I visited as a kid, and now as an adult revisiting I feel like the Shedd is better than ever! I was EXTREMELY impressed. As someone that is in the animal field. Just.. WOW. Your animal care staff should be extremely proud! Large enriching, naturalistic spaces perfect for each species. Loved all the signs and information at each habitat. I also adored reading the signs on some cool extra history, and the ones on all the conservation projects you are doing or participated in. I very much enjoyed talking to some of the educators, Brian that was at Sharks was enthusiastic and very informative! I do want to highlight the care given the the herps (reptiles and amphibians). I ADORE their habitats in particular. It’s rare to find facilities that put so much love and detail into their herp habitats. Loved seeing UVB lights being utilized. All the animals so healthy and active!!! Now to anyone visiting, if you want to make it to the presentations you better find seating at least 30 minutes before it starts. As for food, a tad pricey as expected. But we were pleasantly surprised how delicious the food was! Great job. Staff were busy but still very kind and polite. Navigating around wasn’t too bad. 11/10 for the Shedd. It is a must visit. I cannot wait to come here again! Keep up the amazing work!!! Thank you for all you do.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$21–30

Let's hit some key points here. First of all we have never been here before so we had zero expectations. 1 first stop upon getting in the gate is the stingray encounter. It would make WAY more sense to have the food tickets available out at the exhibit instead of having to go inside then back out. The exhibit feeding was worth the $5. It's intimidating and not for everyone but was fun. 2. There are maps available online and through the app. They don't make sense in real life being there or maybe there was signage missing that I didn't notice to help with the flow. 3 maybe once all exhibits are open the flow makes more sense but today it seemed really crazy. It's pretty much a free for all when you enter. Pros! There are employees everywhere! They are all so kind and helpful. It was a bit expensive to get in so we just upgraded to a membership. I'm thrilled we did as we will be back to see the exhibits we didn't get to. It was a bit of a maze so we didn't get to see everything like we had intended. We snagged some 9am tickets and I'm glad we did as we were out by noon having almost seen everything. It was SO packed when we left I can't imagine much more people fitting in there
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I remember going there 10 years ago and I was amazed by it, now it felt smaller and not as amazing as the first time. The main entrance is under construction right now. They have an amazing exhibition of fish from all around the world, belugas, dolphins, otters, penguins, etc but it made me really sad that they have a show with the belugas and I do not support that as an animal lover. The ticket was expensive $45 usd (for residents the ticket costs differently) and had a problem trying to buy the tickets online, I tried twice with my credit card and I could not get the tickets, it said that I had to try again, but my credit card shows the charges, when I got to the front desk they did not give me a solution and made me buy the tickets again so I do not know who can help me with that. Plus the line to buy the ticket was really long up to 30 mins. Also it was super crowded, I think that may due to the marathon, so I did not really enjoy the experience.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

Must buy tickets in advance or you may be turned away at the door. I remember this place as a kid and being amazed but wow has it passed its glory days. Everything looks tired, old and falling apart. In desperate need for a renovation. Reeks of fish (which is expected) but way worse than any other aquarium I’ve been to. A few sections were closed off. There was so many people you can’t even see things (which is not their fault but they should be staggering entires to fix this on busy days). All the dolphins and beluga whales look depressed and swimming in circles, I didn’t expect to see large animals in such a small space. Did not feel worth the money. If they’re going to charge $50 per person maybe give these poor things a bigger tank like Ripleys in Toronto :( I feel bad giving a bad review but if you’re going to charge way more than any aquarium that needs to be reflected
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

This should have been three stars but I’ve loved this aquarium for years so I will give them a benefit of the doubt. I understand that upgrades/redesign are sometimes necessary. I also understand that while there is a lot of construction going on everyone is expected to be happy to pay full ticket price to show support (I’m glad that I didn’t). We used to be members, but for what is happening now it’s just not worth it. I think it’s truly unreasonable to charge around $50 entry fee for people coming from out of state. We took advantage of the Illinois resident free night. I was afraid that we would not have enough time to see everything but with many sections closed off we finished with some time to spare. At 7pm the aquarium was a bit messy and honestly quite hot. The line for Wild Reef- ridiculous. I really wish them all the best but really hope that once everything is finished it will be an amazing place once again.
Visited on
Weekday
Reservation recommended
Yes

FREE FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS Specific days of the week. You do have to go on their website and pre book your tickets, you will need to show your ID at the entrance to prove you are a resident. The place is amazing!. I definitely recommend going earlier in the day because some of their shows like the dolphin show, stop running in the evening time. So if you arrive early you will have time to see everything. They have a 3D and 4D show for only 5 dlls per person, very cool and fun experience. They have a lot of interactive activities, great for families or groups of friends. They have several levels of different displays as well as a food hall and store. 10/10✨.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
Free

We arrived just prior to opening on a Monday morning and were the first in line. The employees came out and scanned our tickets about 5 minutes before opening which was promptly at 9. All the employees we encountered were friendly and willing to help. The aquarium itself is huge with plenty to see and do! There are several hands on exhibits where you can touch stingrays, starfish and sturgeon (fish)! They also have a dolphin tank with shows, and a theatre for various movies. The gift shop was huge! Everything was clean and well taken care of. We parked down the road at the big lot near the planetarium for $12. Overall a great experience.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

This was the first time in decades that I had returned to the aquarium and the first time that I had taken my young son. I have no idea what caused me to wait so long to return to see the animals. By taking my son I was able to see everything with new eyes and the staff was very friendly and helpful with his army of questions. There were various “touch” exhibits that kept his attention and everything was at his eye level which helped save me from constant lifting. There were several food options both in and around the aquarium and if you bring in a refillable bottle you will have plenty to drink.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I removed a couple stars because finding a parking spot there is a challenge and of course it costs a small fortune. Even the paid parking lots get full. I went on the weekend so be prepared to face a line if you do the same. They had only 3 people scanning tickets for a line with about 500 people. Make sure you do a time slot reservation. Tip: buying their membership for a family of 4 was cheaper than paying entrances for 1 time visit and they have partnership with other places around the country for discounts. Inside: lovely. The shows are great and impressive. They don't have a lot of seats available for rest besides the areas they sell food. The souvenir stores are cute, price of touristic places.

Overall I loived our experience there and my kids were very impressed (and worn out) by the end. My only issue is the city "Free Pass". I wa told by my brother that I should wait to go because through his local library he could get us a FREE pass to the Aquarium. So after weeks of waiting we finally got it and all that you get for FREE is the lobby!! I can literally come in off the street and have the same experience without this worthless pass. The whole point is to get your toes dipped into the proverbial pool so you see what you can't get and pay for admission anyway!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

Visiting the Shedd Aquarium was nothing short of amazing! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and educational experience. To make the most of your visit, I suggest arriving early to avoid the crowds. One absolute must-do is catching the 4D movie. It's an incredible experience and definitely worth the extra time and cost. The combination of stunning marine life and the immersive 4D effects creates an unforgettable cinematic adventure. Overall, the Shedd Aquarium is a fantastic destination that offers a memorable and educational journey into the world of aquatic wonders.
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$21–30

Great aquarium with an amazing collection! Wasn’t too crowded. Huge space for eating — we brought our own food and saved money. Outdoor eating area has amazing view of the lake. Reef area was hard to get to due to construction—had to wait in line for elevator to get down, and the photo booth caused a bottleneck when you get out of the elevators. Otherwise, displays are amazing. The big tank has a show every hour on the half hour, so we made it to 3 different ones. Dolphin show was the favorite of course. Parking was a short walk away, though you want to get there early to find the close parking.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

It is a delightful destination with a wide array of fascinating aquatic aniamals to observe. It's perfect for families seeking a fun and educational outing. Booking tickets ahead is highly recommended, as it makes the wait worthwhile. However, note that international credit cards may not work online, requiring the purchase at the counter. The aquarium also offers captivating shows at specific times, adding to the overall experience. In all, the Shedd Aquarium provides an enjoyable and memorable adventure for both kids and adults alike.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Your kids (and you) will love this aquarium. Beautiful location on the lake in an amazing historic building. The aquatic exhibits are fantastic and the large amphitheater has reall cool educational shows with dolphins / beluga whales etc. you can go downstairs to see into those tanks and get an underwater look at belugas and dolphins. There is a kids playground in the basement with a digital background so it looks like they are with penguins. Also a neat submarine to play in. Wild reef area is a lot of fun as well. If you are having lunch, I suggest the patio on the lake (or if you are leaving around lunch just picnic on the lawn on the lake).

I went to this aquarium because my brother's family has a yearly pass for his entire family. We went there on a Friday and it was very busy since it was summer time. I believe three of the exhibits were closed. One of the main shows was with dolphins and it was very cool. We got to see all the exhibits that were open in a very timely manner. We even enjoyed some ice cream from one of the food trucks outside. I highly recommend this museum, it has all the good stuff you'd expect from a high quality museum.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Went to the Shedd with family, and I hadn't been there in probably 10 years. Growing up in Chicago, I've always loved the Shedd. There are plenty of fun activities for little kids and informative experiences. The whales and dolphins are always fun. My only gripe is that they still allow Soldier Field patrons to use the museum parking lots, forcing museum patrons to park far away or pay more to park. Very inconvenient, Bears should have off-site parking with shuttle. Food court was surprisingly good.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

This is a must-visit attraction for marine life enthusiasts. With its impressive collection of animals, including fish, dolphins, penguins, and even beluga whales, the aquarium offers a fascinating experience for visitors of all ages. Highlights include the Oceanarium's dolphin and beluga whale shows, interactive exhibits showcasing diverse marine ecosystems, and knowledgeable staff. However, it can get crowded, so arriving early or purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Overall, it's a fantastic destination for a memorable and informative visit.
Visited on
Weekend
Reservation recommended
Yes

I know this is an older facility but my family and I were slightly disappointed. My websites have Shedd in the top five aquariums in the USA and frankly this isn't true. It's very dated with many small tanks. It has dolphins and belugas in larger tanks with seating for shows. Across the country, governments are outright banning these small enclosures for animals that are used to trailing thousands of kilometers. I was actually shocked to see this here. I have high hopes for there expansion plans and will comeback once it's all complete. For a far better overall experience go to the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is an absolute gem! This aquatic wonderland offers an immersive and educational experience for visitors of all ages. The variety of marine life on display is astounding, from playful dolphins to mesmerizing jellyfish. The staff’s dedication to conservation and marine education is truly commendable. What sets Shedd Aquarium apart is its commitment to environmental sustainability and the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. It’s not just a place to see marine life; it’s a place to learn about our responsibility to protect our oceans and the creatures that inhabit them.

This place was so pretty! The tickets are on the more expensive side but you'll probably spend half of your day here so in the end you could say it was worth it. The beluga whales were really cute and I was very excited to touch stingrays in the pool exhibit area they had. They also had an area where you could touch big fish and starfish. This aquarium is extremely family friendly and has a ton of exhibits. The gift shop is also huge and has stuff for everyone.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I visited during winters ie month of February. Best time to enjoy this place as it is indoors and less crowded during that season. The exhibits are great but best part about it is the vast knowledge of species detailed below or beside the exhibits. Otherwise, the live show by the seals stole my heart away! There are more but unfortunately I couldn't get to see. So please take a full day to see this place. It has whole lots to offer for adults and more for kids!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

You need to buy tickets in advance & I will echo that it’s $$$ for how small it is. The Caribbean section is closed too which I think would have really pretty. I was on a time crunch and chose Shedd over Field and Field would have been cheaper and more to see. All of that being said, I hadn’t been here since o was a kid and it’s a beautifully done Aquarium. The building itself is really old and there is some really beautiful details in the architecture if you stop and pay attention.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

My brother was in town and got to take him and his family to the Shedd. Overall it was a great experience. I personally did not like how ticketing was. I get a discount from my work for tickets and it did not apply. All of the live experiences were nice. We did wish that the penguin or dolphin shows were better described when they would be show as we could not find when they were showing. Overall I would say it’s a great event for kids and even adults.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Amazing place to visit. We visit a lot, the exhibits never grow old. The aquarium has dolphin shows and you can touch the stingrays. Great place for kids and adults alike. It's a nice relaxing day, however, we don't come on free days to any of the museums. It's just too crowded then, we'd rather pay to have a little less stress. It's a bit pricey, but for the amount of exhibits, it's worth it. You can easily spend hours at this museum.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

$50/person 12 and up is a bit steep! Also, forcing people to buy their tickets online/via phone was ridiculous too. The exhibits were decently good, but I think I've enjoyed some smaller, less noteworthy aquariums more. Everything seemed more rushed and hurried here, and I wasn't quite able to relax and enjoy the melodic and spellbinding nature of aquatic animals. I think I'll pass the next time I'm in town.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

We traveled from Detroit and decided to go here because my little one loves aquariums. Although some things weren’t available to do there was still plenty to see and do. This is one of the best aquariums we’ve visited so far. We had a great time I’d definitely recommend if visiting. I plan on visiting again in the summer. The only thing I wish they had were storage lockers and stroller rentals. Other than that it was fantastic.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

This is a pretty Expensive aquarium. There is not much to see. You could probably see more fish at a local zoo. First time here and it’s very unorganized at the entrance. It is very confusing museum. The layout is awkward. There is 4 level but each level have its only thing to see. The dolphin show was OK but it only last like 10 minutes. It begins every hour and a half through the whole day.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Overall, good experience, however…. The little shops closed around 5 without warning so I was not able to get dip n dots. Store employee in the gift shop was slightly rude when customers walked in at 530, she made sure to tell everyone they close in 20 minutes so shop quickly. Disappointed there was no otters, and some areas smell pretty bad. Overall, I would go back. Good dolphin and shark viewing areas!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
$31+

Underwhelming at best. Sorry, but an aquarium that doesn't even have fish in it? We have visited all kinds of aquariums, in different countries and this one left us wanting a lot. Good Beluga whale exhibit. Dolphins were fun. After that there were hardly any real exhibits. I can do VR on my phone. Do not wish to sound mean, but that was a $10 experience and no more. $40? Well I hope that it gets to keep the ancient sea lion alive that was sat there all sad looking through its cataracts.

If you enjoy water and the creatures that live in it this is a fun experience. I enjoyed going from tank to tank reading and watching the different creatures. There's also pools outside where kids and adults can touch several creatures. A fun experience for adults and kids. Parking is a little tough if you do drive use the parking in the stadium otherwise I suggest taking an Uber it would be easier.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

I haven't been here in many years, and I liked it for the most part. A bit disappointed to see the central aquarium closed, but glad to see that it's getting an uplift. Other than that, it's still a great place! Many different kinds of aquatic creatures from around the world and very diverse species. I also got to see the penguins up close during one of the shows. I definitely recommend visiting!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Fantastic experience! There are lots of interactive exhibits enjoyable for any age group. They have a very large assortment of aquatic life and we were very pleased to see that their enclosures were well suited and maintained. Exploring the entire place took about 3 hours to see everything. Definitely recommend the sturgeon and stingray touch pools!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

We have frequented the Shedd Aquarium numerous times over the past years; it's an enjoyable spot for children. The museum has consistently undergone renovations, yet it remains smaller in comparison to other prominent aquariums in the US and worldwide. However, it's worth noting that the admission fee is one of the steepest among Chicago's museums.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

If you are a resident of Illinois and have nothing better to do, enjoy a free day here. If not, DO NOT GO HERE AND PAY FOR ENTRY! We went to the aquarium and didn’t see a single fish. Can you believe that? It seems the exhibits are closed but no one tells you that until after you are inside. Beautiful views of the lake and very helpful staff.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

This is a very cool aquarium. The building itself is very beautiful, but so are all the fish. We went on a weekday and there were a lot of loud kids, so bring your patience. Take time to watch the belugas interact with their care takers because they are very interesting creatures. I believe it took us about 4 hours to see everything. They do a spotlight on the dolphins or belugas but it's not really worth seeing. It's just a 5 minute fun fact presentation.

Excellent venue to visit ,our crew got lucky ,there was a special jazz band event after 6 pm, and the entire place had a unique vibe. Aquarium exhibits were clean and informative, give yourselves 2-3 hours to spend enjoying the activities. I would suggest buying a city pass for $134 to enjoy 5 different attractions when visiting Chicago.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Love this Aquarium, it's so fun, there's so much to see and all the animals look pretty happy & active. We bought the city pass and made a reservation first using the City Pass app. The high light is --every hour there's a show performed 10 mins randomly by dolphins or Sea Lions or penguins or beluga (rumor has it, there's beluga performance.) We kept coming back every hour. We had a great time and spend half day exploring it. I highly recommend it.

We visited on a weekend. Took tickets for 4D experience. It was worth it. The beluga whale show was good. We did not have much time to explore. May be next time i get a chance to see more of it. Parking spot was difficult to find. There is one paid parking 5 minutes away from the aquarium but the price was unreasonable.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I would recommend going during the week if possible. We went on a Saturday, and it was jam-packed. It wasn't very stroller friendly, and we had long waits for the single elevators. Compared to the other aquariums we've been to, it wasn't worth it. Pros: The beluga whales and dolphins were the best part of the aquarium.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Had a good experience here, loved all the different varieties of sea creatures. Some of them were very interactive as well and very unique, never seen before. Also saw the beluga whales show which was very nice. Although the shark aquarium could use more sharks we had to wait for a shark to circle back to take a look.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

First time visitor; however from the comments of other guests, nothing has changed in over 20+ years. There are ample food options. I went on a theme night, so there was entertainment. I didn't notice any petting areas; but, the range of animals are extensive! They even added in for free Blattodea order cockroaches as your guides . I wouldn't consider it the perfect date night, but I would recommend it for families (kiddos).

This is a fantastic aquarium! A great variety of sealife, fish, reptiles, amphibians in nice settings. The keepers and staff are friendly and informative. The 4D octopus movie was a fun experience too. And it's a decent sized building that's easy to get through in a couple of hours without getting tired out.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$21–30

This place is huge! Next time we visit, we will come by on a weekday because it was packed. We really enjoyed the exhibits and shows. The restaurant areas were nice as well. We were able to take our strollers on the elevator to the multiple levels. Parking is $35 so if you can take the train.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

As an IL resident, I went with a free resident ticket (offered a few times per month). The free ticket provided me access starting at 6 PM. The access line was pretty lengthy so I missed the 6:30 PM dolphin show which was the last one of the day. If the aquarium would give visitors any heads up about this, all visitors would start their free visit at the dolphin show. Still, a great place and a beautiful exhibit.

We LOVED the Shedd Aquarium during our trip to Chicago. It was definitely a highlight and would recommend to anyone visiting the city for the first time. We took our five year old to see the aquarium and it was a great experience for him. We saw dolphins, penguins, beluga whales, sea otters, and so many other under water creatures. We spent about 2 hours there and absolutely could have been there longer!

If you are visiting Chicago for the first time I would recommend putting Shedd Aquarium in your to go list as a priority. Catch one of the 4D shows that runs throughout the day and must catch the dolphin aquatic show, it was a sight to catch to see such friendly creatures play.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Nice aquarium for being in the Midwest. Was pretty busy with lots of children running around and screaming. The staff was quick to clean any messes up on the ground. They had a decent amount to see for fresh water species, but lacking in salt water. This again makes sense being in the Midwest and what not. Would recommend visiting if youve never been here before. Worth a visit once.

Amazing experience watching wonderful sea creatures and learning more about their habitat. Wonderful for kids to learn and grow. We were able to see stingray which was great as we were able to see them from real close. All in all great experience
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$21–30

Fun place to visit! They have many exhibits featuring animals from Asia, Australia, and near the oceans. Each exhibit has lots of information on the animals and their habitats. They also have lots of interactive activities such as touching stingray and starfish. My personal favorite were the penguins and I will definitely be back to try their program to meet a penguin.

Amazing aquarium! Was genuinely impressed with all the areas. We loved seeing the beluga whales, penguins, sea lions, dolphins, various fish and Amazon animals. Worth the price of entry. Purchase tickets online before arrival to have a speedy entry.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

were in the aquarium today. really liked it. staff is friendly, restroom are clean. there is something to see. I recommend to visit. if you get snap Illinois benefits, you get into the aquarium on a discount system, and the kids are free.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$1–5

Even though there is construction going on it didn't interfere with our visit. Nice, big aquarium. Loved the cafe area & how much is recycled. Disappointed that the water was so cloudy in the underwater viewing area. Took less than 2 hours for the 3 of us. Quite pricey.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Planned our visit on one of their free day special events. Easy walk from the Field Museum. Beautiful aquatic fish and mammals. Beluga whales, dolphins, sharks, stingrays and penguins were definitely their highlights for us.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Love this aquarium. We’ve been several times over the Summer and Fall and it’s always been under construction so we enter through the side. Even with a large portion of the main floor under construction, there is lots to see.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

We had a great experience. If you can, allow at least 5 hours for your trip. When we showed up, there was a group of people standing around trying to purchase tickets online. It appears tickets have to be purchased in advance.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

It’s a great experience specially for kids. There are dolphins show and penguins show which are interesting for kids. It’s not huge compared with Atlanta or Boston aquarium, but still needs 3-4 hours to discover everything.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Great experience! The beluga whales were very entertaining. You can really see their individual personalities. The exhibits were both informative and interesting. The sharks were mesmerizing! I'm ready for another visit!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
Free

Very nice aquarium. It is very large. There are a lot of things to see. There is also a show where the dolphins are, I think they alternate what is shown. The one I saw was with the penguins, and it was adorable. The staff there are also very nice and friendly. Good place to bring children in my opinion.
Visited on
Weekend

This was a fantastic aquarium. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. We got to see lots of ecosystems and learn about conservation. I can't wait to visit again. They also offer free admission for active duty military which was amazing.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

Great place to go when you’re in the city! There were so many different exhibits to see like fresh water fish from the Americas to deep sea creatures like turtles. The gift shop was a large one with many options and the cafeteria had so many options. I got a chicken sandwich and it was very good. Great in a group or on your own!

Great aquarium. Took our girls 10 and 6. Lots of open rooms to explore. They have a dolphin show next to the beluga Wales. You are also able to pet sting rays. Gift shop was also adorable. Will be back!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20

definitely recommend visiting when in chicago. we enjoyed our visit here very much. the aquarium is breathtaking & features many different habitats & exhibits for viewing. the staff are very helpful
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Really really fun! Would recommend Any family with little kids go or anybody really, but be sure to realize that it's going to be crowded so it's going to take you a long time to get through. Each exhibit took us about 3 hours and we got our tickets for 11:00 11:30 but it was worth the price and worth the time

I haven't been to the Shedd in years. This was a girl's trip & we really enjoyed ourselves. It was extremely soothing & a great outing. The dolphin show & 3D shark experience was amazing!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

The Shedd Aquarium is one of the top aquariums in the country. This was our second visit to this landmark experience. The aquarium, as we remembered it, was just as good as the first time!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Wonderful experience for all ages groups. The huge aquarium room was under construction, so we didn't get to enjoy that. Yet that didn't take away from our visit. Just fantastic!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

It's pretty nice, the aquariums are very clean, lots of varieties. It's crowded, avoid the stroller because you'll need the elevators to go up and down, no ramps to move inside.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Great displays of fish local to the Great Lake and Illinois streams. A better display of corals than Monterey. Amazon belugas and dolphins. Great fun! Highly recommended.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Awesome experience. Plenty to see and do for all ages. Staff was helpful and the facility was clean. I would recommend going during a weekday, as crowds can get quite large during the weekend.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

The Shedd has always been my favorite place to watch marina life and relax. Great food and snacks. Check out the discount options and free days before you go.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Wednesday Jazzin at the Shed was nice. Touch the stingray, Get to walk around enjoy the exhibit, while indulging in some wine or other adult beverages, live bands throughout the Shed, food court had a patio, washroom was clean. Enjoyed sitting outside watching the fireworks.

Nice aquarium but the price for tourists is just too high for what you can see. We paid 45 USD pp when arriving at 11 am on a Monday morning…
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$31+

It will be a great idea to visit the shedd aquarium and the field museum at the same time as they are close to each other. It has a wide variety of fish tanks, information stands next to each tank and not to mention the sharks tank. Great stop in chicago. More

This aquarium is truly beautiful! It is well organized and has stunning views of the lake, both inside and outside. Makes for a wonderful place to take out of town guests!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Amazing. It's not a boring Aquarium with only fish tanks like many. It has animal shows, penguins, dolphins and beluga whales. Just be aware there are so many kids running around and your kid can easily get lost.
Reservation recommended
Yes

Huge aquarium. So big that it is a little confusing as to what We have seen, and what else is there to see. We like the dolphin seal beluga whale show, but they are too short, lasting less than 10 minutes. What's worse is that the animal

World class aquarium, one of the best I've been to. The animals seem very well cared for, the organization is clean and neat, the staff are friendly. Very impressed by the presentation of the various habitats, I'd definitely visit again!

Buy tickets in advance (or city pass if you're going to be there long enough)... one of the better aquariums I've visited... you have to see Bulaga whale and dolphin shows (free with admission)...lots of kid friendly touch options More

Loved this aquarium! I feel like you can't really go wrong on vacation with visiting a zoo or aquarium, and this is a really good one. I got there not long after opening so it wasn't too busy, but by the time I left it was definitely

I was very disappointed to learn the big tank is undergoing remodeling. I guess in the name of constant improvement. I went online to see how they are changing the big tank, I'm not convinced. Coming from out of state, it felt like a

Very cool experience! Unexpected encounters in Chicago with incredible animals from around the world including otters, dolphins, belugas, penguins, stingrays, sea stars, etc. The aquarium has free days for Illinois residents.

One of the best aquariums I've visited. The layout is easy to navigate and there are so many beautiful exhibits. The staff was friendly and helpful. If you use a city pass you save a little money. Definitely a must see.

Such a great aquarium! The exhibits are all really well taken care of. The food is actually good too! Lived in the Midwest my whole life and it took me 38 years to finally get here. Don't be like me and visit the Shedd!

Fabulous experience for all ages. Our group ranged from 3 yrs to 70. So much to see and do. So much more than a bunch of aquariums.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Four stars for the prices... Two adults main admission and 4d show was a hair under $100. Parking was $25. Each food or drink item is about $10 a piece. Really? The gift shops are outrageously expensive.

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is a captivating experience. It offers diverse sea creatures, fantastic dolphin shows, and a stunning city view from behind the aquarium. A must-visit for all ages.

This place is great adventure. They have fabulous 4d movies and alot of sections. great for children. They have alot of free days for Illinois residents. More

A very small aquarium, not a lot to see. No storage like other aquarium has. Has like 4 or 5 floors but each one is very small

Went yesterday for Veterans Day. It turned out nice even tho it is under construction. I enjoyed my time with family More

My review is probably gonna be the same recycled comments as any other 5⭐️ shining review on here.