Policies

Accessibility Policies

At Shedd, we believe there should be no boundaries to your experience. Our exhibits, restrooms and most behind-the-scenes program locations are fully accessible. We offer a downloadable sensory-friendly app, assistive listening devices and a limited number of wheelchairs and walkers.  

Refund, Cancellation and Rescheduling Policies 

A ticket is good only for the event designated on the ticket. No part of the purchase price will be refunded if the ticket holder fails to use the ticket for the designated event. Ticket purchases are nonrefundable, unless and to the extent required by law. Shedd Aquarium reserves the right to reschedule or cancel any event(s) (including, without limitation, admission, attractions, and any other events) at any time and for any reason. Should the event designated on a ticket be cancelled and not rescheduled, you will be fully refunded within 30 days; your refund method will be based on your original method of payment. Event scheduling, rescheduling and cancellation information will be posted on our website at www.sheddaquarium.org. 

Participants who need to reschedule their admission or their booked experience may do so up to 48 hours (depending on the admission ticket or booked experience) before their scheduled visit or experience for a $5 convenience fee (no fee for Shedd members). To reschedule an admission ticket of booked experience, the guest may request a credit online for the original price of admission or experience, and may select any available product (admission tickets, Extraordinary Experiences, events, programs, membership, etc.) and apply their credit amount to that order. If the new order costs MORE than the original order, the credit is applied, and the guest pays the difference as well as the $5 convenience fee. If the new order costs LESS than the credit amount, the guest is charged the $5 convenience fee and no refund is due for the balance of their credit. Click here for more on self-service exchanges and to see which tickets and booked experiences are eligible to exchange, and the applicable time frames to exchange online.

An event ticket is a revocable license, and Shedd Aquarium reserves the right to terminate the license granted by a ticket by tendering to the holder the purchase price indicated on the ticket. Ticket holders are subject to the policies of Shedd Aquarium located at www.sheddaquarium.org/policies, including Shedd’s mask and proof of vaccination requirements, and Shedd Aquarium may revoke the license granted by a ticket without any refund for noncompliance with any of such policies. Certain events at the Shedd Aquarium are subject to the additional terms and conditions of such events (such as execution and delivery of liability waivers) for which compliance is required. Certain events at the Shedd Aquarium are operated by third parties for which separate ticketing is required, and which tickets are subject to the terms, conditions and refund, cancellation, and rescheduling policies of the operator thereof, for which Shedd Aquarium has no responsibility.

Please note that Membership transactions are tax deductible contributions to Shedd Aquarium, and as such they cannot be refunded, transferred, resold, or exchanged. Membership is valid for one year beginning on the date of the initial transaction and expiring one year later on the last day of the purchase month.

For both ticket holders and Members, Shedd Aquarium reserves the right to implement visitation policies or requirements that may not be present at the time of ticket or Membership purchase (including, without limitation, policies or requirements related to public health and safety). When visiting Shedd Aquarium, ticket holders and Members agree to comply with the Aquarium’s Code of Conduct.

Guests must adhere to all posted signage (including, without limitation, health and safety signage), and all directions of Shedd representatives.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not allowed:

• Weapons, including mace and/or pepper spray
  
• Pocket knives
  
• Signs
• Outside alcoholic beverages
• Clothing with offensive or vulgar language
• Marijuana
• Illegal drugs
• Laser pens and pointers
• Noise-making devices (horns, whistles, etc.)
• Tripods
• Any other items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate

Firearms: Except for law enforcement and on-duty security personnel, carrying firearms on Shedd property is not allowed.

Shedd Aquarium is a prohibited area under Section 65 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Individuals licensed to carry a concealed firearm are prohibited from carrying a firearm on, or into, Shedd Aquarium

Bag size: Lockers are temporarily unavailable. There is no other facility for checking bags.

All guests and their personal items (bags, etc.) must pass through our touchless security screening system at the aquarium entrance. No stopping is required, no emptying pockets or removing bags. Guests and their personal items may be subject to additional security screening.

For the safety and well-being of our guests, staff members and animals, no provisions are made for checking or holding prohibited items.

Prohibited behavior/code of conduct

Distribution of propaganda, flyers, pamphlets, or other literature is not allowed on Shedd property unless it has been authorized by Shedd Aquarium. Courteous behavior is expected of all guests. Unruly or unsafe behavior that endangers people or animals, disrupts other guests’ ability to enjoy their visit, or interferes with business operations will not be tolerated and can result in ejection without a refund.

Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, attempting to enter the building with prohibited items listed above; smoking; offensive or disorderly conduct; throwing any object; entering or attempting to enter pools or exhibits; failure to follow the instructions of aquarium personnel; actions that might harm or endanger others; and any other conduct that is deemed inappropriate in a public setting.

Group Payment Options and Terms

We require advance payment at least 14 days before your scheduled visit. Admission nor program participation are not guaranteed until your reservation has been fully paid. If you need to make special arrangements, or you will no longer be attending, please email our team with your group information and request details. Late payments and no-shows may be subject to a $250 reservation fee.

Credit Card
To pay by credit card, call 312-692-3333. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Check
To pay by check, mail to:
Shedd Aquarium Society
29017 Network Place
Chicago, IL 60673-1290

Please include your confirmation number on the check.

Purchase Orders (Chicago Public Schools ONLY)
Chicago Public Schools can submit a purchase order for payment. Payments for outstanding order(s) must be settled 14 days before the date of your visit or program. It is the responsibility of the teacher or school to submit purchase order requests to CPS Accounts Payable in advance for payment to be mailed and applied to their outstanding reservation by the required deadline. Shedd Aquarium is not responsible for sending purchase order requests on behalf of the attending school.

Please note that reservations are not officially confirmed and paid for until Shedd Aquarium receives an official check payment from CPS to apply to the reservation. The confirmation number associated with the attending school's visit is required on the check for payment to be applied correctly. For Shedd Aquarium's vendor number or questions, please contact our team at 312-692-3355 or email [email protected].

Group Cancellation

Cancellation notices must be made online no later than 14 days before your visit date or your school will be charged a $250 reservation fee. You will also be sent an email prior to the 14-day required notice window asking you to confirm that you are still planning to attend. Inclement weather and unexpected school cancellations are not subject to this fee. Please contact our staff  by email or by calling 312-692-3333 if there are special circumstances that may prevent your group’s arrival.

Refunds and Changes

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 canceled, you will be informed via phone 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.

Please notify us of any upgrades or changes in the number of adults or children in your group at least 14 days before your visit by emailing or calling 312-692-3333 with your order number. On the day of your visit, you will be responsible for the number of tickets you have reserved, even if your group size has decreased. If you arrive with additional guests, we’ll make every attempt to accommodate them based on availability of extra tickets.

Questions?

Email [email protected] or call 312-692-3333.

Privacy Policy

John G. Shedd Aquarium (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your personal privacy and is committed to adhering to all applicable laws and industry guidelines relating to privacy and the protection of personally identifiable information.

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