Interesting Places

Parks and playgrounds are scattered throughout Detroit, offering recreational and entertainment facilities. Belle Isle Park, the most popular, occupies a wooded island in the Detroit River. It has formal gardens, lagoons, a zoo, an aquarium, a conservatory of exotic plants, a band shell, a beach, and several yacht basins. River Rouge Park is Detroit's largest, covering 1,200 acres (486 hectares) at the western edge of the city. Other major parks include Chandler, Eliza Howell, Palmer, and Patton.

The Detroit Zoological Park, in Royal Oak, was among the first zoos in the nation designed to exhibit animals without bars, in areas resembling their natural habitats. Most notable are the bear, penguin, and reptile exhibits.

Cobo Arena is used for special events such as ice shows and boxing and wrestling matches. The Tigers of major league baseball play in Tiger Stadium. Joe Louis Arena is the home of the Red Wings professional hockey team, and Ford Field is the home of the Lions professional football team. The Pistons professional basketball team in Auburn Hills. There are several racetracks in the Detroit area.

State recreation areas near the city offer such activities as swimming, boating, camping, fishing, and winter sports. Boblo Island, in the Detroit River, is the site of a large amusement park.