What Time Does The Belle Isle Aquarium Open In The Summer?

The Belle Isle Aquarium first opened in 1904 and is the oldest aquarium building in the United States. Designed by architects George D. Mason and Albert Kahn in the Beaux-Arts style, the aquarium building is known for its glass dome and historic marble exhibits. The aquarium houses over 30 tanks showcasing both freshwater and saltwater fish from the Great Lakes region and around the world. Some highlights include sturgeon, gar, sharks, rays, and spotted bamboo catfish. The Belle Isle Aquarium originally closed in 2005 due to city budget cuts but reopened again in 2012 after major renovations. It continues to be a popular attraction for both Detroit residents and out-of-town visitors.

Summer Hours

The Belle Isle Aquarium has extended summer hours from late May through August 31. According to their Instagram page, the aquarium’s summer hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday (Source). The aquarium is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during the summer.

So to summarize, the Belle Isle Aquarium summer hours are:

• Thursday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.



• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday: Closed

The aquarium returns to its normal operating hours after August 31, which are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (Source).

Exhibits and Attractions

The Belle Isle Aquarium features a variety of exhibits showcasing fish and aquatic life from around the world. Some of the main attractions include:

The Sturgeon Touch Tank allows visitors to touch and feed actual sturgeon. This hands-on exhibit educates about the lifecycle and ecology of the fish.

The Reef Exhibit features a coral reef environment with tropical fish, moray eels, seahorses, and other marine species. Visitors can walk through an acrylic tunnel surrounded by the aquarium tank for an up-close view of the reef ecosystem.

The Freshwater Stingrays Exhibit lets you safely touch and interact with stingrays as they glide around the tank. This exhibit highlights the diversity of freshwater stingrays and their conservation.

The Hexagon Fish Tank is a unique cylindrical tank housing angelfish, tetras, gouramis, and other freshwater tropical fish. The innovative hexagon design provides lots of surface area for the fish.

The Aquarium also has over 40 other tanks and exhibits featuring snakes, turtles, frogs, aquatic insects, and fish from the Great Lakes region and around the world. Interactive displays and informative signage provide details about each species and habitat.

(Source: https://www.mlive.com/travel/2017/08/belle_isle_aquarium_exhibits_s.html)

Admission Cost

Admission to the Belle Isle Aquarium is completely free for all visitors. There is no entry fee or ticket required to explore the aquarium. As noted on the aquarium’s website, “While the Aquarium is free, as is the parking, all Vehicles Must have a Recreation Passport to enter Belle Isle Park.” The recreation passport provides vehicle access to Michigan state parks and costs $12 annually for Michigan vehicles.

While admission is free, donations are encouraged to help support the aquarium’s operations and care for the fish. Donation boxes are located throughout the aquarium. As a nonprofit organization, the aquarium relies on contributions from visitors.

Getting There

The Belle Isle Aquarium is located on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan. Belle Isle is accessible by car or public transportation.

To drive to the aquarium, take Jefferson Avenue east and turn right on East Grand Boulevard. Follow East Grand Boulevard onto the MacArthur Bridge to access Belle Isle. There is ample free parking near the aquarium once on the island.

For public transit, take the Detroit Department of Transportation’s Detroit People Mover to the Joe Louis Arena Station. From there, walk 0.3 miles east to the Rivard Plaza Shelter and take Bus 12 to the aquarium stop. The entire public transit trip takes around 30 minutes from downtown Detroit.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft also provide transportation to and around Belle Isle. The rideshare dropoff/pickup point is near the aquarium entrance.

Nearby Attractions

Belle Isle is home to several attractions in addition to the aquarium that are worth visiting, especially if you’re spending a day exploring the island. Some top nearby attractions on Belle Isle include:

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory – This beautiful conservatory and botanical garden features exotic plants, flowers, and trees from around the world. It’s a short walk from the aquarium. More info at https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g42139-d8039550-Reviews-Belle_Isle_Aquarium-Detroit_Michigan.html

Dossin Great Lakes Museum – Learn about the history of the Great Lakes and Detroit’s role at this fascinating museum. It’s about a half mile from the aquarium. More info at https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g42139-d8039550-Reviews-Belle_Isle_Aquarium-Detroit_Michigan.html

William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse – Tour the only marble lighthouse in the United States, located near the northern tip of the island. It’s about 2 miles from the aquarium. More info at https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g42139-d8039550-Reviews-Belle_Isle_Aquarium-Detroit_Michigan.html

Food Options

The Belle Isle Aquarium does not have an on-site restaurant, but guests can pack a picnic lunch or snacks to enjoy on the grounds outside. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Alcohol and glass containers are prohibited.

There are several options for quick bites nearby. The aquarium is a short walk from several eateries on Belle Isle such as the Belle Isle Golf Club Grill, which offers sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more. Off the island, Midtown Detroit has many cafes, bakeries, and fast casual options just a 5-10 minute drive away.

For a unique dining experience, visit the nearby Belle Isle Conservatory and Cafe. The cafe is open on weekends and serves soups, salads, and sandwiches inside a Victorian-era conservatory. Advanced reservations are recommended.

Accessibility

The Belle Isle Aquarium aims to be accessible and welcoming for all visitors. The aquarium building and pathways around it are wheelchair accessible (source). There are accessible entrances and exhibits throughout the aquarium. However, there are a limited number of accessible restrooms on the island.

Visitors with mobility limitations should be aware that while the aquarium itself is accessible, some of the pathways and gardens outside are not fully wheelchair accessible. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and bring any necessary mobility aids or equipment.

Service animals are welcome inside the aquarium. If you plan to visit with a service animal, you may wish to call ahead to notify staff so they can assist you during your visit.

Tips for Visiting Belle Isle Aquarium

Here are some tips for making the most of your visit to Belle Isle Aquarium in the summer:

The best times to visit are weekday mornings when it’s less crowded. Weekends, especially Saturdays, tend to be the busiest times.

Bring a camera to take photos of the exhibits and marine life. Tripods are not allowed.

Wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking between exhibits.

Pack snacks and water bottles since there is no food sold inside the aquarium.

Pick up an informational guidebook sold at the entrance to learn more about the species on display.

Allow 1-2 hours to see all the exhibits at a comfortable pace.

Visit the gift shop for aquatic-themed souvenirs at the end of your visit.

Strollers and wheelchairs can be rented at the entrance.

Service animals are welcome but pets are not permitted.

Plan Your Visit

The Belle Isle Aquarium is open daily during the summer from 10am-4pm. To avoid crowds, plan to arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in the ticket line. The aquarium is located at 900 Inselruhe Ave, Detroit, MI 48207 on Belle Isle. There is free parking near the aquarium.

Be sure to check out the stingray and shark touch tanks, which allow hands-on interaction with the animals. The aquarium houses over 30 tanks showcasing both freshwater and saltwater fish. Some of the interesting exhibits include Moon Jellies, Electric Eel, and Amazon Flooded Forest.

Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy outdoors on the grounds of the aquarium. There are no food options inside the aquarium. Nearby attractions on Belle Isle include the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Allow 2-3 hours to see all the exhibits at a relaxed pace.

To learn more and buy tickets, visit the official aquarium website. Come explore this hidden gem showcasing Michigan’s diverse aquatic life!