Traffic Alerts
Shedd Aquarium is located on Chicago’s Museum Campus. This dynamic shared site hosts a variety of special events that can affect traffic and parking. To start your day at Shedd on a relaxing note, check this page before each visit so you can plan ahead for changes in parking or traffic.
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Special events and special rates
In addition to any dates listed below, parking at the Soldier Field north garage can be the special-event rate of $25, payable on entry with credit card or cash, on any day without notice.
Sept. 14 through Nov. 16, Saturdays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Fall bridge lifts. When incoming sailboats are present at these times, the Lake Shore Drive bridge over the Chicago River will be raised. Because of construction on the LSD bridge, the lift here could take as long as 45 minutes, so CDOT will route traffic off LSD in both directions beginning at the start time. Expect LSD traffic to back up quickly as shorter bridge lifts, estimated at eight to 12 minutes, progress up the main stem (Columbus, Michigan, Wabash, etc.). Please plan your drive to Shedd on southbound LSD accordingly. The day before the Wednesday or Saturday you want to visit, you can check the city's schedule to see if the lift that day is confirmed. Also watch for signs on southbound LSD and exit at Michigan or Illinois if necessary. If you do have to sit out a bridge lift, please turn off your car's engine to help keep our air and water cleaner.
Friday, Sept. 20. Northerly Island evening concert. The parking fee for the Soldier Field north garage goes up to $50 around noon. Expect increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic from late afternoon on along with possible street closures. Also, a midday charity walk might affect traffic exiting Lake Shore Drive from 18th. Watch for signs. Shuttle buses ferrying walkers to and from Soldier Field add to general traffic.
Saturday, Sept. 21. If you're arriving between 9 and 10 a.m., a charity walk starting at Soldier Field and heading south might affect access to the Museum Campus at 18th Street. Watch for traffic signs.
Sunday, Sept. 29. Bears game at 3:25. Parking at the Soldier Field north garage will be $50 all day. See FAQs below for more parking and traffic info. If you can, take public transportation.
Sunday, Oct. 6. Parking will be $50 until at least 2 p.m. because of an afternoon soccer game at Soldier Field. The entry price might go down to $25 once the game is underway. Expect a lot of people and cars on the Museum Campus. You might experience the same security measures, including metal detector sweeps of your car, as on Bears game days. Public transportation might be the best way to get here.
Parking FAQs
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Yes, ATMs are available in the Soldier Field North Garage.
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When the special-event fee is in effect, it often means parking on Solidarity Drive is prohibited. When no parking signs are posted on the street, they are strictly enforced.
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All fee changes are announced ahead of time, especially during the summer. However, rates and hours for all lots and garages are subject to change without notice. All Museum Campus parking is owned by the Chicago Park District and managed by Standard Parking. For the most current parking information, visit soldierfieldparking.com.
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On the day of Chicago Bears home games and other major special events, we strongly recommend taking public transportation.
If you drive, you'll pay a higher, special-event parking rate as you enter at all available Museum Campus parking facilities. If the game starts at 7:30 p.m., parking will cost $25 until around 1:30, when it goes up to $50. When the game starts at noon, parking will be $50 when Shedd opens. The rate could drop to $25 by 1 or 1:30.
For exact day-of information on rate changes, call the Soldier Field north garage at 312-235-7701. Parking will be prohibited on Solidarity Drive. Expect traffic congestion throughout the Museum Campus. Rerouting for traffic entering and leaving the campus is a strong possibility.
If you use the Soldier Field north garage, expect delays on game days as cars are inspected with a metal detector before entering. You'll have to pop your trunk or hatch, too. Add 10 or more minutes to your travel time so that you don't miss your scheduled aquatic presentation.
If you have accessibility needs, please contact us at 312-939-2438 for additional information about getting to Shedd.