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    Shedd Aquarium

    3.7 (2.3k reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Melissa I.

    Don't get me wrong, this is a good aquarium and definitely beautiful. However, it is nothing compared to the Georgia Aquarium in my opinion. It was also $109 total for 2 people and I think that price is WAY too high for what it is. That price isn't including parking which was $32 I believe. I don't know if I came in the middle of a show or what happened but I went to the aquauditorium which is huge and features an "infinity pool" effect, with Lake Michigan as the backdrop. I did not see any dolphins doing anything - other than the usual swimming. The trainer was just talking about them. The layout can be very confusing. Elevators and stairs only go between certain floors or part of a floor and not very well marked. They do have a really nice gift shop but after spending all that money just to get in, no thanks. Although, I do want to say THANK YOU for taking in some of those Bulga Whales from Marineland.

    Scott L.

    There is a lot to see here, but we found the layout to be very confusing. Elevators and stairs only go between certain floors or part of a floor (I think) and not very well marked. Even with a digital map on my phone (they do not have paper copies/pamphlets) could not seem to get it right. Recommend to reserve tickets before you go. It is a popular place and can get very crowded. We got there at 11am, got tickets for 12pm, but they started to line up at about 11:30am. They do try to get you in when possible. The exibits themselves were great. Lots of species to see and ones I have not seen before at any other aquarium.

    Cindy N.

    The Shedd Aquarium was such a fun and memorable experience while visiting Chicago! I've wanted to come here ever since I heard from friends that it's amaaazing. Whether you are traveling with family, friends, or just love animals, this is definitely a Chicago attraction worth adding to your itinerary. Be sure to plan ahead because The Shedd is a very popular attraction, especially during peak travel times. I recommend checking ticket availability and scheduling your visit in advance. There is a lot to explore, and you will want to give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it all! There are also shows throughout the day, including the dolphin show, which runs at set times. A helpful tip is to check the schedule ahead of time or look at the boards throughout the aquarium so you can plan around the shows you want to see. The aquarium itself is beautiful, with a great mix of exhibits featuring animals from oceans, rivers, and different aquatic environments. I loved walking through the different sections and seeing everything from colorful fish to turtles, belugas, seals, sharks, and dolphins. One of my favorite parts was seeing the beluga whales! They are such unique and expressive animals, and watching them swim around was definitely a highlight of the visit. The dolphin show was also a must-see with the amazing tricks and the visible bond between the trainers and dolphins. The Shedd is also very interactive, which makes it enjoyable for both kids and adults. There are opportunities to get closer to exhibits, such as petting the starfish and learning interesting facts about them. This also includes getting to see the beautiful macaw ! We also paid extra for the 4D Penguin Experience, which was absolutely worth it! You have mist spraying on you during the show, and it does a great job teaching you about the animals in a fun and immersive way. The featured animals and shows may change, but the overall experience is definitely worth trying. Great place for kids, adults, and kid-like adults for sure! Overall, the Shedd Aquarium was a wonderful Chicago experience. It combines education, conservation, and the simple joy of seeing amazing animals up close. I would definitely recommend visiting if you are in Chicago!

    Wendy F.

    This might be my all time favorite aquarium that I've ever been to! Words cant even describe how great all the exhibits were and how many animals are here. Once you walk in, there's two great tanks with a ton of sea life. The building is also beautiful and when you look up, the atmosphere and architecture is absolutely stunning. Took us a few hours to walk through and see everything. They even have dolphins and beluga whales here. Tons of stingrays, various sharks, and unique species such as the sea dragon. Which might be my favorite next to the snapping turtle. This is better than any aquarium back home (nor cal) and the views outside from the cafeteria were immaculate and stunning. Plenty of ADA/Accessible ways to go around and see everything. I was so amazed and impressed here. Got my sticker and magnet from the gift shop on the way out. I highly recommend and suggest coming here. It exceeded all my expectations.

    Ruby S.

    My siblings and I enjoy museums and aquariums. We've gone to many aquariums in general. This one is a state of the art facility that is as beautiful as it is modern. Surrounded by water, the viewing deck during shows offers a nice sight. Also pretty diverse without the sheer quantity of animals and sea life they maintain! From beluga whales, penguins, whales, all the way to tortoises and really insane and unique animals. They have a tropical climate area also. The tanks all range and I feel like you can spend 3+ hours here and not get bored. Overall, worth the ticket price and definitely at the top of our list of aquariums we've visited and enjoy!

    Flamboyant cuttlefish
    Diane L.

    The aquarium has slotted times to help with crowd control, but I think they still let in too many people per hour. The crowd gets pretty bad around noon, and we ended up leaving shortly after. Concessions and snacks are pretty pricy here, they do allow food and drinks throughout most parts of the aquarium, just not around the touch tank and the open water part of the beluga and dolphin exhibit. Save some money and pack your own snacks and drinks as most areas are open to food and drink. It's a very stroller friendly aquarium, but waiting for the elevators to the wild reef exhibit can have about a 10-15 minute wait time. There are stairs down to the exhibit tucked away, but if you do have younger children be prepared with some entertainment while waiting for that elevator ride down, or have them take the stairs while one of you waits for the elevator. The lower parts has the play area meant for kids, so it's a good stop towards the end of your visit to tire your kids out. The elevators up don't have too much of a wait going back up If you are going to go in a larger group, purchase your tickets ahead of time to secure a time slot for the aquarium. It overall is a fun interactive aquarium that has a lot of play and learn areas for kids to explore and a lot of touch tanks for kids who are looking for a fun experience for the family. I would recommend going earlier in the day if you want to avoid crowds, but the highlight of this museum is definitely their dolphins and beluga whales.

    Lydia F.

    The aquarium is gorgeous, but we had a few bumps along the way. We decided to walk from our hotel and unfortunately came from the north side, which is under construction. Luckily, we got the city pass, so we were able to get in quickly in a fast moving line. The signage was unclear, and they didn't have maps or pamphlets. Instead, they had a QR code to scan. Some how I ended up against the flow of traffic in the exhibits. We saw the lake, plankton, Amazon, and sharks. The elevator we got on didn't have access to the levels with the animals (8 & 9), so I thought there was anything else to see. Granted, this is entirely on me, but we ended up missing some of the coolest parts.

    big fish
    riley s.

    This was my favorite aquarium i've ever seen! massive and filled with fish i've never seen. the birds and other animals inside make the whole atmosphere and i love it. touching the sturgeons was cool, and even small things like the cafe were nice. the price was a bit high, but it goes to taking care of the animals so i can't complain. even the location / views were so nice.

    Penguins during the encounter experience.
    Molly C.

    We had the opportunity to do the penguin encounter which was so much fun and educational too. You do get to pet a penguin and learn all sorts of facts about them. We also saw beluga whales being fed and dolphins jumping around so all in all pretty good day.

    Erica M.

    I LOVE aquariums this one did not disappoint. They have plenty of levels and great shows with the animals around the clock. Great food/snack options for kids (and adults). Perfect for the water animal lovers.

    Shark
    Natasha A.

    Wonderful aquarium experience! Let's of activity opportunities, like petting sturgeons, and starfish (if you're brave enough). They have beluga whales, and their tanks go so deep it's incredible. I came here with my child on a Tuesday, definitely more affordable if you live in the city! And they ask for your ID so be prepared! They have a great couple of kids areas including a penguin play area, and a yellow submarine. Great place to bring your kids or come solo to check out all the adorable and freaky fishes!

    What a magical place
    Trevor C.

    Visiting this aquarium was an incredible experience from start to finish. The exhibits are beautifully designed, showcasing a dazzling variety of marine life in vivid, lifelike habitats. Swimming through the tunnels surrounded by sharks, rays, and tropical fish felt immersive and almost magical. The staff was knowledgeable and engaging, making it easy to learn fascinating facts about the creatures on display. Interactive exhibits, touch tanks, and educational programs add even more value, making it perfect for families, students, or anyone curious about the underwater world. Overall, it's a mesmerizing, educational, and fun destination that leaves you inspired by the beauty and diversity of ocean life.

    Bailey M.

    Reserved a ticket ahead of time so we got in right away at 10am on a Sunday. Facility was really clean and not overly crowded which I appreciated. They could use more details on their website about where each animal is located. Also there is a show called "animal spotlight" which makes it sound like there will be a variety of animals in one show. Instead they will either do the belugas, dolphins, or sea lions. They should just specify that. I went to the 11:30 show and it was the belugas. If I knew they were going to do dolphins at 12:30 I would have went to that one too. They just need to be clearer about this and you should attend multiple shows. We enjoyed seeing the beluga and sea lion show. There were staff around everywhere to help answer questions which was nice. Everyone was very helpful! The cafeteria was clean and fast. They had a variety of choices: pizza, Mexican food, hamburger, nachos, etc. They also have cafes. Overall there was plenty to look at!

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    Shedd Aquarium Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Shedd Aquarium

    How much is it to park your car and where?

    $51.70 for general admission for non- Chicago resident $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children (ages 3-11) with proof of Chicago residency.… 

    What are the ticket prices now in 2022? And are the online prices still more expensive than the in person ones?

    39.95 adults and 29.95 children (3-11) Cheaper for residents of chicago

    What are the exact dimensions of the Shedd Aquarium lockers? Thank you!

    From the website: "Lockers are available to rent during your visit. Standard-sized lockers are 10" high x 11" wide x 19" deep and family-sized lockers are 16" high x 11" wide x 19" deep. Due to the narrow width of our lockers, suitcase-sized bags… 

    Anybody know if the kids submarine on the lower level is open yet?

    Yes it's open

    Are there mobile charging stations and/or electric outlets across the aquarium?

    Not stations but plugs

    How long do you typically expect to be there? 2/3 hours? Mind you I don't have the 4D experience

    2-3 hours! So much to see!

    Any good Mexican restaurants near here?

    We enjoy Taco Maya on South State its between 8th and 9th so its not to far to walk

    How much for parking?

    Take an Uber or Lyft

    Is there a free garage or parking lot?if not,what's the rate of parking?

    No garage but they do have parking. It's 25 a day. They do have a valet but it is more expensive. All the parking is owned by soldier Field and not the aquarium. Everywhere in Chicago cost an arm and a leg to park.

    How many hours do you need to see the highlights?

    It's definitely not an all day thing. There are movies, dolphin performances, and special exhibits that can definitely tack on an extra 40 minutes each. To see the highlights I would say about an hour and a half give or take. Keep in mind the… 

    Can you do it in a half a day if you have the city pass (fast pass)?

    Yes. Assume at least 2 hours. And do the CityPASS they take it all the time

    Are there wheelchairs available to rent for seniors?

    "Wheelchairs and rollator walkers are available for free checkout at the information desk on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification."

    Do they allow photography?

    Yes!

    Do they rent strollers? Are most of the exhibits stroller friendly?

    No renting strollers here. However, if you have one, bring it. The stroller line on the side of the building is muuuuuuuuuuuuch shorter than the main entrance line to get in. It's on the side closest to the planetarium.

    Are the restaurants/cafes inside Shedd quiet and easily accessible if I need to sit down?

    Yes! They have food nearly everywhere you go. There's a restaurant downstairs (they have cold food and hit food like soup, pizza, tacos or grilled food) and a cafe upstairs. The only place there is no food is the coral exhibit (understandably so).

    Can I reenter shedd if I step out for a little bit?

    Yes, you can. Just keep your ticket.

    Is there a place For jackets for when It gets cold on some…

    Yes they have lockers when you first enter the museum (by the restrooms and member center).

    Can you bring a backpack into the museum?

    You are welcome to bring in a backpack, Susie. For the safety of our guests and animals, bags are examined upon entry. We also have lockers where guests can check bags for their convenience.

    View All 20 Questions

    Review Highlights - Shedd Aquarium

    The dolphin show was entertaining and educational and has a beautiful view of Lake Michigan in the background.

    Mentioned in 222 reviews

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    Shedd Aquarium - aquariums - Updated September 2026

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