Shedd Aquarium Reviews

Being from Chicago and im still not bored of this museum ! For the price we get for being locals is just PERFECT!

Very busy but a definite must see! There are lots of activities for kids which is a plus. Loved it!

This aquarium is so fun and huge! So many things to see. Even with a lot of people that day, it wasn't too bad. A little pricey to non residents. If you're serving, it's free between memorial day through labor day, which is awesome. This place is fun with or without the family.

Very fun to watch the fish but I wish there were more things to do. The funniest part was touching the mantarays

Nothing to be upset about since my mom got tickets for free from her work including the "30 minute" dolphin show. The exhibits were great, but the dolphin show could use some serious improvement. Instead of allocating 20+ minutes of the show to looking at a documentary-esque program and only allow 10 minutes of actual animals, maybe flip the two around? It would have been way more enjoyable if the main focus of the show was on actual animals doing cool stuff.

Very nice is good place a nice place to have visit.

Wonderful facility. Their attractions are great for kids and adults. The food court is decent, slightly pricey. Maybe bring your own lunch and enjoy in the seated area.

I had high expectations for our visit to the Shedd Aquarium. Based on the high admission price, $39.95 per person, I was expecting a lot more than what was there. My initial observation was that this is an aging facility and is limited on its future growth opportunities due to its location. It is poorly designed to move people through efficiently and provide good viewing of its aquatic life. I was disappointed at the individual tank displays, which left me feeling more like I was shopping for fish at my local PetsMart rather than going to experience something new and different. The tanks are relatively small and numerous, focusing more on lake and river fish, which are boring and non-colorful. The otter enclosure is also small and you couldn't stand more than eight people across the front of it before nobody else could see the otters. The dolphin and Beluga whale tanks are small and do not offer enough space for these animals to swim in any other way but in circles. Additionally, the water quality is so poor that you can barely see either from the underwater viewing areas. Finally, the center attraction of the aquarium is their Caribbean reef exhibit. This is in the middle of the building and is only about the size of a carousal ride at an amusement park. Sadly, only about 2/3 of the display is allotted for the aquatic life. We had some time to waste on Sunday afternoon and thought this would be a good option. However, instead of just wasting some time, we wasted our money too. I would not recommend this as there are a lot more (free) things to do in the area.

We loved the aquarium! There was so much to see & do. My favorite was the dolphin show & seeing the sea lion waving to everyone. AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME! Going again next year for sure.

Very beautiful, I went there for a field trip and it was my first time out of state from Indiana, but there was a turtle that was stuck and I think he was very sick, he wasn't the color that he was supposed to be. But overall, a very beautiful place to see fish, they train their animals well.

One of Chicago's best attractions. This aquarium has tons of fish, water mammals, reptiles and amphibians all in brilliantly designed exhibits. From the moment you walk in, you will notice the beautiful architecture. The Caribbean reef is breathtaking, and the Amazon rising section is incredibly immersive. The beluga whales are another highlight. The price is a little high, but when you consider that it includes admission to special exhibits, a 4D movie, and a very professionally designed aquatic show, it is actually quite reasonable. Five things you have to see if you visit Chicago: Shedd Aquarium, Symphony Center, Navy Pier, Grant Park, and The Art Institute.

Went on a weekend it was very crowded. It was hard to see everything. There was this terrible smell of urine in the air. The turbidity of the water on the dolphin exhibit was awful. It was so cloudy you could barely see the dolphins swimming. It was really filthy.

Took my children (ages 2, 4 and 6) and my parents on a Thursday morning. I have worked in museums for the past 10 years, enjoy visiting other museums and understand the difficulties of the non-profit world, but $20 for parking, $200 for admission and $90 for lunch is really unaffordable for most families. The aquarium was ridiculously overcrowded - I didn't feel that we could interact much with the exhibits due to the insane amount of people and I had to watch my children every moment so they didn't get separated from us. My kids really enjoyed the dolphin show and we were able to ask questions with one of the trainers, who was wonderful. I'm sure on a lighter day it would have been fantastic, but this particular day felt like a waste of time and money.

The after hours are just amazing and such a peaceful experience. It's also free for Illinois residents for a while.

Taking your children to the Shedd will open their eyes to different parts of the world and it will teach them about land and water animals. It's a blast and don't worry about the cost if you get state aid for food you and 3 others get in for free.

I had fond memories of this place from childhood. I have to say taking my own kids there was even more magical.

out of town people ripped off. Exhibits due for cleaning. $39 for out of town adult

House Music at the Shedd was so much fun. I hope they do it again real soon.

My wife and I visited for the first time today and it was a great experience. It was pretty busy as the aquarium was doing a promotional free admission for residents. It is a beautiful facility with amazing views of the water front.

There are so many exhibits.

I spent hours there and still didn't get to see everything. I did, however, manage to see sea lions and penguins.

Easily the type of place to spend a day at and then some. Will return at a later date. I'm hoping to get a photo with an actual seal next time.

We spent around 3 hours there and liked it:)

This is an aquarium where you can see rare species of cold-blooded: incredibly gigantic fish, octopus, anaconda 3 meters long, blue lobsters, stingrays, huge turtles and much more.

You can also touch the living fish and learn something new about the form that you see with visual materials, tablets and mockups, which even explain why this or that phenomenon occurs in nature and how it affects the animal.

The aquarium is divided into sections, the more sections in your ticket - the more expensive is the entrance. We bought the access to only one section, for students it was 9$, which is pretty affordable.

Went for a field trip after going there as a kid. Love this place

Fabulous aquarium! Plan to spend enough time to see it all.

Many new amazing new things for kids to see and do!

The next in line was the famous - Shedd Aquarium which is an inland aquarium in Chicago.

There is an entry fee to visit the site - depends on what you choose for. I fail to remember the exact option we chose, but we shelled out about 30-35$ for the day pass. You could also use the city pass available at cheaper rates online - it gives you access to couple of sight seeing places in Chicago.

You will find people all age groups queuing up to visit the aquarium.

History goes as to John G. Shedd wanted to give back to the city of Chicago in which he had risen from stock boy to president of department store giant Marshall Field & Company. Because every great city in the United States and Europe had a fine aquarium, he decided that Chicago must have the biggest and best.
Mr. Shedd imagined a stately marble building and a collection of aquatic animals from around the world that would complement the two world-class institutions already in Grant Park, the Field Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago.

It houses one of the finest habitats of the sea.Must not miss a chance to visit this aquarium. The dolphin show is the best treat to the eyes - such intelligent species. They were also playing some sci-fi movies and 4D clips during the time I was here. Keep the map handy - in case you don't want to loose way.
They have a plethora of sea animals - keep clicking loads of pictures and enjoy the sea world.

Cheers to life!!
~Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! :)

The Shedd is amazing , a great place for kids and adults alike they also offer face painting and have play stations (not the console) available for the kids , street parking is available but you have to feed the metter the closest parking lot is about a 5min walk away with a flat rate of $19

Wide collection of sea life and very enthusiastic staff.

What a great experience. We have been there so many times with and without our kids. Never gets old always something new to see. Glad to have seen The sting rays before a mishap. The aquatic show is great especially for kids. The 4d movie was a first recently and was so awesome!

I took my little niece to the Sheds for the first time, and she loved the dolphin show!

And Excellent Adventure took advantage of pre-admission for Illinois residents for the month of September

This is a must see place in Chicago. Its very well kept and had such a wide variety of fishes. Penguins Dolphins and Beluga Whales are my personal favorites.

Overall, a good aquarium. Great dolphin show and numerous exhibits. The only downside is that the majority of the staff is not overly warm or friendly and it always seems like a lot of sections are unused or being renovated.

It was fun but definitely made for families with children. There aren t as many exhibits as expected but the did have some cool jellyfish. There is also a really good view of the city in the dinning hall inside.

This place is amazing. Very large and roomy. Plan to walk alot but its definitely worth it.

The WifeE loved this place. We didn't see any of the 4D movies.

Better and bigger aquarium than the one in Newport. We watched a live show (dolphin) and it was busy in summer.

My family love here, first time in my life to saw white whale. Good place to spent time with family..

Most of the staff I have interacted with are great. A few are unpleasant. Still recommend this place! Get clarification on show times and tickets though. They changed how you get tickets for the show and we were not told about the kiosks you need to get your actual tickets from.

Absolutely beautiful aquarium with fantastic exhibit variety. My personal favorite is the Amazon rainforest focused. They also have exhibits for African lakes, Caribbean reefs, amphibians, hammerhead and other sharks, and many more! It would take probably a full day if you really wanted an in depth experience of the entire place. The dolphin show is great and they also have movies and other short events held throughout the say that you can pay for or sometimes even attend at no additional charge with a membership. Must see tourist destination! It is ranked in the top 5 best aquariums in America and is probably close to number one.

Had a great visit over Valentine's weekend.. highly recommend if your in Chicago visiting with kiddos!

This aquarium is very cool. It has a broad range of spectacular exhibits. It has a great atmosphere and some unique wildlife. I've never seen fish or sea turtles so big, and the beluga whales and dolphins top the cake. You can even pet stingrays!

What a beautiful facility. I remember coming here as a child and coming back now returns me to a state of child like wonder. All of the animals in their care look very healthy and well taken care of and they definitely focus on rehabilitation and rescue. The Oceanarium looks out onto the lake and the shows are fun and educational. Talking to the animal husbandry teams you can tell they are very animal focused. Great place.

I did not appreciate the aquarium that much . I am not a wildlife or aquatic life fanatic. It is okay at the best. Kids seem have a lot of fun. There is a dolphin show which might be of interest to some people.

Best aquarium Ive ever been to. Huge. Definitely watch the reef feeding.

Absolutely love this place, be sure to check out the exhibit on the creatures of the Great Lakes, very cool

Amazing Place. It has the oldest living fish known to man and many more amazing things to see including whales and dolphins.

Great place. Awesome date spot. Great views inside and out. Wednesdays are Free!!!

I went for one of the late night at the shedd events. Very enjoyable, several bar stations and the main exhibits are all open for viewing. Some of the extras are closed for the night, and many are kinda dim, but very enjoyable and not as crowded as during the day.

Little pricey, but fish fries are great. Lots of the displays lacked information about fish, just gave names.

Just an amazing place! Fun for everyone. The Shedd sparks that child like interest in adults and keeps children constantly asking questions about everything. Always have a great time here!!!

Very extensive, but also very expensive. Nice experience, but not as exotic and elaborate as I expected.

g this was my favorite place to go to when i was in gramar school i miss those days

Amazing experience visiting this place. Will recommend to tourists visiting Chicago

Loved the place. Although the smell in the air needs to be cleared.

Always enjoy coming here and my 2 yr old son loves it. Just beware of the free days cause it can be too crowded other then that all is good.

Amazing displays and wide variety of visual experiences. The sea came to life. We got to see divers hand feed the manta rays. Loved it. Definitely will go back again.

Absolutely amazing aquarium. The historic tank layout is great.

Outstanding array of sea life but very crowded and needs to display more educational material.

Wonderful place, awesome exhibits. Loved the dolphin show and 4D cinema experience.

The whole place way mesmerizing! The fish we so amazing!

Took behind the scenes tour, it was interesting enough and the guide did a good job overall but for the price probably not enough "wow" for most visitors, certainly not for kids.. Beautiful facility with lots of history and multiple exhibits. Lots of cool species to learn about. Easy to spend 2 to 3 hours here, likely more with kids or on busier days.

Quite amazing, i was thinking its going to be another aquarium like sea world aquarium but this one definitely has more to offer. Some amazing collection of fishes, turtles and sea creatures which I saw first time. I was using Citypass and one 4d show was included in it.

Absolutely loved the aquarium. The facility is clean and filled with such gorgeous creatures including penguins

Nice experience for visiting. Spent 4 hours there including a 20min break at the terrace. From my view a bit too expensive for what they offer though. We paid 35$ fee per person including stingray touch which was pretty cool. We had a 8.49 $ burrito at the food court which was a real man's size burrito and regular fries.

Was nice place with pretty exhibits, but very unorganized with big crowds.

Excellent time whenever we go with the out of town family. Food and drinks are pricey, of course. But all in all, it's an interesting place with a friendly, helpful staff.

Such a great place to visit! Such an Amazing staff that is helpful and educational. Love the emphasis on the animals habitats and what we can do to help! The only bad thing is how busy it is and the long lines...

It was great! There were a ton of views and many close up experiences as well. In addition, there was a behind-the-scenes tour that showed some of the operations that took place unseen.

Always familiar but new every time we go to the Shedd. Pretty crowded during weekends and holidays - makes a membership worthwhile to bypass the entry lines, pays for itself over a few visits and helps support a great aquarium.

The joy of seeing your daughter see belugas and dolphins for the first time is pricessless. Having an employee walk your child through being a penguin doctor when you need a little break beat expectations. Yes there s a price tag but the CityPASS made a big difference and drastically cut line waiting

This is a great place to go with the family.

Definitely recommend going as soon as they open, it can get overcrowded really fast.

If you can, do the stingray touch as soon as you arrive, the queue will grow really quick as more people arrive to the aquarium.

For the aquatic presentation, I would receive mend sitting on first row, you'll get a close look at penguins and a seal that walk right in front of you.

Plenty of exhibits to keep you occupied for at least a full day. Beluga and otters shows. Penguins and mantis shrimp. I come there every time I am in Chicago

Displays we re pretty good but not over the top amazing. They need to work on getting tickets sold much faster. Stood in line at the accessible line for over 40 minutes to have no more than 10 groups buy tickets with 2 selling. Too much arm chair tour guiding.
They do give senior discounts, but for 2 it s still $78.

A great place for kids as well as adults to get to know the matinee life and about aquatic animals. Animals are well taken care off. A clean and hygienic place and one of the best places to view the smoking shipping if the city of Chicago. A must visit place if you are in Chicago.

Just breathtaking. Magical and immersive. Loved the big sea turtle Nickle. Got to watch her being fed!

Great place to go to if you like Marine animals. However, I suggest that you should skip this great place to go if you have been to SeaWorld.

Pretty decent aquarium I just don't think it's worth $40

Very fun to see beluga whales, dolphins, sea horses, sharks and more. However, it doesn't take too long to go through the whole aquarium, probably 90 minutes.

This is a well above average aquarium. Cincinnati and St Louis aquariums pale in comparison. About equal to the national aquarium in Baltimore, however, the wildlife available differs between the two. The Ripley aquarium in Toronto offers many more interactive experiences, such as peppermint shrimp manicures and getting to touch sting Ray's year round for the same cost. The dolphins and belugas were a joy. All animals seemed happy and healthy. The aquarium is also very accessible, which is a great!

Amazing experience. The staff is very knowledgeable about the animals.

It's a fun and safe environment for the whole family. We have been there twice and it didn't feel like just more of the same, which is different from other repeated activities. Prices were better through a third party via a package with other tours and activities.

Amazing aquarium. You can easily spend a whole day there and still haven't seen everything. Great place to bring kids too.

This Aquarium is not too big, but pretty amazing, beautiful, well built and well managed. Apart from the expensive tickets, this place is considered to be a worth visit aquarium especially the dolphin shows. Please do check what shows they provide on that season as well as the schedule. We were given a ticket that must be re-registered for watching the show to get a seat. If we are late and not a get seat (in front), we might need to catch the next schedule, or seat at the very back if it is not full. Near the main lobby, there are lockers that can be rent for our belongings except stroller.