Belle Isle view of Detroit River & MacArthur Bridge

This photo is of the MacArthur Bridge taken from Belle Isle. You'll need a nice side of the bridge so I recommend standing underneath the bridge and then walking slightly west to get this view. From Detroit, cross over the MacArthur Bridge and then park your car in one of the parking lots near (42.339166, -82.997096). Follow the GPS coordinates near the water to get to the spot where I took the image. There is no cost to enter the park, however a Recreation Passport is needed to DRIVE onto the island. This costs $11/car and $5/motorcycle for Michigan residents and $31 for non-Michigan residents. If you have access to a boat, you can also take a similar shot from the Detroit River.

As long as the weather is mild, you can get a similar shot year round. I think that spring, summer and fall are best times to visit since the weather is more pleasant. In colder months, it can get really windy on the river, so avoid going when it's very cold.

Visit this unique multi-span arch bridge anytime during the day to capture similar lighting conditions.

If you're on a boat, make sure to obey by boating laws and watch out for other incoming boat traffic on the river.

Try out varying angles — like off to the side of the bridge or get in closer to find a unique perspective.

This composition works well with both wide and tight shots. Take your time and experiment with using different lens ranges.

Belle Isle is one of the city's most popular attractions! Plan ahead and spend the day there. You can explore the aquarium, the parks and the waterfront views surrounding the isle.