Register today! | Already registered? Sign in

traveldk.com

from Eyewitness Travel Guides: the world's bestselling travel guides
  • Personal guide
  • Open
Member image

Chicago : John G. Shedd Aquarium

Submit an attraction

Make sure your favorite shops, restaurants, hotels and more are listed.

Submit an attraction illustration
WIN WIN WIN

Win a digital camera & more in this month's competitions.

Win a digital camera and more
Download a podcast

Free podcasts Find free podcasts for Miami, Sicily and more.

Join our free monthly newsletter

Advertisement

John G. Shedd Aquarium

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5.0 /5  (1 vote)
  • Review this attraction
  • Rate it
  • Are these details incorrect?
  • The eponymous John G. Shedd, president of Marshall Field’s department store, donated this Beaux Arts aquarium to Chicago in 1929. One of the city’s top attractions ever since, it houses some 19,000 marine animals representing 1,500 different species that include amphibians, fish, and aquatic mammals. The latter romp in the saltwater of the 1991-built glass-walled Oceanarium, which places an infinity pool in front of Lake Michigan to transporting effect.

Top 10 Exhibits
  • 1. Caribbean Coral Reef

    This vibrant tropical tank contains glinting tarpon, bonnethead sharks, fluttering rays, and many other fish. A scuba diver hand-feeds them five times daily, narrating his task via an underwater microphone.

  • 2. Oceanarium

    Underwater galleries afford incredible views of the likes of dolphins and beluga whales swimming through the Oceanarium’s vast pool. It is bordered by rocky outcrops and towering pines in an amazing re-creation of the Pacific Northwest coast.

  • 3. Wild Reef

    Gain a daring diver’s perspective of whitetip reef, blacktip reef, sand-bar, and wobbegong sharks. The massive Queensland grouper and fearsome Lionfish happily hold their own amid the predator school.

  • 4. Habitat Chats

    Oceanarium staffers hold daily discussions about the beluga whales, sea otters, and gentoo and rockhopper penguins in their charge. Twice daily there are also chats covering a changing roster of fish from the aquarium.

  • 5. Worldwide Fishes

    Themed tanks holding over 300 species of fish include Ocean Coasts, Tropical Waters, and Africa, Asia, and Australia. An Australian lungfish known as “Grandad” is a celebrated resident, having lived here since 1933.

  • 6. MacArthur Gallery

    This 3,600 sq ft (334 sq m) special exhibit gallery is located on the mezzanine level of the Oceanarium and features changing exhibits focused on aquatic animals.

  • 7. Amazon Rising

    Demonstrating the huge seasonal tides of the world’s longest river, this exhibit presents a year in the life of the Amazon flood plain. Look out for the ferocious red bellied piranha.

  • 8. Animal Enounters

    Get up close and personal with Chilean rose tarantulas, African bullfrogs, and red-tailed boas in handler-controlled encounters, twice daily.

  • 9. Tide Pool Touch

    Here, staffers guide visitors through touch tanks that imitate the tide pools of the Pacific Northwest coast. Seize your chance to stroke a starfish or tickle an anemone. Check times on arrival.

  • 10. Oceanarium Shows

    Four or five times a day trainers put the belugas and dolphins through their paces. Children are chosen from the audience to reward the animals’ intrepid feats (such as tail-walking, and vocalizing) with tasty treats.

Practical Information
Choose one of three dining options at the Shedd: the sit-down Soundings serves upscale fare with stellar lake views; the Bubble Net Food Court offers pizzas, sandwiches, and burgers; or you can brown bag it at one of the picnic tables. Don’t miss the Shedd’s underwater viewing galleries. Check out the Shedd’s live jazz on Thursdays (5–10pm, adm $10) from June through August. 1200 S. Lake Shore Dr. 312-939-2438 www.sheddaquarium.org El station: Roosevelt (Green, Orange, & Red lines) Open summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day): 9am–6pm daily, (to 10pm Thu Jun–Aug); winter: 9am–5pm Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm Sat & Sun Adm (including Wild Reef and Oceanarium): $23; children (3–11) & seniors: $16 DA
Write a review

If you were signed in, you could write a review here. Register for a free account, or if you're already a member, sign in.

Advertisement

 Latest guides
What’s on now in Chicago
  • Taste of Chicago
    The city known for its prime rib steaks and deep-pan pizzas hosts the annual Taste of Chicago festival in Grant Park, featuring the menu highlights of more than 60 restaurants. Read more
  • Pitchfork Music Festival
    The Pitchfork Music Festival presents a line-up of leading popular indie rock bands in Chicago's Union Park. Read more
  • Dearborn Garden Walk and Heritage Festival
    Residents of Chicago's Gold Coast neighbourhood open their garden gates to visitors during this annual festival. This pleasant day out includes many beautiful gardens of Dearborn, State, Astor and... Read more
  • Lollapalooza
    The Lollapalooza rock festival presents three days of live music in Chicago's Grant Park. Headliners in 2008 are Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine and Nine Inch Nails. Read more