Shedd's Gardens | Shedd Aquarium

The waterfall garden in the bus turnaround at Shedd roars all through the summer months.

The plants at Shedd are right at home in gardens that represent our region’s dunes, prairies and seasonal wetlands. By building healthy soil in our gardens, we are setting an example of important ways we can help protect aquatic life in the Great Lakes.

Nature Awaits You

The buzz of dragonflies and bees among the 350 species of perennial and annual plants will greet you as you enter Shedd’s beautiful gardens! Located all around Shedd, the gardens introduce you to thriving plants and animals that extend far beyond Shedd’s walls. In fact, over half of the plants are native to the greater Chicago area. These carefully chosen native species provide nectar, pollen and habitats for local insects and birds, creating a healthier ecosystem year-round.

By using native plants accustomed to our local landscape and climate, gardens thrive with less maintenance and significantly reduce water use. Supporting our planet and the Great Lakes involves taking care of every corner of wildlife, both in the water and on land. Take a closer look, follow the sounds of nature and discover the blooming plants, biodiversity and wonder growing around you.

A volunteer holds a pile of red and green peppers in cupped hands.

A monarch butterfly on the pink flowers of the milkweed plant.

Nature Exploration Garden

The Nature Exploration Gardens are waiting to be discovered! Located outside of Shedd’s main entrance, this interactive space is free to explore for anyone on Museum Campus, no Shedd ticket required. Stop and see over 70 species of native trees, shrubs and vines that provide habitat for local wildlife.

Watch the natural world come to life as you peer into realistic fallen tree habitats. Each display highlights the diversity of life within each ecosystem. Touch and learn with tactile models that teach us all about plant life or examine items animals and insects have left behind in the garden. This bilingual (English and Spanish) installment includes sculpture models of animals, interactive and sensory play opportunities and two spotting scopes to scout nature.

A young boy wearing a t-shirt, shorts and blue Crocs smiles as he talks to a boy in black t-shirt and shorts sitting on a rock in the youth garden at Shedd Aquarium.

A young girl lifts up a flap to discover what's under it, in the Shedd Aquarium garden

Step Into the Gardens

Three Sisters Garden

The Three Sisters Garden is an ancient planting technique that allows crops to grow in a symbiotic relationship! Planting beans, corn and squash in a circular layout lets the plants work together. Corn acts as a tall stake for beans to climb, beans add nitrogen to the soil and squash suppresses weeds and keeps the soil moist!

Migratory Bird Garden

More than 40,000 square feet of grassy lawns were transformed into a healthy habitat for migrating birds traveling along the Mississippi Flyway, a north-south migration route that stretches from the beginning of the Mississippi River in Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Migratory Bird Garden features a variety of trees, shrubs and grasses of different heights and shapes to meet the needs of more than 325 bird species that pass through Chicago each spring and fall. After traveling thousands of miles, birds can rest and find something to eat, like insects hiding in the grass or a tasty treat from a fruit-bearing tree. See how many different birds you can spot in the garden!

Wetlands Garden

The Wetlands Garden supports a variety of species commonly found in wetlands, areas where water covers soil, including marshes, swamps and bogs. These habitats provide homes for many birds, like robins and grackles, and aquatic insects like dragonflies and damselflies. With only 10% of Illinois’ original wetlands remaining, this garden supports species who depend on dwindling wetland habitats. Here you’ll discover plant species like swamp rose and bogbean, which provide food for birds and bloom with pale pink flowers.

Vegetable Gardens

The Perennial Foods Garden and Formal Vegetable Garden are prime examples of sustainability and gardening in an urban setting. The perennial foods garden utilities permaculture, an approach to gardening that mimics patterns found in natural ecosystems. Many food sources don't require planting every year, like currants, grapes and rhubarb!

The Vegetable Garden produces a substantial amount of organic enrichment foods for the animals at Shedd. Filled with leafy greens, herbs and vegetables, the garden is especially popular with the turtles and tortoises who frequently enjoy kale and lettuce. Extra produce not served to Shedd residents are shared with Shedd staff and volunteers on a weekly basis!

Annual Display Garden

The Display Garden is home to flowers and edible plants for ornamental horticulture like kale and royal basil. The tree featured here is a form of Ginkgo, one of the oldest living tree species in the world! Ginkgos are a group of ancient trees that date back to prehistoric times, often referred to as a “living fossil,” just like lake sturgeon.

Spot and Smell the Roses

Enjoying the gardens doesn’t stop at a quick stroll — get rooted in nature and join us for pop-up programming! Nature journaling creates the opportunity to deeply connect with nature. Whether it’s the fluffy clouds in the sky, twisting vines in the gardens or a migratory bird peeking out from the evergreen trees, nature can inspire you.

Pollinators, birds and critters may be spotted fluttering, burrowing and crawling along the landscape. Enjoy pop-up bird watching experiences that will help you identify the species who call the gardens home, like redwing blackbirds, grackles and robins!

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

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Gardens