CultureCastINTELLIGENCE

Predictive Cultural Attraction & Crowd Engine

zoo aquariumEIN: 36-2167154 • Form 990 Filings

John G. Shedd Aquarium

Beluga Whales, Caribbean Reef & Wild Reef on Chicago’s Lakefront

1200 S DuSable Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Median Dwell: 2.8 hrs
Official Website
Bang-for-Buck Index
76.4/100
Rank #19 NationallyDedicated Crowd Forecast →
Beluga HabitatFree IL Resident DaysIconic Beaux-Arts Marble Rotunda
Adult Admission$39.95Child: $29.95
Net Endowment (990)$260.0M4.8x Annual Op Revenue
Annual Attendance1.9M4.6 ★ (39,500 reviews)
Philanthropic Subsidy$16.32 / visitUnderwritten by donors & trusts

Curatorial Scope & Collection Architecture

Shedd Aquarium is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world, holding 5 million gallons of water and 32,000 animals across vibrant aquatic habitats on Museum Campus.

Civic Free Days & Community Policy

Free Illinois resident discount days on select Tuesdays and evenings throughout winter/spring.

30-Day Forward Crowd Forecast

Predictive hourly density curves combining search intent, seasonal trends, and local mobility

Low Moderate Busy Peak
Tuesday, 2026-09-01Busy Density (85/100)

Recommended Entry Window: Before 11:00 AM or after 3:30 PM

Forecast StatusClear / Climate Controlled

Hourly Crowd Density Curve (10 AM – 5 PM)

34%
10 AM
64%
11 AM
81%
12 PM
85%
1 PM
78%
2 PM
68%
3 PM
47%
4 PM
26%
5 PM

Total Cost of Visit Calculator

Itemized expense simulation factoring admission tiers, concession markups, parking fees, and pass discounts.

2
1
0
0
Estimated Total Visit Outlay
$197.85for 3 people
Admission Tickets$109.85
Parking$25
Onsite Dining$63
Cost / Person:$66
Cost / Dwell Hour:$70.70/hr
💡 Cost Optimizer Tips

• Take advantage of Free Illinois resident discount days on select Tuesdays and evenings throughout winter/spring..

• Public transit or nearby garage apps save up to $13 on parking.

IRS Form 990 & Endowment Transparency

EIN: 36-2167154 • Fiscal Year 2024 Filings

501(c)(3) Verified
Endowment Size$260.0M4.8x Program Revenue
Philanthropy & Grants$31.0M36.0% Support Ratio
Admissions Revenue$54.0MOperating Gate Intake
Donor Subsidy / Visit$16.32Philanthropic Underwriting
Total Operating Expenses: $79.0MFiscal Surplus: $6.0M

Shedd Aquarium’s endowment covers approximately 39 months of operating overhead. Every visitor admission is offset by $16.32 in contributed donations, grants, and investment yields.

Institutional Elasticity & Gate Revenue Simulator

Empirical demand curve simulation calibrated to elasticity coefficient (-0.58)

Elasticity: -0.58
Modeled Adult Admission Ticket Price$44.95
Free ($0)Current: $39.95Premium ($90)
Price Adjustment
+12.5%
vs. $39.95 baseline
Projected Attendance
1.8M(-7.3%)
Annual Foot Traffic
Projected Net Gate Revenue
$79.2M(+$3.3M)
Annual Ticket Gross
Low Risk — Revenue Accretive

Minimal friction on philanthropic conversion pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions & Visit Logistics

How much does admission cost?

General adult admission is $39.95, children $29.95, and seniors $39.95.

Are there civic free days or discounts?

Free Illinois resident discount days on select Tuesdays and evenings throughout winter/spring.

How long should I plan to visit?

Mobility data indicates visitors spend a median dwell time of 2.8 hours to explore the full permanent collection and grounds.

What are the parking and dining options?

On-site garage/lot parking is approximately $25. Dining is serviced by Sodexo Live! / Soundings Cafe ($21/meal).

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