Shedd Aquarium

Hours of OperationOur hours may vary depending on the day of the week. For the most up-to-date schedule, please visit:

Offer Student Group Rates

Student Group Friendly

Tour Topics/ThemesEncounter fascinating sharks, highlights of the historic galleries or marvel at marine mammals.

Educational Programs OfferedOur Morgridge Family Lakeside Learning Studios is coming in Fall 2026! nnA technologically savvy, flexible launchpad for learning, the Lakeside Learning Studio will bring Shedds learning spaces up from the basement and into the core of the aquarium experience. This new, central home for learning will be available to all guests and contribute to a wider solution to address disparities in access to nature and educational opportunities especially for historically disinvested communities on Chicagos south and west sides.The Lakeside Learning Studio will also greatly increase Shedds capacity for facilitated learning experiences, increasing the number of students Shedd engages from 180,000 to beyond 230,000 annually.

Student Group Discounts

Average Group Student Price Range2026 GROUP RATES // Non-peak Adult: $40.95 Non-peak Child: $32.50 // Peak Adult: $43.25 Peak Child: $34.50nnWe provide complimentary admission for any tour operators who are visiting with their scheduled group. nnTour operators can save even more! Well provide two free tickets for every 50 guests in a group, reducing your per person ticket price.

Cancellation PolicyAny cancellation, rescheduling, or refund requests must be made no later than 14 days before your visit date.nnNo refunds will be issued unless Shedd Aquarium cancels the program. Shedd Aquarium reserves the right to cancel the event for any reason. If your event is cancelled, you will be informed via phone as soon as possible. In the event of a cancellation, you will be fully refunded within 30 days. Your refund method will be based on your original method of payment. Please review our full payment policy online.

Advance Quotes Available

Group Visit PoliciesGroups of at least 15 people receive discounted admission to the aquarium. nnFor school groups, we require one chaperone* for every 10 students, although one for every five is recommended. Teachers are counted in the chaperone-to-student ratio. Please note: There is an individual fee if your chaperones exceed a 1:5 ratio.nn*Chaperones must be age 20+

Capacity DetailsGroups of at least 15 people receive discounted admission to the aquarium. nnFront of Scenes Tour: Minimum of 15 people, maximum of 35nnPRICEn $10 per person for one tour/nlocationn $20 per person for two tours/nlocationsn $30 per person for all three

Average tour time30 minutes

Meal/Picnic Areas

Student Meal Packages Available

ADA Accessible

Brief Description of your Student ServicesShedd Aquariums historic home is evolving to meet the needs of our animals, our community and guests of the future. Together we are embarking on an Experience Evolution with animal biology, behaviors and dazzling biodiversity at the core. We are building an aquarium of the future, where guests will explore with their senses and look on with wonder at the weird and wonderful adaptations that allow aquatic animals to thrive in all sorts of environments around the world. Guests will leave with a deeper personal relationship to nature and a better understanding of how our decisions, both big and small, impact our shared fate: https://www.sheddaquarium.org/about-shedd/centennial-commitment/experience-evolution

Website/Student Group Landing Pagehttps://www.sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit/group-visits

Group Phone Number(312) 939-2438

Group Emailgroupreservations@sheddaquarium.org

Group Contact Name (First Last)Rachael Strube