Plan a Visit
Hours and Calendar
Hours: Sept. 8 through Memorial Day 2010
Weekdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekends 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Shedd will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. Ticket sales will end at 4:15 p.m.
Fantasea
Dolphins soar, belugas dance, and penguins parade in Fantasea, the new aquatic show at Shedd! Learn more about Fantasea.
Download daily showtimes.
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Dives
Check out our narrated dives in the schooling fishes habitat of Wild Reef daily at 10:30 a.m. And our new Caribbean Reef dive is the next best thing to getting in the water with the animals. You’ll find out more about sea turtle Nickel, the 7-foot moray eel, the pretty parrotfish and all the other reef residents during six daily presentations.
Times: 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Animal Encounters
You’ll find lots of animals to encounter up close and personal hourly at Shedd Aquarium, including tarantulas, turtles, snakes and lizards. You never know who you might meet as we add animals to this popular program. You may encounter Bonito, one of the smallest members of the toucan family.
Times: Hourly
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Camp Shedd
Take an imaginary canoe trip through the Great Lakes, visit a campsite and get close to native turtles, snakes, frogs, fishes and birds of prey like the barred owl, great horned owl, or red-tailed hawk. Learn about the creation of Camp Shedd.
Times: All day
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Your guide will show you Shedd from the perspective of our animal care staff. You’ll tour the animal healthcare center, where preventive care keeps the collection healthy. Then you’ll go behind the galleries to view the animals from a new angle, learn about breeding programs, see nutritious meals prepared for a wide range of tastes and witness the aquarium at work. Must be 55 inches or taller.
General Behind-the-Scenes Tour Only
Price: $12 a person
Premium Behind-the-Scenes Tour and Admission Package
Includes Total Experience pass with a choice of a 4-D Experience, and 50-minute tour
Prices: $40.95 for adults, $33.95 for children
No photography or video recording. Inquire online or call 312-692-2723. 
Special Schedules and Events
Polar Family Holidays
Shedd has family programs sure to get everyone in the winter holiday spirit. Each includes a 4-D Experience and a visit to Polar Play Zone, the Oceanarium’s sensational new permanent exhibit designed especially for young children and their families.
Polar Express Family Holiday Events
Come to Shedd to celebrate this holiday tradition! Kids will warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, then it’s “All aboard!” to view the 20-minute Polar Express 4-D Experience. After, kids can have their pictures taken with Santa, decorate cookies and enjoy more hot chocolate and treats. The next destination of the morning is Polar Play Zone to see the penguins, otters, dolphins and belugas. Kids will also receive a gift from Santa and reserved seats for Fantasea, Shedd’s new aquatic show.
Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 19 and Dec. 22
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
$35.95 a person ($29.95 Shedd members)
To register, call 312-692-3373. For more information, e-mail extraordinary@sheddaquarium.org. 
Polar Family Exhibit Adventures
Enjoy Polar Play Zone before the aquarium opens to the public! Kids and their families build meaningful connections with their favorite Oceanarium animals as Shedd's experts share stories and cool information. Families transform their experiences into usable crafts to take home. Included is special viewing of Pole to Pole 4-D Experience. Light snacks will be provided.
Nov. 14 and Dec. 12
8 – 10 a.m.
$35 a person ($25 Shedd members)
To register, call 312-692-3206. For more information, e-mail families@sheddaquarium.org.
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Extraordinary Experiences
Are you looking for a Shedd experience that’s a little more special, more personal, more in-depth? We’ve got extraordinary experiences you’ll never forget.
