- penguins
- beluga whales
- fish
- dolphin show
- scenic views
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- Jon SuminskiJuly 6, 2015A must visit if in Chicago alone or with the family. The Aquarium takes about 3-5 hours to go through the whole thing. Get the VIP pass to see all the shows and definitely get the stingray touch.Upvoted Aug 28
- This is one of those places you must visit in Chicago. The diversity of fish they have here is astounding. Even when it's busy and crowded, the other visitors are very courteous.Upvoted Sep 1
- Ruth MadrigalAugust 18, 2013Get the CityPass, the line here can get ridiculous. Also, come in early if you want to see the dolphin show, as by the afternoon its usually sold out. Stingray Touch was the coolest experience ever!Upvoted 3 weeks ago
- Navid J. AyonMarch 28, 2021We liked seeing the Beluga Whale the most! Under water and Caribbean reef were great as well! The stores are great and have cool but pricey products! We were glad to visit!
- One of the top places to visit in the Chicago area. They have it all! The special exhibits are worth the extra charge. Call up for the free days and it will save you money.
- Tabatha GroverSeptember 30, 2014Love the aquatic reef tank! So big & colorful. Make sure to check out the aquatic show, they do talk, a lot, but it is still neat; especially if you have never seen anything like that!
- vanessa buenrostroMarch 23, 2016A very nice aquarium to go to and many cool exhibits to explore. The dolphin show is very nice to see. They have many free days as well for Illinois residents.Check it out! You won't regret it!
- Sara AApril 13, 2014Try to arrive as early as possible to avoid the rush. Penguins, jellyfish, dolphins, & the beluga whales were great but the museum is way smaller than I imagined
- Samantha LeeOctober 11, 2016It's not on the price list menu, but you can get a general admission pass for $8 that includes most of the aquarium and just excludes the specialty exhibits like stingray petting & the polar playzone.
- Claire ElizabethOctober 30, 2014Go and see a lungfish that has been in the Shedd since 1933! They have amazing exhibits from all over the world with fun shows for kids, 4-D movies, and pretty much every fish you could imagine.
- AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014My three year old was fascinated by the Jellies Exhibit—one of many engaging displays—at the Shedd in Chicago. What a joyful moment, capturing the wonder of a young mind. Read more
- Rachel StarksMay 25, 2015I liked this place more than The Field Museum! If you have a school ID the tickets are only $5 for general admission. Go early though to bypass the crowds.
- Lindsey ScottNovember 9, 2013Hit up the Soundings Cafe for lunch. Great views of the city, reasonable prices, pretty good food, and BEER! Plus, if you go at 12, everyone else is at the dolphin show, you can get a table easily.
- G🐞rkemNovember 30, 2014You should see this aquarium 💗 At holiday times you may be to await one's turn if you don't have city pass card. There are too many types of fishes and it's amazing.
- Laura M.May 6, 2018You will need at least a half day to see everything. They have more than just fish too!
- PH 🇧🇷 🇩🇪February 1, 2015It's always a good place to go with friends or family.. I'm from Brazil and had visited twice in different periods already.. High season like Christmas or News Eve must be patient.. Too crowded!
- Sabrina ZwegoMarch 12, 2013Buy tickets ahead of time and pick up here...or just bring a stroller and go through the accessible entrance. If not you will wait in a long line just to get in. Former military members get in free.
- HISTORYApril 7, 2010It's the world's largest indoor aquarium with over 8,000 aquatic animals representing over 700 species. The Marine Mammal Presentation features staff interacting with whales & dolphins as they dive.
- Lauren BassJuly 14, 2017The beluga whales and penguins are my favorite, but touching the stingrays was very fun, and the jellyfish and octopus were so cool!
- Steven SullivanAugust 12, 2016Really well put together Aquarium, from petting the stingray to the oceanarium just great attractions. Also, if you get to do jazzing at the Shedd it's a great evening.
- Will St MartinSeptember 27, 2015That Aquarium is well laid out and staff is friendly. The shark Aquarium is great, will give you goose bumps! I had the CityPass, good value for money!
- Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 21, 2018Ever wanna press your nose to the glass and call out "FISHIES" or "TUNA". So much to see and learn. (Beware of the penguins-kidding). Great spot for adults and kids. Wetsuit not required.
- Melay MApril 27, 2018My husband it’s a huge fan of aquariums so we went to visit the shedd aquarium and we love it there’s a major variety of species I have never seen before.
- One of the most fun places to visit in Chicago. The new Underwater Beauty is a great exhibit. And make sure to see the Beluga whales.
- Latasha BerryNovember 18, 2013Great yearly visit, even without the kids. I love the Beluga whales performance. There are thousands of different species of fish here, stingrays, sharks, you name it. Love this place.
- ChicagoistApril 23, 2015For $75 bucks and some change, you get to hang out with an adorable penguin in a small group, and you even get to PET THE PENGUIN! Read more
- Song ZhaoJanuary 1, 2015A fun place for all ages. I don't know how often the exhibits change so probably don't want to go on a weekly basis. My daughter loves the place and shows.
- Krista RiedAugust 12, 2013The line can take up to 2hrs 2get in. Worth it, of course, but be prepared. The Stingray Touch-definitely the highlight! & if u don't need a huge meal, grab a snack by the dolphins!
- Susan LandeApril 30, 2020A Must see in Chicago The Aquarium takes about 3-5 hours to go through the whole thing. Get the VIP pass to see all the shows time well spent !!
- InterContinental ChicagoSeptember 8, 2011The thing that sets Shedd apart is its inland salt water tank, the largest in North America. It's a unique chance to learn about the varied ecosystems in the surrounding great lakes.
- _February 18, 2015One of the first indoor aquarium ever. Originally had the saltwater transported by train from Key West in Florida.
- MarkApril 19, 2016Love this museum. Animals are always well cared for and seem happy. Lots to do with kids and easy to see in a day.
- Allison KaminskiSeptember 9, 2015Great views around the shedd. It's one of the best aquariums in the US
- Michael BFebruary 13, 2012Bring quarters for the lockers if you don't want to carry your coat around. On busy days the change machines run out of quarters! 3 quarters for a small locker, four quarters for a large locker.
- Fernando FloresAugust 23, 2013For the love of God! Buy tickets online to avoid the 1 hour + line in the blazing sun (specially if you are packing 4 kids)!!
- Zaptravel IncAugust 30, 2013When it opened in 1930, Shedd Aquarium was the world’s largest aquarium as well as the first inland aquarium to maintain permanent exhibits of both marine and freshwater fishes.
- SSeptember 24, 2013Don't miss the view outside the aquarium! Some of the best photos I took were there, looking across the lake to the marina and the cityline.
- Social News NetworkAugust 6, 2013Great trip for kids and adults alike. Be sure to experience touching the starfish and sting rays, and definitely do not miss the Japanese spider crab.
- Jarrett PaytonMarch 16, 2013Spend your money on the aquatic show and not the jellies exhibit. My son is almost 1 and he had a blast!
- If you have kids, go early and sign on for the show and keep your coats to sit on because it is cement! The Shedd and their shows are full ADA accessible.
- Edward ForteJune 14, 2023Big aquarium with lots to see, citypass gets you a free ticket to their 4D show
- Sandor WeiszMay 25, 2013Despite what the clerks say, general admission DOES allow you to go downstairs to see the belugas, as well as the basement kids area. It's only $8, or $5 for residents; but it's not on the price menu.
- Skylar AlexanderAugust 7, 2013Definitely get the the city pass. You get to see everything and pretty much skip the line. Also if you go before October do the sting ray touch experience, its so neat!!
- Blanca G.February 28, 2017This place is mind blowing to any toddler that loves water and colorful fishes. There are many animals there that are about to be extinct. Fishes are being feed and have a home and families.
- Cass GrimmJanuary 19, 2018Fun for all ages! Today was free for Illinois residents. Find a reference image of the lockers 😊 at Shedd aquarium
- Nicole YousefMarch 20, 2014Absolutely amazing I loved everything about this Aquarium. The only thing I could say is book ahead best decision I made those lines were so long!
- Sandi AndersonApril 11, 2015Love this place! We spent 5 hours checking out the exhibits and shows -only 1 big negative -1 hour wait time ti get into the Shedd - what's up with that?
- Jessica WeissJune 30, 2015Very very crowded on any day in the summer. Make sure to pre-purchase tickets so the wait is shorter. Nice amount of critters to see!
- Sweta MohapatraFebruary 26, 2017Excellent for kids. The oceanarium is one of the best parts with the dolphin, penguins, and otters - it costs a lot more though