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Shedd Aquarium

Aquarium

Museum Campus, Chicago

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Shedd Aquarium

8.9^/10

2,906

ratings

Ranked #7 for exhibits in Chicago
The experts at Wired and Chicagoist recommend this place
"The penguin encounter one was a great value and a wonderful time!"(18 Tips)
"Excellent aquarium, choose the CityPass, great deal!!!"(22 Tips)
"Spend some time with the cute Beluga whales, they're cute and funny."(13 Tips)
"The holiday dolphin show is an interesting selection."(12 Tips)

418 Tips and reviews

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penguins
beluga whales
fish
dolphin show
scenic views
aquariums
jazz music
cute
tours
jellies
free admission
discounts
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architecture
great value
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Jon SuminskiJuly 6, 2015
A 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 Nov 11
Jonathan FerreraFebruary 15, 2015
Been here 10+ times
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 3 weeks ago
Ruth MadrigalAugust 18, 2013
Get 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!
Navid J. AyonMarch 28, 2021
We 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!
Debbie WMarch 19, 2018
Been here 10+ times
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, 2014
Love 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, 2016
A 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!
Samantha LeeOctober 11, 2016
It'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, 2014
Go 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.
Sara AApril 13, 2014
Try 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
AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014
My 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, 2015
I 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, 2013
Hit 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.
Laura M.May 6, 2018
You will need at least a half day to see everything. They have more than just fish too!
G🐞rkemNovember 30, 2014
You 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.
PH 🇧🇷 🇩🇪February 1, 2015
It'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, 2013
Buy 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.
Lauren BassJuly 14, 2017
The beluga whales and penguins are my favorite, but touching the stingrays was very fun, and the jellyfish and octopus were so cool!
HISTORYApril 7, 2010
It'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.
Steven SullivanAugust 12, 2016
Really 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.
Kevin M. McNally, CMPAugust 21, 2018
Ever 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.
Will St MartinSeptember 27, 2015
That 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!
Melay MApril 27, 2018
My 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.
Todd KunaOctober 7, 2018
Been here 5+ times
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, 2013
Great 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, 2015
For $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, 2015
A 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, 2013
The 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, 2020
A 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, 2011
The 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.
MarkApril 19, 2016
Love this museum. Animals are always well cared for and seem happy. Lots to do with kids and easy to see in a day.
_February 18, 2015
One of the first indoor aquarium ever. Originally had the saltwater transported by train from Key West in Florida.
Michael BFebruary 13, 2012
Bring 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, 2013
For 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, 2013
When 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.
Allison KaminskiSeptember 9, 2015
Great views around the shedd. It's one of the best aquariums in the US
Jarrett PaytonMarch 16, 2013
Spend your money on the aquatic show and not the jellies exhibit. My son is almost 1 and he had a blast!
LaurasseinJanuary 22, 2016
Been here 5+ times
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.
SSeptember 24, 2013
Don'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.
Edward ForteJune 14, 2023
Big aquarium with lots to see, citypass gets you a free ticket to their 4D show
Cass GrimmJanuary 19, 2018
Fun for all ages! Today was free for Illinois residents. Find a reference image of the lockers 😊 at Shedd aquarium
Social News NetworkAugust 6, 2013
Great 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.
Blanca G.February 28, 2017
This 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.
Sandor WeiszMay 25, 2013
Despite 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.
michelle jimenezSeptember 3, 2015
In the summer look out for jazzin at the shedd! Adult fun!
Skylar AlexanderAugust 7, 2013
Definitely 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!!
Nicole YousefMarch 20, 2014
Absolutely 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, 2015
Love 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, 2015
Very 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, 2017
Excellent for kids. The oceanarium is one of the best parts with the dolphin, penguins, and otters - it costs a lot more though

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