Located within Belle Isle Park,this is the oldest aquarium in the United States. Opened in 1904,this historic venue features freshwater and marine fish. The building features a unique green tile ceiling which is worth a visit just to see it! Admission is free but a 5.00 donation is suggested. A typical visit lasts 15-30 minutes. Parking is free. read more

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Belle Isle Aquarium is such a charming little surprise. It feels like stepping into a time capsule in the best way. Yes, there are fish and tanks to check out, but honestly, half the joy is just admiring the architecture. The tile work, the arched ceilings, all the tiny details... it's beautiful and full of history. It's an easy, low-pressure stop where you can wander, take it all in, and not feel rushed. For anyone with little kids, heads up that some tanks sit a bit high, so you may end up lifting them to see--but even then, they're still wide-eyed and excited. It's short, sweet, and totally worth the visit. Such a special little gem, I'm really glad we stopped in. read more

This is the oldest public aquarium in the continental US. I especially liked the historic charm of the arched green tile ceiling. There were exhibits of fish from around the world and everything was well marked to identify the species and their habitat. Good for the whole family while enjoying Belle Isle Park. read more

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Small, clean, renovated aquarium in a building that was erected in 1904. Basically, you walk down one side of a long corridor with several fish tanks and descriptive signs - then return on the other side with the same sort of tanks and signs. Takes less than a half-hour. Clean and well-maintained. read more

Belle Isle Aquarium - Front of aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Entrance to the Belle Isle Island/park is $14. This includes a pass for the whole year! Such a great deal! The aquarium is free. Plenty of parking in front of it. It's pretty small and makes a circle with all the displays. They have a good variety for being free but I still expected a little bigger space. There are no bathrooms in the buildings but there is a bathroom building in the middle of the parking lot. They also have a very small aquarium cart gift shop. It took maybe 20 min to go through it all and it's convenient that there is the conservatory next door. It's also free! And it was better than the aquarium. read more

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This was beautiful and such a fun stop. The space is free (donation only) which is amazing because anyone is able to visit. The information is so interesting and the tanks were very varied! Highly recommend this visit. read more

Belle Isle Aquarium - Garden Eel - Aquariums Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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I've been to many aquariums in this one was awesome! My favorite!! A lot of different fish and a beautiful way to display them! I was amazed at how lovely it was, and "different" odd fish and salamanders I've never seen before! Was fun! Lots of Canadian Geese so watch where you walk outside walking to the plant area; sidewalks. read more

The main reason I wanted to check out this aquarium is because it's the oldest in North America. Keep this in mind. Do not expect a large aquarium with elaborate displays and various marine life. It's a beautiful little aquarium that was probably amazing back in its day. Also, if you go in the summer expect it to be hot, there's no AC and minimal air circulation. read more

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Free! This is a great aquarium. Small but lots to see. We went on a cold Sunday is it was crowded. No bathrooms in the facility. Right next door is the conservatory. read more

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My husband and I decided to come here to celebrate Father's Day with the kids. They open at 10am. No food or drinks are allowed inside. It says no strollers allowed inside but we saw two people with strollers inside. My kids had a blast running around and looking at all of the fish. They do have a small shop outside as well if you want to buy a souvenir. It is free to come in and they do accept donations read more

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One of the best spots for a shoot on a rainy or even snowy day! Excellent experience at the restored Belle Isle Conservatory. Wonderful variety of flora, kind and knowledgeable staff, easy parking. A great retreat in the warm & humid environment here during the cold of winter! The family always enjoys visiting the conservatory! We love all the beautiful plant life and the interesting smells. Not bad for its size plus it's free. There are plenty of species beyond plants, trees, flowers, cactus, etc. amazing space if you enjoy nature and to breathe zen air. Nice sized conservatory with well taken care of plants. Right next to the aquarium so you can do both easily. So glad we visited. So much variety of beautiful plants. Flowers I never knew existed. Then go next door to the aquarium it's historic. read more

I saw people complain about the smallness of this aquarium. But that's what makes it so wonderful and quaint. It's the oldest aquarium in the US and the charm of the exhibits is delightful and unique. The tanks are small, but clean. The fish have personalities that make you squeal with delight and we just had the best hour talking with the volunteers and being amongst the fish. Driving Belle Isle in the winter is also just peaceful and gorgeous. We had a great time. read more

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This aquarium isnt huge BUT so beautiful! The architecture was stunning! The fish are awesome to look at and the information plaques helped us learn about them. It was quite busy yet still felt welcoming. The yard areas around the building are phenomenal and ITS FREE! read more

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Review from 7/2023 Opened August 18, 1904!!! This is a great free resource! Decided to do some hiking and just ran into this Aquarium. We had no idea it was there; well, I guess we had no idea what was on Belle Isle! There were many kids in the aquarium that day, so it was fogging up many windows to look at the aquatic animals. I was able to talk with the volunteer who worked with the octopus, and it was great learning more about him. I was in awe of some of the fish and their origins. It is worth a stop! read more

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I have been wanting to visit the Belle Isle Aquarium since its renovation, so when my boyfriend and I were in town we made it a priority to check it out, and Wow! What a beautiful historic building. Designed by Albert Khan in the Beaux Arts style, it features arched ceilings with sea green tiles for a cool undersea effect. The tanks are designed to look like an art gallery, and indeed the colorful fish do resemble moving pictures. It's not a huge aquarium compared to, say, the Shedd in Chicago, but as someone dealing with chronic pain I appreciate smaller museums, and there are still plenty of fish to see: piranhas, clownfish, eels, rays, an octopus, various fish specific to the Great Lakes, and so on. Despite a lot of merch available regarding axolotls we didn't see one this time. There's no cost to get in, but a donation is requested. There's also a gift shop outside to buy postcards, magnets, books, toys, etc. I definitely recommend the Belle Isle Aquarium to fans of historical architecture, fans of small museums, and fans of fish! read more

This is the oldest aquarium in the United States! The aquarium opened in 1904, but has been recently renovated to modernize and update the exhibits. Belle Isle Aquarium is small but free to the public, and houses a variety of aquatic life. As you stroll through the beautiful aquarium, you'll see lots of different saltwater and freshwater fish, turtles, frogs, octopus and water snakes, and even axolotls, with docents standing by to answer your questions. We walked through the whole thing in about 20 to 30 minutes. There's a small area with a cart that contains souvenirs to purchase, if you wish. Be aware that the aquarium is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, even though the island itself is open every day of the week. read more

Clean. Well kept. Beautiful tiles. Lots of exhibits. Very educational. Lots of parking. The aquarium is right next door to the Conservatory. See them both. read more

What a wonderful day to visit one of the oldest aquariums in the country! It felt like a walk in the past, it was presented well and very informative! We really loved how each tank looked like a framed piece of art, like the original creator intended. They are also restoring/supporting endangered species which is helping the planet tremendously! Can't wait to come back when the greenhouse is open May 2024! read more

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For being what it is - no it is not a huge space with 100 different types of displays - no there is no big tanks or viewing points BUT - the historical aspect of the aquarium is adorable - the volunteer employees were all so incredibly nice - the place was very clean - I would absolutely recommend to ANYONE to come here and experience this historic location. Bummed the connecting observatory was closed due to renovations but completely understand. read more

Belle Isle Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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When the Detroit friends whom we were visiting for the weekend proposed going to the Belle Isle Aquarium I was not enthusiastic, but it was an excellent choice. A pretty structure on the inside (lovely green tile), this is, we were told (not quite accurately) the oldest public aquarium in the United States (actually the fourth oldest). The creatures are nicely displayed in small tanks, there were a couple of enthusiastic volunteers available to answer questions, and the place was small enough to digest in an hour's time. A system of tags showed where the various species were arrayed on the spectrum running from wifely available to close to extinction. And it is free to the public (this is what earns it my fifth star), although I was pleased to make a donation on the way out. We were there without children but there were plenty running around read more

The Belle Isle Aquarium is a gem on Detroit's lovely Belle Isle. Its free unless you count paying to get onto the island. A variety of different types of fish and sea creatures. The volunteers are always very excited and informative. The only con is the size, if you go on a busy day your stuck with many people clamoring around the same tanks and feel rushed at times. All in all, would always come back whenever I'm on Belle Isle read more

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I'm surprised by the low-to-average ratings folks gave this aquarium. No, it's not the grandest I've visited, but it is a spectacular free resource to learn about several fish species. It was my second time visiting with my family, and the kiddos loved walking through the aquarium and learning about different types of fish. read more

To be a native of this city I can say that I love Belle isle. But the aquarium and all things attached is a site. Especially for the children. My girls loved this place and we also had Indian cuisine and ice cream from a food truck right outside that is apart of the paradise restaurant. It's also FREE yes I said it FREE. The Garden as w read more

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The oldest aquarium in the continental US, the beautiful green tiling -- all restored by volunteers *by hand* -- makes for a unique aquatic experience. It's ran by volunteers and admission is free though donations are highly encouraged :) Fun fact, it's the only aquarium with all seven species of gar, who knew? read more

Belle Isle Aquarium - Seahorse - Aquariums Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Small, but informative. Pretty crowded on the Friday after Christmas. Donation based, recommended $5/person. Worth that price in my opinion. Great for kids. read more

It's free and a lot of interesting fishes. Had a good time and it's worth it! Also it's free parking read more

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Wow! Never been! Intimate space with a lot to see- on donation only. It gets a bit cramped due to intimate/cozy space. Not a long tour and lots of knowledge and cool fish. Go! read more

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This is an amazing place to take your friends, and family and makes for a great first date idea too. There is no admission fee and the parking is free too. read more

Belle Isle Aquarium - This is the octopus that has passed away - Aquariums Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

The oldest public aquarium in the united states. The history in and of it self is amazing. The exhibits are low in number, but interesting enough to keep you entertained. The space is very small compared to other aquariums people may be use to. Please do not let that form your opinion of this very cool institution. This really just highlights a lot of local specimens which is cool. read more

For a volunteer-run enterprise, this small historic aquarium is well worth seeing primarily as a reflection of Detroit's attempt to resuscitate the city to its former glory. After over a century of operation, it closed in 2005 only to reopen seven years later under the aegis of a non-profit conservancy. It consists of a single gallery with an arched ceiling covered in green glass tiles. There are about sixty tanks to peruse, but the fish are almost beside the point because there are fancier, state-of-the-art aquariums around. Come for the quaint charm and long history on Belle Isle. Oh and did I mention that admission was free? RELATED - Exploring Detroit? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2Jt7MiE read more

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It's a free (aside from whatever you spent to get to the island) aquarium, which is unusual. It's a small place, and it looks quite old, but the wildlife on display is certainly interesting and goes well beyond what you'd find in the Great Lakes. Numerous tropical species, some of them hiding but some quite photogenic, were on hand. Not a place you'll spend a ton of time at, but an interesting stop while on the island. read more

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While visiting Detroit, make sure to carve out some time to swing by Belle Isle, and to stop in their aquarium. One of the main attractions in the island, it's one you won't want to miss! America's oldest public aquarium, Belle Isle offers a charming historic venue with a large variety of both fresh- and saltwater marine life. The best part is that visiting is free to the public, making a visit there a no-brainer. I visited recently while exploring Belle Isle one weekend, and am so glad that I did. The beautiful structure has a ceiling lined with sea green glass tiles, which was done intentionally to give an "underwater" feel to the place. It is set out in a long room, so you can meander down the right side before turning to see all the tanks on the other side. I happened to be there at 2 PM when they were feeding the stingrays, and it was fun to see the rays and fish chase after a bite to eat. A few tanks down turned out to be one of my favorites with the Piranhas -- while the fish are legendary and terrifying to some, I loved watching them glide through the tank and seeing their scales shimmer like sequins. No matter what time of year, the aquarium is a great historic spot to visit, guaranteeing fun for young and old alike! read more

This aquarium has some rare fishes that I never saw. And also this is a free aquarium. This is a small place and well maintained. It can be become crowded but it's fun for kids and adults to visit. read more

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This was such a fun family day! The parks around are so beautiful! I would bring something for a picnic after! They also had an ice cream truck outside ! It was fun to walk through took about 1 hr if you took your time. It's free but they take donations. Just beware it's pretty warm because it's the original building! Everyone was super friendly! We are from California so we will be coming back again! read more

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Fun aquarium to visit, claims to be the oldest in the country. My brother and I were there in time for the piranha feeding. You definitely don't want to be in their way when they're hungry. Also saw a fish named after my mother-in-law, a Juliefish! (You should expect to see the one named after my father-in-law, as his name is Ray) Not extensively big, but hey it's free and it's entertaining! I didn't know about the Juliefish until I came here. I don't think human Julie knew either or was that impressed. ("She's not even pretty.") read more

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I finally got to see the inside of this building. I've only seen pictures and heard descriptions from people who's been here. Because every time someone from out of town visits. We come by to show them this place and it's usually closed or we were too late. Anyways, it's one of those fun free things you get to do in the city. Get to learn all of the fishies that are in the great lakes, and also get to see some international fish as well. My favorite was the big fish tank. Where there's this giant Arwana swimming around. That and the piranhas. The inside is really super cute as well. You can tell by the old architecture that it's built to stand the test of time. Plus art deco is so fashionable right now. Definitely a wonderful place to be. If you're not into this kind of thing, or just in the mood to bash this beautiful gem of a place just because there's no shark tank or a tube you can walk into. Please stay home. I'm sure you have a lot better things to do with your time like send a snapchat of your foot to your friends. I definitely enjoyed my experience here. And if you're like me, I'm sure you'll love it as well. Thank you so much for reading my review. I hope this helps with your decision making experience. Enjoy your awesome yelptastic day! read more

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Such a cool historic aquarium that makes a trip to Belle Isle that much better! It is free to enter but donations are appreciated. So pretty in here with the tall green tiled ceilings it almost feels like you are in an old subway station. It's not very big you can walk through this place in 30 min or less. It does feel loud and crowded at times so it's good to come when it's not as busy. There are still some cool fish and sea creatures to see in every tank. Loved the little sea grass eels we saw here. I just wish it were a bit bigger inside even if that means they charge people to visit. Would definitely recommend for a fun and cheap trip to the aquarium. read more

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Designed by Albert Kahn, the OG of Detroit architects and George D. Mason, this is a beautiful building, especially on the inside. The tile work, especially the arched ceiling is just stunning. The price is right, too. This volunteer run institution is free but they do have a donation box and they suggest $5 a head which seems entirely reasonable. Opened in 1904, this was the oldest continuously operating aquarium in North America until it closed in 2005, right before the Super Bowl came to town, something that really stung me. Belle Isle Aquarium has been open again for a few years, but the hours are seriously limited, 10-4 three days a week and they still haven't managed to restock all the tanks. There's several conspicuously empty tanks, boarded over with black plywood to match the lower half of the interior and one filled with garbage and human hazards that pollute the waters as an educational exhibit. The empties are all on the second half of the out and back single room layout, kind of like how a lot of albums are front loaded with the better songs and the filler stuck at the end. None of the tanks are massive so don't expect anything grand like sharks or octopi but there's a decent selection of tiny, small and mid-sized sealife. We visited less than an hour before closing on a Saturday with the kind of beautiful weather that brings people to Belle Isle in droves so the aquarium was pretty packed but we still made it through with time to spare. It's pretty modestly sized but it's a lovely little aquarium with a fair amount of information displayed along with the fishes, frogs and other floaty things. The piranhas are fun to watch, just imagining the terror of being in water infested with them. If you head over to this aquarium definitely pop over to the conservatory next door, a real standout attraction that I frankly enjoy a good deal more than the aquarium. Were it not for the fact that it's volunteer run with a cheap suggested donation, a gorgeous interior and sentimental value I might go three stars here. But I'll give it a Belle Isle bump. If you're already on the island and it's one of those windows where this place is actually open I can't see regretting working this into your itinerary. read more

This is a great little aquarium! Came here with two of our grown sons, one which has always been interested in biology and marine life. He was enthralled with all the exotic fish and sea life swimming around! It's a small place, but holds your steady attention. There is a very nice variety of strange, beautiful, and exotic fish and sea life. The conservatory next-door is also a great place to go. Both are free, but the aquarium asks for a $5 donation which is definitely well worth it. Both the aquarium and conservatory make for a very nice outing. read more

A personal note- I love this place so much that I volunteer here. One might consider my review biased. A must visit for anyone, be they Detroiters or tourists. The oldest aquarium in North America, with a group of dedicated volunteers working hard to raise it to its former glory. This facility suffered a lot during the Kilpatrick years, but you wouldn't be able to tell it now. The ceiling tiles are original to 1904, recently restored. If the architecture weren't enough, check out the tanks! There are fish native to many parts of the world, as well as educational tanks with invasive species, lake local fish, pollution, etc. ADA access via a ramp on the building's left side. The aquarium can also be rented for special events. read more