Shedd Aquarium

4.5 (31,906 reviews)

AquariumHistorical LandmarkTourist AttractionHistorical PlacePoint of Interest

Best time to visit

Arrive at opening on weekdays to avoid the largest crowds and enjoy quieter viewing; late afternoon often features lively feeding demonstrations and active animals.

Budget tips

Buy timed-entry tickets online to avoid queues; CityPASS and Go City Explorer Pass include Shedd, and an annual Shedd membership pays off after a few visits by giving free admission and exhibit discounts.

Recommended for

Families with children, School and educational groups, Marine life enthusiasts, Photography enthusiasts

Plan your visit

2-3 hours

About

Quick facts: More than 32,000 animals populate galleries that let you get face-to-face with penguins, rays, and beluga whales. Visitors can see roughly 1,500 species across tanks and exhibits, so you might spot dozens of different creatures in a single stroll.

Highlights: Step into a dim gallery where the water's surface casts rippling turquoise mosaics across faces, the cool, briny air and distant muffled splashes turning the space into an underwater theater. A quiet ritual at feeding presentations gathers small groups close to the glass, and watching hundreds of fish arc in synchrony as keepers drop food feels unexpectedly like front-row seats to a living, pulsing ballet.

Insider tips

Wear comfortable, slip-resistant shoes; some galleries and viewing areas can be wet or have steps.
Check the daily schedule on arrival and plan to attend one feeding or talk for the most engaging encounters.
Photographers head for the Caribbean Reef tunnel and the Oceanarium terrace for dramatic close-ups and skyline backdrops.
Book early timed-entry slots on weekends, or visit midweek afternoon to avoid peak crowds and long lines.