Shedd Aquarium Reviews

Great place to visit with lots of different things to see.

Was planning a trip but due to price gouging, I will no longer be taking my family here. It's $20. if you are a Chicago resident but the price DOUBLES to $40. if you are out of state? I plan and make a trip to come to your city to specifically spend money and you gouge me like this? It's like you want the aquarium to go under. This is bull---- and you have lost my business.

Wonderful experience. Worth visiting in the summer and spring, fall and winter are great too but some of the more interesting exhibits are closed down. Check out the Turtles!!

The Beluga Whales are huge and are kept in a pool smaller than the average American home - never ever allowed to leave. It was really upsetting watching these large animals bobbing almost lifeless in the pool waiting for their next trainer interaction.
The White Sided Dolphins have a much larger pool which seems to largely due to the fact that they perform multiple times per day for the public. However when compared to the expanse of the ocean, it's a tiny area to swim around in circles, all day, every day, for the rest of their lives.
I deeply regret visiting and supporting the aquarium.

Bit expensive entrance fee. Plenty of exhibitions and would take 6 hours easily to explore everything.

I enjoyed this place very much, I recomend the dolphins show is amazing, also I now it's only on summer but the entrance of the aquarium it's simple great I have never seen cocoa shells decorating the garden I will believe that has a purpose, the smell was delicious for me and for those cocoa lovers!

A definite must when visiting Chicago. Great for the whole family and young kids. If you're a resident of Illinois, they have free admission days,check website for details. It's very educational and informative, something for everybody. I recommend seeing the dolphins, penguins, and otters. The Coral reef in the middle is pretty cool and you can walk around it and see all the different specimen in the tank. The have a few cafes spread out thru the building so you can grab snacks while you walk around. Have fun, take pictures. I recommend for large groups but call ahead if it's alot.

Amazing place to spend the day! The aquarium is huge and definitely enjoyable for adults and kids! It is nice to read all the explanations as it really gives you a lot of informations about the different types of fishes and the different type of habitats.
Don t miss the show! It s very nice and funny, but also useful! Definitely worth every dollar!

Buy your tickets online to get in a little quicker. Glad to see that their focus is educating people on their impact on the animals and environment (recycle, waste, trash). Recycle and compost stations all over the place. Always a fun time!

Good lord! This is a wonderful aquarium! The assorted aquatic fare is spectacular but the staff is AMAZING! Every single person working here is amazing.

Way too crowded!!! Found out it was Illinois day after we got there. Left after about an hour fighting the rude people. Exhibits themselves were fine.

Enjoyable place to bring the family. You can see all exhibits in 2-3 hrs. Many exhibits are built for children including many hands on features.

Really nice aquarium to bring the family. Prices are on the higher end, but it is on the the Chicago lakefront. It is well kept and the staff is very helpful. Parking can be expensive and very limited. Be sure to keep an eye out and visit during the least crowded times for the best experience. I recommend going all in and getting the 4d show and Oceanic Experience (dolphin show). Well worth it to see the amazing creatures in action.

Buy your tickets online! I can't emphasise this enough. It's multiple hours in line if you don't and 5 minutes to get in if you do. We got it's through the website and skipped a huge line and got straight in, no extra cost.

There aquarium itself was great, lots to look at. Touched star fish. 10 year old, 1 year old both liked it. So did grandparents and I!

Great place for basically everyone all ages the only thing is parking it's a walk and pricing can change when ever it likes but great other wise

Beautiful aquarium, with a fun variety of things to see. Entry fee is a bit aggressive at $40, but I don't regret our day spent here.

This place is not handicap friendly. There is a small area of handicap parking but you are charged an additional 25 dollars to park there. The bathrooms were a joke and not all of them had handicap stalls. Very disapointing.

I love it and my daughter had fun looking at all the animals

Shedd Aquarium is a fantastic place. There are so many different sea, river, and ocean varieties to see and experience. The layout flows nicely and most of the exhibits are very accessible. The entire place is family friendly and the views from the dolphin and whale areas with Lake Michigan in the background are amazing.

The aquarium is well maintained. It gets very busy on Saturdays and if your from out of state tickets are twice as much. The show is sold out very fast and there's no preference for out of state ticket holders.

Shedd Aquarium is the "must-see/sea" destination in Chicago, housing hundreds of aquatic wonders, including beluga whales, sharks and white-sided dolphins. Animals connect you to the living world, exciting you to make a difference in this wonderful place. From whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, you get a chance to meet 32,500 creatures from aquatic habitats around the world. You can get face to face with beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins. There are both presentations, live shows and encounters every day. A visit to Shedd Aquarium is worth every penny and time you spend.

Staff was helpful and friendly, exhibits were clearly labeled. We were there with four kids ranging from 9 months to 18 years and had a fabulous time. Coral reef is a MUST.

Let me preface this by saying that having been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium multiple times, maybe my standards are too high, but my impression of the Shedd is: no smooth flow to see everything, handicap accessibility poor, 20 minute elevator waits, rude and pushy patrons, and so-so food for a premium price. Some of the displays were pretty good, but it is hard to compete with Monterey. If we hadn't paid so much for tickets maybe I would be a little less disappointed.

Always nice.. Just try not to go on free days it's packed like a can of sardines sometimes

Very cool! Lots of walking and tons of people but it was worth it. Loved touching the sting rays.

Very good and informative place for adults and kids. Good place to spend the whole day.

Always a wonderful experience, didn't know that you can bring in a picnic lunch.

The best to visit, I had an amazing time with my family

Beautiful aquarium, stingrays and the possibility of caress is a great experience, great attractions for children and adults recommend

The trainers were so good with the animals and it was very interesting! Food wasn't great but overall a good family experience

A wonderful aquarium with a ton of different animals and fish to see. We were also able to see a free show with was great! Would love to visit again.

The coolest aquarium I've been to. It's very wonderful, there's a lot to learn and see. The only reason I gave four stars is the very high price.

Theres not much information about all the animals they have. Also, concessions are sold throughout the aquarium (including popcorn). To me, this cheapens the aquarium experience, and makes it feel more like a circus.

Growing up I loved going to the Shedd. I still love it. It's still one of my favorite places to visit((= especially now cause they have a variety of Jellyfish!!^_^

We visit the Shedd every year and still enjoy it every visit. There are many school or summer school trips... We try to visit each area after the kids/student been through so we have more time and look through the exhibitions.

Staff was not at all accommodating for families with a stroller... staff watched us struggle with trying to get our stroller through the supposed accessible entrance for families with strollers, no assistance at this entrance resulting in using the revolving doors at the main entrance, which was inaccessible for strollers as well so no entry

Always a fun time at the Shedd Aquarium. The show is a real treat as well as the movie! They also have pretty good food in their cafe and well as the cafeteria. We love it so much we have season passes

The best aquarium I have ever visited hands down. Definitely take the behind the scenes tour if you get a chance. You will learn a lot about the history and upkeep of the building, and see many great exhibits from the other side.

The aquarium is very clean, organized, and climate controlled. They have lockers you can rent for $0.75 to off- load handbags camera cases and unneeded layers of clothing .It is a great place to get grounded again with my life by patiently strolling through the many exhibits and beholding how it eventually consumes me and makes me feel good. It took me a while 2 let go of all the tension but as I watched all the fish swimming and let my thoughts dissolve into the Rhythm I realized that I was then feeling very happy and light-hearted. My favorite part was the Tarpon. It is a silverfish in the big tropical tank that look like they have Chrome plated armor on them. If you wait and watch them as they circle around in the large aquarium they will swim through the light and you will discover how beautiful and radiant they really are. I also really like the beluga whales , they move so gracefully, beautiful soft white bodies flowing through the water like cushions. The dolphins are fun to watch, they are very playful and fickle and often swim together with a partner in tandem it's a fantastic thing to see.

The parking is a little ways from the museums and the aquarium but it is well worth the walk. Dress very warmly in the winter taking care to cover your ears and face the wind from the lake is usually below zero and it penetrates right through thin layers of clothing. Enjoy the Chicago skyline and Lake view while you're walking from the garage to the aquarium.

The sea otter experience was simply the time of my life! The trainers and leaders are so knowledgeable and the otters are so adorable!!!

Took my niece for the first time and she loved it so much as for myself I haven't been in so long but the experience was just as enjoyable ,very educational .

Kind of overrated. You have to buy additional tickets after the $40 entry fee to see certain shows. The elevator broke down during our visit, leaving my dad stuck inside. Not a prudent spend if you ask me.

Beautiful aquarium, loved the whales and dolphins the most!!

Went to Shedd in November with family. They had lockers for rent that were so convenient and fairly priced. It was easy to walk around, the exhibits were well maintained. And the food was tasty! Definitely planning on going back!

Totally awesome experience. This is the largest aquarium I've ever seen. This would be a great place to take your kids...

Pretty neat aquarium. The wait to get in was supper long but worth the wait

Rude people kept pushing my son out of the way to see the animals

This place is amazing! They have a ton of beautiful exhibits, and they do amazing conservation work! The staff was friendly and helpful, too. One of our favorite places to visit in Chicago. Be sure to go to the aquatic presentation, too!

We visited the Shed Aquarium during our April 2019 Chicago visit. I was amazed by the wide variety of aquatic life on display. In addition there were plenty of aquarium staff available to answer questions and educate.

While not as large as the field museum, it does have beautiful animals, sharks included. It does a great deal to provide educational resources for teens and children throughout Chicago, and every Wednesday there is an event called Jazzin' at the Shedd. It is open to the public and provides an excellent view of the fireworks launched by Navy Pier every Wednesday at 9:30 PM. The price is a bit much for some, at about $40 dollars per adult and $20 per child. I do not know the max age for free admittance of a young child. The price for Chicago residents however is half that, all you need is to provide proof of residence. Your state ID or Drivers license is good enough. Be warned they do bag check guests so mace, pocket knives and other items may be confiscated. Please look at their website for full details of what is not permitted on the premises.

Wonderful experience. It is a great place for spending a day if you love fishes and aquatic life.

amazing aquarium! it's absolutely awe inspiring. the dolphin show and the beluga whales are definitely a must see and my 4 year old son LOVED the 4D movie!

The admission line situation is a joke. No reason for it to be as long as it is. Exhibits just not worth the hassle and cost, do 2 days at the field museum instead.

We went to the Shedd Aquarium on Nov 22, 2018... All the workers do keep the building nice & clean. The lunch rm staffs are very polite. We enjoyed seeing all the sea animal display. I Love all their shows. I wouldn't mind visiting once a month. I do understand that it's a little pricey but I know the money goes back to the facility. Does it really go back to the facility (money wise)??? I love this place.. Oh the speakers were also great.... And fun, kept the audience energized...
Thank you,
Sonia Lopez

Great aquarium! I wish there's a tunnel to walk through, but the white sided dolphins are amazing!

Did not know it was Spring break. Complete chaos. Had to wait in line for everything. Left after 2 hours.

Shedd aquarium is a great place to spend the day. Between dolphin shows and a ton of displays, there is something to do for everyone.

Lots of interesting stuff, get there early and sign up for exhibits first

So much fun and such interesting exhibits. The Beluga Whales are incredible!

Great place to bring your family for a great time together. You will learn a bunch in a friendly setting that believes in caring for our planet. The aquatic presentation was excellent and everyone in the family said it was their favorite part of the day besides the animals themselves. We did eat in the cafe but decided on our next visit we would try the snack stand on the lower level, the food was just ok.

Scenery was great I would like more of lighting and variety of food though

We went on a free day and it was super crowded but we still had a great time. The line was like an hour long but that was to expected. Once inside we got to see everything. We enjoyed the day.

One od the best aquariums in the US. A great mix old school architecture and new technology to make a unique aquatic experience. The beluga whales, dolphins, alligators, and sea dragons are favorites. The only real downsides are the lack of cheap parking and the crowds. My advice would be to get the early or later in the day.

I'm loving it so far the place is big and it was fun looking at the fish seeing the aquatic show and takeing photos of
The aquarium me and my girlfriend had a great time
Looking at the dophens
And the sea lions and I hope you had a great time
At the aquarium until next time from Eddie

Work there and it's the best place I have ever worked at. Great people to work with. Come and visit.

One of my favorite places to visit in Chicago. I only wish it was a little more affordable.

Such a unique aquarium, set right on Lake Michigan. Parking was a little tough, and definitely not ideal (lot close was full, so ended up down the street in soldier field garage which had very tight spaces and very poorly lit), but experience was worth it!

Love this aquarium... Purchase tickets online and you can skip the line!

This place is FANTASTIC. I should know since I volunteer here but seriously, for being so far from the ocean, this place does a wonderful job of depicting Marine life. And it's only 20 bucks if you are a resident of the City.

One of the best aquariums I have ever seen. Moreover, free on public holidays, check their website for details. Some shows like for Dolphin and 4d movies are charged extra, tickets can be bought once you are there. Nice cafeteria and lot of restrooms on most of the levels. Wheelchair accessible.

Awesome place for family time. The kids loved . General admission tickets are good enough for most of the occasions, as there are plenty of things to see before attending extra shows.

Very cool! A lot to see and do (especially for kids), so plan at least a few hours. There were always many staff folks around, very friendly and helpful.

We came in a little late and they welcomed us in no questions asked and we got to pet stingrays that was awesome

Amazing dolphins, even Beluga and you can touch stingrays

Great aquarium. The kids really enjoy this place. We became members.... so we will defiantly will be going back.

Once in a lifetime experience. I became child again. Lots of adventure n fun

So cool petting fish and stingrays. Fun show. Totally worth money to get in. So many fantastic fish, coral, anemones, lobsters, shrimp, eels, and many more.

Exhibits great. Slow to get people through the line to get tickets. They lost our photo. The dolphin show was short and not as good as it use to be.