Shedd Aquarium

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

Address:	1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Phone:	+1 312-939-2438
Site:	sheddaquarium.org
Rating:	4.1
Working:	9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–5PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 4

Neil Rhodes

I am honestly confused by the one- and two-star reviews. Even before getting a membership (which we now ask our families to give us for Christmas instead of a lot of presents we dont need or want), we would visit on a regular basis. When it was Winter and early spring, we would either buy the tickets online (which we figured out before we really knew how long the lines could get) or just not go (if the weather was terrible). At what major city do you visit one of the most popular attractions and not wait in a line? The arguments about the cost are also without merit. Most museums are running on a very limited budget. Much like a movie theater, the money needed to run comes not from ticket sales but concessions, gifts, and shows. The aquarium is not only displaying the animals but doing research and trying to contribute to our understanding of the water that covers 70% of our planet and the creatures and plants that live in and around it. Even if they were not, I would be amazed if anyone ever said, "The food served by that restaurant inside that museum/amusement park/other attraction was both reasonably priced and delicious!" I sometimes wonder if tourists have ever been anywhere other than a shopping mall. Save yourself some money and go outdoors to the hot dog stand, get yourself a couple of Chicago-style dogs, and enjoy them while sitting on the steps, benches, or the huge lawn that overlooks the lake. Or you could do like my mom used to do and bring your own food, which you are allowed to bring AND eat inside the Aquarium. Then there are the complaints about parking. First, and foremost, Chicago has a decent public transportation system that can get you there efficiently when the weather is bad. Barring that, there are plenty of cabs to be had. If one absolutely MUST drive then, yes, parking is pricey. Again, I would be amazed if someone found a lot near a popular venue or attraction and it wasnt expensive to park there. Second, none of the museums own the parking lots. They are separate entities and the cost is set by the owners. The only exception to this is the Museum of Science and Industry, where the parking is just as pricey (unless you have a membership and then it is free). I suggest you save yourself the time and complaining and walk there when the weather is nice. The walk has beautiful views of the city and lake. At least one person complained about rude staff. Unless the staff are at the ticket booth (which I have not used in quite some time) then I have no idea what the person was talking about as the rest of the staff are as friendly as I need them to be. Of all the complaints stated here, the most reasonable is that the Aquarium could definitely employ more people at the ticket booth, at least at busier times. Sometimes that line stretches all the way across the Field Museum and that is just ridiculous. Do some research and plan your trip and youll enjoy it more.

Bob Franco

When I visited this insane location on May 25, I didnt expect it to be a complete nightmare. I shouldve known better. After my extremely unpleasant visit to the Adler Planetarium, I decided to try to forget that by visiting the Aquarium. Big mistake. The moment I walked in, the presence of a giant squid behind the counter selling tickets shouldve been a warning sign. Instead of simply handing me a ticket, the monster used an extremely large and long tentacle to slap my hand with it, and another to latch onto my shoulder. When it detached, it was quite painful because of the suction cups. I mean ow, those things are powerful! As I walked away, it made crow noises, squawking at me as a taunt. Walking around the aquarium, all of the fish tanks merely contained globes. All of them. No fish, no people, just globes. Tons and tons of globes floating lifelessly in the water, along with the occasional piece of paper with bits of the constitution written on it. Make of that what you will. I went to the dolphin show, thinking that might be at least what it promised, but nope. One of the dolphins in the tank flew out of the water, through the glass, and swam out to Lake Michigan. The others morphed into giant leeches and started drinking peoples blood and causing them to pass out as everyone else in the audience cheered. I got out before I could be another victim. I took one last look at the diver tank before leaving, but what took place in there was anything but ordinary: The five divers were licking the glass, and their bodies were masses of human flesh-colored tentacles. One of them began to tell the story of the fish people living in the Chicago sewers, whom are responsible for keeping it clean. Obviously, theyre not working because some of the smells downtown were horrid. I left, once again disappointed by a Chicago staple that everyone else loves for some reason.

deadlymermaids

I just went today. As a whole, its a great aquarium. It took four hours of walking to see everything, which was very impressive! I went at 9 am this morning, on a Sunday right as it opened, so there was no wait. It didnt get crowded for a couple of hours, which was nice. Be sure not to miss the shark tank on the lower level. However, I do have a major complaint. In the Amazon Rising section, there were two tarantulas on display. One of the enclosures was swarming with mites, it obviously hadnt been cleaned in a long time. It was gross, quite frankly. I didnt see the tarantula in there, and for its own sake, I hope it was somewhere behind the scenes. The tarantula I DID see however, the goliath bird eater, was in very poor health. Its abdomen was small, meaning it was dehydrated or it wasnt eating, or both. It was frantically trying to climb out of its enclosure, which is not natural at all for a tarantula, so it was clearly distressed. And, its right back leg was twisted the wrong way, obviously injured, Im guessing from trying to escape the enclosure. So, what is going on there?? If you have a sick animal, you should not keep it on display! I know tarantulas are not as cute and universally loved as your dolphins, otters, and manta rays, but they should still receive the same level of care. This is really unacceptable. I drove to Chicago with my family, five hours there and five back, just to come to the Shedd. In total we spent over $100 on tickets. If that money truly goes to helping animals as you say, please put it first towards your own exhibits! Please fix the enclosures so the spiders are happy, and help the bird eater so that it can get healthy and grow a good new leg on its next molt. I cant come back to check on the animals any time soon, but I would love to hear that you are going to resolve this issue. Thank you in advance.

Snow Villiers

I had very high hopes, but was extremely disappointed. The Shedd Aquarium is heralded as the best aquatic animal experience around, but in reality it is inferior to Brookfield Zoo in every way. The dolphin show was extremely short, and was really a ploy to show a short film agenda. The dolphins jumped from the water now and again, but nothing compared to the amazing tricks of the dolphin show at the Brookfield Zoo. The rock seats were uncomfortable, and was hard to enjoy with screaming kids and the constant coughing and sneezing in surround sound. The exhibits were small, and didnt accommodate the overcrowded viewing areas. Its hard to get pictures because people are constantly walking in front of you or bumping into you from behind. The amphibian exhibit was the most enjoyable part, but again it was very short and it was only a matter of time before you were stampeded out of the way by the crowds of people. A majority of the building is taken up by the gift shop, making you funnel through a narrow hallway weaving through pedestrians and people in line just to get anywhere. This was already bad enough, but I could have enjoyed the ok experience had it not been for the other people there. I GUARUNTY you will be sneezed, coughed, and stepped on all throughout your time there because nobody covers their mouth and loves spreading whatever they have to the entire building. This happened at every exhibit we stopped at. That was my breaking point, it ruined the little enjoyment I could have taken away from going there. Add the fact that you have to pay to park and see half of the aquarium separately from your entrance fee is the cherry on top. Had a horrible time, wont be coming back. Support your local zoo, youll have a better time than at the Shedd Aquarium.