🐋A Day at the Shedd Aquarium: Belugas, Dolphins & More! 🐬
If you’re ever in Chicago and looking for something fun to do, the Shedd Aquarium is definitely worth adding to your list! I spent about five hours there with my parents, and somehow the time went by SO fast. There are so many different animals, exhibits, and things to do that it’s really easy to spend most of a day exploring.
And if you’re an animal person like me, you’re probably going to love it.
🐋 The Beluga Whales Were My Favorite
One of my absolute favorite parts of the entire aquarium was seeing the beluga whales.
First of all, they are SO cute.
I knew Shedd had beluga whales before we went, but seeing them in person was way cooler than I expected. They’re huge, but somehow they still look adorable swimming around.
I could have stood there forever watching them swim past the windows. Every time one came close, I wanted to take another picture or video. They were definitely one of the biggest highlights of the day for me.
If you visit Shedd, do not rush through the beluga whale area! Give yourself some time to just hang out and watch them.
🐬 You HAVE to See the Dolphins!
Another one of my favorite parts was seeing the Pacific White-Sided Dolphins!
Watching them swim, jump out of the water, and interact with their trainers was so much fun. It was one of those experiences where you sit down thinking you'll watch for a little while, and suddenly you're completely invested in everything they're doing.
Dolphins are already really cool animals, but seeing them up close makes you realize just how fast and smart they are.
This was definitely another 10/10 part of the day for me.
Hallie Travels Tip: Check the schedule when you arrive so you know when the animal presentations and other special activities are happening. It makes it easier to plan the rest of your exploring around the things you really don't want to miss.
🐠 There Is SO Much to Explore
One thing I really liked about the Shedd Aquarium was that it didn't feel like you were just walking past tank after tank of fish.
There was always something different to see.
One minute you're looking at tiny colorful fish, and then you're watching enormous animals swimming right past you. There are sharks, rays, turtles, penguins, jellyfish, and all kinds of other sea creatures.
Some animals were cute.
Some were beautiful.
And some definitely made me think, I'm glad there's glass between us. 😂
Even after spending around five hours at the aquarium, I still felt like there were things I could have spent more time looking at.
🎥 Taking a Break With a 3D Movie
We also watched a 3D movie while we were there, which ended up being a really nice break in the middle of the day.
After walking around looking at exhibits for hours, it felt good to sit down for a while. Plus, the 3D effects made it more exciting than just watching a normal movie.
If you're visiting with kids or tweens, I definitely recommend mixing in some of the experiences where you get to sit for a little while. Your feet will thank you later!
🍕 Our Midday Café Break
At some point, we realized we had been exploring for HOURS and definitely needed food.
We stopped at the café for a midday lunch break, which was perfect because it gave us a chance to sit down, eat, and recharge before heading back out to see more animals.
And trust me—after walking around an aquarium for several hours, that break is needed.
I'd definitely plan on stopping for lunch or at least a snack instead of trying to power through the entire aquarium without taking a break. Five hours sounds like a long time, but when there's this much to see, it really doesn't feel like it!
⏰ How Long Should You Spend at Shedd Aquarium?
We spent about five hours at the Shedd Aquarium, including our lunch break and the 3D movie.
For us, that felt like a really good amount of time. We got to see a ton without feeling like we were racing through everything.
You could probably spend less time if you only want to see the main attractions, but if you love animals and want to actually stop and watch them instead of just walking past, I'd plan on making Shedd a half-day or even most-of-the-day Chicago activity.
There is seriously a LOT to see.
⭐ Is the Shedd Aquarium Worth Visiting With Tweens?
Definitely!
Sometimes attractions that are perfect for little kids can feel a little young when you're a tween or teenager, but I didn't feel that way at Shedd at all.
The animals are interesting no matter how old you are, and there are enough different exhibits and experiences that I never felt bored.
Plus... BELUGA WHALES.
Enough said. 😂
💙 My Final Thoughts
Overall, I had such a fun time at the Shedd Aquarium!
Between seeing the beluga whales, watching the pacific white-sided dolphins, exploring all of the different exhibits, seeing a 3D movie, and taking a lunch break before heading back out for more, it turned into a really memorable Chicago day.
I also loved that even after spending about five hours there, I didn't feel like we'd run out of things to see.
If you're visiting Chicago with your family—especially if you have an animal-loving kid or tween—I would absolutely put the Shedd Aquarium on your Chicago bucket list.
Would I go back?
100% yes.
⭐ Hallie's Rating: 10/10!
🐋 Favorite animal: Beluga whales
🐬 Don't miss: The pacific white-sided dolphins
⏰ Time we spent: About 5 hours
👟 Hallie Travels tip: Wear comfortable shoes and plan a midday break!
💙 Best for: Families, tweens, animal lovers, and anyone looking for a fun indoor Chicago adventure
Link To The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL: https://www.sheddaquarium.org
