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Highlights
- Travel the world in 80 habitats and see some of the world’s most fascinating animals in Waters of the World.
- Learn about the yearly flood cycle of the mighty Amazon and see piranhas, tarantulas, stingrays, monkeys and an anaconda in Amazon Rising.
- Splash into a coral reef in the Philippines and get a diver’s-eye view of a diverse marine metropolis in the award-winning Wild Reef, home to more sharks, stingrays and live coral than any other exhibit at Shedd.
- Immerse yourself in the vibrant coastal ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest and encounter beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and sea otters in the Abbot Oceanarium.
- Where’s Wellington? Meet the rockhopper and Magellanic penguins on Lower Level 2 of the Abbot Oceanarium.
Take a 360-degree tour of an underwater reef community.
The 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef exhibit, at the hub of Shedd's original galleries, is a great place to start your visit.
Visit the dolphins in the Abbot Oceanarium's underwater viewing area.
See clownfish in the Waters of the World exhibit.
With no bones, no brains and no blood, jellies aren't fish at all.
The 14-foot sawfish has a razor-sharp bill.
Beluga whales are the only all-white whale species.
At Home on the Great Lakes highlights some of the Chicago region's most notable — and notorious — animals.
Shedd is a leader in rehabbing and raising sea otter infants which stemmed from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Visit the Magellanic penguins, as well as the rockhoppers, in the Polar Play Zone at Shedd.
Location
SHEDD AQUARIUM
Museum Campus Chicago
1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
View Map
Contact
Hours
Hours vary by day and season; check hours here when planning your visit.
Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
(312) 939-2438
sheddaquarium.org
Offers/Upgrades
Behind-the-Scenes-Tour: See Shedd from the perspective of our animal care staff during a 50-minute guided behind-the-scenes tour. Available Fri-Sun (7 days a week in the summer). Reservations are recommended. Call (312) 692-2723 to check availability and make reservations. Cost for CityPASS guests: $20.
Penguin Encounter: Shedd's most popular experience is offered Fri-Sun (7 days a week in the summer). Reservations are strongly required as Penguin Encounters sell out months in advance. Call (312) 692-3355 to check availability and make reservations. Cost for CityPASS guests: $94.95.
$2 off a Virtual Reality Experience: Regular cost: $9. Cost for CityPASS guests: $7.
10% off Your Purchase: Get 10% off your purchase of $50 or more at the Shedd Store.
Advice for Visitors
Tips:
- For everything you need to know to plan your visit, click here.
Amenities:
- Dining: Bubble Net Food Court is operating with limited hours. See the latest updates. Any food or drink you bring or purchase must be consumed in designated dining areas.
- Gift Shops: Shedd Store - Find plushes, books, apparel and more, including a range of sustainable items—there's something for everyone at our Shedd Store.
Best time to visit: Monday through Thursday and mornings before 11am are least crowded. Be sure to reserve your visit date and time in advance.
Accessibility: Find accessibility information here. For guests who require sensory support, Shedd Aquarium has a sensory-friendly app; find details here.
Parking/Transportation: Click here for information on parking, transportation and directions. Valet Parking is available most weekends.
Groups: Advance reservations are required. Group size is currently limited in accordance with Chicago regulations. See latest updates.