An Introduction To Chicago's Shedd Aquarium

Built in 1929, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium was named after Marshall Field’s protégé John G. Shedd, who funded its establishment. It was one of the first inland aquariums and was the largest aquarium in the world for a long time, with 5 million gallons of water. The Shedd is home to over 32,000 animals, from tiny seahorses to playful sea otters.
The museum is broken up into several floors and exhibits. On the main floor there is a main rotunda that houses a central aquarium tank with animals and fish from the Caribbean Reef, including a large green sea turtle, a moray eel, rays, and some small sharks. If you time it right you can even see a diver feed the animals while also taking questions from the audience. Outside the rotunda are many small tanks that house different fish, reptiles, and birds from the Amazon, the Great Lakes, Asian rivers, and African lakes.

Head downstairs to greet the museum’s friendliest mammals, starting with sea otters and moving on to Beluga whales and some Pacific white-sided dolphins. From there continue to the arctic to watch two kinds of penguin species play on rocks and dive in the waters. Make time to head to the aquarium’s shark exhibit and seasonal stingray touch exhibit from late May to October. The Shedd is also right along the lake with unmissable views of the lakefront and city skyline, making its outdoor patio the perfect place to eat lunch.

If you don’t have enough time to explore the whole museum, or if you’re okay with skipping the penguins and mammals, you can buy a general admission pass for only $8. Otherwise the Shedd Pass will give you access to most of the aquarium’s attractions for $30.95 for adults and $21.95 for children.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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