Plan a Visit
Hours and Calendar
Summer Hours: May 25 through Sept. 7, 2009
Weekdays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Weekends 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Jazzin’ at the Shedd
When the weather gets warm, the jazz gets cool as Shedd stays open late.
Thursdays 5–10 p.m., June–August (Oceanarium, Amazon Rising and Wild Reef close at 8 p.m.)
Daily Calendar
Dives
Check out our narrated dives in the schooling fishes habitat of Wild Reef daily at 10:30 a.m. And our new 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 six daily presentations.
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Animal Encounters
You’ll find lots of animals to encounter up close and personal hourly at Shedd Aquarium, including tarantulas, turtles, snakes and lizards. You never know who you might meet as we add animals to this popular program. You may encounter Bonito, one of the smallest members of the toucan family.
Included in the Shedd Pass.
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.
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours
Your guide will show you Shedd from the perspective of our animal care staff. You’ll tour the animal healthcare center, where preventive care keeps the collection healthy. Then you’ll go behind the galleries to view the animals from a new angle, learn about breeding programs, see nutritious meals prepared for a wide range of tastes and witness the aquarium at work. Must be 55 inches or taller.
General Behind-the-Scenes Tour Only
Price: $10 per person
Premium Behind-the-Scenes Tour and Admission Package
Includes Total Experience pass with a choice of a 4-D Experience, and 50-minute tour
Prices: $38.95 for adults, $31.95 for children
VIP Behind-the-Scenes Tour Package
Price: $250
No photography or video recording.
Inquire online or call 312-692-2723.
Tots on Tuesdays
Shedd offers activities created especially for the preschool set. "Tots on Tuesdays" includes story times, crafts, animal touch programs, videos, costumed characters and more. Download our map for tots and learn more about programming for children.
Included in the Shedd Pass.
Special Schedules and Events 
Jazzin' at the Shedd
Shedd becomes Chicago’s premier jazz venue again with another season of Jazzin’ at the Shedd. This Chicago tradition combines some of the area’s best bands, the city’s breathtaking skyline and an unrivaled array of aquatic animals from around the world. Add light refreshments and drinks, and you’ve got an unbeatable summer evening of fun. Find out more.
Jazzin' at the Shedd is sponsored by National City.
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Extraordinary Experiences
Are you looking for a Shedd experience that’s a little more special, more personal, more in-depth? We’ve got extraordinary experiences you’ll never forget.
We offer programs and classes to make everybody in your family happy. Learn more about programs for families, adults and kids.
