"Stingray Touch"

For some, the big shocker of this seasonal exhibit may be that stingrays, despite the intimidating name, are actually safe to touch. The close encounters happen under a tented outdoor structure, in a new 18,000-gallon pool inhabited by a few dozen cownose and yellow rays gliding through the water. Aquarium staff members lead a 15-minute "touch experience" while reassuring you that the Shedd's health team painlessly trimmed the winged animals' predatory defense barbs.