Shedd Aquarium

Wander through coral reefs, tropical rivers, Great Lakes habitats and polar waters while spotting everything from tiny fish to sharks, sea otters and belugas.

Museum Animals Museum Campus $$

Hours Hours change week to week
Visit their scheduling page

Cost

Chicago Residents: $19.95
Non-Chicago Residents: Varies based on plan-ahead pricing. Visit the website.

Address 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive

About

Shedd is easy to spend most of a day in, with sharks in Wild Reef, belugas and sea otters in the Oceanarium, and everything from electric eels to Great Lakes fish throughout the rest of the building. Younger kids can explore the kid-sized submarine in Polar Play Zone and stop at the touch pools, while animal chats and spotlights give everyone a chance to learn more about the creatures they’re watching. Check the daily schedule when you arrive so you can plan around the programs you most want to see.

Transit

Red, Green or Orange Line to Roosevelt, then transfer to the eastbound No. 146 bus labeled Museum Campus. The bus stops near Shedd’s entrance.
No. 146 also provides daily service from State Street, North Michigan Avenue and the North Side. Avoid No. 146 buses labeled Harrison/State, which do not continue to Shedd.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the No. 130 bus provides direct service from Ogilvie Transportation Center and Union Station to the Museum Campus.
Metra Electric trains stop at the accessible Museum Campus/11th Street station, followed by a walk through the Museum Campus.

Parking

Soldier Field North Garage is the closest major parking option. Current rates are $27 for up to four hours, $32 for four to twelve hours and $52 for twelve to twenty-four hours.
Additional parking is available in the East Museum Lot for $30 and the Adler Lot for $13 before 9:30 a.m., $27 during the day or $17 after 4:30 p.m.
Weekend valet parking is sometimes available for $35 at Shedd’s guest drop-off area on the south side of the building, off Solidarity Drive.
Rates and access can change during Bears games, Chicago Fire matches and other Museum Campus events. Street parking is unreliable and may be closed, so check the event schedule before driving.

♿ Accessibility

Shedd’s exhibits, restrooms and most behind-the-scenes experiences are wheelchair accessible. The main entrance and touchless security screening can be reached from the half-circle driveway.
Accessible parking is available in the small lot between Shedd and the Field Museum and in the Soldier Field North Garage. Passenger drop-off is available in Shedd’s half-circle driveway.
Wheelchairs and rollator walkers can be borrowed free of charge from the information desk on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification.
Accessible and family/companion restrooms are located throughout the aquarium. Adult changing tables are available near the main entrance and in the all-gender restroom near the Bubble Net food court.
The Abbott Oceanarium amphitheater has designated wheelchair spaces with companion seating. Ask a staff member for assistance when you arrive.
Sound-reducing headphones, sensory bags and a quiet room are available. Ongoing construction may create unexpected noise inside the building.

Visit Shedd's website ↗