Shedd Aquarium © Sebastian Rueckoldt

One of Chicago's best known attractions, the Shedd remains one of the world's largest indoor aquariums since its opening in 1930. The octagonal marble building houses more than 8,000 river, lake, and sea creatures. The main attraction is the Caribbean Coral Reef exhibit and other marine habitat recreations of the Amazon basin, the rugged Pacific Northwest coast, and the Great Lakes. Animals in the Shedd include otters, penguins, whales, sharks, sea turtles, and much more. The aquarium also features an indoor saltwater Oceanarium housing marine mammals where dolphin shows are scheduled daily.

Address: 1200 South Lake Shore Drive

Website: www.sheddaquarium.org

Telephone: (312) 939 2438

Opening times: Hours vary by season; generally 9am-6pm. Check website for detailed calendar.

Admission: General admission: $40 (adults), $30 (children aged 3-11). Special deals are available on the official website.