Experience the best of Shedd on this 75-minute, Must See guided tour.
Explore the aquarium — and even go behind the scenes — with an enthusiastic guide! Sit in the best seats in the house for an Animal Spotlight, chat with an animal care expert, touch a slimy, soft sea jelly and more can’t-miss experiences.
Have a limited time to see everything at Shedd? The Must See Tour is the perfect way to hit several highlights in just a little over an hour.
Please note: Experiences on this tour may change due to animal care needs. No two tours are the same!
This is a paid experience, likely to sell out. To guarantee a spot, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance.
Daily at 11:00 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additional 3:30 p.m. tour on select days.
Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour.
Duration
The tour will last 75 minutes
Ages
6 years and older. Participants 6 to 17 years old must be accompanied by a participating adult. For the safety of the animals, no one under the age of 6 may attend the tour.
Price
Adults (12 and older): $80.00 Children (6-11): $70.00 Members (6 and older): $65.00 Admission to the aquarium is included with the purchase of a tour.
“I appreciated the insight to the details of the architecture of the building, and my [kids] loved seeing behind the scenes, especially getting to see the sharks from a different vantage point. We all appreciated seeing the extent of the mechanics and hard work that goes into keeping up the exhibits! We had a great experience from beginning to end.”
Highlights
Oceanarium Amphitheater: Front row reserved seats for an Animal Spotlight, and afterwards chat with an animal care expert
Wild Reef: A behind-the-scenes look at Shedd's 400,000 gallon shark habitat
Dip your fingers in cool water for a chance to touch a slimy, soft sea jelly
And much more on every tour!
Schedule
11:00 a.m. and 1 p.m., with an additional 3:30 p.m. tour on select days. Guests should plan to arrive 15 minutes early.
Safety Precautions
Due to the up-close nature of the encounter, please contact us to reschedule if you are sick or experiencing any symptoms for the health and safety of the animals and the caretakers.
Requirements
Guests ages 6–17 must be accompanied by a participating adult, age 18 or older.
Please wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet. Be sure to wear rubber-soled shoes; sneakers are recommended. For your safety, please do not wear heels or flip-flops on this tour.
Guests will need to understand information and instructions given in English or arrange for a paying translator to participate.
A waiver must be signed by all participants, including a parent or guardian for any participant 17 years or younger.
We recommend guests with shellfish and seafood allergies do not participate in this tour.
Accessibility
We strive to remove barriers to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us at [email protected]or 312-692-3355. We review each request individually against the participation requirements and will follow up with you as swiftly as we can.
Program includes
Use of stairs; elevators are available
Walking/standing for 65 minutes
Sitting for 10 minutes
Wet and potentially slippery floors
Very light and very dark spaces
Loud noises
Parking is available on the Museum Campus in several lots. See more information about parking at Shedd here. Metered parking may also be available on Solidarity Drive up to 10 hours, but only after 8 a.m. Shedd is not responsible for cars ticketed or towed by the City of Chicago. Parking is not permitted on the aquarium's service entrance. Vehicles parked at the service entrance or the bus turnaround may be subject to towing. To learn more about parking on the Museum Campus, visit soldierfieldparking.com.
Check in at the Member Services Suite in the Atrium, up to 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter.
Should you find a line outside the entrance to Shedd, please show your
encounter confirmation email to a Shedd representative. They can help expedite
your entry. Late arrivals may not be able to join the encounter, in which case
the experience is forfeited.
Those in your party who are not participating in the experience are not permitted to follow along and are not allowed in the behind-the-scenes areas. Please arrange a time and place to meet with your party after your experience.
Please wear comfortable clothing and something you don’t mind getting dirty or wet. Be sure to wear rubber sole shoes- sneakers are recommended. For your safety, please do not wear heels or flip-flops on this tour.
Pictures will be allowed at the appropriate time and will be guided by Shedd team members.
For the safety of the animals and your belongings, coats, bags, phones, jewelry, and cameras must be secured in a locker. Complimentary lockers will be available for storing your belongings during your encounter.
Adults (12 and older): $80.00 Children (6 - 11): $70.00 Members (6 and older): $65.00
Admission to the aquarium is included with the purchase of a tour.
Entry
Check in at the Member Services Suite in the Atrium up to 15 minutes before your scheduled encounter. Late arrivals may not be able to join the encounter, in which case the experience is forfeited.
Questions?
E-mail us or call 312-692-3355 with questions. We are unable to take reservations by email.
Accessibility Needs
If you have any accessibility needs, please contact us in advance of your reservation.
Photography
Photography and video recording are not allowed during this experience.
Refund Policy
No refunds. Participants who need to reschedule may do so up to 10 days before their scheduled experience. Otherwise, date and time exchanges cannot be accommodated. For additional details, see our refund and cancellation policy.
