Journey Through an Underwater World Teeming with Life During Spring Break at Shedd Aquarium
Enjoy extended hours, engage with live animal chats and discover new exhibits.
March 10, 2025
A brightly colored clownfish peeks out between the tentacles of an anemone. The water pulses with electricity as an animal caretaker feeds a group of electric eels. A young sea otter squeaks loudly before gliding into the water and diving down to forage for food.
This spring break at Shedd Aquarium, journey through an underwater world teeming with life and nurture your curiosity with a variety of engaging programs, new animals, dynamic exhibits and extended hours at the aquarium. With over 32,000 animals from around the world, every visit to Shedd is unique.
LATE CLOSE AND FREE EVENING
Visitors can enjoy more time at the aquarium during extended spring break hours as Shedd stays open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 22-30. On Tuesday evenings in March and April, Illinois residents can visit the aquarium for free from 5-9 p.m. Advanced ticket reservations are highly encouraged.
START YOUR JOURNEY WITH NEW EXHIBITS
As you step through the new, streamlined entrance to the aquarium, look up to admire a mesmerizing school of 1,600 porcelain freshwater fish suspended in motion. This dynamic hanging sculpture in Shedd’s new atrium features native species found in Lake Michigan. See if you can find these species: longnose gar, lake trout, walleye, cisco, northern pike and lake sturgeon.
Up the escalators, the new Wonder of Water exhibit in Shedd’s historic rotunda invites you to marvel at the incredible diversity of life that water supports. Two towering habitats – one saltwater and one freshwater – represent ever-changing ecosystems with live corals, live plants and more than 6,500 fish. Throughout the day, pop-up cart programs offer the chance to taste the salt levels in oceans and lakes around the world. Find the periscopes around the exhibit and peer at fish-eye views of hidden nooks in the habitats.
Nearby, wander through the buzzing rainforest in Amazon Rising and discover the unique adaptations of animals that live in an ecosystem that transforms twice a year. Come eye-to-eye with tiny poison dart frogs, a massive anaconda, bumpy dwarf caimans and more as you explore interactive displays. Catch a live program to watch animal caretakers feed giant arapaima or electric eels as you learn about the animals and ask questions to Shedd experts.
DIVE INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
In the Abbott Oceanarium, immerse yourself in the vibrant coastal ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest, home to sea otters, sea lions, beluga whales and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Attend an Animal Spotlight presentation (included with admission) to uncover the natural behaviors and anatomy that allow these animals to thrive.
Head downstairs to the underwater viewing area in the Polar Play Zone and keep an eye out for smaller habitats where new animals just debuted on exhibit: baby sunflower sea stars! These tiny sea stars can reach up to three feet in diameter and play an important role in kelp forest ecosystems. Count how many arms each baby sea star has – they will continue to grow up to 24 arms.
A visit to Shedd wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the penguin colony, and spring marks the start of the annual nesting season. During this busy time for the birds, the male penguins will usually collect materials to build nests and pair up with a mate. Look for penguins who might be carrying rocks, pieces of lavender or other materials in their beaks to take back to their nests.
For a quick bite to eat, check out the unique seasonal menu created by Sodexo chefs at the Bubble Net Food Court or Soundings Café, both located in the Abbott Oceanarium.
FUEL YOUR CURIOSITY AND ENGAGE YOUR SENSES
Back upstairs in the historic galleries, interact with a living fossil by feeling the leathery back of a lake sturgeon in At Home on the Great Lakes. Then, look for the elevators that will take you to Wild Reef and encounter the colorful array of marine creatures that live near coral reefs, from bright butterflyfish to graceful zebra sharks. Throughout the day, you can even catch a Shark Chat to hear more about how Shedd cares for sharks and how you can help protect them. Try to identify all five species of sharks swimming in Wild Reef.
After a full day of walking around the aquarium, sit back and enjoy a sensory 4-D Experience and encounter aquatic animals as your chair vibrates, the air moves and other surprises await you. On your way out, remember your visit with a sustainable plush, shirt or hat from Shedd’s new gift shop, featuring items designed by local artists and small businesses.
VISUALS: Find high-resolution photos and broadcast quality video here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/guest/fs?v=8e7064885d666eb5a89c&C=50
Photo/Video Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium