Directions and Parking
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 to the aquarium. Be sure to check out our traffic alerts to start your visit smoothly.
Shedd Aquarium Address
1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
Museum Campus Alert
Increased traffic near Museum Campus is expected due to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 19 - 22, 2024. See the latest updates from the Office of Emergency Management Chicago. Please plan accordingly for your visit.
Driving Directions
From Lake Shore Drive, exit at 18th Street. Follow Museum Campus Drive around Soldier Field. Signs will indicate visitor parking. Shedd is just north of the parking garage and the Field Museum.
Parking Information
All Museum Campus parking is owned by the Chicago Park District and managed by Standard Parking. Parking rates typically are higher during special events, and access may be restricted to special event ticketholders.
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Please note, street parking on museum campus is available but is subject to closure by the Chicago Park District for events around campus at any time.
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The Museum Campus also has several lots where you can park. Current rates, which can change without notice are:
Soldier Field north garage
Up to 4 hours, $25
4 to 12 hours, $30
12 to 24 hours, $50
Special event, pay on the way in, $30East museum lot
$30Adler lot
Early bird, before 9:30 a.m., $12
Daily, $25
Night rate, after 4:30 p.m., $15For more information, visit soldierfieldparking.com.
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Available most weekends for aquarium guests for $35 a vehicle, subject to limited availability. Take advantage of this service at the guest drop-off area on the south side of the aquarium, off Solidarity Drive. Please note that we cannot offer valet parking on certain Bears home-game days.
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Reserve a space with SpotHero
You can reserve parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation's leading parking reservations app. To reserve your parking spot, visit the Shedd Aquarium SpotHero Parking Page.
Public Transportation Information
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For all CTA transit information, go to www.transitchicago.com or call 312-836-7000.
CTA’s # 146 Bus to Museum Campus
Operates daily until around 11:35 p.m.
Best for those heading from State Street downtown, North Michigan Ave. or the north side of Chicago.Please note that there is another route of the #146 Bus (Harrison/State) that will not take you all the way to Shedd. Please make sure the bus is labeled as going to Museum Campus.
CTA’s #130 Bus eastbound
Operates between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day only.
Best bet for Metra or Amtrak users! Buses leave Union/Ogilvie stations between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The last #130 bus leaves Shedd at 6 p.m.From O'Hare Airport:
Board the Blue Line CTA train and exit at Washington, where you can grab the southbound #146 bus on State Street.From the south side of Chicago or from Midway Airport:
Board CTA bus #6 Jackson Park Express (daily) and exit at 11th Street and Columbus Drive, across from the Museum Campus. Or board the Orange or Green Line CTA train toward the Loop and exit at the Roosevelt Road/Museum Campus station, where you can transfer to the #146 Museum Campus bus.From State Street downtown, North Michigan Avenue, or the north side of Chicago:
Board the southbound CTA bus #146 Marine-Michigan to the Museum Campus (daily) or board the Red, Orange, or Green Line CTA train toward the Loop and exit at the Roosevelt Road/Museum Campus station, where you can -
For all Metra information, please visit metrarail.com or call 312-322-6777.
Leave your car at home! Metra serves more than 100 communities with 241 stations on 11 lines running through Chicago’s downtown. It's easy to transfer from Metra to CTA. Find your downtown Metra station below for the best CTA route to Shedd Aquarium!
Union Station
(Memorial Day through Labor Day midmorning through early evening only)- Board the eastbound #130 bus at Jackson and the river. Please view the #130 schedule for more information.
- For all other times, walk to Canal and Adams/Jackson and take the #28 bus toward Olive Harvey. Exit at 1100 S. Columbus (pedestrian underpass). Follow the signs through the Museum Campus and walk approximately 10 minutes to Shedd Aquarium. Please view the #28 schedule for more information.
Ogilvie Transportation Center
(Memorial Day through Labor Day midmorning through early evening only)- Board the eastbound #130 bus south on Clinton at Washington. Please view the #130 schedule for details.
- For all other times, walk to Clinton and Madison and take the number J14 bus toward 103rd/Stony Island. Exit at 1100 S. Columbus (pedestrian underpass). Follow the signs through the Museum Campus and walk approximately 10 minutes to Shedd Aquarium. Please view the J14 schedule for detailed information.
Van Buren Station
- Board the #146 bus at State and Van Buren towards Museum Campus. Exit at Shedd Aquarium. Please view the #146 schedule for more information.
Millennium Station
- Board the #146 bus at State and Washington towards Museum Campus. Exit at Shedd Aquarium. Please view the #146 schedule for more information.
LaSalle Street Station
- Board the #146 bus at State and Harrison toward the Museum Campus. Exit at Shedd Aquarium. Please view the #146 schedule for more information.
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For all Amtrak information, please visit www.amtrak.com.
Amtrak trains to Chicago arrive at Union Station. From there you can take the CTA to Shedd’s door!
(Memorial Day through Labor Day midmorning through early evening only)
Board the eastbound #130 bus at Jackson and the river. Please view the schedule for detailed information.For all other times, walk to Canal and Adams/Jackson and take the #28 bus toward Olive Harvey. Exit at 1100 S. Columbus (pedestrian underpass). Follow the signs through the Museum Campus and walk approximately 10 minutes to Shedd Aquarium. Please view the schedule for full bus information.
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Chicago's bike-sharing system, Divvy, includes thousands of bikes and hundreds of stations across the city. There are several Divvy Bike stations within walking distance of Shedd Aquarium. For more information and pricing, please visit divvybikes.com.
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Take a different approach to Shedd — take a water taxi! Shoreline Sightseeing water taxis run between Navy Pier and the Museum Campus dock, at lake level on the north side of Shedd.
Entry to Shedd
Our building is evolving! We are constructing a refreshed accessible entrance to more quickly and seamlessly connect guests with the aquatic animal world. During this transformation, guests will enter the aquarium along the half-circle driveway and proceed up the ramp behind the temporary ticketing booth. Learn more about this transformation as part Shedd’s Experience Evolution.