Skip to main content

Search the middle of everything...

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium

1200 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL 60605

Museums

Shedd Aquarium is the "must-sea" destination in Chicago, housing hundreds of aquatic wonders, including beluga whales, sharks and white-sided dolphins.

At Shedd Aquarium, animals connect you to the living world, inspiring you to make a difference. From whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, you'll meet 32,500 creatures from aquatic habitats around the world. Explore Shedd's Abbott Oceanarium, where you can get face to face with beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins. Polar Play Zone is a permanent exhibit where kids and their families can play, pretend and discover through hands-on activities. See the aquatic show, starring the dolphins, belugas and more, and don't miss the "Jellies" special exhibit. Then meet some of Shedd's critters up close during live animal encounters in the Waters of the World galleries, talk to a diver in the 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef, take a walk through a flooded forest in Amazon Rising and watch sharks overhead in Wild Reef. And visit Granddad, the oldest fish in any aquarium or zoo! Two million annual visitors can't be wrong: Shedd Aquarium is the "must-sea" destination in Chicago!

What's happening nearby...

Windy City Smokeout

Jul 08 – Jul 12

Country music, barbecue, and craft beer — it’s hard to think of a better way to spend a summer weekend in Chicago.

Read more about Windy City Smokeout

Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Jul 24 – Jul 25

Celebrating the great influence of the music genre born in this city more than 80 years ago, the Chicago Gospel Music Festival will present the top…

Read more about Chicago Gospel Music Festival

Lollapalooza

Grant Park •  Jul 30 – Aug 02

Each year at Lollapalooza, some of the top names in alternative, hip hop, punk and pop join more than 170 bands and musicians in Grant Park…

Read more about Lollapalooza

You might also be interested...

A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

Chicago

A fascinating complement to the Pullman National Monument, this Chicago museum celebrates the inspiring history of Black labor in the United States, highlighting the contributions of…

Read more about A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

Irish American Heritage Center

Chicago

The Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago celebrates Irish culture through music, dance, language, and history. Enjoy exhibits, performances, and events that honor the enduring legacy…

Read more about Irish American Heritage Center

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Visitor Center

Chicago

Read more about Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Visitor Center

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get inspired by top travel stories, gain access to exclusive promotions and contests, and discover even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois.