Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Belle Isle is around 25 miles. For 16 hours transit to Detroit, first I planned to visit Belle Isle park and Belle Isle aquarium.
Belle Isle:
HOURS
Friday - Sunday
10am - 4pm
LOCATION
3 Inselruhe Ave; Detroit, MI 48207
FEES
Free | Donations accepted
Belle Isle Park is a 982-acre island park located in Detroit with historic, environmental, and cultural resources that have been beloved for generations. The park is home to the Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, Belle Isle Nature Center, the James Scott Memorial Fountain, and more!The Belle Isle Conservancy's mission is to protect, preserve, restore and enhance the natural environment, historic structures, and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park for the enjoyment of all – now and forever.
If ever in Detroit, definitely put Belle Isle on your itinerary. Beautiful green space with great Detroit, MI/Windsor, Ontario views. A true asset to the area.
The Belle Isle Aquarium:
The Belle Isle Aquarium was designed by famed Detroit architect, Albert Kahn, and opened on August 18, 1904. It is the oldest aquarium in the country and has served the Detroit community as a beloved attraction for generations. The aquarium, located on the island park near Detroit's downtown, will welcome visitors again from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
When the Belle Isle Aquarium opened it was the third-largest Aquarium in the world with salt water being shipped directly in from the ocean. Today, it is home to a unique collection of fish.
Dossin Great Lakes Museum:
The island is also home to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which has numerous ship models and other exhibits illustrating the history of shipping on the Great Lakes, as well as reminders of the days of grand Great Lakes cruises, like the restored Gothic Room from the S.S. City of Detroit III.
Masonic Temple of Detroit:
Detroit's Masonic Temple (The Masonic) is the largest building of its kind in the world. Construction began in 1920 and was completed in 1926.Although the size, complexity, and brilliance of architect George Mason's Masonic conception can only be fully appreciated by touring the building in person, this 25-picture, 360-panoramic tour of the Masonic will convey the variability and scope of Mason's and Corrado Parducci's vision.
I've never been to the masonic temple before but I'm already anxious to go back. Not only was the show fantastic but the building is breathtakingly beautiful.
In this short period of time I also managed to visit the historically valued Henry Ford estate.
Henry Ford Estate:
Located in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Fair Lane is the former home of automaker Henry Ford and his wife Clara. The Fords settled into their new home in 1915 and lived there until their deaths in 1947 and 1950. The grounds of Fair Lane include a powerhouse hydropower plant, which gave the estate the independence to produce its own power, heat, and light.
Budget Hotels:
The Hotel Indigo Detroit Downtown is an upper-end budget hotel in the downtown area, with a pool on the top floor, and a complimentary breakfast.
If you want budget friendly it would be hard to find in downtown rather best to head outside of the city center. The Red Roof Inn Detroit Dearborn/Greenfield Village is 12 miles from downtown but only two miles from the Henry Ford Museum.
You will also find The Comfort Inn Near Greenfield Village is in the same area.
That first photo is so magical, i love the reflection on the water
Sounds like there's so many great things to do in Belle Isle! Great itinerary!