Making Waves Campaign
Animals and Exhibits
The Oceanarium is one of the most visited marine mammal pavilions in the world and a premier conservation and education facility.
Oceanarium and Fantasea
All five pools of this 3-million-gallon saltwater habitat have been resurfaced and upgraded with the latest technology in animal life support. The amphitheater features a dynamic new show – Fantasea – that transforms the space into a magical theater experience, complete with a giant backdrop and interactive presentations of birds of prey, dolphins, beluga whales, sea lions and penguins.
Polar Play Zone
Our first permanent exhibit especially for children is located in the Oceanarium’s underwater viewing gallery. It inspires young people to care about the natural world through touch pools, play spaces with costumes, props and art supplies–even a submarine–and up-close encounters with whales, dolphins, penguins, sea otters and sea jellies.
Grainger Beluga Encounter Habitat
Another first for Shedd, this new private pool in Whale Harbor offers trainer-led encounters between guests of all abilities and our beluga whales. It’s a thrilling new dimension to the aquarium experience.
Pacific Northwest and Sea Lion Exhibit
We’ve added salmon, trout, arctic grayling and other fish species to our beautiful new estuary, fed by a mountain stream that flows along the ITW Beluga Trail. Shedd’s sea lion exhibit has doubled in size to make room for three animals, two newly rescued, and provide better viewing for guests.
Guest Amenities
Making every visit to Shedd Aquarium more enjoyable and worthwhile was the goal when we created a new outdoor terrace, with its incredible views of the downtown skyline and the lake, improved our two restaurants, and added a new guest services suite, a group reception area and an elevator for the north side of the aquarium.
