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Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium

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

Museums

Shedd Aquarium is the "must-sea" destination in Chicago, housing hundreds of aquatic wonders, including beluga whales, sharks and white-sided dolphins.

At Shedd Aquarium, animals connect you to the living world, inspiring you to make a difference. From whales to snails, tarantulas to turtles, you'll meet 32,500 creatures from aquatic habitats around the world. Explore Shedd's Abbott Oceanarium, where you can get face to face with beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins. Polar Play Zone is a permanent exhibit where kids and their families can play, pretend and discover through hands-on activities. See the aquatic show, starring the dolphins, belugas and more, and don't miss the "Jellies" special exhibit. Then meet some of Shedd's critters up close during live animal encounters in the Waters of the World galleries, talk to a diver in the 90,000-gallon Caribbean Reef, take a walk through a flooded forest in Amazon Rising and watch sharks overhead in Wild Reef. And visit Granddad, the oldest fish in any aquarium or zoo! Two million annual visitors can't be wrong: Shedd Aquarium is the "must-sea" destination in Chicago!

What's happening nearby...

Chicago Theatre Week

Feb 05 – Feb 15

Calling all audiences — Chicago Theatre Week is back! Enjoy value-priced tickets to an array of productions from Feb. 5 – 15, 2026.

Read more about Chicago Theatre Week

Chicago Auto Show

McCormick Place West  •  Feb 07 – Feb 16

Features a range of domestic and imported cars and trucks, experimental and concept cars and a number of auto-related exhibits.

Read more about Chicago Auto Show

Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical at The Studebaker Theater

The Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building •  Jan 29 – Feb 21

The Roald Dahl Story Company presents its first production in Chicago, the wickedly funny, family musical based on Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile.

Read more about Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical at The Studebaker Theater

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