DETROIT – Visitors will be able to enjoy extended hours at the Belle Isle Aquarium and Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and the Scott Fountain and giant slide that will be in operation again this summer for the public to enjoy.

Closed in 2005, the Belle Isle Aquarium reopened in 2012 through the Belle Isle Conservancy and a crew of dedicated volunteers. The momentum started with opening to the public one day a week and then expanded to Sunday hours in 2014. For the last year, the Belle Isle Aquarium has been open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning Friday, June 5, the Aquarium will also be open on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day. Recent enhancements to the Aquarium include the skylight restoration (to be completed this summer), a newly-designed, gar-inspired weathervane to adorn the roof of the Aquarium, and new exhibits including stingrays, electric eels, clownfish, and seahorses. Exhibits at the adjacent Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory have also been upgraded and enhanced thanks to BIC and the DNR.

Since celebrating its Grand Re-Opening in May 2013 after a major renovation, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum has doubled its attendance. Admission is free for all, all the time. Permanent exhibits include Built by the River in the John A. and Marlene L. Boll Foundation Gallery, the Miss Pepsi vintage 1950s championship hydroplane, the Gothic Room from the City of Detroit III in the Polk Family Hall, a bow anchor from the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, the pilothouse from the Great Lakes freighter S.S. William Clay Ford in the Wayne and Joan Webber Foundation Gallery, and one of the largest known collections of scale model ships in the world.  The Dossin, located on 100 Strand Drive across from the Aquarium and Conservatory, will begin its extended summer hours on Friday, June 5, and will continue to be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the summer.

For the second year, the James Scott Memorial Fountain will be running daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 11 through Labor Day. Thanks to support from DTE Energy and the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix team, the majestic, Cass Gilbert-designed fountain was turned on this past weekend for the races. Last year, the Belle Isle Conservancy added movable chairs to the fountain grounds for park users to be able to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful Detroit asset, and they will be back at the fountain again this summer. 

List of Summer Hours of Belle Isle Attractions:

• Belle Isle Aquarium  will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning June 5
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum will be open from  11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning June 5
• Scott Fountain will operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from June 11 through Labor Day
• Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday
• Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open from  10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday - Sunday
• Driving Range is open daily from  9 a.m. to  dusk
• Giant slide will operate from noon to 8:30 p.m., beginning June 10
• The beach is open for swimming daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.

A Recreation Passport grants access to any Michigan state park (including Belle Isle Park) boat launch, state forest campground or non-motorized state trailhead parking. Residents can purchase the Passport at the time of license plate renewal through the Secretary of State. Forgot to check "YES" during renewal? Residents and nonresidents can purchase a Recreation Passport window sticker at Belle Isle Park and other Michigan state parks. Learn more about how the Recreation Passport, including how it supports state parks, local outdoor recreation opportunities and historic and cultural sites at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. 

Pricing for the Recreation Passport is as follows:

Michigan-registered vehicles - $11 ($5 motorcycle);

Non-Michigan registered vehicles - $9 for a day pass or $31 for an annual pass;

Commercial vehicles (includes buses and limos) - $16 for an annual pass