What families say

Families consistently rave about Shedd Aquarium, with beluga whales and dolphins as the must-see favorites, plus sharks, penguins, jellyfish, and sea turtles rounding out the appeal for kids of all ages. Plan for a few hours since it's bigger than it looks, buy tickets in advance and arrive at opening to beat weekend crowds, and budget for parking (a few blocks away, roughly $30-35) since it's not right next to the building. Note that renovations are ongoing, though reviewers say it doesn't disrupt the visit, and several mention the cafe's lake and skyline views as a nice bonus for a break.

Ages 4–18