I had always wanted to go the the Shedd Aquarium, every since I was little. It wasn't until maybe last year that I had actually went. Some family and friends decided to take the 10-minute drive downtown, yet we hadn't quite planned on where we would go until we got there. So the "Shedd" it was. Parking wasn't very friendly for a first-timer. We ended up making two U-turns before we came to the parking garage. With two cars and peak traffic, it was not fun at all. We parked at what I thought was the closest parking garage, turned up to be a minimum 10-minute walk. I walk fast, so I got there quicker. It wouldn't be as quick for a disabled person, seeing that I failed to see many handicap ramps or devices. The day we went, they were having a special, so tickets were half-off. The lines weren't as long as I'd expected.

Upon entering, the staff is friendly, the exhibit as a whole is gigantic. From an aerial view, this place looks like a flat opera house, but on the inside, I got lost. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad. I'll take it as good. From what I remember, the aquarium, is kinda dark. Most of the light comes from the tanks, tourists cameras, or the few spot lights that are lined in the ceiling. All of the animals look very happy and healthy, which is a plus.They have pretty much every aquatic animal you can think of. At least the ones that can fit into a tank comfortably. After countless hours of walking in awe, I realized that the animals are placed in which habitat suits them the best. For instance; the Pacific Northwest Coast, the Caribbean Reef, Amazon Forest, the Wild Reef, and many more. You flow through the exhibit so smoothly, you forget that this place is also built underground and that just submerges you more into an underwater world. They have gift shops, and yes, the gift shops are pricey also.

The last place we came to was the "Oceanarium". This is by far the best area of the exhibit. You can see the whales, dolphins, and other various creatures that would make you point and smile like a little child. There are trees, sounds, and environmental that look amazing when your watching the dolphin show. Each compliments the other. The aquarium is open all year long, even when the ice along Lake Michigan has frozen over.

If you are ever in Chicago, be sure to put the "John G. Shedd Aquarium" on the itinerary. It's great for people of all ages and sizes. This is a place that you would have to experience for yourself. By the way, make sure you look at the Komodo Dragon. Now that is a sight to see!