Belle Isle Private Tour: Detroit 2.5 Hours Skyline Views

The only marble lighthouse in the United States stands on Belle Isle's eastern shore.

A private 2.5-hour Belle Isle tour from Detroit includes hotel pickup, a professional guide-driver, and admission to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. You'll visit the James Scott Memorial Fountain, the 1908 Belle Isle Casino, the nation's oldest continuously operating aquarium, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Livingstone Lighthouse, Belle Isle Beach, and finish at Sunset Point overlooking the Detroit River and Windsor.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Dossin Great Lakes Museum20m · entry included
2. Belle Isle Aquarium20m

Explore Belle Isle's historic landmarks

• Hotel pickup in Detroit
• Visit James Scott Memorial Fountain
• Tour Belle Isle Casino
• Explore Dossin Great Lakes Museum
• Visit Belle Isle Aquarium
• See Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory
• View Livingstone Lighthouse
• Relax at Belle Isle Beach
• Enjoy Detroit skyline at Sunset Point
• Return to hotel

The experience

You're picked up at your downtown Detroit hotel and driven to Belle Isle, the city's island gem. Your guide-driver takes you through the stops at a steady pace, spending time at each landmark without rushing. The route covers the island's architectural and natural highlights: the 1925 James Scott Memorial Fountain designed by Cass Gilbert, the Belle Isle Casino built in 1908 as a social gathering place (never a gambling venue), and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum where you'll see maritime artifacts and the massive bow anchor from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. Admission to the museum is included in your tour price.

You'll also walk through the Belle Isle Aquarium, opened in 1904 and still operating on its original site: the oldest continuously operating aquarium in the United States. The building's green glass-tiled interior, designed by architect Albert Kahn, frames freshwater fish and Great Lakes exhibits. The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, also designed by Kahn and opened the same year, lets you explore tropical plants, palms, and orchids under its distinctive glass dome. Both buildings are Belle Isle landmarks in their own right.

The tour ends at two scenic overlooks: Belle Isle Beach along the Detroit River, where you can see the skyline and Canada across the water, and Sunset Point, which offers unmatched views of the river and Windsor. Your driver then returns you to your hotel in downtown Detroit. The entire experience runs 2.5 hours, leaving time for other plans the same day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in downtown Detroit.
• professional guide-driver in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.
• admission to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum.
• stops at the James Scott Memorial Fountain, Belle Isle Casino, Belle Isle Aquarium, Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Livingstone Lighthouse, Belle Isle Beach, and Sunset Point.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday to SundayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (7 and older) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 25 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hcmak

Is this one for you?The tour moves at a steady pace with walking at each stop but no strenuous hiking, making it suitable for all fitness levels. If you're arriving in Detroit with a free afternoon or visiting Belle Isle for the first time, the 2.5-hour window fits easily between other plans while covering the island's major landmarks and views in one guided route.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the James Scott Memorial Fountain and why is it one of Belle Isle's most impressive landmarks?

The James Scott Memorial Fountain, completed in 1925, is a grand Beaux-Arts structure designed by architect Cass Gilbert with sculptures by Herbert Adams. Built with marble and bronze, it features a large water basin and offers beautiful views of the Detroit skyline and Windsor across the river, making it one of the island's most recognizable stops.

Can I see the Edmund Fitzgerald artifact at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum?

Yes. The Dossin Great Lakes Museum, included in your tour, displays the massive bow anchor from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald along with historic ship models and maritime artifacts that explore Detroit's connection to Great Lakes shipping and transportation.

Is the Belle Isle Aquarium really the oldest in the United States?

The Belle Isle Aquarium, opened in 1904, is the oldest aquarium in the United States that has operated continuously on its original site. Designed by architect Albert Kahn, it features a distinctive green glass-tiled interior and displays freshwater fish and Great Lakes aquatic life.

What makes the Livingstone Lighthouse unique?

The Livingstone Lighthouse, completed in 1929 and made of Georgia marble, is the only marble lighthouse in the United States. It stands on Belle Isle's eastern end overlooking Lake St. Clair and was built as a memorial to William Livingstone, a prominent Detroit businessman.

Does the tour include time to relax at Belle Isle Beach or Sunset Point?

Yes. The tour includes stops at both Belle Isle Beach and Sunset Point, where you can take in views of the Detroit River, the skyline, and Windsor across the water. Sunset Point is especially popular for photos and enjoying the scenic landscape.