Illinois residents can take in all the sights and sounds of the ocean for another six days of free-admission weekdays at Shedd Aquarium this winter. Normally, general admission prices start around $35+ for adults and $25+ for children ages 3-11, with a special $19.95 discount for residents of Chicago.
As part of the museum’s special Discounts and Free Days, general admission prices will be waived completely for state residents Tuesday through Thursday, March 2nd.
All applicable free-admission dates include:
- Tuesday, Feb. 21
- Wednesday, Feb. 22
- Thursday, Feb. 23
- Tuesday, Feb. 28
- Wednesday, Mar. 1
- Thursday, Mar. 2

Meet the five Pacific White-Sided Dolphins that live in the Abbott Oceanarium. | Photo by Shedd Aquarium
Visitors should reserve a date and time online to secure a spot since waiting times will likely be long. Open between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., admission to the aquarium will include entry to all exhibits. Additional Extraordinary Experiences, like the up-close Beluga Encounter and Shark Feeding Tour, are available for purchase and include access to the entire aquarium.
Outside of Free Days, several groups — including first responders, military, educators, and EBT card holders — qualify for free admission all year round with a valid ID.
Visit the Shedd Aquarium at 1200 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
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