Summer is the perfect time to escape your routine, explore somewhere new (or enjoy a staycation!) and spend time with friends and family. Whether you’re packing your days full of adventure or taking it slow and steady, there’s one place you should add to your agenda — Shedd Aquarium!
Shedd is full of mesmerizing exhibits, stunning aquatic life and memories waiting to be made. Let’s dive into the top things to do at Shedd during your summer visit.
1. Animal Chats
The inside scoop from animal experts
Animal chats are a great way to learn more about the animals and habitats in front of you! Led by a Shedd educator, chat programs give you fun facts, an inside scoop and information to better connect with animals. From penguins, sharks, dolphins and more, you’ll discover how each species thrives and what you can do to take action for animals.
Animal Chats are a free experience that happens daily at various times; check Shedd’s calendar to see the daily schedule.
2. Live Programs
Get up close!
Have you met Beatrix the green anaconda or the powerful electric eels? During a Live! Program, you’ll join an animal expert for a Q&A or animal feeding experience. Watch the arapaima — a river giant measuring 7 feet — gulp down food or discover that electric eels aren’t true eels!
Live! Programs are a free experience that happens daily at various times; check Shedd’s calendar to see the daily schedule.
3. Animal Spotlights
An engaging and fun presentation
Seated up close in the Abbott Oceanarium, you’ll enjoy a 10-minute presentation that highlights incredible animal adaptations. The best part, you’ll never know who might show up! Dolphins? Sea lions? Belugas? Prepared to be amazed and inspired by these magnificent animals and walk away with a deeper understanding of how you can be a part of protecting our blue planet.
Animal Spotlights are a free experience that happens daily at various times; check Shedd’s calendar to see the daily schedule.
4. Cart Programs
Discover surprise pop-up experiences
There’s a sea of surprises waiting to be uncovered at Shedd. You never know what pop-up experience you’ll discover! Step up to the frog cart in Amazon Rising and mimic frog calls, sample saltwater with a taste test in Wonder of Water, look at wriggling plankton through a microscope or see the inside of a zebra shark egg. Or, of course, you may encounter ambassador animals like Serrano and Poblano the green-winged macaws or Beni the spectacled owl throughout the aquarium. Experiences like these will make your visit memorable, engaging and fun.
Cart programs are a free, pop-up experience that happens daily at various times. Explore Shedd to find them!
5. Touch Experiences
What does nature feel like?
From soft sea stars to leathery lake sturgeons, touch experiences are waiting to be explored. Dip your hand into the water and feel a variety of textures — you may be surprised by how different the underwater world feels.
Find sea star touch in the Underwater Level, and sturgeon touch in the Great Lakes gallery on the Main Level. Explore all touch experiences here.
P.S. Stop by Shedd this summer and enjoy Stingray Touch, a seasonal touch experience.
6. Virtual Reality
A virtual ocean adventure
Immerse yourself at Shedd with a 360-degree, 4-D live-action journey into virtual reality. Hop into the pod, strap on your VR goggles and then swim with a humpback whale mom and her calf, dive with sharks in search of the mythic underwater strip called Tiger Beach or discover the relationship between dolphins and coral reefs. Perfect fun for the whole family!
Add a VR Experience to your visit on the Ground Level, near Soundings Cafe.
7. Dining
Enjoy a delicious meal
After a long day of exploring the underwater world, stop by Bubble Net on the Lower Level and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by our talented chefs. Dine in with classic Chicago eats like hot dogs and Italian beef or our new Hibachi station. Enjoy your lakeside lunch with a side of beautiful Lake Michigan views.
Looking for a snack instead? Check out the Popcorn Kiosk on the Main Level for freshly popped popcorn and salty snacks or visit Deep Ocean Café on the Underwater Level for more frozen treats and retro sweets. Explore all shopping and dining options here.
8. Encounters and Tours
Explore behind the scenes or meet an animal
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, join Shedd for a Must See Tour or animal encounter! Whether you’re meeting a sea otter or watching the sharks and rays eat lunch, you’ll create long lasting memories for years to come.
Animal Encounters and Must See Tours are paid experiences, visit Programs and Events for more details.
For more information and tips for a great trip, check out Plan a Visit.