Shedd aquarium ?

[azrednex]

Hey, I'm local in AZ, But the family and I will be in Wisconsin next week. We're thinking of making the drive to the John Shedd aquarium. Is it worth it? I thought I'de ask the locals. I'de also like to take a "life support" tour of equipment and such , any idea if they will allow such a thing to happen ?

 

[MrMexReefer]

I hadnt been to the aquarium in years, and was amazed by how great it was when i visited last summer. I say its worth it, especially if you pay extra and check out their reef show

 

[PSam]

The Shedd is fantastic. Top notch.

 

[fast57]

its ok....but igaurentee that you probably have better corals in your tank. They have some unique stuff but not what i expected

 

[Catharsis70]

Shedd rocks. I moved up here from AZ. No public aquariums down there.

 

[bassist6108]

If you aren't used to seeing public aquariums, the shedd is nice. However, it clearly needs better funding in some areas as some of the exhibits and tanks are in need of a little face-lift. There's probably info on touring the equipment and such on the web somewhere... www.sheddaquarium.org.

All in all, it's a fun trip, but a little pricey. Should be a good time, especially for the kids.

hth.

 

[lsvagabond]

If you know any chicagoans that have a library card have them check you out a pass. It will save mucho deniro.

 

[blackdak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9411661#post9411661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lsvagabond
If you know any chicagoans that have a library card have them check you out a pass. It will save mucho deniro.

Whhhaaaa???? What is this about? Tell me more...

 

[jcavanaugh18]

I haven't been to the Shedd for a couple years, but I was in the Boston aquarium last year, and it gets a lot of hype, but I thought the Shedd was way better. You would think being on the ocean would help, but I guess not. I really want to check out the Georgia Aquarium, that seems awesome.

 

[freewilly2]

the rohde island aquarium is nice, and i think the best one is the austarlian one it rocks. but about the library card, go to a public library and you can take out the pass for a whole bunch of diffrent museums and fun stuff just like you would take out a book

 

[jasutton]

i was there 4 weeks ago and was sorta disappointed...not upset by anymeans, but disapointed. It cost a butt load (plus gas!) and i saw cyano on multiple tanks. I agree with the person who stated that you will have better coral inyour tank. HOWEVER (and a BIG however) their fresh water is unrivaled. good time regardless, and needless to say i could spend hours there, but expensive (and i am a student with a discount!!)

 

[MrMexReefer]

jamie...you got a problem with cyano!? lol dont look at my tank then...

 

[jasutton]

i would love to look at your tank, but you dont charge 23$ (or so) to see it

 

[addiosoms]

yea i live in mokena and i go to school down town. on one of my 4 hour breaks i went over there showed my card and said i was a student. the address on the card is chicago so it worked for me. i got in and seen it all for 10.00.
only thing that sucked was that i waited in the line for like a hour over the summer and it was 90 something out. all in all was a good time. nice and cool down by the tanks and reef.

 

[szgppl]

Thursday’s nights are the best, cost less, they play Jazz, and they have beverage carts that serve alcohol if that’s your thing, the crowed is light.

 

[RobTop]

I've been a member for a few years. If you are a family it pays for itself after the 2nd trip. We usually go 5 or 6 times a year. The kids and I love it. As a member the best time to go is on member only nights, the place may have 200 in there. Very small crowd, you can actually look at the tank instead of feeling like you need to move on and let someone else have a peek.

 

[TellyFish]

Dont go unless u are going to see the extra deep reef section!

 

[azrednex]

Thanks for the insights.

 

[bignick]

You are better off to visit some of the LFS in chicago if you are looking for cool reef displays. I know Sea Schor has an awesome SPS surge tank. Better than anything you'll see at teh shedd. I too was dissapointed when i went in December.

 

[jglackin]

I volunteer at the Shedd

I volunteer at the Shedd

I travel a lot. I have been to aquariums all over the world and I believe the Shedd is one of the best I have seen. I agree, some of the tanks look a little tired, but we are workiing on them. The Wild Reef is amazing.

The price to get in may seem high to some, but when you compare the price to other aquariums, it is very reasonable. It is incredibly expensive to run an aquarium like the Shedd. Even with the money from admissions, food, etc., the Shedd requires donations from private individuals and corporations. And the money goes to good use. For example, there are only 120 Blue Iguanas in the world (Caiman Islands). They are nearly extinct. The Shedd is breeding them and has a very interesting habitat created for them with the iguanas living in a habitat with a tidal pool full of trigger fish, spiny lobsters, and other interesting specimens. The Shedd has Weedy Sea Dragons. You will likely not see them anywhere else. We also *had* Leafy Sea Dragons, but we just lost them. They were my favorite.


Anyway, if you are nearby, you should go. It is well worth the trip.

Best Regards,

Jim