Shedd Aquarium
4.5(33K)google
3.7(2.3K)yelp
WildlifeFamilyKidsEducationalInteractive
Overview
Shedd Aquarium (formally the John G. Shedd Aquarium) is a public aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is one of the oldest continually operating non-governmental aquariums in the U.S. Opened on May 30, 1930, the 5 million US gal (19,000,000 L; 4,200,000 imp gal) aquarium holds about 32,000 animals. It is the fourth largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere (after L'Oceanogràfic, the Georgia Aquarium and The Seas at Epcot) and the 11th-largest aquarium in the world.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeSeptember to November is fantastic for avoiding summer holiday crowds. Booking a 9:00 AM entry slot lets you witness dolphins and sea otters at their most energetic during morning routines. Don't forget to swing by the outdoor terrace later near sunset for a panoramic postcard view of the skyline merging with Lake Michigan.
Getting ThereSituated alongside the Field Museum on the Museum Campus. The most seamless option is taking the CTA #146 bus from Michigan Avenue, which drives right up to the aquarium's main doors. If coming by subway, take the Red, Green, or Orange lines to Roosevelt and transfer to the #146 bus right outside. Driving is discouraged due to steep parking rates.
Travel Tips
- The 4D Experience and aquatic mammal presentations have non-transferable capacity hard caps; scan indoor QR routing beacons immediately upon entry to reserve your exact pavilion seat windows.
- Midday safety screening gridlocks peak between 11:00 and 14:00 during summer; circumvent the elements by selecting the 09:00 inaugural ticket tier or leverage premium fast-track check-in loops.
- Perched on the exposed edge of the Museum Campus peninsula, the exterior queuing plaza is subject to aggressive offshore wind gusts; pack a heavy windbreaker even during transitional seasons.
Reviews
Positive
- The beluga, dolphin, and habitat exhibits are beautifully designed, offering close-up underwater feeding views, and its lakeside location provides stunning views of Lake Michigan.
- The aquarium's accessibility features are excellent, with barrier-free paths for wheelchairs and strollers, and clean, tidy nursing rooms and restrooms.
- The presenters and educators are highly dedicated, the crowd control for animal shows is strict, and capacity is well-managed, giving a great sense of safety.
- Purchasing timed tickets online in advance allows for quick entry, and given its world-class conservation scale, the ticket price is very reasonable.
Heads up
- Even with a timed-entry ticket, the morning rush lines outside the main entrance can still take over half an hour, showing a need for better management efficiency.
- The internal corridors are relatively narrow and dim; when large tour groups arrive, the tanks get blocked, making it hard for small children to see the fish.
- The gift shop and cafes are outrageously overpriced; a basic soda and burger combo costs far more than outside, offering poor value.
- Some iconic underwater tunnels and theaters are frequently closed for renovations without clear proactive notice during ticket purchase, which is disappointing.