Plan a Visit
Hours and Calendar
Fall/winter hours, Sept. 4 to Memorial Day
9 a.m to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
On Monday, May 13, Shedd will close at 4 p.m. Ticket sales will end at 3:15 p.m.
On Wednesday, June 5, Shedd will close at 5 p.m. Ticket sales will end at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, June 8, Shedd will close at 2 p.m. Ticket sales will end at 1:15 p.m.
Regular summer hours
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day through Labor Day, Sept. 3.
Shedd Aquarium is open every day of the year except Christmas.
Aquatic Show
Dolphins soar and belugas dance in the new aquatic show at Shedd!
Add to Shedd Pass on day of visit.
Check showtimes.
Dives
Our Caribbean Reef dive is the next best thing to getting in the water with the animals. You’ll find out more about sea turtle Nickel, the 7-foot moray eel, the pretty parrotfish and all the other reef residents during daily presentations.
Times: 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Tips for a Great Visit
Visit early or plan to end your day at Shedd.
Buy your tickets in advance to avoid waiting in line to get in.
Discover our wide-open spaces behind the scenes! Register for one of our extraordinary experiences, like a beluga encounter, penguin encounter, Trainer for a Day, or behind-the-scenes tour.
Dress for comfort.
If you’re traveling with a toddler, use an umbrella stroller. It’s easier than larger models for negotiating exhibits and elevators.
Take public transportation to the aquarium. It's cheaper than driving and parking, and the CTA delivers you almost to our door.
Plan your visit with one of our self-guided Ten Fun Finds tours. Concentrate on several select exhibits rather than rushing to “do” the whole aquarium.
Take breaks! Shedd's aquatic show and the 4-D Experience give you a chance to sit down.
Don’t miss our live dives and chats. Check the schedule in the main foyer when you arrive.
Camp Shedd
Take an imaginary canoe trip through the Great Lakes, visit a campsite and get close to native turtles, snakes, frogs, fishes and birds of prey like the barred owl, great horned owl, or red-tailed hawk. Learn about the creation of Camp Shedd.
Times: All day
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
See Shedd from the perspective of our animal care staff during a 50-minute guided behind-the-scenes tour. At the animal healthcare center, you’ll see how preventive care and innovative water-quality practices keep the animals healthy. Then you’ll go behind the galleries to view the aquarium from a new angle, see where nutritious meals are prepared for some of our 32,500 animals and witness Shedd Aquarium at work. Participants must be 55 inches or taller.
Tours are available all year long on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
From the last week in June through Labor Day weekend, tours are offered daily at 11 a.m, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour and Admission Package
Includes a behind-the-scenes tour, express entry and admission to all exhibits, a ticket to the aquatic show, and admission to Stingray Touch and the special exhibit, Jellies.
Prices: $51.95 for adults, $41.95 for children
Purchase your tour now.
Participating guests should meet at the Guest Services Suite on the day of their visit.
Please note: Photography and video recording are not permitted behind the scenes.
Please review our refund and cancellation policy.
Lake Shore Drive closures May 25, 26
A 10-K run on Saturday and Bike the Drive on Sunday will affect how you get to Shedd. Let us show you a way.
