Shedd Aquarium in Chicago: Worth the Visit?
Because the Shedd Aquarium is included in the CityPASS, many people hesitate about whether to visit this aquarium or not. Maybe my expectations were low, but since it was on the way and I had time, I decided to book a ticket. Surprisingly, there were some delightful highlights! 🐠 Let me start by saying that I booked a ticket for 11 a.m., but I arrived at noon—an hour late. Despite that, I still managed to get in smoothly. The main entrance of the aquarium is under construction in August, with signs indicating it's not accessible. Instead, walk around to the right side of the main entrance and enter through the back door. 🚧 · Here are a few spots I thought were worth checking out: First and foremost, the shark exhibit on the second basement floor. You need to find the entrance and take a dedicated elevator down. The number of fish and sharks here is truly impressive. There are schools of small fish swimming in formation, with sharks gliding through them. Looking up, you can see sunlight filtering through the top of the fish school—it's a stunning sight! 🦈 I also loved the open-air balcony outside the aquarium's restaurant. I bought a hot dog and sat there for a while, enjoying the view of Lake Michigan. The elevated vantage point offers a more comfortable perspective than the lakefront itself. It's a great spot to relax and catch a cool breeze after a tiring day of exploring. 🌊 On the second floor, there are various small aquariums housing a wide variety of fish. I saw so many species I had never heard of before. For example, the fish in Figure 11 was surprisingly unique. And the clownfish—well, they're actually kind of ugly! 😂 If you're interested in marine life, the second floor is a great place to see all kinds of strange and fascinating fish. It's really eye-opening! Near the entrance and exit, there's an outdoor pavilion with a large pool full of stingrays. You can feed them and even touch their smooth, slightly prickly skin. It's a fun and interactive experience! 🐠 Lastly, there are various shows scheduled throughout the day, including dolphin, otter, and shark shows. I didn't manage to catch any of them on time, but they're definitely worth checking out if you plan your visit accordingly. Overall, compared to places like Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, the Shedd Aquarium is relatively small. It doesn't have many entertainment facilities and feels more like an exquisite marine exhibition. I spent about two hours exploring the entire place. While it may be smaller, the diversity of animals and the impressive fish schools in the shark exhibit are still fantastic! 🌟 If you have two hours to spare and have already purchased the CityPASS, a visit to the Shedd Aquarium is definitely worth it and won't disappoint! #Chicago #ChicagoTravel #ChicagoStudyAbroad #ChicagoLife #ChicagoTravelTips #ChicagoAttractions #SheddAquarium #ChicagoSheddAquarium #SheddAquarium
