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Belle Isle
Once known as Hog Island, the now more aptly named Belle Isle is a picturesque island in the Detroit River connected to the city by a small bridge. It first became public land in 1701 and was made into a public park in 1879 – designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York's Central Park. Albert Kahn, a well-known turn-of-the-century architect, designed the Belle Isle's Whitcomb Conservatory (website: www.bibsociety.org), which contains regional flora from all over the country. The Belle Isle Aquarium (website: http://belleisleaquarium.com), Michigan's oldest aquarium, was closed down in 2005, but there is an ongoing local campaign to have it reopened. Today, the island hosts the Detroit Grand Prix every June. Year-round features include a nature centre, beaches, waterslide, tennis courts and playgrounds.
Jefferson Avenue and Grand Boulevard
Tel: (313) 852 4075.
Website: www.ci.detroit.mi.us/recreation/centers/M/belle_isle/belleM.htm
Opening hours: (Conservatory) Daily 1000-1700.
Free admission.
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
The brainchild of Dossin, a power-boat racing magnate, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum chronicles the flavourful history of Great Lakes boating and shipping through models, exhibits, paintings and memorabilia. One of its most enticing attractions is the Gothic Room, which features 7.5 tonnes of carved gothic oak removed from the elegant turn-of-the-century river luxury liner City of Detroit III. Other attractions include the working pilothouse from an actual freighter, as well as the yachts owned by the barons of the auto industry.
100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle
Tel: (313) 852 4051.
Website: www.detroithistorical.org/html/information/dossin.html
Opening hours: Sat-Sun 1100-1600. Mon-Fri for groups of 20 or more, by appointment only.
Admission charge.
Once known as Hog Island, the now more aptly named Belle Isle is a picturesque island in the Detroit River connected to the city by a small bridge. It first became public land in 1701 and was made into a public park in 1879 – designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, who also designed New York's Central Park. Albert Kahn, a well-known turn-of-the-century architect, designed the Belle Isle's Whitcomb Conservatory (website: www.bibsociety.org), which contains regional flora from all over the country. The Belle Isle Aquarium (website: http://belleisleaquarium.com), Michigan's oldest aquarium, was closed down in 2005, but there is an ongoing local campaign to have it reopened. Today, the island hosts the Detroit Grand Prix every June. Year-round features include a nature centre, beaches, waterslide, tennis courts and playgrounds.
Jefferson Avenue and Grand Boulevard
Tel: (313) 852 4075.
Website: www.ci.detroit.mi.us/recreation/centers/M/belle_isle/belleM.htm
Opening hours: (Conservatory) Daily 1000-1700.
Free admission.
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
The brainchild of Dossin, a power-boat racing magnate, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum chronicles the flavourful history of Great Lakes boating and shipping through models, exhibits, paintings and memorabilia. One of its most enticing attractions is the Gothic Room, which features 7.5 tonnes of carved gothic oak removed from the elegant turn-of-the-century river luxury liner City of Detroit III. Other attractions include the working pilothouse from an actual freighter, as well as the yachts owned by the barons of the auto industry.
100 Strand Drive, Belle Isle
Tel: (313) 852 4051.
Website: www.detroithistorical.org/html/information/dossin.html
Opening hours: Sat-Sun 1100-1600. Mon-Fri for groups of 20 or more, by appointment only.
Admission charge.
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