Belle Isle Aquarium

They have really made some leaps and bounds in the displays! I wish it was open all week long. Its very hard for me to get over on a weekend. I wish they would take out some of the glass and replace it. Its very scratched up in some tanks (some shameless nitwits have etched graffiti into the glass). Not all of the tanks are used for fish which is disappointing. This whole thing needs a renovation. They should take a cue from Toldeo Zoo Aquarium and just gut the thing and make it modern! I would gladly pay $ 20 admission.

The building is absolutely beautiful. They are still working on exhibits but we didn’t feel it was lacking. With more work & donations this place could be a real gem. Our 1 & 3 year old love it to. It doesn’t take up much time so we like to visit the conservatory & playground afterwards.

This place recently re-​opened and sports a beautifully restored ceiling. It is a pretty small aquarium, but is the oldest in the country, and it’s FREE! Though it needs some more repair and work, it’s one of the gems of Belle Isle that will just keep getting better as the island improves.
If you have some free time on the Isle, stop here (after you do the much more impressive conservatory, next door!)

For those that know me, I am a huge stickler for aquarium up-​keep, and also for presentation.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the aquarium, especially given their less than stellar history of money issues, and needing to be restored, etc.
The structure itself is amazing, and has been very well restored. The biggest issue that I came to find was the lack of multiple bathrooms. I attended the aquarium on a relatively busy Sunday, and there was a line to even simply wash my hands since there is only a single stall bathroom for each gender.
The exhibits were average, but not amazing. Many of them were closed for improvements, or closed simply because they are still in need of sponsors to take care of them. Many of the varieties of fish can be seen at a local fish store, however, the coolest aspect to me was seeing some of the native fish of the area. Although I have fished many times in Metro Detroit, it was rather cool to see many of the native species in an aquarium setting and see them at eye level.
All in all, it was a great experience, and you can’t beat something that’s free. It’s a great place to take children, and teach them a little about nature. I would highly recommend the aquarium to any long-​time Michigan fan, or for anyone looking to have something to do on a slower paced day. My only suggestion is to come earlier when it’s less crowded, and use the restroom before you arrive, and pack some patience.

The aquarium was built in 1904 by famous architect Albert Kahn. The building is breathtaking, but still being restored. It’s run by volunteers, all of which were friendly and passionate about their cause. In my opinion the architecture and history are the best parts of the aquarium, though the kids around me all seemed to love the sea creatures. Admission is free, so you really can’t go wrong. They are actively seeking donations, and I really hope they can continue to restore the aquarium! It’s a true Detroit gem.

The ceiling is restored! Looking beautiful. I brought my friend’s 3 daughters here and they kept asking where all the fish were. On a busy Saturday, it was great to see so many people enjoying it. The building is really beautiful and I’m hoping they continue to raise money to restore it. You can buy food for the Koi for $ 1, and it’s quite a big bag to head outside and feed the Koi. One of them, we were told, is 83 years old! She’s large and white, so look for her. They have small «classes» they hold for the kids every few hours, which they enjoyed as well. The best part about the aquarium… and all of beautiful Belle Isle is it is all free! Bring a picnic and eat out in the beautiful conservatory gardens while you are there.

I happened to check out Belle Isle Park on a Thursday. I parked in the lot for the aquarium and asked a woman sweeping the steps if it was ok that I parked there. She said no problem at all. We chatted for a few and she told me to come by on Saturday when they are open. I told her I was leaving on Friday. She told me that they had an event she was setting up for but if I came back in 45 minutes, she would let me in! True to her word, she let me in to see this awesome aquarium.
The building is enough to make me want to visit again. The inside is small but they have some pretty cool tanks. The dwarf seahorse tank was pretty cool to watch.
Apparently it is the oldest in the country and third oldest in the world. She also shared with me that most of the people who were there are volunteers! If you are in Detroit, swing by and check it out and support this unique aquarium and their caring staff!

small and historical. I’m very happy that the city opened it back up. The employees address the past of the museum very openly and honestly. The creatures are common and not very unique. But it’s a great place to see at least once and it’s free.

Loved this place. It recently reopened and revamped. It’s beautiful on the inside, small consisting of one tubular hallway. They have many tanks and many different kinds of fish, and even sea horses! Those were beautiful. Come see this and support Detroit!

Not much in there right now but you can’t complain with free. Very glad it’s open again and it still has facts for the kids to learn and look at some neat fish.

As has been noted before, this is America’s oldest aquarium, just stop and think about that a second. The OLDEST aquarium. That my fellow Unilocalers, is a big deal and I’m quite happy that this little gem is right here in Detroit.
It is free, so who can really complain about that? The building is beautiful, it feels like you’re stepping back in time as you enter the doors. Keeping in mind the age of this place, it is not a commercial aquarium where you can walk through a tunnel and see sharks swimming over your head. Instead, it is individual aquariums with a range of animals. Some are native to the Mid Western United States and others are from far away rain forests. They have several displays that hold fish from Africa’s great lakes, which I thought was a great way to connect inquisitive minds to another place entirely.
It is not perfect yet. There are some aquariums that I wish had more natural plants and habitat for the fish. But I know that they are adding more exhibits even as we speak. I saw several fish that I had never even heard of before and they’ve done a great job of providing fun information about what you see. The volunteers are SUPER friendly and love to answer any questions you can think of and I read that they have partnered with Wanye State University. Partnerships across Detroit like this are what will bring about real change, so I’m all for it!
The gift shop is small, but it has some great things in there. If you’re a postcard fan I totally recommend grabbing some from here, they are beautiful and just like the building a throw back to the history of the island.
I say, go support this aquarium and have some fun while you’re at it!

America’s oldest aquarium. I can’t really complain about this place since it’s free and although the sea creatures I saw here were limited, they were some of the coolest ones such as electric eels and albino frogs.
They had fun facts and questions at each display. «Do fish get married?» They know better! «How can you tell a fish’s age?» It’s rude to ask! Those weren’t the actual answers.
One of the aquarium employees informed us that they are renovating and adding more displays/​animals. Like I’ve said, it’s free!

The Belle Isle Aquarium is an iconic gem in the city of Detroit. Cleared of dust and not forgotten it now shines in the heart of the island. It is on a definite bounce back and now features more than 17 tanks filled with fish, reptiles and dreams. This is a place of my childhood. This is a place of worship. It is an alter to the rebirth of Detroit and has kept the dim glow of Renaissance alive while it’s leaders have been asleep at the wheel for decades. It is a testament to it’s citizens love of a hazy dream of a forgone era.
Go to the aquarium. You will love it. It is your civic duty.
My friends and I do a benefit for the aquarium every year. It is called The Michigan Glass Project. We gather hundreds glassblowers together in a temporary studio set up and make pieces to be auctioned off an benefit the fish. In the last two years we have donated $ 24,000 and plan to give them more. This is a passionate organization and what we do is impressive on several levels. My favorite part is a cocktail party amongst the tanks with pretty girls in short dresses and the sound of funk 45’s echoing throughout the building. It is amazing.
Check us out.
project.

I am so happy that the aquarium is open again. There are a lot of really cool fish, turtles and frogs. I thought the electric eel set-​up was pretty cool — he’s hooked up to a monitor that measures the charge on a scale from nothing to pikachu. There’s some really bizarre fish like the lungfish and the arowanas. My favorite is the leopard moray eel, and at 2:30 you can watch him grab a frozen feeder fish from a gopher grabber.
I’ve been twice with only a few weeks between visits and they had a few more tanks filled with fish the second time — it seems like they’re steadily adding them.
Their gift shop is full of cute Detroit stuff and there’s bathrooms.

The Hubs and I were at Eastern Market on a cold Saturday morning… since it was sunny we figured we’d swing by Belle Isle and see what was going on today. We stopped in to the Aquarium since it wasn’t too busy and WOW! One of the most beautiful buildings I have ever been in! Amazing green tiles cover the ceiling, it is so pretty!
Tanks have all sorts of fish, I think they were all fresh water. Huge Koi fish. Enough for the kids to look at and be satsified, but you wont be there all day.
This place is a work in progress, but you can tell they are really trying with what little funds they do have.

Once upon a time, Belle Isle Aquarium dazzled the public with one of the country’s largest collection of freshwater fish. How far the mighty have fallen, perhaps a sad allegory for the fortunes of Belle Isle. Detroiters have a gem in the rough in need of a little love and tender care here. It’s rather tough around the edges.
Opened in 1904, the aquarium is a visual spectacle of elaborate Beaux Arts architecture, filled with references to Poseidon (Neptune). Look for the deep stone vases and tridents in the corners unexpectedly. The cool, green-​tiled archways invite respite from a boiling hot summer afternoon.
Small glass tanks used to hold a wealth of fish, though they are sadly in need of refurbishment and some gussying up. Don’t expect to find lavish underwater environments on par with the Shedd Aquarium, where a second ecosystem is created under glass. Heck, a few dozen home aquarium enthusiasts would make all the difference in the world. Hints of previous exhibits are present, like the informative ‘electric fish’ sign boards.
Only open during Saturdays on a limited schedule, volunteers make the best of what they have. Kids stream past the sign-​in podium used to rouse corporate support to see huge spotted catfish, tiny triangular puffers, and a smörgåsbord in between. On a recent visit, handwritten signs on the glass noted turtle eggs were being warmed under soil and a sea of tadpoles from African frogs were slowly developing legs and opaque skin.
A number of smaller corporate sponsors have banded together to support different tanks. In all, there are probably fifteen open to the public with plans for expansion. The other tanks advertise for local vendors, including a number of artists and photographers. Nice as that is, I wish the Belle Isle Aquarium would link up with the Shedd Aquarium or another major institution, the University of Michigan or Michigan State’s biology department, and take on their overflow stock.
Have too many of one fish? Need a seahorse breeding program? Belle Isle could definitely provide that. It’s a valuable way to educate and introduce city residents to the fishy denizens of their local lakes and the Detroit River a stone’s throw away.

Still alot of work to do, Only about 10 tanks are full of water. Really needs help to bring it back to its heyday

Well, it’s not what it used to be, but at least it’s open and making a comeback. Currently only about 10 tanks are in use, with the rest empty, or filled with advertising for various sponsors. That said, it’s free, so I can’t really complain. During the 3 hours it’s open on Saturday they have live feedings, which is a unique thing to see. Worth a trip if you’re in the area. Be sure to check out the free conservatory next door while you’re there.

What a gem in the city of Detroit! Although I’ve lived in the area for almost 4 years (almost two in the city of Detroit itself!), I visited the aquarium for the first time about a week ago. The volunteers are wonderful and will answer any questions you might have about the fish. Even the unoccupied tanks were filled with tidbits from the city. It’s a shame it’s taken so long to get the aquarium up and running again. This is definitely a place I will bring any out-​of-​town visitors!

please, Detroit, help this lil’ poor aquarium. It’s in dire need of some funds (and in much need of some fish) — I hope in a few years there will be a good turnaround for this place and it will be successful. As America’s Oldest Aquarium, it doesn’t deserve to be America’s Most Pathetic.