That Ceda Life

The Shedd in My Backyard

February 19, 2014

 

Today I visited the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL. I hadn’t been there since I was a kid so I was very excited, especially for the Jellies exhibition. As anyone who has visited this place before knows, tickets are not cheap. As a group of three adults, two of us decided to get a joint membership, which allows us access to the general exhibits, the Jellies, and the Aquatic Show for a year. Additionally, we get discounts on all other exhibits and the 4D show. It happens that we were just meant to be at the Shedd today because as part of a promotion for the month of February we received a discount on the 3rd person’s general admission ticket and an extra ticket to see the Aquatic Show. So for everyone who is in Chicago during this February, this is the time to visit the Shedd. I also recommend that people purchase a membership if they are going to see exhibits and/or shows that are not part of the general admission because it will be around the same amount and the membership cost is tax deductible (can you say score?).

 

Over the past couple years I’ve visited all of the main museums in Chicago.

• The Art Institute of Chicago (my personal favorite)

• The Field Museum (very little has changed, time machine to 20+ years ago)

• The Museum of Science & Industry (best in summer when you can see the eco-friendly house, which happens to have been closed every time I go)

• The Museum of Contemporary Art

• The Smart Museum of Art

• The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago

• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House

• The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows

• Adler Planetarium

• The Shedd Aquarium

 

The Shedd is the best place for kids of all ages and one of the most interesting places in general. There were not only fish (including a saw fish) but cute little monkeys, birds, penguins, jelly fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, sea otters, sea lions, turtles, tortoises, frogs, snakes (including an anaconda!). I saw a crab the size of my upper body squish his own eye! There was so much to see and they even let you touch certain fish!

 

The Aquatic Show was amazing and worth the money! We got to see dolphins and Beluga whales do tricks, saw a video about the new sea otter pup rescued from California, and saw a sea lion up close and personal. The best seats are in the middle to the right of the wall if you are facing the pool. If you want to see the sea lion up close sit in the front row because they bring him out on the walkway (he is not in the water). Afterwards you have the opportunity to have a Q&A with a trainer. One of the people with me asked a question and discovered that the dolphins and Beluga whales hear through their head (Literally, they have no ears the sound either enters two small openings in their heads that leads to their internal ears or penetrates their lower jaw bone and is transmitted to their inner ears!).

 

The Jellies exhibit was smaller than expected but still awesome. Although there were no “regular” size jelly fish, they had multiple varieties of jelly fish and they were all beautiful. This is definitely a place that everyone needs to visit. Splurge and get more than the general admissions it’s worth it (as I said before, a membership is best because it’s tax deductible). I can’t wait to go back!

 

Sincerely,

Dana