Field Trip FAQs

Yes, by digital connection and in person! For K-8 classrooms, check out all our offerings here. 

We require one chaperone for every 10 students, although one for every five is recommended. Teachers are counted in the chaperone-to-student ratio. Please note: There is an individual fee if your chaperones exceed a 1:5 ratio. 

We will try to schedule your trip and any learning programs for your first chosen date. If that date is not available, we schedule you for the next available date of your choice. You will receive a confirmation email informing you of the field trip and any program dates, start times and fees. If you have registered for a virtual field trip or learning program, a Shedd staff member will contact you to confirm these details.

The length of your visit depends on what you'd like to see. Here's how long we recommend for different parts of the aquarium - add them up to start planning your day!

• Original galleries: 45 to 60 minutes
• Wild Reef: Additional 30 minutes
• Abbott Oceanarium: Additional 45 minutes
• Aquatic show: Additional 30 minutes
• K-5 Science Tech Treks: 40 minutes
• 3-5 Learning Lab: 90 minutes
• 6-12 Learning Lab: 90 minutes
• Suggested lunch: 30 minutes

School groups should arrive in the bus drop-off area on the south side of the aquarium. A Shedd staff member will greet your class and provide a brief orientation, then you'll head to the entrance. Be sure to check our traffic alerts to receive notification of any delays. 

Buses can park on a first-come, first-served basis in the Adler Planetarium parking lot (there is a small fee). There is free, but limited, parking for buses on Canal Street south of Roosevelt Road. We suggest making contingency plans in case parking is not available on the Museum Campus. Visit Standard Parking's website or call 312-235-7701 for more information, including pricing. 

Please indicate on your reservation form if you want a lunch space. Students taking programs with us are guaranteed a lunch space. If you will be on a self-guided field trip and bringing brown-bag lunches, lunchroom reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

At Shedd Aquarium, we believe there should be no boundaries to guests' experiences. If you have an accommodation request related to a disability or other need related to your experience please let us know via phone or email: 312-692-3333 or [email protected]. 

Visit the Accessibility pagefor additional information and resources. 

Yes! We encourage teachers to visit so that they can prepare for their field trips. Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can visit Shedd free by registering for a pass online. Please note: While teachers are admitted free, their guests will be required to pay the full admission price. 

Educators, reserving your school group visit to Shedd Aquarium online has never been easier! 

Click here to: 

• Choose the Learning Program that best matches your curriculum and needs
• View field trip pricing that fits your budget
• Lock in your field trip date and custom itinerary
• Book a lunchroom for your students
• Add a 4-D Experience
• Experience the aquatic animal world!

The Shedd Go applets you and your students find animals faster and dive deeper into animals' stories. Scan information in front of an animal's habitat or use it for wayfinding with a building map at your fingertips. 

Yes! Learn about the "5 Ps" of Field Trip Planning here.