The most popular park in Detroit, the gigantic Belle Isle Park is actually an entire island. Wonderful for people of all ages and activity levels, this island park has something for everybody. Visit the Dossin Great Lakes Museum; go swimming at the beach; hike along the lovely wooded trails; plan a pleasant picnic outdoors; and much, much more!
Pay a visit to the Belle Isle Conservancy, the program responsible for the impeccable maintenance of the park ground from the closed Belle Isle Aquarium to the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and other attractions. Thanks to BIBS staff and volunteers, the Conservatory, gardens and greenhouses in the sprawling Belle Isle Park are a delightful sight to behold.
Art aficionados will not want to miss a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, one of the most significant art collections in the country. This gigantic museum covers 658,000 square feet and features over 100 galleries filled with everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts to today’s top contemporary works.
Surround yourself with the beauty and tranquility of nature when you visit the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The outdoor gardens are open for free to the public, although the conservatory itself requires an admission fee. Outside, you can wander around over a dozen different gardens, including a rock garden and a labyrinth, as well as walk along five different nature trails. And there’s even more on the inside!