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 25,500 marine animals
representing 2,100 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.
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.: $23; children (3–11) & seniors $16. 4-D All-Access Pass: $27.50; children and seniors $20.50 DA
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Consult the day’s event
schedule – which is printed on the map you’re given – to get the most
out of your visit. Try to arrive 10–15 minutes early for an Oceanarium
Show to get the best seats, and remember that the 20–30 minute Habitat
Chats often follow the shows. There are special events for the little
ones on Tuesdays – call the Aquarium for more information.
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Aquarium Plan
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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.
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Don’t miss the Shedd’s underwater viewing galleries.
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Check out Jazzin’ at the Shedd on Thursdays (5–10pm, adm $10) from June through August.
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Top 10 ExhibitsCaribbean Coral Reef This
vibrant tropical tank contains glinting tarpon, bonnethead sharks,
fluttering rays, and many other fish. A scuba diver hand-feeds them six
times daily, narrating his task via an underwater microphone. Oceanarium Underwater
galleries afford incredible views of the likes of dolphins and beluga
whales swimming through the Oceanarium’s vast pools. It is bordered by
rocky outcrops and towering pines in an amazing re-creation of the
Pacific Northwest coast.
The Oceanarium
Wild Reef Gain
a daring diver’s perspective of whitetip reef, blacktip reef, sandbar,
and zebra sharks. The Sawfish and fearsome Lionfish happily hold their
own amid the predator school. 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. Waters of the World Themed
tanks hold over 90 recreated aquatic habitats, including Ocean Coasts,
Tropical Waters, and Africa, Asia, and Australia. An Australian
lungfish, known as “Grandad”, has been a resident since 1933. Special Exhibit 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. 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. Animal Encounters Get
up close and personal with Chilean rose tarantulas, African bullfrogs,
and red-tailed boas in handler-controlled encounters, twice daily. 4-D Special FX Theater The
whole family will enjoy this hi-tech theater experience. The “special
FX seats” bombard the spectator with bubbles, wind, smells, sounds, and
all manner of surprises. 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.
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