By Hope, Operations Coordinator at Great Stays
If you look up things to do in Detroit, Belle Isle is going to show up on just about every local guide—and for good reason.
It’s one of those places that everyone seems to know about, but somehow it still feels completely personal once you cross that bridge.
For me, Belle Isle has become an important part of summer.
Every Saturday once the weather finally turns warm again, an old friend and I usually clear our afternoon and follow the same tradition. We start the day in Corktown at Bev’s Bagels. The service is impeccable and they work efficiently to have our order ready within minutes. We always grab the same bagel sandwich. EVERYTHING is delicious here but both of us are hooked on this bagel sandwich called “Over My Egg Body” that includes fresh fried egg, cooper sharp cheese, mayo, salt and pepper. The perfect combo if you ask me. We grab our breakfast and sit outside for a while because their patio is the kind of outdoor sanctuary that makes you forget you’re in the middle of the city. We catch up on our week, enjoy our breakfast, and slowly ease into the day before heading toward the island.
Then we pack back into the car with our beach bag filled with blankets, sunscreen, water, snacks and a little speaker and make our way over to Belle Isle. Phones go in our laps when we cross the bridge from Jefferson Ave. to the Belle Isle Loop. It’s a beautiful and nostalgic view that keeps us grounded and thankful for the space we share with the rest of the city.
One thing we always do is drive the full loop around the island before settling anywhere.
No matter how many times I do it, I never get tired of it.
You get views of the Detroit River, little pockets of shoreline, cyclists, families grilling, picnics, and people enjoying the city in completely different ways. We always joke and wave across the water toward Canada, which feels mandatory at this point.
We almost always visit two of my favorite places on the island; the Conservatory and the Aquarium.
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory feels like stepping into another world for a little while. It’s warm, quiet, green, and somehow feels removed from everything else going on around the city.
Right next door is the beautiful Belle Isle Aquarium, one of my favorite buildings in Detroit. It opened in 1904 and was designed by Albert Kahn, whose work helped shape so much of the city’s architecture. The sea-green tiled interior was designed to make visitors feel like they’re underwater, and even now it feels unlike anywhere else in Detroit.
After making our rounds, we eventually end up at Belle Isle Beach.
That walk from the parking lot to finding our spot is blissful as you feel the first rays of sun on your skin.
There’s always so much happening around you.
People unloading coolers and setting up tents for the day. Kids already halfway in the water before their parents catch up. Colorful hammocks tied between trees. Someone grilling. Vibrant kites in the sky. Rollerbladers weaving by. People riding e-bikes and calling out “on your right.” Groups of friends playing music and spending the entire day together.
It always feels alive in a really easy, comfortable way.
When we finally put our blankets down and look back toward the skyline across the river, I always end up having the same thought: we are really lucky to have this here.
Detroit is such an interesting city because it has so much history and personality, but Belle Isle gives people space to slow down and enjoy it.
This is one of the places where I feel most like myself.
You can spend the whole day exploring or do absolutely nothing at all.
Bring your family, your friends, your dog, or just bring a blanket and a book.
There’s more to explore than most people realize. The hidden beach spots, trails, gardens, the famous (and closed) giant metal slide, historic buildings, and little corners of the island that become your own over time.
If you’re staying with Great Stays and have a free afternoon while you’re in Detroit, make time for Belle Isle.
Not because it’s a hidden gem.
Because it’s our little sanctuary that reminds us of the importance of community and why people who live here love this city so much.
– Hope
Operations Coordinator, Great Stays
Top Attractions on Belle Isle:
- Belle Isle Aquarium: The oldest aquarium in the country (opened 1904), featuring unique green-tiled architecture.
- Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory: An acre-plus botanical garden with five distinct climate zones and a renowned orchid collection.
- Dossin Great Lakes Museum: Focuses on Detroit's maritime history, including the Gothic Room and anchor from the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.
- James Scott Memorial Fountain: An iconic, massive marble fountain, offering panoramic views of the Detroit skyline and Canada.
- Sunset Point: Located on the west end, it is a premier location to view the Detroit skyline, Ambassador Bridge, and sunsets.
- Belle Isle Nature Center: Operated by the Detroit Zoological Society, it offers interactive nature exhibits and wildlife viewing.
- Recreation & Landmarks: Includes a designated swim beach, the Belle Isle Boat House, the Remick Bandshell, and the Giant Slide.
Check out our MAP to see nearby Great Stays properties that are walkable to Belle Isle
Check out Bevs Bagels