Chicago Aquarium
A Brief History
John G. Shedd was the founder of the Chicago Aquarium. His enchanting vision of an underwater world brought to the shores of Chicago a magnificent ‘fishy’ tourist site. Ernest Graham and his team of architects brought to life their drawings on a grand scale, at the site where the waves of Lake Michigan gently lap at the shore. Many ‘fin’ species were made part of the design. So don’t be surprised if a dolphin playfully peers at you from a panel or you see an octopus languidly lazing on a lamp. Unfortunately, the founder himself became part of history before its official opening on May 30th 1930.
From its initial single exhibit of underwater residents in a large pool, the aquarium expanded to an Oceanarium in the 1990s, with an outdoor amphitheater. In later years, a massive underground replica of a coral reef was added.
Come…wade into the Shedd Aquarium…
Your Destination: 1200, South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL 6063 (On the campus of the Chicago Museum) Å (312) 939-2438
Touch Down: O’Hare Airport and Midway Airport
Public Transport: CTA bus or CTA train
Fees
The Visitors Ticket Price Children 2 yrs. and below Free Children 3yrs.to 11yrs. $16 Adults $23 Adults above 65yrs. $16
You can also purchase a Mini-Pass for access to the Wild Reef, Caribbean Reef, Amazon Rising and Waters of the World. Fees: $18 for Adults; $14 for Children (3-11yrs.) and Adults 65+.
A wonderful alternative is to obtain a Go Chicago Card, which will allow you to experience more than two-dozen attractions in Chicago (including the Shedd Aquarium) for fewer greenbacks than what you would pay for entry to individual attractions.
The Amazing Exhibits
The Amazon section covers an expanse of more than eight thousand square feet. The entire trail you walk through is past a forest immersed in floodwaters. You will encounter saber-toothed piranhas, and maybe an anaconda. A huge spider can be seen spinning its fine web while poisonous ants scurry beneath its lair. Ever seen a fish that eats fruit-- Glimpse a tambaqui right here!
The Caribbean Reef was formed at the same site as the first pool set up at the initial opening of the aquarium, in the rotunda. As you walk through a circular gallery, an eel will peek out from its home amidst the rocks. Ray fish will flap their fins in a royal way while parrotfish will blink at you. The best times for you to visit here are at 9.30 a.m., 11.00 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 1.30 p.m., 3.00 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.- it is then that you will get firsthand knowledge of what the residents of the underwater world eat. You can put queries to the diver feeding the fish, via a microphone.
Waters of The World is a global exhibit of more than eighty habitats of sea residents. Residing here since 1933 is a lungfish from Australia. Its co-inhabitants are beautiful sea stars, plodding turtles and leaping frogs.
The Oceanarium’s inhabitants enjoy wading around in gallons of saltwater, the temperature of which is controlled by a computer! If you’ve seen dolphins arch up through the water only on the National Geographic channel, you can get awed by their grace right here at the aquarium’s harbor. Joyfully cavorting near them in separate pools are otters and cheerful beluga whales. For a ringside view of their playful natures, registered seating arrangements are available. Go beneath the level of your feet and discover the Wild Reef. Here, encounter sharks- dozens of them-with only sheets of glass separating you from their snapping jaws. You will be left speechless when you see an enchanting garden of live coral, some of which shimmer and sparkle.
Champions of the Environment
Protection and conservation of mussels is one of the top priorities of the Aquarium’s agenda. Due to poisonous urban waste, mussel species are quickly vanishing from the Illinois Rivers. The team of dedicated staff from the Aquarium as well as zealous volunteers has organized surveys of mussel fauna. They painstakingly collect and count the different species of mussels before releasing them back into the waters.
Very Important Resident
If you are a fan of monsters, meet the Komodo Dragon (a gigantic lizard) at the Shedd Aquarium. In its honour, the Aquarium is organizing its Annual Gala on June 24th, 2006 from 6.00p.m. to midnight. The Gala is excitingly named “Dance of the Dragon”, and begins with cocktails, then a dinner at 8.00p.m.and the grand finale at 10.00 p.m. In-charge: Jessica Gretch Å (312) 692-3153. Alert: This special exhibit, which also includes other species of lizards, is open to the public only till 28th Feb. 2007.
Special Event
You can also have a ‘fin’e time at the Shark Ball on August 26th (Saturday), 2006. Organised by the Shedd Aquarium’s Auxiliary Society, this black-tie (optional) party will include champagne, beer, cocktails and interestingly named dishes. The music of Sway Chicago will induce to dance. Past the witching hour, you can continue partying at the House of Blues Hotel and fall into a relaxing slumber later in your room (which you can get a discounted price on that day). Ticket Booking: Å (312) 692-3363 Hotel Room Booking: Å 877-569-3742 (ask for the Shark Ball discount)
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