Kelley
Belle Isle Beach
This gorgeous aquarium was built in 1904 by well-known architect, Albert Kahn. It was the oldest continuously open aquarium in the United States until 2005 when it was closed. Reopened in 2012, the aquarium has flourished with the help of various organizations that merged to become the Belle Isle Conservancy. Steeped in history, the Belle Isle Aquarium is housed in a beautiful Beaux Arts style building with a grand entrance that incorporates the Detroit emblem and two spitting fish in a stone façade. The viewing gallery offers large tanks teeming with aquatic life, a swordfish mosaic, and an arched ceiling adorned in sea foam glass tiles reminiscent of being underwater. Both saltwater and freshwater species are found here, most notably native fish from the Great Lakes area.
This charming urban oasis is tucked away in the downtown area of Detroit. Lafayette Greens is an urban garden which offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, with manicured lawns, vegetable gardens, an abundance of flowers, art sculptures and even patio seating with umbrellas. A sensory garden, it encourages visitors to touch, smell and feel the different variety of plants including exotic varieties like lavender. Best of all, the produce grown here is all donated to a local food bank.
Oudolf Garden
Open now
Located in the middle of Belle Isle is the delightful Belle Isle Nature Center. Opened in 1895, the nature center has an impressive collection of amphibians, fish, mammals and reptiles from around Michigan. An elevated walkway takes visitors past exhibits showing the diverse Michigan wildlife. Make sure you stop by the Deer Encounter to feed fallow deer and check out the Michigan Turtle Exhibit in the auditorium. Belle Isle Nature Center is a fun visit for both children and adults.
