Belle Isle Aquarium

900 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA

Address:	900 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Phone:	+1 313-402-0466
Site:	belleisleconservancy.org
Rating:	4.5
Working:	Closed Closed Closed Closed 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM 10AM–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 14

Craig G.

If you havent been here and you live nearby, you should take the time to check it out. My wife and I along with our two children decided to come check it out on our lazy Sunday. Listen, this isnt the Shed Aquarium, Chattanooga Aquarium or the awesome Georgia Aquarium so dont get that vision in your head. You will be greatly disappointed if thats what you are expecting. Instead, think of this for what it is. A historic aquarium that is something fun to do for an hour or so on any random day. The best part about the aquarium in my opinion was the volunteer staff. Welcoming, informative and friendly. Dont get me wrong, the aquarium is interesting and educational but the volunteer was great. Admission is free, but dont forget to drop a couple of bucks in the donation box. This place is neat now, but it has the potential to be pretty awesome. Of course, awesome comes with a price so here, you get what you pay for. My kids LOVED it. We stopped at the tiny gift shop on the way out and picked up a few things. Ive been driving by this place for years and finally decided to check it out. I should have done this a long time ago. Belle Isle is now a State Park, so be prepared to pay the admission fee at the booth. We have the recreational passport on our license tab, so we were good. Check out the conservatory next-door; thats a neat place too and the volunteer there was as equally enthusiastic and made our visit more enjoyable.

Joel Fedell

Belle Isle Aquarium is the oldest public aquarium in the United States. Opened on August 18, 1904 at the time it was the 1st in the United States, and the 3rd largest in the world. At the time too, it was the fanciest public aquarium. The aquarium closed in 2005 and reopened in 2012. It is now run by volunteers and operates under donations. The aquarium is free to visit and is worth a visit. The tile work in the aquarium is amazing. The tanks, tile work, lighting are all original. Even the bathrooms are original. It is small by todays standards and you arent going to see any exotic animals/fish. They are only open on Fridays and Saturdays (as they are all volunteers), so you have to plan accordingly. Also, Belle Isle is a Michigan State Park so you will need a recreational pass to gain access to the island and all that Belle Isle has to offer. But it is worth it. Total visit is maybe 30-45 minutes depending on how busy they are - but again it is worth it.

George Knudsen

We really enjoyed "the oldest aquarium in America" even though its still being renovated. I loved seeing the hand-placed green tile ceiling I had heard so much about while Belle Isle Aquarium was being restored. There is quite a few interesting fish, some interactive displays for the kids to enjoy, and room to grow as more display tanks are still being worked on. You can see the long history here, as you look around into nooks and crannies like the gift shop and how the workmanship is so different from today.

Amy Zimmerman

My son and I visited (from Chicago) a year ago and there was an earnest crew of volunteers working to restore the aquarium and reopen many of the closed exhibits. I see that they have been working tirelessly to add more fish and open the whole building to visitors. Belle Isle itself is a beautiful location. The aquarium was a lovely place to visit with a gorgeous tile ceiling and cool fish to see. Theres so much to see in the park and the aquarium is a true gem not to be missed.

Mike Radowiec

Super neat. Belle isle in general is an amazing value proposition for a family now that it is maintained by the dnr. Its clean, well kept, updated and staffed. The aquarium specifically is small, but the old green glass ceiling is super cool. The whole vibe of the place is awesome. My kids loved it. We went around 4 ish times before we finally called it. Recreation passport is a steal at 13 bucks. The conservancy is right next door to it. Awesome, awesome awesome!!!!

Nicole R

My partner and I really enjoyed visiting the aquarium just before the restoration/remodel work this past year. We enjoyed our visit to Belle Isle and the historic aquarium, where we also sat on a bench and watched the local squirrels and birds outside. This attraction would be good for small children. We are really looking forward to going back soon to see the newly restored skylights and more!

Matt Brusoe

Very neat area to check out if you are in Detroit. They dont have a ton of fish in there yet as they have just recently reopened the building to the public but the inside is really cool to check out. Coming from the Toledo area, its not a bad drive and I can see my wife and I going up this summer to check it out together and to enjoy the whole Island together!

Leonard Miller

Been a long time since I visited Belle Isle. Still in need of a lot of work. Thanks to the state and the Michigan State Police and Michigan DNR for making this place safe again. A work in progress but if they continue on and keep it out if the hands of those past-type corrupt elected Detroit officials, Belle Isle will come back and be beautiful again.

Linda Smith

Im so glad to see the Aquarium being restored and cared for so lovingly. I just visited the Aquarium and the Conservatory last month, for the first time since I moved away from MI in the early 80s. So many old memories, and new ones being created with the youth in our family. Google, get it together and fix your info. for this historic place!

Mary Anderson

Belle Isle in Detroit Michigan is truly a great place, from the Scott Fountain to the Livingstone Lighthouse and everything in between. Many great views of the Canadian shoreline as well as Downtown Detroit. Fishing? Yes! Watching the BIG boats? Yes! Aquarium, conservatory, museum. It is all here. Truly a beautiful experience!

J.P. White

The Belle Isle aquarium is back. A volunteer organization is rebuilding and restocking the many exhibits. The building is wonderful as always. About 65% of the exhibits are stocked; Many similar the preclosure classics, some new. Worth a visit to enjoy, and if doable, a generous donation to keep the work going.

GiseIIe G

Really small and cramped.the staff/volunteers were very nice and educated me that they reopened it and not the state which is great on their behalf.however too many people in a small area pushing to see the few fish as they are renovating.i drove a far distance for this and wish I didnt waste my time.

Dan Currier

We went to the aquarium last Saturday and we loved it. My daughter loved being able to get up close to the fish, so tried to reach out and touch them. The eel exhibit has always been my favorite. They dont charge admission, but they do need contributions, since it is a volunteer effort.

Anita Paylor

Excitingly wonderful. A brilliant splendor of nature, family and historical collaboration, embracing the soul of the sunlit skies over a Saturday afternoon outing. An enrichment to behold. Take a serene pause in living to visit Detroits jewel on the river.