Welcome to the Academy of Sciences' Steinhart Aquarium. Although the majority of the ocean is still unexplored and unexplained, the Steinhart Aquarium opens up a small window of the Ocean's biodiversity through interactive aquariums containing up to 900 species!
I remembered the Steinhart Aquarium quite differently as a child. It was incredible back then, but nothing like it is today. The Steinhart Aquarium was first opened in 1923, but in 2005, the Academy of Sciences started renovations and was completed in 2008. So what you see today is the more modern version of what it was like back then.
The Steinhart Aquarium is made up of a clutter of different exhibits, but they are all tied together due to one common denominator, which is, they all have aquatic life in each ecosystem.
The Steinbeck Aquarium presents to you the amazing four-story Rainforest of the World. This is a one of a kind exhibit, where you get to be transported to four different rainforests from four corners of the world! One thing they have in common? The humidity!
In this Aquarium, you also get to meet Cluade, one of the rare albino alligators in the world. He is located in "The Swamp" with his Alligator Snapping Turtle friends.
You also get to experience a little bit of Africa in the Tusher African Hall, where there are displays of the animals that roam the African plains (don't worry, these animals are not alive, but I believe they once were). So what makes this related to the ocean? Well at the end of the hall you are able to experience the African Penguins (these one are alive). The Academy of Sciences has recreated their home that is modeled after South Africa's Boulder Beach, where these penguins can be found.
My favorite experience is the Philippines Coral Reef exhibit. This exhibit is 25ft deep, making it the deepest exhibit of live coral in the world, and you get to experience this through a glass window that stretches across the room from ceiling to floor!
There are a lot more to see at Steinhart Aquarium. A lot more! I just listed a few of my favorites. These exhibits (minus part of the Rainforest) is located on the lower floors of the Academy of Sciences. There you will learn some of the mysteries the ocean keeps under its waters, and you will learn the importance and the critical role ocean life plays on our Earth.
Happy Wandering, Alice.
Great place, wonderful food with modern ambiance and comfortable seating with plenty of room. It is now probably one of the best Chicago event venues in my list. Perfect food, great decor and vibrant atmosphere.
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