If you love exploring nature and its incredible beauty, Shedd Aquarium is one of the best places to visit in Chicago. But in order to explore the aquarium and see its animals you need without worrying about your luggage, You need to find out a place to store them instead of lugging them behind or carrying them on your shoulder.
But in case you’re in a situation where you still need help with storing your luggage before entering Shedd Aquarium then this guide is just for you. Throughout this detailed guide, we will tell you about the methods that you can use to store your luggage near Shedd Aquarium. And we will be also sharing more information about the aquarium and its surroundings along with finding a safe place for your luggage.
But before we start searching for a storage facility near Shedd Aquarium, let’s get to know this well-known aquarium in Chicago.
About Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium is an indoor public aquarium in Chicago, It’s an amazing attraction for both kids and adults. Formally known as John G. Shedd Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium does host about 32,000 animals. Opened in 1930, Shedd Aquarium is considered one of the largest indoor aquariums with a large permanent saltwater fish collection. It hosts around 2.5 million visitors every year. It is one of the most visited aquariums in the U.S. as well as in the world today. It sometimes surpasses the Field Museum as well as other popular cultural attractions in Chicago.
Shedd Aquarium is located on Lake Michigan, on the Museum Campus Chicago, along with the Field Museum of Natural History. And it’s accessible from many points in the city in the area of Chicago Downtown. The collection of Shedd Aquarium contains nearly 1500 species of marine animals including fishes, snakes, amphibians, birds, insects, and more. Shedd Aquarium was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
Visiting the aquarium will take you the life underwater, and if you’re in Chicago visiting Shedd Aquarium isn’t only among the best activities but it’s also recommended. What’s more recommended is, You leave your luggage and backpacks somewhere before visiting this incredible attraction.
Where to Store Luggage near Shedd Aquarium?
Are you wondering where you can find luggage storage or a cloakroom near Shedd Aquarium? Well, there isn’t any good news for you. Shedd Aquarium doesn’t offer any storage facility where you can store large-size luggage & trolleys but You will have a locker inside where you can store your belongings such as coats, suitcases, small backpacks, and more. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago offers an electronic locker system with The Locker network for the safety of your important items while you’re exploring the aquarium.
But to store luggage, you can use another different option which is affordable yet very helpful. And yes, we are talking about Airbnb-inspired companies that offer luggage storage online in the same way that Airbnb offers properties. It’s very easy to find their bags-drop locations and store luggage on your own.
There are a few well-known brands including BagsAway, Stasher, and NannyBag who are working on luggage storage, and they are capable of handling your luggage very seamlessly. There are several big advantages over the traditional method of storing luggage, it offers flexibility in duration, flexibility in pricing, and flexibility in locations. Once you store your luggage, you will be able to explore things you intend, and you can also save your holiday from getting ruined by dragging your luggage.
What’s the cost of Luggage Storage near Shedd Aquarium Chicago
Now the question you’re waiting to be answered ‘How much does it cost to store luggage in or near Shedd Aquarium?’ is here. Well, there isn’t any fixed cost for storing luggage and your personal items. And whether you choose to store your belongings and small items inside the aquarium or not, it is obvious that you can’t take that heavy backpack inside which you have. And coming to the answer to your original question about the charges for luggage storage, If you’re traveling by train you can leave your luggage at Union Station’s luggage parcel offered by Amtrak which costs around $20 in most cases. But one can save $10 if he/she has a ticket for the Amtrak train.
You can expect a higher rate for luggage storage in Chicago if you are choosing a locker anywhere, but the storage companies we just mentioned are completely different, they don’t charge as much as a hotel or station locker does. You can get your bags stored at an affordable cost of $1.5/hour or $6-10 a day. It depends on how long you’re willing to store your luggage, If you are choosing for even a longer term you may get a discount that makes this pricing even more effective. There isn’t any specific company to recommend but most of them have similar pricing options for the luggage storage service.
More Details About Shedd Aquarium
Location: 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois
Opening Hours: 09:00 AM – 06:00 AM
Parking: Many parking options are available, Online booking is also available
Disabled Access: Available
Contact: 312-939-2438
More Info: Visit sheddaquarium.org
Lost & Found: There are lockers with very limited space inside the aquarium but there are not enough details mentioned about the lost and found support for visitors. In case you need support on something you lost you may contact at the same contact number or directly to Shedd Aquarium’s email for a solution.
What to expect at Shedd Aquarium?
There are a lot of things to expect in this Chicago Attraction, it offers something fun to do for everyone. You can visit the Shedd dolphins, penguins, beluga whales, and lake Michigan fish or you can experience the aquatic show on the 4D screen available inside the aquarium. It is a full day of fun and adventure with more than 32,000 lovely animals. This attraction is all about experiencing underwater beauty. And you can enjoy exhibits of the aquarium namely the Caribbean Reef, Waters of the Worlds, Amazon Rising, Abbott Oceanarium, and the Wild Reef.
The aquarium has received many awards for being the “best exhibit” from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in so many categories. If you are exploring Chicago as an international tourist this attraction is a must-visit.
There aren’t many options for food inside the Museum Campus in Chicago, so It’s always a better idea to carry some food that you can take in between your tour of the aquarium. But you may find some food stores outside the attraction. Paid parking is available in different places inside the Museum Campus, there are several parking lots and you can check charges online. There are several sitting areas that are accessible, and other facilities such as offline ticket counters, public toilets, and wheelchairs for disabled visitors are available inside Shedd Aquarium Chicago.
Best Places to Stay near the aquarium
We as travelers always prefer accessibility over other things while traveling. And If you want easy access to Chicago museums, especially in places like Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum then you may need a hotel near the attraction to keep your trip going as you’ve planned. And booking a hotel is also very useful if you’re having trouble finding a safe place to store luggage. Not all hotels but most of the hotels do offer a dedicated facility to store extra items for their guests, they even allow normal-size luggage in your room. Because it’s among the best options here are some of the affordable hotels we’ve found in Chicago.
Travelodge Chicago by Wyndham
A very affordable hotel that offers a very comfortable stay in Downtown Chicago, Located 1km away from Shedd Aquarium and Museum Campus. The hotel serves regional favorites foods for breakfast and lunch, and Navy Pier and the Magnificent Mile are both a 10-minute drive away from the hotel. It also offers easy access to O’Hare International Airport with airport shuttle and other transportation options. Most importantly, it has dedicated luggage storage for guests.
Best Western Grant Park Hotel
Do you want an amazing view of grant park when looking from the Window, or a hotel close to Shedd Aquarium and other museums in Chicago Downtown? This hotel does offer all of these things, it’s less than a kilometer from the Shedd Aquarium. And within walking distance, there are several other popular Chicago attractions. This hotel features an on-site restaurant and comfortable guest rooms with free WiFi. This is another great yet affordable hotel that allows guests with luggage inside.
HI Chicago Hostel
Are you still looking for a much more affordable stay in Downtown Chicago near Shedd Aquarium? Well, we got you because just to store luggage you don’t have to pay a rate that is a hundred times the luggage storage price. And this hostel is the best option in this situation. It features a pool, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning in rooms. A 3-minute walk from Harrison subway station, this trendy hostel in The Loop is a 9-minute stroll from Grant Park. it costs around $60-80 per night per person.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Where can I store luggage near Shedd Aquarium?
Chicago Shedd Aquarium doesn’t have a left-luggage facility where you can store your luggage or backpacks. But you can use storage companies such as BagsAway, Stasher, Bounce, or any other to store luggage. Another alternative could be the luggage parcel available at the Union Station railway terminal.
Are there lockers at Shedd Aquarium?
There are lockers but lockers are very limited in space, Standard-sized lockers are 10” high x 11” wide x 19” deep and family-sized lockers are 16” high x 11” wide x 19” deep.
Are bag checks required?
All guests and their personal items (bags, suitcases, etc.) must pass through the touchless security screening system at the aquarium entrance. Due to security reasons you also need to go through the security checks for your personal items.
How far is Shedd Aquarium from Union Station Chicago?
Shedd Aquarium is located at a distance of 4.2 miles from Union Station and it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach the station from Shedd Aquarium, there are several transportation options including subway, buses, taxis, and car rentals.