Shedd Aquarium is pleased to offer a variety of community access opportunities. To provide the best possible experience, advance reservations are highly recommended due to the high demand for tickets. Find the most up-to-date guidelines on our plan a visit page. Browse the full range of access opportunities below and get details on how to reserve!
Please be aware of ticket scams. Shedd will not accept tickets sold by non-authorized sellers. You should only purchase tickets directly from Shedd Aquarium or our approved Shedd Ticket Partners: CityPASS, Go City Chicago, and these select hotel partners.
Ticketing questions can be directed to Guest Relations by calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (CT) or emailing [email protected] before you buy.
Illinois residents enjoy FREE admission to Shedd Aquarium during select hours throughout the year!
We
offer several reservation options for Free Hours. Online ticket reservations are available with a $5 convenience fee per
order. Alternatively, you can reserve tickets by phone
with no convenience fee by
calling 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Time (CT). We also
provide free walk-up reservations; however, these are subject to availability
and typically sell out quickly. Advance reservations are highly recommended due
to the high demand for tickets.
As a Museums for All partner, Shedd offers daily discounted admission to those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) by simply presenting their EBT card. This offer is available to all families receiving this benefit in any US State. Limit four tickets per order. One EBT card is required for every four Museums for All tickets. Click here to see eligibility and learn more.
If you purchased CityPASS® tickets, go to the My CityPASS® App to reserve your visit date and time. Learn more about saving up to 50% off admission with Chicago CityPASS®.
If you purchased your tickets through your hotel, click the link below to select a visit date and
time. You may also purchase additional guest tickets.
If you purchased your tickets through the Go City Chicago All-Inclusive Pass*, please validate your pass in person with a Shedd staff member at the box office.
*Please note, Go City Chicago Explorer Pass and Build Your Own Pass do not include Shedd Aquarium.
Chicago police officers and Chicago firefighters
Thank you to our first responders! Chicago police officers and firefighters receive free on-site general admission with proper ID. This offer is not valid during special events.
From May 16, 2026, through Labor Day, September 7, 2026, Shedd Aquarium will participate in the Blue Star Museums program. Active-duty U.S. military personnel and up to 5 guests receive free general admission to Shedd Aquarium with proper ID. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Please click the link below to reserve your timed tickets, or click here to learn more about eligibility.
Active-duty U.S. military personnel receive year-round free general admission with proper ID. 4-D Experience tickets can be added on site (subject to availability). However, note that dependents and family are not included in this offer except during the Blue Star Museums dates listed above.
Illinois Gold Star families (including all adults and household children) receive year-round free general admission. Adults are required to show a valid Illinois driver's license or state ID with the Gold Star family member designation.
Thank you to our teachers! Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan
and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd ticket by reserving
tickets online below. This offer is not valid during special events.
As a supporter of Shedd, your employees will receive complimentary admission to the aquarium’s exhibits, including Stingray Touch (seasonal). See the current corporate member details
As a proud Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited organization, we're happy to extend 50% off full-price admission for up to 2 guests to our partner organizations enrolled in the AZA Reciprocal Membership Program. Learn more about eligibility.
Shedd is happy to provide reciprocal admission for Museums in the Park employees and volunteers and up to 2 guests. Advance
reservations are highly recommended due to the high demand for tickets. Learn more about participation with Museums in the Park.
Questions? Call us at 312-939-2438 between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. (CT) or email us at [email protected]. We appreciate your patience as we work to answer your call, we are currently experiencing a high call volume.
