Question

Has anybody gone to the Shedd Aquarium during their free day(s)? Is it worth it to reserve the tickets online in advance?  

Answer 1

We went to the field museum two weeks ago during the week and it wasn’t bad because it’s free all month. We’re going to the Shedd Friday. I’m hoping because it’s free every weekday we’ll have the same experience. If I was going on the weekend I’d probably reserve it.  

Comments

@velocity please send me an update if possible. Thanks!  

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@bonine I will!  

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@bonine just got back from the Shedd. We got there around 10. No line to get in (one person ahead of us). We left around 1:30. It wasn’t bad. A little more crowded than I would have liked, but seriously not bad at all.  

Answer 2

Reserve online. It was packed. But I went on a holiday, so many people were off. I’d still reserve online next time.  

Answer 3

We went Monday. It was packed. The line is very long if you don’t have tickets in advance.  

Answer 4

Very crowded!  

Answer 5

Went on a Tuesday during free month and not bad at all. 3 people in line when I got there at 9:10. The free weekends are super packed.  

Answer 6

Def worth it. We went Friday to the field when it was so cold. People were outside in line all the way down!  

Comments

It’s only a $3 fee if I remember correctly. Better safe than sorry!  

Answer 7

We were there on Monday. it was so uncomfortably crowded! You could hardly see any of the exhibits or move in the halls.  

Comments

@gastrostomy glad I didn’t go. I would have been so uncomfortable.  

Answer 8

Don’t go on the weekend and go first thing when they open and it’s not bad. Monday was a holiday so it would have been packed.  

Answer 9

I will probably reserve the tickets online, just to be safe! Thanks everybody  

Answer 10

We went last Tuesday at 1:30 and we didn’t wait in line more than 5 minutes to get our tickets. I didn’t even know you could reserve online or I probably would have! FYI 1:30-2 is when all the field trips leave the seddd

Comments

@dropforge thanks! I‘m planning to go either Tuesday or Wednesday.  

Answer 11

I would try to go during the weekday if possible. Free weekends are usually busy. Side note for next year. Someone I know went Superbowl Sunday when it was a free and it was dead.  

Answer 12

Weekdays are the only days it's good. Holidays and weekends are a definite no.  

Answer 13

I’d recommend going somewhere that doesn’t use and exploit animals. So many other wonderful places in Chicago.