Our family LOVES going to the Shedd Aquarium especially for their Jazzin’ at the Shedd (review here). When we heard the Shedd celebrates the holidays as well with special shows, we of course, had to check it out!
Nitty Gritty
Website: http://www.sheddaquarium.org/
Ticket prices: General admission starts at $8 per adult. To access the Wild Reef, 4D show, and special holiday aquatic show it is best to purchase the Total Experience Pass for $34.95 an adult and $25.95 for children 3 -11.
Location: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive. The Shedd is located in the Museum Campus.
Parking: Parking is available across the street at the Soldier Field North Parking Garage. It costs $19 – $22 depending on how long you stay. If you plan on visiting during football season, I would double check to see if there is a Bears game going on. You don’t want to fight for parking with football fans.
Crowded?: Luckily, we were at the Shedd a few hours before it closed. It wasn’t as crowded, and most of the field trip groups had left already.
Stroller-friendly?: Yes, if it is not crowded.
Food: They have a food court and a cafe
Tips: Have jackets and other things to stow? Take advantage of their inexpensive lockers ($1).
Highlights
- The 4D Polar Express show. There’s a few shows to choose from but of course we had to see the Polar Express. We didn’t know what to expect with a 4D show, but was very entertaining for the entire 15 minutes. It takes watching movies to a whole new level where there are special effects you can feel, smell, and just be surprised. We were hesitant on how a 2 and half year old would take to wearing 3D glasses but he kept it on the entire time. Definitely recommend!
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| You get to don these fancy specs |
- Nice Holiday FantaSea show that featured Santa, singing, and animals. It is now showing until January 5th. Check it out for yourself!
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| Getting festive with holiday singing |
- Playing in the Polar Zone – my son had never really been interested in this area until this visit. He had a blast crawling through the tunnels and sliding down the slide.
- I always love being transported to another world at the Wild Reef. Beautiful colorful fish, stingrays, and sharks – what’s not to love!
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| At the request of the oldest, we had to pay a visit to Nemo. |
We wish
- …the aquatic show The Holiday Fantasea had more animals performing
Bottom Line
Things to do around the area
There’s plenty to do since it’s located at the Museum Campus. See Sue, the T-rex at the Field Museum, or see stars and learn more about planets at the Adler Planetarium. Have a football fan? Take a tour of Soldier Field (review here). For picture perfect views of Chicago’s skyline and Navy Pier, make sure to stop by the area between the Shedd and the Planetarium.
Disclosure: Though our family was provided complimentary tickets to the Shedd Aquarium and 4D movie tickets, I was not required to express a particular point of view and all opinions are my own.
