Strap a mask and flippers on your imagination and chart a course to Shedd Aquarium. Ranked among the world's leading public aquariums, Shedd is home to more than 32,600 animals - from snails to sharks to whales, from the fresh and salt waters of the globe - that connect guests to the living world and inspire them to make a difference.

If you haven't seen Shedd recently, you won't believe your eyes! The Oceanarium just reopened with new exhibits, new experiences and increased opportunities for interactions with animals. Polar Play Zone, a new exhibit just for children, will tap into kids' natural curiosity through hands-on exploration, water play and up-close animal encounters. And later this summer, dolphins soar, belugas dance, and penguins parade in Fantasea, Shedd's new aquatic show. Get swept away on an unforgettable journey.

Overview
The Oceanarium is a major draw. The marine mammal pavilion features beluga whales, Pacific white-sided dolphins, Alaskan sea otters and harbor seals in a re-creation of a Pacific Northwest coastal environment.

Features
One knockout attraction is the 90,000-gallon, floor-to-ceiling Caribbean Reef exhibit in the Shedd's central rotunda. Home to more than 250 tropical Caribbean animals including sharks, eel, sea turtles and colorful fish, it's also the site of "aquatic theater." Another favorite exhibit is Amazon Rising, which houses exotic animals found in the Amazon like flying fish, piranhas and stingrays. The dolphins and/or whales can be seen demonstrating natural behaviors such as dives, breaches and tail bobbing during presentations in the amphitheater during the Marine Mammal Presentations.