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Shedd Aquarium
Aquarium
Museum Campus, Chicago
The experts at Wired and Chicagoist recommend this place
"The penguin encounter one was a great value and a wonderful time!"(18 Tips)
"Excellent aquarium, choose the CityPass, great deal!!!"(22 Tips)
"I love the Beluga whales performance."(13 Tips)
"The holiday dolphin show is an interesting selection."(12 Tips)
418 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- penguins
- beluga whales
- fish
- dolphin show
- scenic views
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Sandor WeiszMay 25, 2013Despite what the clerks say, general admission DOES allow you to go downstairs to see the belugas, as well as the basement kids area. It's only $8, or $5 for residents; but it's not on the price menu.
Julie ArrisonOctober 12, 2012I haven't been to a great aquarium in a long time and this was GREAT. Not only was it wonderful marine life, but the architecture was to die for.
If you want to come to the aquarium and bring that special someone, do so after 1pm. Most of the groups are gone & you can see everything!
John GondaAugust 3, 2016Absolutely fun and amazing - my six year old loved it. Especially the playful beluga whales. Get there early!!
Kim SolvesonJanuary 30, 2016Shedd Aquarium is the world's largest aquarium. the dolphins and sharks are too amazing and cool . It is a outstanding view
Anna MorrisAugust 2, 2012Any weekend year round and midday any day during the summer will be a long wait. Come at 3:30 during the summer and spend the last two hours with a smaller crowd. Jellies exhibit is not worth the $.
Brian WenteJuly 24, 2011Incredibly long lines, however if you have children and bring a stroller, you can move to the ramp entrance and directly bypass all the lines. Saved us nearly an hour in line of 90+ degree heat!
Tracy HixonMarch 4, 2016Though I miss the old style displays, the redesign is more informative. Always fun to see the fish in the main tank getting fed by the diver
Shedd AquariumSeptember 7, 2011While the weather's still nice, step outside to snap a photo of the view! Our Lakefront Terrace boasts one of the best views of the Chicago skyline without even leaving the aquarium.
Lisa King MorganJuly 1, 2013Buy your tickets online before arriving, otherwise you may be in line up to 2 hrs! Make sure to buy a ticket for the aquatic show. We thought it was included in the Shedd Pass. It is not.
Alexandra Faught BivinsSeptember 30, 2013Visited on Saturday and had a great time. Upgraded from the general admission so that we could see the whales and dolphins. My kids had a great time!
Kim ZimmermanJuly 14, 2015The aquarium is clean with large viewing areas. Getting there early meant short lines and easy access to the aquariums.
Achal VarmaMarch 19, 2013You need to purchase an all-day, all-access pass for $34.95, or pay $20 to enter the special exhibits and then pay extra to watch specific shows/exhibits such as the Belugas. The G.A. ticket costs $8.
Olli KMarch 23, 2015Saying this place is amazing is an understatement. Great tourist spot but expect it to be a little $$. Great for all ages
CMarch 11, 2014Come early (before Noon) especially on the weekends, otherwise you'll be waiting in line for a while! Also, use the Soldier Field parking lot. ;)
Daniel.MDMarch 25, 2013The waiting line on monday morning was huge! Temp was on the low 30's. Getting the city pass was awesome 'cause we skipped the line and didn't waste at least 1hr !
Mark HOctober 10, 2011Got here at 9.30am on a beautiful Saturdy morning n there were no lines! Hurray! $3 off tics with ur student ID. This place is nice but I think overhyped. View from restaurant's patio is amazing.
Terry TroskeSeptember 3, 2013We spent seven hours here and only went home simply because they were closing. The entire experience was awesome as well as the food!
Buy a membership. You have unlimited visits for you AND a guest, plus discounts and sometimes special events! Plus, Jazzing at the Shedd in the summer is delightful.
Leland BrewsterApril 17, 2015Beautiful aquarium but beware the long lines on weekends. Pre-purchase your tickets or be prepared to wait 30+ minutes to get in!
Mariana PantalenaAugust 7, 2016Nice place to take the kids. Normal aquarium, nice to see the beluga whales.They do important work rescuing and helping animals.
Jeff JenkinsDecember 24, 2014Get to the aquatic show early. This is the place fills up 10+ minutes before it starts
M.DJune 23, 2012Sit outside for lunch. Beautiful view of the city and the lake. Avoid the free days for illinois residents. (way to crowded)
Anna StumpfApril 11, 2016Although we arrived 30 minutes prior to opening and in the first 50 through the door the aquatic shows were sold out. People pre-purchase w/tix online which is nice for them, not if you have City Pass
Kristen MariaMarch 25, 2018Very crowded, kind of exhausting but loved the exhibits and so did my daughter!
Dougie CyanideApril 2, 2024Make sure to schedule your visit in advance, so you don't have to worry about not being able to get in.
Ted MNovember 24, 2013A better value than the planetarium (and i was an astronomy major), more to see here and do. Recommended!
Joanna FlammJanuary 2, 2014If you're just there for a couple hours, the unlisted $8 General Admission gets you into several exhibits, but if you're making a day of it, you'll want the more expensive pass.
SPINJuly 22, 2011Pete Wentz of Black Cards loves this aquarium turned skate park because you can see the dolphins swimming at night. They have penguins, whales, and sharks too!
Lisa ZielbauerJune 3, 2013The organization of the lines today was awful...1 hr wait in the cold outside vs. 1/2 wait if u bought the city pass which I highly recommend: $89 for a book of tickets for several attractions
Mike BlackleyJanuary 18, 2015Fantastic day at the aquarium, I would skip the 4D show next time but the aquatics show was superb!
Phillip ROctober 5, 2013Waiting in line will give you ample opportunity to consider exactly how ineffective the admissions process is. Don't believe the blue shirts, jump in the shortest line and feign confusion if they ask.
VeronikaOctober 30, 2015Well, the aquarium in Dubai impressed me more, but this one is also nice. I wish the shows would be more interesting.- Lisa WFebruary 20, 2013Check out the special adventure options at the Shedd! The penguin encounter one was a great value and a wonderful time!
Jamie HoweJune 3, 2013Absolutely love the Shedd Aquarium. Wish it wasn't so expensive cause otherwise I'd go every weekend!
Kendra TorresJuly 15, 2012Get a free background when you check in. I would have loves a colorful background Jellie instead but this is pretty nice
Emily MitchellJuly 18, 2013So much fun! Go see the jellies exhibit before its gone! It's awesome! I love wild reef! Great picture oppurtunity's!
ValerieSeptember 15, 2014The $8 general admission is not advertised but gets you into the exhibits in the main building, if you don't need to see the special exhibits.
Kevin DulinAugust 13, 2014The Coral Reef is one of the coolest parts of the aquarium. Worth the extra charge!
Kirstjen LorenzJune 30, 2017Not sure why this happens, but whenever I visit the Shedd, I feel like I did some kind of meditation. What is this calm that comes over me from fish??
Be sure to check out all the free expert talks they have scheduled throughout the day!
Andre Saikai GomesDecember 18, 2014Great shows.. The dolphins are so cute.. You need to see all the shows.. Best ever
Federica RossiOctober 17, 2013Probably the most beautiful in the world.. But get in at least 3 hours before the closing (5pm)!
BingMarch 9, 2012Wild fish and exotic reptiles live here, but these are the ones making a splash: http://binged.it/yo8Sjh
Dave FloydSeptember 17, 2012Check out the Giant Japanese Spider Crab in the oceans section on the main floor. Largest species of crab in the world.
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Shedd Aquarium
1200 S Lake Shore Dr (at Solidarity Dr)
Chicago, IL 60605
United States
Chicago, IL 60605
United States
At: Museum Campus
Strap a mask and flippers onto your imagination and chart a course to Shedd Aquarium. Have you ever gotten eye-to-eye with a dolphin? Or met a penguin on a stroll to the South Pole? Or immersed yourself in an Amazon flooded forest? At Shedd, it's all possible.
Open until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Fri
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sat–Sun
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
(312) 939-2438
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Yes (incl. Visa & American Express)
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- 9.2
"One of the best museum i ever visit. A lot of amazing things to see."
Misha Moskalyk - 8.7
"Great atmosphere! Lots of different places to eat and shop at plus some amazing views of the city. We did the river tour and lake tour and both were awesome!"
Sean Miller - 8.5
"Wow Bao has a kiosk here around section 110, Baos are great & probably one of the healthiest foods here They also were giving away single Baos early, or at least gave us one."
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