Shedd Aquarium tickets are SOLD OUT until 3 p.m. today. Please reserve tickets in advance.
Open 9 am - 6 pm
Become a Member Get Tickets

Calm Waters

Sea dragons drift over a cool blue and green background. "Calm Waters" is overlaid in a chunky sans serif font.

Calm Waters is an exclusive event for guests with disabilities and Veterans to explore Shedd Aquarium’s exhibits and experiences in a comfortable and accepting environment. Modifications for this event will include limited capacity and streamlined entry with advance registration.

Modifications for Calm Waters Include:

  • Limited capacity and streamlined entry with advance registration
  • A low-sensory animal spotlight with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation 
  • An animal encounter opportunity
  • Complimentary 4D Experiences during the event

Family members and companions are welcome.

Get Tickets

Ages

All ages

Dates and Time

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Price

Adults $39.95 (Chicago resident $19.95)

Children (3-11) $29.95 (Chicago resident $14.95)

Members Free

Schedule

9 – 9:45 a.m. Penguin Habitat Interpretation (Polar Play Zone)

9 – 9:45 a.m. Frog Cart (Amazon Rising)

9 – 10 a.m. Shark Habitat Interpretation (Wild Reef)

9 – 10:30 a.m. Animal Sense Exploration Table (Oceans Gallery)

9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Animal Encounter (Mezzanine)

10 – 10:15 a.m. Low-Sensory Animal Spotlight w/ ASL Interpretation (Amphitheater)

10 - 11 a.m. Complimentary 4-D Films (4-D Theater). Choose from:

  • 10 a.m. Penguins
  • 10:20 a.m. Octopus
  • 10:40 a.m. Shark

Enjoy complimentary drip coffee during Calm Waters, courtesy of Metropolis Coffee.

Metropolis Coffee Logo
  • A yellow sea horse in oceans gallery, its long snout and curved neck distinctive.
  • Sign language interpreter
  • A turtle sits on a log with its long neck stretched upwards to look around.
  • Child looking at animals
  • Guests in front of Shedd's Wild Reef shark habitat stand before the curved floor-to-ceiling glass as sharks cruise by.

Transportation to Shedd

Take CTA’s 146 Museum Campus bus to our door, or parking will be available for $32 in the surface lot between Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum.

Drop-off is available at Shedd’s bus loop on the south side of the building.

Be sure to check for traffic and parking alerts.

Accommodation Requests?

Please contact us (312-939-2438) at least one week before the event.

Visitors with severe disabilities may be accompanied by paid personal care attendants (PCA). Please call 312-939-2438 to request complimentary companion tickets for a paid PCA.

Audio Descriptive Devices

Do you have need for an audio descriptive device for our Animal Spotlights? Please request one in this form.

Construction

Construction at Shedd has begun as part of our Centennial Commitment! Please be aware that unexpected and sudden noise from cutting, drilling and other work may be audible throughout the building. We recommend bringing noise-cancelling devices if needed.

Sound-reducing headphones are available at the information desk and the 4-D Theater for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification. Sound-reducing headphones will be sanitized between each use.

Refund Policy

No refunds will be issued unless Shedd Aquarium cancels the program. Shedd Aquarium reserves the right to cancel the event for any reason. If your event is cancelled, you will be informed via email as soon as possible. In the event of a cancellation, you will be fully refunded within 30 days. Your refund method will be based on your original method of payment.