Plan a Visit
Welcome to Shedd Aquarium! We can hardly wait for you to meet beluga whales and bluegills, rockhopper penguins and rockfish, alligators and an alligator snapping turtle, and so much more as you explore the world’s oceans, lakes, rivers and reefs — all in the heart of Chicago!
Following state and city guidelines, Shedd Aquarium is lifting the mask and vaccination requirements for guests. Guests and staff may continue to wear masks in the aquarium for a variety of reasons, so please continue to be kind and considerate of others.
Admission
Members: Free General Admission every day
Chicago residents: $19.95 Adult General Admission every day
General Admission: Prices vary - Guests can save on Shedd Admission by booking in advance. Learn more.
Tips for a great visit
- Advance tickets required: Get to the aquatic world faster by booking your ticket in advance. Find the dates you are looking for with ease, knowing first-hand when dates are sold out.
- Meet the animals: Stingray Touch and Stingray Feeding are open for the summer. Feeding is subject to availability until 12 p.m. Sea Star Touch and Sturgeon Touch are open all day every day.
- Exhibit experiences: We've adjusted our fish IDs to automatically scroll in order to convey information.
- Download the Shedd Go! App: Let the Shedd Go app guide you on your aquarium journey, right from your own mobile device. Available for Android and iOS.
- Accessibility offerings: Wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, and noise-cancelling headphones will be available on a first come, first-served basis and will be sanitized between each use. Details on Shedd’s accessibility offerings.
- Restaurants: Bubble Net food court and Soundings Café will be open from 10:30 a.m. until 2 hours before the aquarium closes that day. Any food or drink you bring with you or purchase from machines must be consumed in designated areas.
- Re-entry: Unfortunately, we won't be able to let people back into Shedd once they exit the building.
Join the penguin adventures
Penguin adventure map
Download the penguin adventure map to follow the footsteps of Wellington and his friends along their infamous field trips with this interactive map. Follow the feet on this interactive map and click/tap the penguin feet on the map to discover the places Wellington and his friends have explored throughout Shedd and beyond!
Edward and Annie: A Penguin Adventure
Follow penguins Edward and Annie on adventures around the aquarium in this new, colorfully illustrated children's book, now available for pre-sale!
Enhance your visit
Shopping and dining
Make your day at Shedd even more memorable—take home the perfect souvenir! The aquarium has a range of gift shops to meet your needs.
FAQs
-
All guests will enter through the Accessible Entrance at the entry time on your tickets. Look for the Man with Fish sculpture.
-
Beginning February 28, 2022, in accordance with the state and city guidelines, Shedd Aquarium is lifting the mask and vaccination requirements for guests. Guests and staff may continue to wear masks in the aquarium for a variety of reasons, so please continue to be kind and considerate of others.
-
Do you have a fever, cough or feel short of breath? Have you been exposed to someone with these symptoms? Join us at a later date!
Already have tickets? Call 312-939-2438 or email [email protected] and we’ll gladly reschedule your visit.
-
Our hours can change based on the day of week. For the most up-to-date schedule please visit our calendar page.
-
-
Members: Free admission. Please book tickets in advance, online reservations are required.
- General Admission:Prices vary - Guests can save on Shedd Admission by booking in advance. Learn more.
- Chicago Residents: $19.95 adults / $14.95 children
- Discounts: Please visit our Discounts and Free Days page to see if you qualify.
-
Members: Free admission. Please book tickets in advance, online reservations are required.
Plan-ahead Pricing FAQs
-
This tool will launch on Shedd Aquarium’s website on Thursday, October 20 for visit dates beginning Thursday, November 1.
-
Chicago residents will continue to enjoy their daily low price on general admission to Shedd Aquarium, with a set price of $19.95/adult. Chicago resident prices will not be impacted at all by this new plan-ahead pricing tool.
-
Shedd Members will continue to reserve their tickets in advance, but the price of a membership and the associated benefits will not be impacted by this new plan-ahead pricing tool.
-
At this time, the plan-ahead pricing tool will only impact general admission costs and select aquarium events such as Jazzin’ and After Hours for non-Chicago resident guests. Costs for Extraordinary Experiences and other Shedd programs will not be impacted.
-
You will still have the freedom to change the date or time of their visit after purchasing tickets. Should you select a new date or time with a higher admission cost, you will simply need to pay the difference to confirm the change. No refunds will be issued if you exchange to a less-expensive visit date and time.
Directions
Shedd Aquarium
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605
Between public transportation and parking nearby, you’ll be on your way to Shedd in no time. Let us help you choose the best way to get here.
Traffic Alerts
Chicago’s Museum Campus can host a variety of special events that affect traffic and parking. Check our traffic alerts to plan your best day at Shedd!
COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. By visiting Shedd Aquarium, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Please review the CDC's guidance on "How to Protect Yourself & Others" from COVID-19.