The Shedd Aquarium is fantastic. They have obviously taken a great deal of time, care and research to design each habitat to fit the needs of the creatures within. With that said, I would strongly recommend bringing ear plugs with you, should you decide to visit. The screams of hundreds of children on school field trips is overwhelming and made us choose to leave earlier than we expected. read more

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. read more

Shedd Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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. read more

Shedd Aquarium - Penguins during the encounter experience. - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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! read more

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Enjoying the Aquarium visit! Great time! Many exhibits! Unfortunately my wife needed a wheel chair! read more

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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. read more

Shedd Aquarium - What a magical place - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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! read more

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I've been coming to the Shedd aquarium since I was a kid. I've been here multiple times on school field trips. I've even come here a handful of times as an adult whether I paid for it or it happened to be free through my employer through corporate sponsorship. However, I recently visited here on a weekday which technically was a federal holiday with some good friends. I have to say first of all I'm super shocked that there is still construction here and it seems to be never ending. Not really quite sure how any of the construction that's been completed. Has actually helped it. There still is no parking. And the one lot that is closest, we've tried pulling into and apparently was only supposed to be for handicap parking. Which that means the only parking left is, if you can get lucky between the aquarium and the planetarium otherwise you have to go all the way down the street to the other parking lot that all the signs directed to. Further that lot that is only handicap parking was $32. How ridiculous even more ridiculous was the ticket fee to get in which turned out to be $43 and by the way, the price changes depending on the time that you want to enter the aquarium then they conveniently charge you a five dollar service fee. So for one person to get in is $48. If you live in the city of Chicago, it is discounted for 20 something dollars. Now while that is nice and kind keep in mind that while this is in the city of Chicago it is still within the realms of Cook County and I still live in Cook County and I'm still a taxpayer. I honestly would've given it more stars had the layout in the construction that has already been done actually benefited or done something better for the visit. I quite frankly do not see that and have not ex experienced it during this particular visit. I hope that all the construction really makes this place visitor friendly. read more

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It's a nice aquarium. You can easily spend at least 2-3 hours here. During my visit, I saw a cool show featuring dolphins in the amphitheater. Multiple touch experiences were available: sturgeon, sea stars, etc. They have penguins, beluga whales, octopus, sting rays, and so many more. The gift shop sells shirts, hoodies, magnets, plushies, toys, and others. Good place to see if you have the time. read more

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Always love a great aquarium visit when I can't get out doors due to bitter cold weather! Excellent stop for military families as it is free for member and family (check limits, believe it is up to 5). Good shows, valet parking ($35) or a parking lot a host walk down the street. Pretty crowded on the weekends so if you can plan. Weekday visit would be able to enjoy the venue a little more. Shows fill early, ensure to get your seats. Plenty to see for kids and adults. Cafe in site to enjoy a meal as well. Definitely worth the stop if in town! read more

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Wow! The Shedd aquarium was everything it was talked up to being! There are so many areas to explore, staff is incredible friendly and helpful, and can I get a high five for this being the first aquarium not to force me to walk through a gift shop when I leave? For once, I didn't have to fight with my kids to buy something on my way out!!! Also - bathrooms were plenty and clean! read more

Shedd Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was our second time at the aquarium, and this time we paid for one of the sea otter counter activities, and it was really fun! Way more immersive and fun than just perusing the aquarium. There were 3 other groups of couples along with us. They were so cute and fun to watch up close! They're also so soft to pet! Some of them were also super cute and funny playing with toys. We also got to fill up some feeder balls with seafood and give it to them to eat at the end which I enjoyed watching. We did end up going thru a bit of the aquarium again, but the sea otter encounter was definitely my favorite part. Paid 40 bucks for the photos they took of us. read more

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Nice aquarium on the water! Pacific white sided dolphins, and Beluga whale shows were great. Great location to walk back downtown along river walk. read more

After being at Griffin museum earlier my experience was just meh. I experienced my inner child and touched sturgeon fish and arctic star fish after pre washing my hands. There were just too many people here to make this place enjoyable. The Beluga whales and dolphins were in way too small of tanks. I did like the penguins. I didn't see the sea otters. The place was very crowded. It was included in go city pass. The views of Lake Michigan were beautiful. A cool place to bring your children. read more

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As an aquarium enthusiast, the Shedd Aquarium checked all the boxes. Admission prices varied but mostly stayed in the forty dollar range. It is not the cheapest attraction, but it has enough unique animals to capture your attention for a couple hours. The staff were not too strict about timing and check in was easy. The aquarium was packed at all times, even when it was close to closing. An underrated exhibit was Amazon Rising. The arapaima were massive and lively and the entire walkway was covered in a forest canopy that enveloped us in a warm and humid atmosphere. At Home on the Great Lakes was a small but compact section. The freshwater fish were surprisingly plump. The lake sturgeon and channel catfish were some of the fattest fish I have seen. During my visit, employees were managing the touch tank with friendly stingrays. The Oceans exhibit featured larger animals. I was surprised by how the sharks fit into a single tank. Despite showing bigger species, the displays were rather simple and were not highlighted as much as the mammals. The Wild Reef had its classic large display with big sharks and fish. The most underappreciated display was the bowmouth guitarfish. Not only were they uniquely shaped, they had the strangest and slowest way of swimming. The beluga whales were incredibly active. They swam close to the glass and often rubbed their heads on nearby rocks. The ones near the surface were very playful and sprayed a few guests. The sea otters were more elusive, but when they appeared, they rolled around near the grates. The dolphins happily swam around as well, though there was not much in their tanks. I was glad to see that the space was large. The penguin exhibit, however, made me extremely claustrophobic. Everyone was packed in like sardines and being on the shorter side, I could barely see over anyone. The aquarium was crowded overall but there was plenty to see and visitors were polite so everything went smoothly. The Shedd Aquarium is not the cheapest attraction, but the displays here were well maintained and clearly cared for. read more

Shedd Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I think the best part was the Beluga whales! The parking was $35. The staff was amazing. The aquarium was big and clean. Maybe avoid tuesday bc it was packed w field trips lol read more

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Under construction but still open so you'll just need to follow the signs to find the entrance. Beautiful facility! Fun colorful decor and lovely architecture. Nice view of Lake Michigan too. Scenic location. Massive space! Lots of exhibits and floors to see. I saw sharks, dolphins, beluga whales, penguins, coral reefs, and more. They have live shows and events too, such as dolphin shows. I took advantage of the summer free Tuesday evenings for Illinois residents. It was fun to check out! I can lack a sense of direction so it felt a bit confusing to find things but the staff is very helpful and there are many signs to help navigate. It's an impressive facility! read more

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I'm a zoo and aquarium fan so Shedd Aquarium has been on my bucket list for years! Shedd Aquarium was built in late 1927 to late 1929 and opened in May of 1930. The aquarium holds about 32,000 animals (fish, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds, and mammals). It is the third largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and the 11th-largest aquarium in the world. Shedd Aquarium has five major indoor exhibits (Wonder of Water, Amazon Rising, Wild Reef, Abbott Oceanarium, and Polar Play Zone) and one outdoor, seasonal exhibit (Stingray Touch) available to the public, as well as the 4-D Theater and the Great Lakes section. I'm not exactly sure how many exhibit tank Shedd has in total, but the Waters of the World exhibit has 76 habitats by itself... Combined the aquarium holds over 5 million gallons of water (fresh and salt) and the facility hosts over 2 million visitors a year. The Oceanarium is the largest indoor marine mammal facility in the world. It features sea lions, beluga whales, and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Make sure you attend at least one of the Animal Spotlights shows! Tickets to the shows are free with admission, but because of limited seating they use the ticket system to reserve your seat for a presentation. Times vary throughout the day... Shedd also offers tours, up close and personal, behind the scenes experiences, and other events throughout the year! Make sure you check out their website before your visit to see what all is available. Also for their FAQs and possible ticket discounts! Did my visit to Shedd live up to everything I expected...? Yes. Yes it did! If I lived in the Chicago area I would definitely be an annual member here! I could sit in the underwater viewing area and just watch the belugas and dolphins for hours... This will be the one thing I do EVERY time I visit Chicago...! Well visit here... And... Take a suitcase of 30 White Castle cheese sliders home with me... There are no White Castle locations in the entire state of Iowa and I miss being able to get them so much...! Lol read more

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We visited Shedd Aquarium while in Chicago for my son's Navy Boot Camp graduation, and it was an incredible experience. My son loves aquariums, so this was a must-do, and it did not disappoint. The aquarium is huge, large enough to easily spend several hours exploring, and it's air-conditioned, which makes it a comfortable outing. There are so many amazing creatures to see, from otters and dolphins to octopus, jellyfish, sharks, freshwater fish, and cold-water species. Every exhibit was engaging and beautifully done, making it a phenomenal place for both kids and adults. Do be prepared for quite a bit of walking. Parking isn't very close, so if anyone in your group has mobility issues, I highly recommend dropping them off at the roundabout before parking (and don't forget to keep your parking display in the window). One fantastic perk: active-duty military members get complimentary entry for themselves plus up to five guests, which made our visit even more special. And don't miss the dolphin show, it's a highlight of the day. Overall, Shedd Aquarium is a must-visit when in Chicago. It's family-friendly, educational, and absolutely worth the time. read more

Shedd Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went to the shed aquarium on a Illinois free day. I arrive roughly around 10 AM, it was so crowded that the next ticket at time was for 12 PM. There was also a rude patron, who wasn't paying attention and nearly bumped me over. Nevertheless, I returned during our scheduled ticket at time. Although it was very busy, including some school field trips in attendance, we got to see some amazing animals every time I go, I feel like I see and learn about something new. I was fortunate to get to see the anaconda and the sea lion pro tip if you want to see the sea lion or dolphin show etc. you should plan to arrive 45 minutes before the showtime they also had snacks I was able to grab some popcorn, a pretzel and a Diet Coke. All in all it was a great experience and I would definitely go back again on a non-free day. read more

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Had low expectations for this aquarium but was thoroughly impressed with how much I enjoyed it. They actually have some really unique animals that were different from many of the aquariums I've been to. Compared to the top aquariums I've visited, I'd rate this one pretty high in terms of things to do and the overall quality of the animals you get to see. For value, I got tickets through the CityPASS. With it, you always get a 4-D experience for free, and it was surprisingly good. I watched the shark experience and was impressed by how entertaining it was. The dolphin show is also a must-see. The dolphins are well-trained and perform some amazing tricks. Overall, this is definitely a must-visit spot in Chicago! Note: They are reasonably strict about entrance times, but they did let us in up to 30 minutes early. read more

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A perfect spot for a date! The girlfriend and I came in December to something fun for our anniversary. We lucked out with relatively close parking despite the ongoing renovations. The experience was quite enjoyable all around. It was light on foot traffic for the most part, and we had planned it that way so we weren't dealing with a mass of screaming kids. Even though not every enclosure had friends to see, what we able to see was super awesome. Penguins sharks and plenty of other marine life to keep occupied. It is important to take your time going through the place as rushing make it seem like a lot less than there is. The dolphin show was cool to, with tricks here there while spreading a positive message about preserving the oceans. Got some treats from Soundings Cafe . We wanted to go to the food court but we missed the boat on that. I had glazed donut which was tasty. I had a whoopie that was ok, but a bit sweet. The had something called an "ocean cup" that I tried as well. Blue colored vanilla pudding , graham cracker base and a few gummy sharks on top. It was fine, but a little pricey. Even got some popcorn at one point too. A pretty solid trip for sure. We are looking to getting the city pass for this summer and the Shedd will be on our list no doubt. read more

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Finally made it back to Shedd Aquarium! COVID protocols are no more, and it's busy again. You can reserve timed entry tickets online, and even though we were running a bit late, we still got to enter as soon as we arrived. We even got 50% off our tickets because we have a membership at our local zoo, so check the reciprocal benefits on their website. We spent a few hours leisurely exploring the aquarium, which was nice. Again, it was super busy, so be prepared for crowds. It can also be quite loud - I honestly wished I had brought earplugs at some points. Some sections of the aquarium were closed off so it seemed like they were doing renovations, but there was still plenty to see. There are a few additional activities that you can buy tickets for, like the 4D movie experiences. We watched the dolphin show and learned about Pacific white-sided dolphins. There is a cafe on site and they also had a concession stand selling popcorn and drinks. The exhibits seemed clean and well maintained, and there were employees around to help assist with wayfinding, etc. I don't know that I really need to come back anytime soon, but I was glad we got to check it out again. read more

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First time with the wife at the Shedd Aquarium! - Easy to buy tickets online but you can purchase at the entrance too. Plenty of Aquatic life to keep you walking for a couple hours and not to mention every hour they do free show displaying the sea lion and the dolphin's. The food court is great so you can catch a break and have some food. Not to mention they got souvenir shops too so you can get some merch as well. Overall a great experience and I highly recommend this place to everyone. read more

Shedd Aquarium - Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Let's begin. Once you visit the aquarium in Atl, other aquariums just don't measure up. I typically visit the Atl aquarium every time I visit that city. With Shedd... while I liked it, I'm not sure if I'll make a return trip. We'll start with the amphitheater section. It's very cool and totally the thing that sticks out and sets the Shedd apart. I like having the pool areas for the animals with the planetarium and Lake Michigan as the backdrop. If I do return, I'll specifically try to find out the times and what's on display for their amphitheater show. Great place to watch one of their shows. I told myself that I didn't want to compare to Atl, but it's just so hard not to. In Atl, it always feels like you're underwater with all the fish. Here, you can tell that you're very above ground while looking at these animals and fish. Because of that, it also seemed hot instead of being super dark and cool. Also, holy busy! I was here on a weekday. Most aquariums, zoos, and animal venues are busy. I understand that. The problem I have with this aquarium is that it seems to lack organization and flow. Sure, it's broken down into numbered sections, but it just seems like a huge cluster with multiple floors that seem in opposite directions. People are running in every direction. This isn't just an Atl comparison. This is a comparison to every other aquarium I've visited. The animals did seem genuinely happy. I did see some random things I had never seen, like the upside-down jellyfish and other varieties of fish/shrimp. So for me, it's just good. If you're in Chicago and have never visited, give it a chance. It's certainly worth a one-time visit. read more

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This is my first visit to Shedd before COVID hit. But I am sad to see some things have changed and have not changed The location is very easy to find. There are plenty of locations to park like the rare but always full East Museum lot, street parking, a lot near Adler Planetarium, and finally Soldier field parking lots. I visited this location on Sunday morning so I was able to get into there rare east parking lot. However, I did like how the Soldier Field North Garage had a place to charge an EV car. There was a lot of construction occurring inside and out of the Shedd. The entrance that I entered prior to Covid was under construction so I was not expecting that. However, I do like how there were a booth building with a few machines to buy tickets... almost everything is included now. Previously the wait could have been a while between people trying to decide which special events to add on and people working slowly. The new exhibits were beautiful.Especially the middle Caribbean reef (if I remember that was what It was called). Instead of one giant circular aquarium...it now into two smaller one. Plus they made upgrades to make it easier for kids to see the fishes. The Shedd can still be very confusing. There are a lot of elevators which I had to use this visit... but I never knew which level I started on, and which level I wanted to end up on. Some elevators, I was ground floor but it was different for other elevators. One big disappointment to this visit compared to pre-covid was the dolphin show. It used to be an extra addition to your tickets but now it is free and it is not as big or grand. I was disappointed in what it used to be. Overall, I appreciate the Shedd and its upgrades and their conservation events. It is still an amazing aquarium to visit. However, I could not give it 5 stars. Do not get me wrong.... you will enjoy your visit here. read more

This is a Chicago must have. There is so much to see here and various shows to attend. This would be a great place to take kids for sure. The location is clean as are the bathrooms. I'm hoping to come back here again soon and will be back. read more

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My baby absolutely loved the aquarium. What a great time. Plan to spend several hours! read more

Shedd Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Amazing experience and one of the coolest aquariums (if not the best) in the country. We have been to Monterey Bay, Sea World, Aquarium of the Pacific and this is by far the best of those. The dolphin show was entertaining and educational and has a beautiful view of Lake Michigan in the background. Great place to go kill time on a weekend. We will definitely be going back. read more

The Shedd Aquarium is located along Lake Shore Drive and it's a fun spot to spend a few hours. I got my general admission ticket via Chicago CityPass and it was easy to book a timeslot through the CityPass app. Despite having a specific timeslot the place does get BUSY. The areas can get pretty packed so it's a little tough to get the best angles to see everything. In under 3 hours I basically saw everything in the aquarium (including a short 4D movie) except for the Reef/Shark exhibit. The line was ridiculously long and I didn't have the time to stay. The place is pretty clean and the staff is friendly. If you're into aquariums, this one is worth visiting. If you're not, there's nothing particularly special about this one that might change your mind. read more

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An incredible place! I just wish it was a little more affordable. Though I do appreciate that little ones have free entry. The aquarium is huge. So many fish to look at! I love that you can get an above and under water view of the larger animals. Lots of floors to explore and relatively easy to navigate with clear signage and maps. The staff is lovely! Everyone was cheery and extremely helpful when asked questions. There is a family bathroom and lactation room, which I really appreciate as a new mom. Parking isn't ideal. Though there are options in the area, they aren't necessarily close. read more

Such a nice aquarium! The Shedd Aquarium building is gorgeous inside and out. The exhibits are beautifully designed and everything was very clean. My family had a great morning here exploring and seeing the fish! Per our friends who live in Chicagos recommendation, we parked at the planetarium nearby which worked well. Because the building is so old and wasn't built to be an aquarium it was kind of hard to navigate. Our favorite exhibit was the belugas! read more

I have nothing but great things to say about the Shedd Aquarium. We took a day trip to Chicago, and our first stop was the aquarium. We spent about 3 hours inside and got to see the dolphin show, numerous exhibitions, and shop in the gift shop. I would definitely go again when the weather is nicer to walk around the outside areas. read more

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We thought the exhibits were good. The highlights for us were the dolphin and beluga whale shows. Very well done and nice educational component. It can be a challenge to navigate the facility and it's easy to get turned around even when referring to the maps. read more

Shedd Aquarium - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love Shedd and have always enjoyed it. Unfortunately even with the new tickets purchased for scheduled entry there was no discerning between those tickets. It was a little more chaos than it needed to be. You've always done great; just control the ticketing timing a bit better! read more

Feb 2025: Wonderful and definitely still under renovations. My favorite part was seeing the belugas fly around the water. I hope the aquarium continues to treat its animals well! - AD read more

Shedd Aquarium - Garden eels - Aquariums Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This was a very interesting experience. We were able to catch the dolphin and beluga whale show. We seen a lot of animals especially my all time fave the sting rays. This is the perfect place for people with children featuring a touch tank for the kids and a designated play area. read more

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I was blown away by my visit to Shedd Aquarium. We spent several hours here and could have certainly spent even longer. Tickets aren't cheap, but after my visit, I can see why. I cannot fathom how much it must cost to run this place. Taking care of these amazing animals can't be cheap. The staff we encountered were friendly and seemed like experts in their field. And we saw some truly fascinating creatures. I highly recommend this place and will most definitely return. read more

I have not been here in a long time... this is an awesome aquarium! Just tons to see here as you can see by my pictures. They also have dolphin shows which we missed while we were here. It gets busy so be prepared... it is also quite a bit of walking but it is all very worth it! There is food here... it costs a small fortune but you can eat. My daughter and I had a marvelous time! If you're in Chicago visiting? Or if you live in the surrounding areas looking for something to do... this is a must see! I was very happy with the time we spent here and I'd come back again the next time I'm in town. read more

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Way too many people. Glass was dirty, couldn't see exhibits. Too many children putting their hands or mouths on glass, yuk parents didn't care. Waited to see a show and was told to come back because it was an hour from starting. Came back a half hour later and now told it's completely full. Employees do not give correct information. Overall, waste of time and money. Worst experience I've had at an aquarium. Others I've gone to are better prepared. read more