Open 9 am - 2 pm (Early Close)
Shedd Aquarium will be closing at 2:00 p.m. today for a private event.
A rockhopper penguin stands in a nook of the penguin habitat.
A tiny froglet, about the size of the leaf it sits on, peers up at the camera.

Before your visit...

Tickets must be secured ahead of a visit online or by phone: 312-939-2438. Free admission will not be granted to guests who walk up without a reservation. All adults must provide proof of residency in-person when redeeming tickets at the discounted rate. A $3 transaction fee will be applied to Illinois Resident Free Day tickets reserved online.

Tips for your Illinois Resident Free Day Visit

  • Capacity is limited—all tickets must be reserved ahead of time. No walk-up ticket purchases will be permitted. 
  • Upon your visit, please present a valid state ID or driver’s license that proves your Illinois residence. 
  • A $5-per-order transaction fee applies to all Illinois Free Day ticket reservations. This helps ensure access to as many neighbors as possible by validating orders. 
  • The 4-D Experience admission is a $4.95 upgrade for all guests. 

Shedd Aquarium is excited to joyfully welcome guests back on special Illinois resident free days again to look nature in the eye! We have worked hard to put stringent safety measures in place to create a safe and enriching experience with the aquatic world, and we ask that all guests do the same for the safety of our staff and other guests. 

Guidelines continue to be updates, please review all safety requirements here. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at [email protected]. Thank you! 


FAQs

Shedd Aquarium FAQs Old