Two of Detroit’s most charming landmarks share one address on Belle Isle. The Belle Isle Aquarium, opened in 1904, is among the oldest aquariums in the United States, famous for its green-tiled, barrel-vaulted ceiling and its intimate galleries of Great Lakes and tropical fish. Next door, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, opened the same year, fills glass houses with orchids, palms, cacti and one of the country’s largest municipally owned orchid collections.
Both treasures were designed by famed architect Albert Kahn, and both were lovingly restored after years of closure — the aquarium reopened in 2012 and the conservatory has undergone extensive renovation of its glass domes and gardens. Together they make a perfect pairing for a slow afternoon: fish first, then flowers.
Admission to both attractions is free, though donations support their care. They sit in the heart of Belle Isle Park; check visitdetroit.com and the Michigan DNR for current hours before you go.
