Shedd Aquarium

What's On

Permanent Collections

Wonder of Water

A bilingual gallery set between freshwater and saltwater worlds, with periscopes onto more than 6,500 fishes in contrasting habitats, from moonlight gouramis to purple tangs and leather corals.

Permanent collection

Polar Play Zone

A hands-on space for young children on the Underwater Level: a penguin play area, a kid-sized submarine, a sea star touch pool and views of rockhopper penguins, dolphins and sea otters.

Permanent collection

At Home on the Great Lakes

The planet's largest freshwater system, told through lake sturgeon, alligator snapping turtles, pumpkinseed sunfish and invaders like sea lamprey, with a Sturgeon Touch pool.

Permanent collection

Abbott Oceanarium

A recreated Pacific Northwest coastline with beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, California sea lions and sea otters, viewable from a coastal walkway and an underwater level.

Permanent collection

Oceans

Temperate and cold-water ocean habitats on the Main Level, including a swaying kelp forest with horn sharks and rockfish, a giant Pacific octopus, moray eels and giant sea bass.

Permanent collection

Wild Reef

An immersive coral-reef gallery where sharks glide overhead behind curved floor-to-ceiling glass, alongside rays, living corals and reef fishes from mandarin dragonets to wobbegongs.

Permanent collection

Plankton Revealed

Shedd's first fully bilingual exhibit, magnifying the phyto- and zooplankton at the base of the food chain and opening up the aquarium's own plankton nursery.

Permanent collection

Amazon Rising

A bilingual journey through the Amazon River Basin across its flood cycle, home to ancient arapaima, electric eels, a green anaconda, caiman lizards and emerald tree boas.

Permanent collection

Nearby

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Field Museum

History4 min walk

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Adler Planetarium

History7 min walk

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Museum of Contemporary Photography

ArtFree12 min walk

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Art Institute of Chicago

Architecture19 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Shedd Aquarium cost?

Standard adult admission to Shedd Aquarium is $19.95. Chicago residents pay $19.95 adult / $14.95 child general admission every day. Other visitors pay dynamic 'plan-ahead' pricing that varies by date and time, so booking in advance is cheaper. Members enter free. Discount and free days are available.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of Shedd Aquarium?

Shedd Aquarium is open Open daily. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday 9am-5pm; Tuesday 9am-9pm (late close); Saturday 9am-6pm. Hours vary by date, so check the aquarium's calendar before travelling. Timed tickets are strongly recommended.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is Shedd Aquarium?

Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605, United States, in the Museum Campus / Near South Side area of Chicago. The nearest stations are Roosevelt (CTA Red, Orange and Green Lines), Museum Campus/11th Street (Metra Electric) and Harrison (CTA Red Line).

What can I see at Shedd Aquarium?

Beaux-Arts lakefront aquarium on Museum Campus: belugas, sharks, an Amazon river basin and 32,000 animals. Current highlights include Wonder of Water, Polar Play Zone and At Home on the Great Lakes.

Do I need to book Shedd Aquarium in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit Shedd Aquarium?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.