- Chicago CityPASS /
- Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium
An Experience to Remember
Take a deep dive into the aquatic world at Shedd Aquarium and discover a core truth: Water makes life possible. With 32,000 animals representing ecosystems around the world, this historic Chicago landmark captivates nearly 2 million guests each year, bringing animals, people and science together to spark curiosity and inspire action for the living world.
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With a symphony of chirps and whistles, beluga whales are the chattiest residents of the 3-million-gallon Abbott Oceanarium. The characteristic "squishy melon" forehead seen here on Kimalu helps them communicate and navigate.
Pacific white-sided dolphins travel through the water with effortless speed, making acrobatic leaps through the surface. These highly social marine mammals often gather in groups called pods and continue to exhibit these natural behaviors in Shedd Aquarium’s Abbott Oceanarium.
Highlights
01.
Step between two distinctly rich environments — freshwater and saltwater — and experience what life looks like beneath the water’s surface in the new Wonder of Water exhibit.
02.
Travel through the Amazon River Basin in the Amazon Rising exhibit, where you’ll encounter ancient arapaima, elusive electric eels, and a massive anaconda, perfectly adapted for life in a seasonally changing aquatic environment.
03.
Splash into a coral reef and get a diver’s-eye view of a diverse marine metropolis, including sharks and stingrays, in the award-winning Wild Reef exhibit.
In the Amazon Rising exhibit, a living relic of an ancient species glides past. One of the world’s largest freshwater fish, the arapaima has undergone little evolutionary change over millennia, but one notable adaption allows it to breathe air to survive in oxygen-deficient waters during seasonal flooding in the Amazon River basin. At Shedd, you can watch it surface every 5 to 15 minutes.
Experience the remarkable biodiversity of the world’s largest tropical river basin in the Amazon Rising exhibit at Shedd Aquarium.
Visit Shedd Aquarium with CityPASS®
CityPASS® tickets offer multiple great ways to see Shedd Aquarium. No matter which you choose, you'll save.
Advice for Visitors
Tips
The aquarium is evolving! Shedd is in the process of creating dynamic new exhibits and experiences that will provide greater and more accessible entry points to connect with aquatic life. During this transformation, select experiences may be unavailable to guests. Learn more about Shedd's Experience Evolution.
To get the full experience, allow about two and a half hours for your visit. If you're short on time, don't miss the sharks in the Wild Reef exhibit.
Shedd Aquarium holds free hours for Illinois residents throughout the year. If you're planning on visiting during one of these times, we recommend making reservations in advance, as the Aquarium is busier than usual and can sell out.
Learn more on the CityPASS Blog about what you'll see at Shedd Aquarium.
Attraction Features
Amenities
Dining: The variety of dining options includes Bubble Net food court, Soundings Café, Deep Ocean Café, Popcorn Kiosk, Farmer's Fridge and vending machines. Any food or drink you bring or purchase must be consumed in designated dining areas.
Shopping: Be sure to stop at the Shedd Store where you'll find something for everyone, including sustainably made toys, plushes, apparel, accessories, water bottles, mugs and much more. Your purchases directly support Shedd’s mission to spark curiosity, compassion and conservation for the aquatic animal world. Or, shop online here.
Accessibility
Shedd’s exhibits, restrooms, and most behind-the-scenes program locations are fully accessible. Visit the Aquarium's website for more information on services for guests with specific needs.
Parking/Transportation
Valet parking is available most weekends. Find out more about getting to Shedd, including directions and information on parking and public transportation.
Offers & Upgrades
10% Off Your Purchase
Get 10% off your purchase of $50 or more at the Shedd Store.
$2 Off a Virtual Reality Experience
Strap on the goggles and enter the pod for a 360-degree Virtual Reality Experience. Swim with a humpback whale mom and her calf, dive with sharks, or travel with dolphins along a coral reef. CityPASS guests receive a $2 discount.
$2 Off 4-D Experience
Add a 4-D Experience at a discounted price.
20% Off the Must See Tour
Experience the best of Shedd on this 75-minute guided tour. Go behind the scenes, sit in the best seats in the house for an Animal Spotlight; chat with an animal-care expert; touch a slimy, soft sea jelly; and enjoy more can’t-miss experiences.
Contact Information & Hours
- Shedd Aquarium
- Museum Campus Chicago
- 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive
- Chicago, IL 60605
- (312) 939-2438
- sheddaquarium.org
Hours vary by day and season; check the schedule when planning your visit.
Last Entry: 45 minutes before closing (Ticket sales end two hours before closing.)
Closed: Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November) and Christmas Day (Dec. 25)
In the Wonder of Water exhibit, boldly patterned Caribbean reef fish weave through coral formations. Construction is currently underway on an immersive walk-through Caribbean Tunnel, with opening planned for fall 2026.
Curiosity goes hand-in-hand with the Polar Play Zone touch pools, where you can interact with aquatic animals while learning about marine habitats. These close-up experiences reveal textures, adaptations and behaviors you might miss from afar.
Read reviews from CityPASS® travelers.
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The My CityPASS® app has all of the details you need for a great experience, including reservation and entry information, attraction details, maps, and extra offers and discounts from our partners.
All images courtesy of Shedd Aquarium / Header image: Brenna Hernandez