Shedd Aquarium
A historic public aquarium, conservation organization, and education center on Chicago's Museum Campus.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Shedd Aquarium, formally the John G. Shedd Aquarium, is a public aquarium and conservation institution on Chicago's Museum Campus beside Lake Michigan. It opened to the public on May 30, 1930, as a gift from retail executive John G. Shedd to the city. Shedd died before the project was completed, and his widow, Mary R. Shedd, formally opened the institution. The aquarium was designed as a major civic and cultural landmark alongside the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium, and its classical Beaux-Arts architecture remains one of its defining characteristics. The institution was created at a time when inland aquariums faced substantial technical challenges in displaying marine life. Shedd became the first inland aquarium to maintain a permanent saltwater fish collection and initially depended on specially arranged rail transportation to bring seawater and marine animals from the Florida Keys to Chicago. Its original building contained 132 exhibit tanks and represented a major investment for its era. The aquarium also benefited from the international attention surrounding Chicago's 1933 Century of Progress exposition, which brought millions of visitors to the surrounding area. Over time, Shedd expanded from a traditional collection of fish and aquatic invertebrates into a broad zoological and educational institution. Its collections have included approximately 1,500 species across fish, marine mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, with a total animal population reported at about 32,000. Major permanent or long-running experiences have included Waters of the World, Amazon Rising, Wild Reef, the Abbott Oceanarium, Polar Play Zone, and interactive programs such as seasonal Stingray Touch. The aquarium also operates public interpretation, animal-care, scientific research, rescue, and conservation programs. The 1991 Oceanarium expansion substantially increased Shedd's marine-mammal capacity. Now known as the Abbott Oceanarium, it includes habitats for beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, and California sea lions, as well as underwater viewing areas and a large presentation amphitheater. Wild Reef, opened in 2003, added a large Philippine-reef-inspired exhibit with sharks, rays, living coral, and coral-propagation facilities. Amazon Rising presents a simulated flooded forest and emphasizes the ecological links between freshwater systems, wildlife, and human communities. Shedd has repeatedly refreshed its public offer through temporary and permanent exhibitions. Past projects have included Seahorse Symphony, Jellies, Amphibians, Crabs!, Lizards and the Komodo King, and Underwater Beauty. In 2023, Plankton Revealed introduced an interactive exhibition centered on the ecological importance of plankton and was described as the aquarium's first fully bilingual exhibition, with Spanish interpretation. Wonder of Water opened in December 2024 as part of a reworking of the former Caribbean Reef area; the original Caribbean Reef tank had closed in 2023. The aquarium is a major Chicago visitor attraction and has been recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for exhibits including Seahorse Symphony, Amazon Rising, and Wild Reef. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Reported attendance reached approximately 2.02 million visitors in 2015, and the institution has at different times been identified as the most visited aquarium in the Western Hemisphere and the most visited cultural institution in Chicago. Its present positioning combines public entertainment with animal welfare, conservation science, education, field research, and advocacy for aquatic ecosystems.
History
Shedd Aquarium was established through the philanthropy of John G. Shedd, a Chicago retail leader and protégé of Marshall Field. Shedd intended the aquarium to complement Chicago's growing group of civic museums, but he died after seeing only the architects' early drawings. His widow, Mary R. Shedd, carried the project forward and presided over the opening ceremony. Designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, the original building uses a Beaux-Arts interpretation of classical Greek architecture. Its octagonal central structure, Doric columns, ceremonial staircase, dome, and aquatic ornament were designed to give the aquarium the architectural authority of a major public museum. Pewabic Pottery tilework, associated with Mary Chase Perry Stratton, contributed distinctive decorative detail. Construction began with a groundbreaking on November 2, 1927, and was completed on December 19, 1929. The first public exhibits opened on May 30, 1930. The reported construction cost was $3 million at the time; no financial figure is included here as a current-value comparison because such conversions depend on the source and methodology. As an inland aquarium, Shedd had to develop unusual logistical solutions for marine collections. In its early years, specially arranged rail transport moved seawater and specimens from the Florida Keys to Chicago. In 1930, railroad tank cars reportedly made repeated journeys carrying roughly one million gallons of seawater. The vessel Nautilus was later used for aquatic transport until 1959. Chicago's 1933 Century of Progress exposition brought substantial international attention to the aquarium because of its location near the fairgrounds. The institution expanded its collection and research work during the postwar period. In 1971, it opened a large Caribbean coral-reef habitat and acquired its first crewed research vessel for Caribbean exploration, field research, and specimen collection. The vessel was replaced by Coral Reef II in 1985. The aquarium was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 and was designated a National Historic Landmark the same year. A major change came with the opening of the Oceanarium in 1991. The expansion allowed Shedd to present marine mammals in a large indoor setting and later became known as the Abbott Oceanarium. Its principal Whale Harbor tank holds two million gallons, while the wider Oceanarium contains approximately three million gallons. The facility includes underwater viewing, educational presentations, and habitats for beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, and California sea lions. It underwent preventive sealing and administrative improvements in 2008 and reopened in May 2009. Exhibition development continued with Seahorse Symphony in 1998, Amazon Rising in 2000, Wild Reef in 2003, and a series of temporary exhibitions covering crabs, reptiles, amphibians, jellyfish, and the visual characteristics of aquatic animals. Wild Reef recreates aspects of a Philippine marine reserve and includes a large shark habitat and coral-propagation displays. Amazon Rising is a walkthrough representation of a seasonally flooded Amazonian forest and combines freshwater species with environmental interpretation. Leadership also evolved across the institution's history. Walter Chute served as director from 1928 to 1964. John Shedd Reed, a grandson of the founder, later chaired the aquarium's board from 1984 to 1994. Ted A. Beattie served as president and chief executive from 1994 until 2016, when Bridget C. Coughlin assumed the role. In the twenty-first century, Shedd increasingly presented itself not only as a visitor attraction but also as a conservation, animal-care, research, and public-education organization. Recent redevelopment has included Plankton Revealed, opened in July 2023, and Wonder of Water, opened in December 2024. The latter followed closure of the original Caribbean Reef tank and is part of a broader reconfiguration of the building's central visitor route. Across its history, Shedd has maintained a dual identity: a landmark Chicago museum visited for its architecture and animals, and a scientific and conservation institution focused on aquatic environments.
- 2024
Wonder of Water opens
[1]Wonder of Water opened in December following redevelopment of the former Caribbean Reef area.
- 2023
Plankton Revealed opens
[1]The aquarium opened an interactive exhibition about plankton and aquatic food webs.
- 2003
Wild Reef opens
[1]Wild Reef opened with a Philippine reef setting, shark and ray habitats, and coral conservation displays.
- 2000
Amazon Rising opens
[1]Amazon Rising introduced an 8,600-square-foot flooded-forest walkthrough with approximately 250 species.
- 1991
Oceanarium opens
[1]The Oceanarium expansion opened, substantially increasing the aquarium's marine-mammal facilities.
- 1987
Historic designations
[1]The aquarium was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark.
- 1971
Caribbean coral-reef exhibit and research vessel
[1]Shedd added a 90,000-gallon Caribbean reef habitat and acquired its first crewed research vessel.
- 1933
Century of Progress exposure
[1]The aquarium gained international exposure during Chicago's Century of Progress world's fair.
- 1930
Public opening
[1]Shedd Aquarium opened to visitors on May 30 with 132 exhibit tanks.
- 1929
Original building completed
[1]Construction of the principal aquarium building was completed on December 19.
Products and positioning
Public aquarium, conservation center, scientific research institution, and family-oriented cultural attraction
Marine mammal exhibit · 1991
Abbott Oceanarium
Shedd's large marine-mammal complex includes beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, and California sea lions. It provides above- and below-water viewing, educational presentations, tide-pool experiences, and the two-million-gallon Whale Harbor tank. The complex also contains a presentation amphitheater and forms one of the institution's principal visitor attractions.
Coral reef exhibit · 2003
Wild Reef
Opened in 2003, Wild Reef represents a Philippine coral-reef environment and includes sharks, rays, reef fish, invertebrates, and living coral. Its large shark habitat uses curved viewing windows to create an underwater perspective. The exhibition also includes saltwater systems where coral is propagated for conservation-related work.
Freshwater and rainforest exhibit · 2000
Amazon Rising
Amazon Rising is an 8,600-square-foot walkthrough environment based on the flooded forests and rivers of the Amazon basin. It presents approximately 250 species, including anacondas, piranhas, electric eels, freshwater stingrays, caimans, river turtles, tortoises, birds, frogs, and arapaima, while explaining seasonal flooding and rainforest ecology.
Permanent galleries · 1930
Waters of the World
These historic galleries interpret aquatic environments ranging from oceans and islands to rivers, lakes, and Chicago's local waters. Displays have included American bullfrogs, giant Pacific octopuses, alligators, lake sturgeon, sea stars, seahorses, and alligator snapping turtles.
Aquatic life exhibit · 2024
Wonder of Water
Wonder of Water opened in December 2024 as part of the redevelopment of the former Caribbean Reef zone. It replaced the earlier central reef experience with a redesigned visitor presentation and new tanks, with a future Caribbean Reef tunnel planned to connect sections of the aquarium.
Interactive educational exhibit · 2023
Plankton Revealed
This exhibition focuses on plankton and their importance to aquatic food webs and ecosystem health. It includes small marine organisms such as flamboyant cuttlefish, white-spotted jellyfish, and brine shrimp. The exhibition was presented as Shedd's first fully bilingual experience, including Spanish translations.
Family and children's exhibit
Polar Play Zone
Polar Play Zone combines child-focused interactive activities with underwater views of belugas, dolphins, and sea otters. It also includes penguins, jellyfish tanks, a starfish touch pool, and a submarine-themed play element.
Seasonal interactive exhibit
Stingray Touch
A seasonal outdoor experience on the South Terrace allows visitors to observe and touch cownose rays in a 20,000-gallon habitat. The attraction generally operates during the warmer part of the year.
Immersive media attraction · 2009
4D Theater
The 4D Theater opened as part of the Oceanarium renovation and combines a stereoscopic film with moving seats, enhanced sound, scents, bubbles, and other physical effects. Films shown have included SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, and seasonal presentations of The Polar Express.
Brand decisions
2023
Redevelop the Caribbean Reef zoneGeneration changeBackground
The original Caribbean Reef installation had reached the end of its exhibition life and the aquarium planned a new central visitor experience.
Action taken
Shedd closed the original Caribbean Reef tank, introduced replacement tanks, and began developing a connecting Caribbean Reef tunnel.
Aftermath
Wonder of Water opened in December 2024 as part of the redevelopment.
2003
Launch Wild ReefProduct launchBackground
Shedd continued moving toward immersive habitat design and conservation-oriented interpretation.
Action taken
The aquarium opened Wild Reef with a large shark tank, reef species, living coral, and coral-propagation systems.
Aftermath
Wild Reef became a permanent major exhibition and expanded the institution's emphasis on reef conservation.
1991
Open the OceanariumProduct launchBackground
The aquarium needed substantially larger facilities for marine mammals and expanded educational presentations.
Action taken
Shedd opened a major Oceanarium addition with large marine-mammal habitats and a presentation amphitheater.
Aftermath
The expansion became a core part of the visitor experience and was later renamed the Abbott Oceanarium.
1971
Add a permanent Caribbean reef habitatProduct launchBackground
Shedd sought to broaden its inland aquarium collection with a large, immersive saltwater environment.
Action taken
The aquarium opened a 90,000-gallon Caribbean coral-reef exhibit and began using a crewed research vessel for Caribbean fieldwork.
Aftermath
The reef became one of the aquarium's long-running central exhibits and helped establish a stronger connection between public display and field research.
Recent events
- 2024
Wonder of Water opens[1]
Product launch
Wonder of Water opened in December as a new experience in the redeveloped area formerly associated with Caribbean Reef.
- 2023
Shedd Aquarium introduces Plankton Revealed[1]
Product launch
The interactive exhibition highlighted plankton's role in aquatic ecosystems and included Spanish-language interpretation.
- 2023
Caribbean Reef tank closes during exhibit redevelopment[1]
Other
The long-running Caribbean Reef tank was closed as the area was reconfigured for a future tunnel and replacement tanks.
- 2003
Wild Reef opens[1]
Product launch
The aquarium introduced a large Philippine-coral-reef-inspired exhibition with sharks, rays, living coral, and conservation-oriented coral propagation.
- 1991
Shedd Aquarium opens the Oceanarium[1]
Product launch
A major expansion added large marine-mammal habitats and created the facility later known as the Abbott Oceanarium.
- 1930
Shedd Aquarium opens its doors to the public[1]
Other
The aquarium began public operations on May 30, 1930, following several years of construction and preparation.
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