Shedd Aquarium Reviews

Amazing! Had a great time. Wouldn't recommend going when kids are out of school

Love the fish, but there were many schools there today. So crowded we had a very hard time getting around to see everything. Also too loud to have normal conversation.

We enjoyed a great day here looking at all the different water animals. We were here about 5 & 1/2 hours and I am pretty sure we didn't see everything. I would recommend buying tickets before the day you plan to go. We got here when it opened and the wait was maybe 20 minutes & we got the later dolphin show.

It was good have a place where you can touch a fish and also a show with dolfins sea lion and a beluga whale, Is nice a and think is for all a
Ages.

Had such a good time. Sea horses, penguins, dolphins, all kinds of fish.
There is a great exhibit about life in the amazon .
The beluga were not about but the dolphins put on a great show.
I haven't been in a few years and the improvements were definitely noticed.
Unfortunately two negatives. One is there was a purple type of hair like algae in with some of the salt water tanks that is not good, its deadly. I only know this from my own experience with my own tanks. It's not good and destroys coral. Under the circumstances in nature today, if your just going to put something in a tank to die then you should leave it in it's natural habitat.
Second, I am from New York. Its tradition for us to go to aquariums every place we visit. It's important to support the positive work they do. But I have not paid $40./per person. And that because I live out of state. $25. For residents.
I get they need the funds but gouging the the out of state people is crazy. Not to mention the amount is absurd. The idea is to get people involved with museums, art, conservation., not push them away. That's a big ticket for a family. And I'm sorry to say this, as much as I enjoyed the day, it was not worth that much money. I have been to far better and did not pay that.
Anyway, if you do go learn about what's going on in the world. Dont just walk around aimlessly. If your gonna spend the money you should get all you can out of it

Best part is definitely the dolphins and whales, other then that it s very average, especially for the price that you are paying to get in. It also smells terrible in the big tank in the middle of the main floor. I came in the summer and it smelled terrible, thought maybe it was the heat but I think it has only gotten worse.

Visited this Aquarium and this is one must visit when with kids. General Admissions are $39 per Adult. Thats low for Chicago residents. It has many sections beyond a review.
There are timely Aquatic Shows for which you must eject passes from machines. Like when me missed 10:30 show , we had to wait for another show which was at 12. So be mindful as you get your tickets.
Whats good is Belugan Whale from Arctic which they have conversed into real Sea water. They have Deep Dive Tours too and 4D movies for extra.
If you have had been to Bangkok Safari and Dubai Atlantis Aquarium one can give it a miss and may be rather visit Field Museum or Adler Planetarium which we missed out as we were too tired to be there .
In between we had umpteen Vegetarian Wrap from it Sounds Cafe. It was jus amazing.
And from another eatery we had Nachos topped with rice, bean, salad, cabbage, cheese and Yes guacamole . Was uber good for vegetarian like us.

Good place with good shows and aquatic animals. It is a fun place to go with family

Lmao we got lost in here in the 8th grade. Good times.

So many people you can't have a good time to many kids running around to enjoy the experience

Wonderful experience to be here! We got tickets online at discounted price tickets general admission for Illinois residents which awesome! The aquarium is clean and well maintained with shops for souvenirs, food, beverages and more. They have special tickets for special show but having general admission is still great cause you can tour most part of aquarium like see the penguins, the adorable beluga whale and a lot of aquatic life!

First things first I LOVED IT!!!!! Some people were complaining about lines and waits but in my opinion it wasn't that long, only about 30 minutes. Got in there, it was full of all sorts of different fish. Loved all the different kiddie things made me feel like a kid myself. I just wanted to jump in and play. My favorite were some of the bigger animals like the octopus, Sharks, Dolphins, belugas, and sooooooo much more.

The staff was very sweet and very helpful! I loved the movie, so many bubbles and and interactive things. Overall I am very happy I visited this aquarium and would recommend it for everyone.

Note: smart idea to get the city pass or order tickets the night before.

Thanks so much for a pleasant visit Shedd Aquarium I hope I can come back soon

I visited the aquarium in July. It s really great. They have fishes from all around the word. A lot of species. I m from Brazil and I saw that they have some explanation about the amazon river. It s really interesting.

This place was really great. It doesn't look big from the outside, but the basement area is quite large. They even had penguins and Otters, two of my personal favorite things.
I'm not sure if this is a permanent display or temporary but they have these sculptures all over the aquarium made from items washed on shore. They are really quite amazing, but sad too when you realize how much trash gets dumped/left behind on the beaches and lakes.

Also if you get the City Pass there is an express line which is nice.If your local there is a pretty good discount on admission which is really nice.

one of my favorite places to go. a really solid aquarium. especially when the sting ray touch is in season

Movies were good but the exhibitions need more updating.

Love it
It was very Kool

Amazing aquarium with lots to see! For a typical family who would like to experience every the Shedd aquarium has to offer, I would recommend 4 to 5 hours. The food quality is pretty good for their restaurant with an amazing water view! just expect air port pricing (chicken tender and fries and a coke will be around $16).

So much to see! The kids really loved looking at all of the animals. There was always a staff member around to answer the kids questions and they were always very nice!

The sheds aquarium is one of the largest aquarium in the United States. They have a variety of aquatic lives. They have belugas, dolphins, otters, sea lions, jelly fishes, sea horses, penguins, rays, lots of fishes too. They also have ray touching, sea star touching, sturgeon touching, which are seasonal. I would definitely recommend everyone to visit this place.

A great location with fascinating sea life. Really enjoyed the dolphins and stingrays.

A great place to visit but pricey! Not enough exhibits for the price I paid to enter. I understand where the money goes and why it's expensive.

Aquarium is nice, but expensive. My last couple of visits to Chicago I've found many unfriendly people, so I'm not a big fan of the city.

Good when there's a free day, otherwise it's way too expensive these days. The aquarium show with the dolphins is included with general admission or the free day and only lasts about fifteen minutes but it's good to check out. It also includes other animals like hawks and a blind seal. They didn't play the BS global warming stuff this time either thankfully.

Always at great time for the whole family. Chicago residents even get a discount.

I haven't been here since I was little. But I'm happy to be back here !!!

Customer Service is a joke we told them their family bathrooms were filthy and we were not able to change our daughter and all they could say was thank you and dismissed us.

Everything, from the exhibits to the architecture to the staff, is world class. Well worth the price of admission.

Was just as interesting and fun as when I was a kid!

An AMAZING place and is always busy with visitors so, PLAN YOUR TRIP WISELY!
If you come on a Saturday in the summer then expect a line, it's as simple as that. The lines can get long but every time that I have visited the staff does it's best to get the line moving and answer any questions that one might have before getting into the building. Also a big personal suggestion is buying your ticket ahead of time online . When you do that you just go through the entrance and they have people with scanners ready to just scan and let you in Super Easy!

Another thing is food , anything in the city can be expensive and at all the museums things can get pretty pricey . So it's my advice to pack snacks! There are a few places to eat inside the building and also bring a water bottle . They have those cool water bottle stations at the water fountains.
If you bring food you won't have to spend it on food there and could maybe splurge on something at the gift shop . (Not gonna lie they have a pretty cool gift shop)

When I visit there are usually things to really look out for. The Aquatic Presentation and the 4D experience , those were the main shows that I saw but also there are these little chats that are at certain hours .
*AS SOON AS YOU COME IN ASK ABOUT THE AQUATIC PRESENTATION*
- To get the tickets, the machines are located by the cafe (in the oceanarium), they are free but you must go down there to receive your tickets for the show.
- There are different times for that presentation every day so ask!! ALSO BE THERE 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE SHOW. There is early seating for those who have tickets to the show.
- For the 4D experience you can reserve it at the theater or when you first come in to buy your tickets. (I personally suggest when you first come in)
- Also there are chats. Little talks with someone who really knows about the animal . I personally loved it because they really take the time to answer any and all questions you might have.THESE DO NOT NEED A TICKET!!! (there are little info sheets inside the aquarium that let you know whats going on for the day, I always find one and take a quick picture so I know whats happening around the building)

This place is AMAZING and does a GREAT job at trying to accommodate to a lot of guests with a variety of needs. You just have to do your part and plan ahead or just ASK! and usually everything works out pretty great! There is so much to do here so don't pass up the opportunity!

Great place. But don't come on the weekend if you don't have to, it's crazy crowded.

I love the Shedd. It's an amazing place with a lot of cool animals and knowledgeable staff who are very passionate about animal welfare and conservation. The dolphin show that they do is really exceptional and educational too. It's one thing to see a dolphin in a book or on TV, but it's entirely different to see them up close and and performing a lot of their natural behaviors inside.

There's also great underwater viewing for the belugas. They're one of my favorite animals, and it's amazing to see them so up close.

Loved the exhibits they had. It was amazing to see how they recycled to make such beautiful exhibits that were all around the Shedd.In the photos you can see its all material they recycled.

If you got kids. Its awesome. If you're an adult go on a weekday. Still awesome.

Sheds was very nice. The kids really enjoyed it
It's a place you want to revisit again

We came here with the kids on spring break and I must say it was a wild time. There was plenty to see and do and the variety of wildlife to see was great. You got to interact and with some of the animals as well. We watched a short 4-D movie which was a nice little relax time for us. We were able to get right in a couple hours after it opened but I highly recommend getting there early. The place was overwhelmingly packed and hot towards the end of our visit. Great family friendly place!

The Shedd is amazing and so huge. Just wonderful all around

Spend nice couple of hours at Shedd. A bit expensive as compared to some other better attractions but it has unique features. Should visit here if you are near!

I love the Shedd Aquarium and I have since I was younger. It seems to become more and more difficult to enjoy the animals here. Kids are everywhere screaming and using their phones to block other people from viewing the exhibits. If you are patient enough, then they will clear in 10 minutes and you can see the animals. Dont come here unless you're ready for a lot of noise and kids. Otherwise, I love it.

A great spot for the weekend. Keeps adults and kids engaged alike. The 4D show, Dolphin Show and Stingray Touch are must see.

Enjoyed the new Amazon exhibit. Despite the carpet installed in the main galleries, it's one of the loudest and overwhelming places I've ever been. Go early in the day to avoid crowds.

I accompanied a friend to Jazzing @ the shedd. This is an event held every Wednesday evening til 10pm. Excellent buffets, drinks and live jazz bands. Wonderful atmosphere and awesome way to spend an eve. Great to meet people who love great music and scenery. 9:30pm you can look over and see fireworks from Navy Pier a nice end to a beautiful evening! Only downfall is seating is limited due to the number of people.

We loved the otters, belugas, & dolphins most of all! All the exhibits/animal spaces were great. Yes, the food was expensive (as with all tourist attractions) but it was tasty.

I had a great time with the fam over the July 4th weekend. The place is a lot larger than it looks from the outside. The 4D movie was a hit with the kids, and there were tons of different items to see.

If your planning to visit during a busy period, buy your tickets online. You ll save yourself a lot of time.

Love this place! The Jazzin at the Shedd is great for those who want to avoid big crowds and it's free for members!

Excellent. For movement, arrow mark on floor till exit will be easy to follow.

This is definitely a family outing especially if you have young children to see all the different type of fish that swim in the water and the Expeditions that they have meaning the shows are basically for information I think you're about 15 to 20 minutes long I don't think you'll be disappointed but if you're looking for a complete water show you need to go to SeaWorld in San Diego that's would be the one that is definitely 10 Stars

Fabulous. I loved is one of the most wonderful places to visit in Chicago

One of the best aquariums I have visited. Highly organized displays. If you want to see the most animals with the least amount of walking, come here. We saw 4 beluga whales, which is unheard of in the many aquariums I visited in America . The dolphin show was not that fancy, but highly educational. Overall, a place with a lot of heart. Will definitely come back.

We had a great time and having the quick tickets hot us right in the door, avoiding a 50 minute line in the heat. Growing up around the area I have been there countless times. This was my daughter's first time and it didn't disappoint!

I felt like I went back in time..... everything was old, and the water in many tanks was dirty/foggy...and the glass was dirty and reflective. This place needs a major major overhaul....for the animals sake, I hope it happens soon.

One of the best #aquariums I've ever been to. Substantial contributers to conservation efforts and community education, varied and high quality exhibits, presentations, etc. Absolutely beautiful location, view of the lake and city--my SO and me had an absolutely magically day.

Very nice aquarium. Went there with my friend and her 3 year old. Also another girl and her baby. Nice place to walk around during the day.

The Shedd Aquarium is one of my favorites in Chicago. The Shedd does a great job at keeping the aquariums maintained and beautiful. Fish look healthy and are active. Can't say enough good things about this place. And look I met the cutest fish ever today.

Too expensive for the attractions. Went today and was disappointed. First waiting in line to buy a ticket took too long. Looked as if the clerks were just shooting the breeze or working as slow as possible. Second the Sponge Bob 4D show was too short. And not very interactive. A couple of years ago their Dora 4D show was way better. Third...do not go to their dolphin show. It is a waste of time and money. Very anticlimactic. The dolphins don't do any high flying tricks. My chihuahua at home does better tricks and jumps higher. And speaking of dogs what is a dog doing in a water show? I heard of cat fish, but haven't heard of a dog fish. And if you think I am kidding when the show ended and no one clapped. It was a clear signed that the show stunk. I have seen a better dolphin show in Brookfield Zoo. And the lightning is better. So all you tourists don't put the Shedd on top of your list to visit. And this is coming from a Chicagoan. There are better attractions in Chicago you can go to until the Shedd clean up their act.

It was a great experience and the food was good and inexpensive.

Wonderful aquarium. Would recommend planning your day before you go. Thru have kiosks to get free tickets for the dolphin show. Get them early. Good is expensive so plan accordingly. We really enjoyed the exhibits though. A lot to see!

The aquarium is really well organized. It was easy to move from place to place and to make sure we saw everything. It took us about 2.5 hours to see it all. That includes the 4-D movie, which I highly recommend. It is included with City Pass admission. I enjoyed all the reptiles and frogs they had.

As good as ever, but get your tickets ahead of time, and print them don't do will call. Or you will still wait in line. If you don't get your tickets ahead of time even on the free days you may get there and they can be sold out full.

Large aquarium with large pools with beluga whales, penguins, dolphins, and otters. They also have over 100 other smaller pools/ exhibits. Two things I didn't like: 1 there is no clear path to follow to see everything. In places, they have arrows in the floor but not everywhere. 2 When we were ready to leave, we didn't want to take the stairs in front. We were sent to go out the back towards the mantaray petting area. That meant we had to walk a lot to get there. No consideration for people that have bad knees!

Wonderful staff, and beautiful animals keep guests coming back. We really enjoyed the 4d shows, and the baluga whales, who were dancing and high-fiving when we came to visit

Beautiful aquarium with good collection. It can get very busy on weekends. But tickets online to save a lot of time.

Excellent collection. Superb dolphin show. 4D movie was superb

The Shedd Aquarium is a wonderful experience to see all the aquatic species in one place to enjoy.

I haven't been there in more than 20 years and now I really wish I had made more visits. I was very pleasantly surprised.

My experience here was great. We came on a Monday which was crowded but not too crowded that you felt squished. we should of ordered our tickets online to beat the crown but it wasn't too bad. when we got up to the front desk the prices weren't too bad for 5 people. If you get the Shedd pass you get to see all the fish and the whales and dolphins which doesn't sound like a lot but it was enough to satisfy my family. At the end when we went into the gift shop there were so many options to pick from so you had a wide variety of things to choose. My overall experience was great and I would definitely go there again.

If they baby changing table down by the accessable entrance wasn't being held up by a garbage can that would be great

The penguin experience is great. Please don't expect to be swimming with them or holding the penguin. You will learn a lot from the trainer and you will be able to touch it.

Touching the sting ray was the best experience. The second charm was the dolphins show. Rest was pretty average. But a good educational site

Excellent as always, children enjoyed the adventure

When I visited they had a special promotion going on such that if you had a bank of america debit card, you got in for free! I would have paid the cost of admission, but not having to do so made the day even more fun! It's really easy to get around the Shedd and the aquatic animals are so much fun to see!

It was good. Although the Beluga's were in a tank that was way too small. As well as all the other intelligent animals such as sea lions, octopuses, and sea otters. That was a hard part to see and if you're sensitive to animal's emotions you'll notice how bored most of them are. On the other hand, the sharks and fishes seemed fairly fat and happy. I don't think I would visit again just because of how sad the end made me.

Nice place to visit. Take the map and plan your day accordingly.

Totally worth the trip even after having been a few years ago. Beautiful exhibits and lots to learn about. Fun for any ages :) My favorite part was seeing baby beluga with mom playing with the rope!

Shedd aquarium was an amazing experience for me i had a great time exploring various gallerys/exhibits

The lines can be long. We bought the city museum pass which gave us a fast pass to cut the main lines. Which was still a 45 min wait to get in. But once you are in the place is so massive that you don't really notice how many people are there because it is so spread out.

Wow I love this place! Such a wonderful place to visit during the middle of the week to avoid crowds.

Forgot how much I loved this place. The dolphins put on quite a show and the sea lion was adorable. The beluga whales.. magnificent!!

There were a lot of kid friendly activities. The staff was all professional and eager to help. The exhibits were all well maintained. It had many elevators for the handicapped.

Looking for something to do cause you on a date, kids driving you mad, your bored, or you have free passes, well this is the place to go.

Shedd's is a good place to go for a trip with kids and the family. they give a military discount, and make sure you have your pocket book with you cause it is not cheap. So make sure you spend part of your day here.

There is so much to see and do and the kids will love it. Make sure to bring even more money cause it cost to see the shows. Also buy the kids and treat and some popcorn. Have fun and enjoy the place. They do check bags when you go in the doors but that's about it, there is no body searching.

Have a great time here.

Your Trustworthy Critic

We always enjoy Shedd. Kids are teens now and they still request visits here when we are in Chicago.