Is Shedd aquarium worth the cost?

[eatatmidnight]

Some of my family members are going to Chicago the second week of July. They are doing Willis (Sears) tower and Museum of Science and Industry. When we checked the cost of Shedd Aquarium, there was a bit of sticker shock when we saw that it was $26.95 per person. Is it worth it?

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I have no personal experience but I looked it up on trip advisor and if you don't mind skipping the shows, ask for the aqua only pass and it's just $9 to get in. The shows don't seem to have good reviews. Just search it on trip advisor and you can see more about it. That website has never steered me wrong.

 

[Temair]

I went a few years ago and it was so worth it. DD had a great time. If you are in the area for a while and doing several attractions, check out the citypass as its a great deal.

 

[tamis]

They might want to look into getting a Chicago City Pass. All the things they are planning to see are included in the cost of the pass.

 

[kelleyrn2000]

It is a great Aquarium, for sure. Drawbacks would be waiting in line for admission tickets, not a fun way to start the day if it is a busy day...not sure if it's like that in July or not). My SIL went with my nephew a couple months ago, and the line to get in was an hour long. They ended up buying a family pass and were able to bypass the long line by doing so. Also, check into the Chicago GO passes if you are doing more than one attraction. Some hotels offer packages that include Aquarium tickets. GL!

 

[eatatmidnight]

Thanks for all the great tips. Especially the aqua only pass. I will tell them to call and see if they can purchase over the phone since it is not listed on their website.

They will be there on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Maybe the crowds won't be too bad. Do any of you know how it compares to the Georgia Aquarium? We really like that one.

 

[bigmama67]

No idea how the GA Aquarium is, but DH and I went to Shedd many years ago and the dolphin show was a highlight of our visit there! The theater's back wall was entirely made of windows and the lake was behind it so it looked as though the dolphins could swim right out there if they wanted. I still think of that.

I'm sure they'll have fun whatever they do, and I would think the Citypass is a great idea.

Not sure if they still do this but I also recall taking a little architecture tour on the Loop around the center of the city and it was pretty cool.

 

[irish dancer]

Check out this site for info on the Chicago Citypass:

http://www.citypass.com/chicago?mv_...ago citypass&gclid=CNKB0tquv6ICFaJL5wod9FQ65w

It includes the Aquarium, Sears Tower and Museum of Science & Industry along with the Planetarium and Field Museum all in one ticket price. According to the site it is a 49% savings.

Hope they have a great trip to Chicago!

 

[rileyreese]

We went to the Shedd 2 weeks ago and really enjoyed it and we did tge pass that you don't see the shows and it was $20 each for the adults, I don't remember for the kids! We got there right at 9 and went through the family line and it was not too much of a wait but otherwise buy your tickets before hand because the wait will be really long!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I haven't been but I was going to point out that many zoos/ aquariums have membership programs that allow members to visit other zoos & aquariums in the country for free (as part of the membership)

If anyone in the group has such a membership you might want to check to see if Shedd is one of those aquariums on the reciprical visiting list.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

OP, the Shedd was the Chicago Groupon yesterday!! $18 for 2 ppl in the evening- check it out!!!

http://www.groupon.com/chicago/deals/shedd-aquarium-chicago?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=uu571485

 

[eatatmidnight]

OP, the Shedd was the Chicago Groupon yesterday!! $18 for 2 ppl in the evening- check it out!!!

http://www.groupon.com/chicago/deals/shedd-aquarium-chicago?utm_campaign=UserReferral&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=uu571485

That sounds like a good deal but they will be heading home on Wednesday afternoon.

 

[eatatmidnight]

I haven't been but I was going to point out that many zoos/ aquariums have membership programs that allow members to visit other zoos & aquariums in the country for free (as part of the membership)

If anyone in the group has such a membership you might want to check to see if Shedd is one of those aquariums on the reciprical visiting list.

That is a great idea, but they are from a small town and don't have a museum or zoo that participates in that kind of program Thanks!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Thanks for all the great tips. Especially the aqua only pass. I will tell them to call and see if they can purchase over the phone since it is not listed on their website.

They will be there on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Maybe the crowds won't be too bad. Do any of you know how it compares to the Georgia Aquarium? We really like that one.

From what I read, it's unadvertised and you have to buy it at the ticket counter by request only. They don't offer it otherwise but maybe on the phone they will. Good luck!

I haven't been to the GA aquarium yet, the reviews are really mixed and I don't want to spend the money. Supposedly it's the biggest as far as water goes but not in terms of actual animals.

 

[aladams2]

We will be there the same time. We bought the Go Chicago Card for 5 days. It gets us into all the museums, discounts to stores and restaruants, tours, and more. I'm very glad we went this route. Not only is that all paid for but we don't have to stress that this is costing us this much and this will be this much more. We just go and if the kids are bored, leave and go to another one!! Not a big deal.

 

[tinkatheart111]

We just went in June and we had the City Pass. It was a great deal. I loved Shedd Aquarium, definitely my favorite. The show called Fantasea was wonderful. I would recommend going.

 

[dislvr74]

This might not help the OP, but I thought I would mention it for any others...

The aquarium and the museums in Chicago offer really good rates for educators. (In fact, I think the basic aquarium ticket is free, but I don't remember for sure.) I work at a university and my dad works at a high school. We just have to show our staff IDs to get the discounted rate. It makes a pretty significant difference. I've noticed that the educator rate isn't always posted, but you just have to ask.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I must be the only one that thinks the Aquarium is not that great. I've been in much better ones. I haven't been since the redid the dolphin area so they might have improved it.

I'd much rather go to the Field Museum, Planetarium, Architectural boat tour ect. Milenium park is really nice too and FREE!

 

[dmpteacher]

Sounds like they're going to be there the same time we are! My sister has never been (even when I lived there), so we're going to be doing the touristy things that we don't usually do.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I think I'm going to subscribe to the Chicago Groupon just in case anything pops up between now and then.

Can't wait!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE Chicago!!! Best city in the world!!

 

[FOXFIELDZOO]

Thanks for all the great tips. Especially the aqua only pass. I will tell them to call and see if they can purchase over the phone since it is not listed on their website.

They will be there on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Maybe the crowds won't be too bad. Do any of you know how it compares to the Georgia Aquarium? We really like that one.

I think one of these days is a free day ,except for the dolpin show ,they each have a free day (not the same day ) durring the week ,Good luck and have fun