Membership FAQs

Yes, we are pleased to partner with the following institutions to offer reciprocity benefits across the country:

• Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT: free general admission for 2 adults and 2 children
• Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, FL: free general admission

Memberships may be purchased online, by phone, or by mail:

• Purchase your membership online.
• Call our members hotline at 312-692-3284, seven days a week.
• Mail a check to the attention of the Membership Department at John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

By Phone: You can call our members hotline at 312-692-3284, seven days a week.

By Mail: We will be sending you a letter before your membership expires with a return envelope already addressed to Shedd, but you are always welcome to renew before that! Send a check to the attention of the Membership Department at John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

Your Shedd membership is good until the end of the month of purchase, the following year. (eg, if you purchase a membership January 1, 2019 your membership will expire January 31, 2020)

Yes. Free tickets to daily aquatic presentations are based on availability, so be sure to visit early to get your complimentary tickets.

Your caregiver may visit Shedd with your membership to bring your children, but he or she cannot use it to visit without your children. To add your caregiver to your account, please call the Membership Hotline at 312-692-3284.

Right away! Check in at the Membership desk upon your arrival.

No. A membership with Shedd Aquarium functions as a donation to the institution and is not eligible for a refund.

All visitors to the aquarium, members and nonmembers alike, can find metered parking on Solidarity Drive. Flat-fee parking is available at several Museum Campus lots and the Soldier Field garage; rates are established by the management of Solider Field parking and are subject to change, based on the stadium’s event schedule. Shedd cannot validate parking for members. We do, however, offer limited valet parking on weekends.

You can share Shedd with someone in any of three ways:

• Purchase a gift membership online.
• Call the members hotline.
• Stop at the membership booth on your next visit.

*Please allow three to four weeks for the gift membership package to arrive.

A primary member card holder must be present at all visits. However, your caregiver with your children under 18 can use the card. The normal number of guests determined by the level of membership applies. If you need to add a caregiver to your account, please call 312-692-3284.

Please allow six to eight weeks for your membership packet, including permanent cards to arrive. In the meantime, you can present your photo ID at the membership booth for entry into the aquarium.

Yes, one of the benefits of Shedd membership is free admission to Jazzin’ for as many people as your membership allows. Members do not need to purchase tickets to Jazzin', and they can check in at the membership booth upon arrival.