Chicago is home to a number of iconic landmarks, and is a highly popular tourist destination within America. The city contains numerous fine restaurants, theatres and boutiques, and offers more things to do than the average traveller has time for. However, the city has several attractions that must not be missed. The Shedd Aquarium is one of them.
The Shedd Aquarium (officially the John G Shedd Aquarium) is one of Chicago’s most treasured landmarks, receiving over two million visitors each year. A large indoor aquarium, it first opened its doors in 1930 and has continued to entertain and delight hordes of visitors each year. The aquarium contains over thirty thousand animals from over 1,500 different species including fish, birds, insects, snakes, mammals and amphibians. The aquarium has five permanent exhibits and it may take an entire day to visit them all. 
Amazon Rising recreates the Amazon River and the surrounding jungle. The exhibit contains close to 250 different species including anacondas, piranhas, crocodiles, and spiders. Built in 1971, the Caribbean Reef exhibit features a diver who interacts with both the visitors and the animals. Here visitors will get to see turtles, rays and even sharks. Waters of the World is an exhibit that introduces visitors to some of the most exotic denizens of the deep. From local rivers to the depths of the Pacific Ocean, the organisms that make up this exhibit come from all parts of the world. Visitors who want to catch close up views of sharks can do so at the Wild Reef exhibit, while one can look at dolphins and whales at the Abbot Oceanarium.
Information on ticket prices and opening hours are available on the aquarium’s website. As it is a prime attraction, one will not find much difficulty in getting there. The local public transport is efficient and can help tourists circumnavigate traffic. One can also cut down on travel time by staying at a chicago hotel Downtown. The Peninsula Chicago is a Chicago five star hotel located in the heart of the city, within easy distance of many popular tourist spots.