Explore the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

With so many things to explore across Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium is one of the most popular hot spots. There’s a little something for everyone, from a fun 4-D theater experience to endless numbers of fish and wildlife from around the world. The Shedd Aquarium is worth a visit if you’re in Chicago, and with these tips below, you can plan and prepare for an amazing experience.

Directions and Tickets to the Shedd Aquarium

The Shedd Aquarium is located next to two other iconic museums in Chicago – The Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium (and all three are part of the Chicago CityPASS). The easiest way to access any of these sites is via UBER/Lyft – that way you don’t have to worry about parking and you can be dropped off at the entrance.

Public transportation is another great option, with bus and train stops near the Shedd Aquarium. If you drove a car and want to park, there’s are lots nearby, with an average cost of $25-$50 depending on how long you plan to park there. Pricing may also be higher during special events.

Advanced, timed reservations are required at the Shedd Aquarium and can easily be made online. Adult tickets range from $35-$42, depending on the day of your visit. Children’s (ages 3-11) tickets range from $26-$31. There are add-on activities (like animal encounters or 4-D films), which are separate tickets.

You can also purchase a Chicago CityPASS if you plan to explore other hot spots in Chicago, which saves you money on your overall visit. Plus, the CityPASS includes a 4-D experience at the Shedd Aquarium at no additional cost. BONUS!!

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9-5 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the museum extends its hours from 9-6 p.m.

Encounters and Experiences Worth Exploring

There are three 4-D Experiences waiting for you at the Shedd Aquarium. During my visit, I chose Blue Octopus and loved it. Two others includes Shark: A 4-D Experience® and Splash and Bubbles. All three shows are an additional $4.95, unless you purchased a Chicago CityPASS, which includes one 4-D experience. There are multiple show times for each of the experiences, so simply pick the one that works best for you.

If hands-on encounters are more you thing, there are a few options for you as well. Aquarium admission is included in the price of the experiences listed below.

MUST SEE TOUR. If you want to dive deeper into the exhibits and animals at the Shedd Aquarium, then book this guided tour. It’s offered twice daily and costs $75 per person. The tour lasts about 75 minutes and is a great way to see the highlights of the aquarium.

BELUGA ENCOUNTER. Have you ever been face-to-face with a beluga whale? Here’s your chance. Book a ticket for Beluga Encounter and stand chest-deep in the water to feel and play with some beluga whales. The cost is $200 per person.

SEA OTTER ENCOUNTER. Sea otters look like so much fun to play with. So if you want to get up close and personal, think about booking a Sea Otter Encounter. Adult tickets are $129.95 and children are $119.95 and the experience begins promptly at 9:15 a.m.

PENGUIN ENCOUNTER. You’ve probably seen penguins running around their exhibit at the aquarium, but here’s you chance to get up close and even pet a penguin. The experiences happen twice a day – 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $94.95 and children are $84.95.

Exhibits on the Main Level

There are six different exhibits on the main level of the Shedd Aquarium. Each one provides a different view of the aquatic life and animals in varying waterways around the world. Here’s a rundown on some of the exhibits you can explore on the main level.

AMAZON RISING. Walk through the wild side of the Amazon River. Along the way, you’ll see more than just fish from the South American region… you’ll also see birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, turtles and more. Learn about the high water and low water seasons of the Amazon and the animals that need to adapt to the seasonal changes.

OCEANS. You’re probably familiar with many of the sea life you’ll see in the ocean exhibit area. But I hope you’ll take the time to learn about how these creatures – octopus, lobster, sharks, etc. – thrive in the harsh ocean environment.

AT HOME ON THE GREAT LAKES. Learn about the ecosystem that’s only a stone’s throw from the Shedd Aquarium. See an alligator snapping turtle, lake sturgeon and a bullfrog, to name a few. You can also check out the touch pool to see how some of those fish feel.

ISLANDS AND LAKES. Some of the fish found in this exhibit area have also been found in our at-home aquarium over the years – cichlid and gourami. But we never had an American alligator in our tank, which is featured in this exhibit area at the Shedd Aquarium.

RIVERS. There are rivers running all over the world. Learn about some of the creatures that call these rivers home. This includes piranhas, lungfish and more.

CARIBBEAN REEF. My favorite exhibit on this floor is the Caribbean Reef. It’s a large tank in an atrium, filled with lots of colorful fish. It was relaxing to watch a mangrove whiptail glide through the water.

Things to See and Do on the Ground Level

There are a few different activities or exhibits on the ground level of the Shedd Aquarium. Here’s an overview of the things on the ground level you’ll want to explore.

4-D THEATER EXPERIENCE. This is where you’ll find the 4-D Experience theater for your show. You’ll want to arrive 5-10 minutes in advance of your showtime so you can check in and find a seat.

SPECIAL EXHIBIT AREA – UNDERWATER BEAUTY. I’m always fascinated by jellyfish. The way they simply glide through the water. It’s relaxing to watch and even photograph (see photo above). But it’s reminiscent of the beauty you can find below the surface.

RELATED POST: Explore the Seattle Aquarium with these simple tips

SHEDD STORE. If you’re looking for a souvenir, there’s a store right across from the theater, or accessible following your walk through the special exhibit.

STINGRAY TOUCH. During the summer months – and weather permitting – you can learn about and even touch some stingrays. This exhibit is accessible near the theater.

Explore Wild Reef and the Two Lower Levels

The lower levels of the Shedd Aquarium offer some different experiences and opportunities you don’t want to miss.

WILD REEF. The Wild Reef exhibit is accessible from the Main Level area. Just look for the sign for Wild Reef and take the elevator ride down to the start of the exhibit area. It’s here where you’ll find the wide range of colors you find along the reefs. Whether it’s coral or the colors of the clown fish – you won’t be disappointed. There’s also a large tank filled with sharks – so it’s a great place to capture a selfie. You can also learn about the efforts of the Shedd Aquarium to protect reefs around the world.

LOWER LEVEL 1. If you want to take in a performance at the Abbott Oceanarium, check out the times of the day for Animal Spotlights. It’s an opportunity to learn about some of the animals that call the Shedd Aquarium home. This includes penguins, dolphins, beluga whales and sea lions. You’ll definitely want to grab a seat close to the action and enjoy the show.

RELATED POST: Three must-see shows at SeaWorld in California

LOWER LEVEL 2. Following the paths that brought you to the Abbott Oceanarium will also lead you to the underwater viewing area. You can watch the dolphins or beluga whales dart through the water. You can also check out the sea otter exhibit area as well as the penguins exhibit in the Polar Play Zone.

The Details

Address: 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

How long to spend: Plan at least two hours, but you can easily spend a full day at the museum.

Cost: Adult tickets range from $35-$42, depending on the day of your visit. Children’s (ages 3-11) tickets range from $26-$31. Additional activities (like animal encounters or 4-D films) are separate tickets, and vary based on the experience chosen. You can also purchase a Chicago CityPASS if you plan to explore other hot spots in Chicago, which saves you money on your overall visit.

Hours: Open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend hours (Saturday and Sunday) are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Website: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/

Phone: (312) 939-2438

PIN THIS