunset falling over the Detroit skyline. Oh, and we almost forgot, there's a beach! And a golf course! For attraction hours and more info, check out the Belle Isle Conservancy's website.”
July 25, 2021
I grew up hanging out on Belle Isle: the original zoo & aquarium were popular spots for us while we were kids. My mom took us to the island often, and in middle school I’d go to the Gold Cup Hydroplane Boat Races with Chloe’s family and watch from the Belle Isle Yacht Club. As an adult, it was a regular spot to hang out when I visited home. Needless to say: I know this island (isle) like the back of my hand. Even so, it was still wonderful to be back.
Sunday morning I drove to the island, parked the car, and unloaded my bike. Stop #1, the fountain! It wasn’t running, but the morning light made for a really beautiful experience nonetheless. I also found some animal friends: a goose and a groundhog that seemed to be bonded!
I hopped on my bike to head to the next stops on the island: the casino, the new Oudolf Garden installation, and the various inland lakes (yes, the island has its own lakes!).
I was absolutely loving biking around the island, and getting to stop for photos super frequently along the way. Moving at my own pace around the island was a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning. I moved on to the Conservatory, my absolute favorite place on Belle Isle. I never get tired of photographing the plant collection at this particular Conservatory, and the building itself is absolutely stunning.
The Aquarium is right next to the Conservatory; I didn’t go inside, but I personally like the outside of the aquarium better than the inside.
I hopped back on my bike and kept moving, passing by the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, the Yacht Club, the old zoo, and the beach. I stopped at the beach and waded into the River, knee deep, to cool off. It was super refreshing and the water was beautifully blue and clear.
By the time I finished my loop around the island with all of my stops and my dip in the Detroit River, it was nearly noon! And it was HOT! I made my way back to the car to change out of my sweaty bike clothes and head toward Ann Arbor for a friend’s bridal shower (but not before basically jumping into the river to cool all the way down). It was a perfect visit to the island - next time, I’m bringing the kayak!