While in the Detroit area, be sure to visit Belle Isle Park, a 982-acre island park in Detroit. It was first developed in the late 19th century. Its features include the Detroit River, the Belle Isle island, and the surrounding islets. It also happens to be on the U.S.-Canada border, which is visible in the channel south of Belle Isle.
Belle Isle Casino
If you are looking for some things to do in Detroit, consider visiting Belle Isle Park. It is a 982-acre island park that was developed in the late nineteenth century and consists of the main island and surrounding islets. It is situated in the Detroit River, near the U.S.-Canada border, which you can see from the park.
One of the oldest buildings on the island is the Belle Isle Casino. Though this was built in the 19th century, the word casino meant a summerhouse, villa, or social club. The historic building is still used to host local festivals and can be rented for an evening or weekend. You can even enjoy your time in the casino for free.
There are many things to do in Belle Isle Michigan. For the entire family, there is an abundance of open space and a variety of activities. During the winter, the island becomes a snow-covered wonderland where you can enjoy a snowball fight. Other attractions include the Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory.
While you are visiting the park, you may want to take some time to check out its many historical attractions. There is a conservatory with a giant slide that you can ride, as well as a museum dedicated to the maritime past of the city. The park is also home to three lakes and seven miles of natural shoreline.
Another fun activity is visiting the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which preserves the history of the Great Lakes and the Detroit River. It houses many exhibits, including the bow anchor of the infamous Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in Lake Superior in 1975. If you’re visiting Belle Isle, you may want to check out the Deer Encounter as well. This facility is open Tuesday through Sunday and offers a chance to feed the deer.
If you have a family, you might want to take them to the Belle Isle Nature Center. There are several different exhibits for the kids to enjoy, including an actual beehive. The nature center also has an observation window where you can observe bird behavior. You don’t have to pay admission to visit the center, but pre-registration is recommended. There are also nature walks around the island that you can join, which are free and open to the public.
Belle Isle is also known for its giant slide. It is a favorite of the locals, and is an excellent photo opportunity. Another recognizable landmark is the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon Tower. It was built in 1939 in memory of a famous Detroit journalist, and has lent its atmosphere to the island for decades.
You can take a guided tour or opt for a self-guided tour of this historical park. The park features stunning views of the Detroit skyline and is ideal for families. It is also a popular wedding venue.
Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is a botanical garden and greenhouse located on Belle Isle, a 982-acre island park in the Detroit River. The island is near the United States-Canada border, but is actually in the territory of the United States. The Conservatory is home to a diverse collection of plants and flowers.
The Conservatory is open to the public free of charge. While it is supported by state and local government funds, the organization has a rich history of support from private donors and nonprofit organizations. The Belle Isle Botanical Society was founded in 1988 and has helped raise money to maintain the property.
The Conservatory is located on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. It is free to enter the island and has a variety of free activities. You must have a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter the island. For more information, visit the Conservatory’s website. You can also check out photos of the Conservatory on the Wikipedia page of Belle Isle. The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the United States.
The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, located on Belle Isle, Michigan, is a 13-acre botanical garden and greenhouse. It was originally opened in 1904 by noted Detroit architect Albert Kahn. It is the oldest conservatory in the country and offers tours. It is free to visit and is open to the public from 10 AM to 5 PM every day. Tours take about 30 minutes.
The Conservatory is divided into five distinct areas. There is a dome in the center, two wings to the north and south, and a showhouse on the east side. The central dome provides 100,600 cubic feet of space for tropical plants and trees. The north wing houses extensive collections of ferns and cacti. The Conservatory also features a continuous display of blooming plants.
The Conservatory and Aquarium on Belle Isle were originally designed as one facility, but later were separated. The Conservatory features an indoor collection of plants from all over the world, and an outdoor koi lily pond. The Conservatory was designed by Albert Kahn, one of Detroit’s most celebrated architects. It underwent a major renovation project in 2019, which included the replacement of all twenty original steel trusses.
During the renovations, the Aquarium will remain open. It will be open on Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is also open during park hours. The Conservatory will reopen in May 2024.
William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse
The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse is a Michigan landmark located on Belle Isle. Designed by famous Detroit architect Albert Kahn, this lighthouse faces Lake St. Clair. In 1930, Hungarian sculptor Geza Maroti created the lighthouse’s ornamentation. The lighthouse is carved from Georgian marble and features a unique architectural style.
The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse has been the site of several break-ins over the years. In 1980, thieves broke into the livingstone lighthouse and pried open the door. They took two lenses – one of which weighs hundreds of pounds. Arlyn Danielson, a Coast Guard curator, is now on the case to retrieve the two lenses. Another lighthouse on Portland, Maine, was robbed of its Fresnel lens, but it was eventually recovered.
Built in 1872, the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse was operated by the Lighthouse Service until 1940. The lighthouse was designed to be sympathetic to the landscape. It was constructed with Georgia marble and cost $100,000 to construct. The lighthouse first lit on May 15, 1882. It consisted of a square redbrick tower with a two-story brick dwelling, a four-order Fresnel lens, and a circular oil house.
A white marble fluted shaft rises 47 feet above the water, flanked by wide steps on all sides. The shaft is 11 feet in diameter at the base and tapers to 8 feet at the top. The lantern has a curved shape, with a heavy bronze door. A fourth order lens is installed on the lantern, which is powered by an electric light.
Located near Tricentennial State Park on the Detroit River, the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse is a historical site. The lighthouse was named after the man who helped improve navigation in the Great Lakes. Livingstone was president of the Lake Carriers Association from 1902 to 1925 and oversaw many improvements to the waterways. Livingstone was also a great supporter of the lighthouse service, and he was instrumental in establishing the Lake Carriers Association.
Before GPS technology came along, the Belle Isle Lighthouse guided ships across the Detroit River. Today, the historic lighthouse is a landmark in the 982-acre Belle Isle Park. The island is home to three lakes and a lagoon. With over seven miles of shoreline, Belle Isle is an ideal place for nature lovers and bird watchers.
The William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse in Belle Isle was once manually operated, but automated beacons have replaced the lights. Its lens is now worth approximately $250,000, and the lamp is worth up to $350,000. It is now home to a private maritime museum. In 2009, the lenses were listed for sale on the Gronow website, but were removed from the site.