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Shedd Aquarium
Aquarium
Museum Campus, 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)
"Jazzin' at the Shedd is the best time to visit the aquarium!"(7 Tips)
"Spend some time with the cute Beluga whales, they're cute and funny."(13 Tips)
417 Tips and reviewsFilter:
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Edward ForteJune 14, 2023Big aquarium with lots to see, citypass gets you a free ticket to their 4D show
Cass GrimmJanuary 19, 2018Fun for all ages! Today was free for Illinois residents. Find a reference image of the lockers 😊 at Shedd aquarium
Alexandra Faught BivinsSeptember 30, 2013Visited on Saturday and had a great time. Upgraded from the general admission so that we could see the whales and dolphins. My kids had a great time!
Julie ArrisonOctober 12, 2012I haven't been to a great aquarium in a long time and this was GREAT. Not only was it wonderful marine life, but the architecture was to die for.
Mark HOctober 10, 2011Got here at 9.30am on a beautiful Saturdy morning n there were no lines! Hurray! $3 off tics with ur student ID. This place is nice but I think overhyped. View from restaurant's patio is amazing.
Olli KMarch 23, 2015Saying this place is amazing is an understatement. Great tourist spot but expect it to be a little $$. Great for all ages
Anna StumpfApril 11, 2016Although we arrived 30 minutes prior to opening and in the first 50 through the door the aquatic shows were sold out. People pre-purchase w/tix online which is nice for them, not if you have City Pass
Brian WenteJuly 24, 2011Incredibly long lines, however if you have children and bring a stroller, you can move to the ramp entrance and directly bypass all the lines. Saved us nearly an hour in line of 90+ degree heat!
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!
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.
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
Mariana PantalenaAugust 7, 2016Nice place to take the kids. Normal aquarium, nice to see the beluga whales.They do important work rescuing and helping animals.
Dougie CyanideApril 2Make sure to schedule your visit in advance, so you don't have to worry about not being able to get in.
Leland BrewsterApril 17, 2015Beautiful aquarium but beware the long lines on weekends. Pre-purchase your tickets or be prepared to wait 30+ minutes to get in!
Lisa King MorganJuly 1, 2013Buy your tickets online before arriving, otherwise you may be in line up to 2 hrs! Make sure to buy a ticket for the aquatic show. We thought it was included in the Shedd Pass. It is not.
If you want to come to the aquarium and bring that special someone, do so after 1pm. Most of the groups are gone & you can see everything!
Kim ZimmermanJuly 14, 2015The aquarium is clean with large viewing areas. Getting there early meant short lines and easy access to the aquariums.
Joanna FlammJanuary 2, 2014If you're just there for a couple hours, the unlisted $8 General Admission gets you into several exhibits, but if you're making a day of it, you'll want the more expensive pass.
Terry TroskeSeptember 3, 2013We spent seven hours here and only went home simply because they were closing. The entire experience was awesome as well as the food!
Daniel.MDMarch 25, 2013The waiting line on monday morning was huge! Temp was on the low 30's. Getting the city pass was awesome 'cause we skipped the line and didn't waste at least 1hr !
Phillip ROctober 5, 2013Waiting in line will give you ample opportunity to consider exactly how ineffective the admissions process is. Don't believe the blue shirts, jump in the shortest line and feign confusion if they ask.
Mike BlackleyJanuary 18, 2015Fantastic day at the aquarium, I would skip the 4D show next time but the aquatics show was superb!
- Lisa WFebruary 20, 2013Check out the special adventure options at the Shedd! The penguin encounter one was a great value and a wonderful time!
Jamie HoweJune 3, 2013Absolutely love the Shedd Aquarium. Wish it wasn't so expensive cause otherwise I'd go every weekend!
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?
Ted MNovember 24, 2013A better value than the planetarium (and i was an astronomy major), more to see here and do. Recommended!- 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 !!
M.DJune 23, 2012Sit outside for lunch. Beautiful view of the city and the lake. Avoid the free days for illinois residents. (way to crowded)
Natalie NoblittJune 13, 2013Skip aquatic show and the 4D experience. Both were a big letdown. Aquatic show involves very little about the marine animals. Also, no companion spots for accessible seating so you can't really see.
Kevin DulinAugust 13, 2014The Coral Reef is one of the coolest parts of the aquarium. Worth the extra charge!
Buy a membership. You have unlimited visits for you AND a guest, plus discounts and sometimes special events! Plus, Jazzing at the Shedd in the summer is delightful.
SPINJuly 22, 2011Pete Wentz of Black Cards loves this aquarium turned skate park because you can see the dolphins swimming at night. They have penguins, whales, and sharks too!
Achal VarmaMarch 19, 2013You need to purchase an all-day, all-access pass for $34.95, or pay $20 to enter the special exhibits and then pay extra to watch specific shows/exhibits such as the Belugas. The G.A. ticket costs $8.
ValerieSeptember 15, 2014The $8 general admission is not advertised but gets you into the exhibits in the main building, if you don't need to see the special exhibits.
Kristen MariaMarch 25, 2018Very crowded, kind of exhausting but loved the exhibits and so did my daughter!
Alex DewittAugust 20, 2013Glub Glub. Lots to see although we had to miss half of our aquatic show because the front desk lady scheduled our shows 1030/11.
Brandon SullivanFebruary 16, 2013The smaller tanks are divided up like trinket stores in a big mall. They are cramped and poorly navigable. That said, the jellyfish, whale/dolphin, and tropical exhibits are exciting and fun.
Peter MartinDecember 2, 2011If you're a family of 4 and plan on visiting at least twice in a year then you might save some cash buying a yearly membership. Plus good perks
Dave FloydSeptember 17, 2012Check out the Giant Japanese Spider Crab in the oceans section on the main floor. Largest species of crab in the world.
Jeff JenkinsDecember 24, 2014Get to the aquatic show early. This is the place fills up 10+ minutes before it starts
Misha MoskalykMarch 14, 2017Good place to spend time with your family. Very interesting to see different types of fish.
Federica RossiOctober 17, 2013Probably the most beautiful in the world.. But get in at least 3 hours before the closing (5pm)!- Dave FloydSeptember 17, 2012Spend the extra money. See the penguins. This should require no additional explanation... but in case you didn't know, it's fun to watch them on land and as they "fly" underwater.
Brian HernalsteenFebruary 17, 2012If you become a member, you get to take home a penguin. Also, you get to ride the sharks. With an underwater jetpack.
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Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore Dr (at Solidarity Dr)
Chicago, IL 60605
United States
Chicago, IL 60605
United States
At: Museum Campus
Strap a mask and flippers onto your imagination and chart a course to Shedd Aquarium. Have you ever gotten eye-to-eye with a dolphin? Or met a penguin on a stroll to the South Pole? Or immersed yourself in an Amazon flooded forest? At Shedd, it's all possible.
Closed until 9:00 AM tomorrow (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
(312) 939-2438
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Yes (incl. Visa & American Express)
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"Make sure you come here with a desire to learn and tons of time! Wicked cool exhibits. Very interactive and well done. Egyptian exhibit was hands down my favorite."
Analise Bluemel - 8.6
"Gorgeous lakefront establishments with a marvelous view of Chicago skyline. Restaurants, entertainment centers & the most impressive stained glass collection ever. Had some tasty sword fish for lunch."
Negin NG - 8.8
"The Soldier Field Tour was awesome. It is worth the $15 we spent."
Feras Nabulsi
Upcoming Events
- Michele Thomas
5:00 PM on June 26, 2024
- Michele Thomas
5:00 PM on August 14, 2024
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