John G. Shedd Aquarium — Aquarium in Near South Side

John G. Shedd Aquarium and its collection

John G. Shedd Aquarium, opened in 1930, is an aquarium in Chicago, United States.

Some 32,000 animals are held in five million US gallons of water at a site that first admitted visitors on 30 May 1930. It ranks among the oldest continuously operating American aquariums outside government hands. By size it comes fourth in the Western Hemisphere, behind The Seas at Epcot, the Georgia Aquarium and L'Oceanogràfic, and eleventh in the world.

History

The aquarium was donated by the retailer John G. Shedd, who had been mentored by Marshall Field. He died before it was completed, and his widow, Mary R. Shedd, performed the ribbon-cutting when it opened on 30 May 1930.

Animals and collection

Animals on show include Sharks, Belugas, Turtles, Penguins and Sea Otters.

Exhibits

Caribbean Reef dates from 1971 and was built where the Tropical Pool, the first display, had stood. Amazon Rising is an 8,600 sq ft walkthrough recreation of flooded Amazon forest, and Wild Reef opened in 2003, two floors below the main building. The Oceanarium was added in 1991 and renamed the Abbott Oceanarium in 2010; it holds Pacific white-sided dolphins, belugas, sea otters and sea lions.

Things to do

Things to do include Sea Star Touch, Sturgeon Touch, Stingray Touch, Shark Feeding Tour and Must See Tour.

Conservation and approach

The IUCN has named it a Center for Species Survival: Freshwater, for work on freshwater system restoration and species survival strategy.

What the venue says

• Shark Feeding Tour
• Must See Tour
• Bubble Net food court and Soundings Café
• Soldier Field north garage Up to 4 hours, $27 4 to 12 hours, $32 12 to 24 hours, $52
• Our exhibits , restrooms and most behind-the-scenes program locations are fully accessible.
• Wheelchairs and rollator walkers are available for free checkout at the information desk on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification.
• All restrooms throughout the aquarium are accessible, equipped with a large stall and assistance bars.
• Designated wheelchair accessible seating and companion chairs are available in the Abbott Oceanarium amphitheater for Animal Spotlights.
• Sound-reducing headphones are available at the information desk for free checkout on a first-come, first-served basis with photo identification.
• American Sign Language interpreters can be arranged at no additional charge for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Assistive-listening devices can be picked up at the information desk.
• Tactile models of a penguin and a sea otter are available in Polar Play Zone .
• Service animals are always welcome at Shedd Aquarium.
• Personal care attendants (PCAs) receive free admission while accompanying a paid guest with severe disabilities.