Explore aquatic animals at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium

Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium is consistently rated as one of the best American aquariums. Its award-winning status is partially based on its superb assortment of diverse animals, approximately 32,000. The entire collection is housed in a modern facility that caters to the needs of its inhabitants.

It is conveniently located near the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium and Soldier Field. Due to this location, one can tour one place in the morning and another in the afternoon.

Since the original building opened in 1930, the facility has expanded twice. These additions have allowed the aquarium to maintain its exemplary status and to drastically increase its marine inhabitants. Visitors will be overwhelmed by the assortment of species.

Unlike most aquariums that are adjacent to a saltwater ocean or sea, the Shedd Aquarium’s backyard is Lake Michigan. Despite this logistical shortcoming, the aquarium chose to become the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater exhibit.

After exiting the main lobby and entering the main part of the aquarium, visitors can explore various categories—rivers, islands and lakes, Great Lakes, oceans, Amazon, and amphibians. Slightly off the beaten track, one can find the Wild Reef, Abbott Oceanarium and the Polar Play Zone that includes an underwater viewing area. The clear signage provides few chances to get lost. A colorful map can help you locate specific places of interest.

Animal lovers will be thrilled with the enormous selection of animals that inhabit Earth’s waters and the tidbits of information that are included in the visual displays. Nature photographers should be ready for nonstop action. Young and old will find their favorite animals and gawk at the rare and unfamiliar.

Before you go

Check out the Shedd Aquarium’s website and consider buying your tickets online. Be aware that there are less options available online. One option allows you to receive a discount if you purchase at least a day in advance while a pricier selection avoids the ticket line that may on some days stretch outside.

Out-of-town visitors may also be able to get hotel packages that include tickets to the Shedd Aquarium as well as other Chicago attractions.

If you’re traveling with kids, look over the Ten Fund Finds maps and decide if you want your aquarium visit to have a special theme.

A CityPASS can in some instances be beneficial. The pass includes visits to the Shedd Aquarium, the Skydeck Chicago, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the 360 Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Nearby parking garages charge a significant fee. It is best to avoid days when the Chicago Bears are playing at next-door Soldier Field.

Do you enjoy travel articles? To receive email alerts when new travel articles are available, click on the “subscribe” button above.

Explore aquatic animals at Chicago"s Shedd Aquarium

Locals explore York County water features, music, art during Pond Experience

The event Saturday drew hundreds of people and raised funds for the Pennsylvania Arts Experience.

By Erin McCracken

emccracken@ydr.com @FlipSidePA on Twitter

A pair of koi fish swim alongside lily pads in The Pond Experience’s Portrait of Paradise stop on Barshinger Avenue in York Township on Saturday. Nine different properties, from Hellam to Jacobus, opened up for The Pond Experience, a self-guided tour event featuring various backyard ponds and water features. (Chris Dunn — Daily Record/Sunday News)

Harrisburg artist Steve Wetzel uses oil paints to depict a scene at The Pond Experience’s Monarch’s Resort stop on Ironstone Hill Road in York Township on Saturday. (Chris Dunn — Daily Record/Sunday News)

Last year, Jeri Barnes’ Dover Township home was part of The Pond Experience — a self-guided tour of local ponds. This year, she said she wanted to visit other ponds.

Her first stop during the event Saturday was the courtyard next to York’s Central Market. She admired the new water feature — a small spring flowing between rocks, pebbles and plants.

Splash Supply Co. hosted the tour, which is in its second year. Sales associate James Pontz said about 300 people participated in 2013, and he expected a larger crowd Saturday.

Last year, he received lots of positive feedback, but some people couldn’t finish the tour. This year, he made it smaller, with nine stops centralized in York and along Route 83. Most offered samples from local businesses, live music and artists in action.

Jack Gettys and his wife, Linda, recently expanded their backyard oasis, tucked a few hundred yards from South Queen Street in York Township.

Gettys sold his Harley to finance recent projects, including a bog, waterfall, native plant area and bee hives. The couple’s koi pond now holds 4,500 gallons.

He started the pond eight years ago and has since joined the staff at Slash Supply Co.

On Saturday, several dozen folks filtered through the Gettys’ backyard area, which is shaded by a large Norway maple tree. Two local artists set up easels to paint the scene. An Aloha Snow truck served cool treats in the driveway.

Over in Spring Garden Township, York College business professors Chris and Mary Meisenhelter welcomed guests along the tour. The two began plotting their pond about a decade ago. It started as a flower bed and plastic tub. It now takes up most of their backyard. This year, they made the pond deeper and added another waterfall.

Mary noticed a survey on the National Wildlife Federation website and completed questions about the pond’s features. It’s now a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Peggy Grossi of Springettsbury Township gets ready to take a picture of the water feature in Marketview Arts in York as part of the The Pond Experience on Saturday. (Chris Dunn — Daily Record/Sunday News)

Herons, deer, foxes and owls have visited the yard, Chris said. As of 1 p.m. Saturday, he said about 150 Pond Experience participants had stopped by.

Singer and guitarist Jef Woodall performed classic rock hits. Artists Robert Patierno and Janette Toth-Musser painted the pond scape. Both are members of the Pennsylvania Arts Experience, an organization that promotes visual art in the region. Proceeds from The Pond Experience will go to the PAE.

Toth-Musser spritzed her acrylic paint to keep it from hardening in the hot sun.

Patierno detailed his watercolors with ink, which dries quickly. He said he drew inspiration from the foot traffic, bubbling water and darting fish.

Contact Erin McCracken at 717-771-2051.

Locals explore York County water features, music, art during Pond Experience