If it's been a while since you've visited the tropical fish, sharks, turtles and aquatic life at the Shedd Aquarium, you're in luck. For the rest of September, the Shedd is offering free admission to Illinois residents—including aquatic presentation, main galleries and the aquarium's latest special exhibit, "Underwater Beauty."
The Shedd isn't just waiving admission throughout September; it's also offering free access to its entire lineup of after-hours events during the month. On Mondays, guests can attend a Caribbean Flavors and Flair event, which serves a special menu of Caribbean-inspired cuisine. On Wednesdays, you can head outside to see live music at Jazzin’ at the Shedd, which features a lineup of Latin jazz performers throughout September. On Thursdays, the aquarium will host a House Party, featuring local DJs such as Jesse Saunders, Terry Hunter and Farley Jackmaster Funk mixing beats while guests enjoy beverages and snacks.
The Shedd's free admission days are always popular, but the aquarium is allowing guests to lock in their desired day by reserving free tickets through the institution's website. You'll pay a $3 transaction fee for the convenience, but it's probably worth the added cost if you have a specific date in mind for your visit.
While you're enjoying more than three weeks of gratis admission to the Shedd, don't forget about all of the other free museum days in Chicago.