Private Personalized Tour
We are currently only offering Virtual Encounters at this time to support social distancing. View our Virtual Encounters.
Design your own guided tour! You'll get an insider's look at your favorite animals from one of our experts during this private front-of-scenes mini tour.
Curious about sea otter Ellie's rescue story? Want to learn more about our eight beluga whales? Or maybe you're fascinated by the 14-foot green anaconda. This is your chance to plan the perfect tour of Shedd’s exhibits for yourself and up to nine family members and friends. Tell us your favorite animals when you register to set the agenda for your guide. You'll visit up to three habitats during your 45-minute guided experience.
Virtual Encounters are Available
Highlights
- One-of-a-kind tour highlighting three of your favorite animals
- In-depth information from an expert guide
Schedule
Tours are available all year, Sundays through Saturdays at 2 p.m.
Please note: sea otters may not be available from Oct. 28 through Nov. 4
Includes admission
A general admission ticket is included with the purchase of a Private Personalized Tour. Participants have access to express entry to the aquarium, admission to all exhibits and a ticket to the next available aquatic presentation.
Requirements
Guests ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult, age 18 or older. Guests ages 3 and older must also have a tour ticket.
A waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian for any participant 17 years or younger.
Guests will be walking/standing for about 45 minutes and must be able to follow instructions given by guides who are leading the tour.
Accessibility
We believe there should be no boundaries to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please email us or 312-692-3355.
Program includes
- Walking for 45 minutes; option to select exhibits with nearby seating
- Use of stairs; elevators are available
- Very light and very dark spaces
- Loud noises
- Walking on uneven surfaces
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Please meet at the Northern Trust Suite, in the main foyer a minimum of 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Admission tickets will be available at the Northern Trust Suite for participants. All other guests not participating in the experience should purchase tickets at the ticket counter or in advance online. The Northern Trust Suite is the first door on the right in the main foyer. Please note, late comers may not be able to join the encounter and will forfeit the program. Please be on time for your experience.
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Guests will need to understand information and instructions given in the English language or arrange for a paying translator to participate.
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You may reschedule up to 10 days before your original reservation date; attempting to reschedule in less than 10 days will result in forfeiture of the experience with no exceptions. To reschedule, call 312-692-3355 (Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or email [email protected] If a participant needs to cancel the encounter and is unable to reschedule, no refund will be made. Please note that all Shedd experiences are nonrefundable.
In the event that Shedd Aquarium needs to reschedule the encounter, the participant will be notified by phone no later than 24 hours before the encounter, and every effort will be made to reschedule the experience. If an alternate date and time is not possible, a full refund will be made to the purchaser.
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We believe there should be no boundaries to your Shedd Aquarium experience. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability, please contact us prior to your experience at [email protected] or 312-692-3355.
Gift certificates
Private Personalized Tours are an extraordinary gift idea! Purchase a gift certificate online, redeemable for Extraordinary Experiences, general admission, or membership. Or call us at 312-692-3355. Certain restrictions apply.
Pricing
Adult (12+): $74.95
Child: $59.95
Member: $31.95
Entry
Participating guests should meet at the Northern Trust Suite on the day of their visit.
Questions?
Email 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.