The Island

Welcome to Grosse Ile, Michigan, a hidden jewel in the mouth of Lake Erie.  Grosse Ile is located 25 miles south of Detroit at the southern end of the American Heritage Detroit River.  It is a 20 minute commute to Detroit Metropolitan Airport and in close proximity to Ann Arbor, Toledo and Windsor, Ontario to name a few.  Grosse Ile is the name of the main island, but other smaller islands are also inhabited and part of Grosse Ile Township: Elba, Upper Hickory (Meso), Hickory, and Swan. Grosse Ile’s main island is actually two islands divided by the Thorofare canal,  which makes for an excellent kayak tour. The unique location of the island is perfect for fishing, boating, or swimming.  The island is also popular for birding, with hundreds of migratory birds to see.

Grosse Ile residents and visitors can travel to the island by land, air and sea. Those who drive over must cross one of two bridges. The north end bridge is the privately owned Grosse Ile Toll Bridge, www.grosseilebridge.com, which opened in 1913 to traffic which included sheep and horse drawn wagons as well as early versions of the automobile. The Wayne County Bridge (a.k.a. “free bridge”) opened in the 1930’s to accommodate the rapidly expanding island population. If visitors come by air, they land at Grosse Ile Municipal Airport www.grosseileairport.com at the south end of the main island.

Grosse Ile offers miles of tree shaded bike paths for your strolling or biking pleasure. There are two private 18 hole golf courses, www.gigcc.com, www.golfwestshore.com, and one 9 hole public course that also offers a beautiful pool, restaurant/bar, and public marina, www.grosseile.com. There are also three private boat and yacht clubs, numerous restaurants and bars, the Customs House and train station Museum for a little Grosse Ile history and the main business district on Macomb Street for shopping.