Everyone says to visit the Monterey Aquarium. We have a wonderful one here in Chicago. Anyone know how they compare?

Dot-although the Monterey Aquarium is great.......hands down,its the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago!The Monterey is located on the oceans edge and is a wonderful place to visit but to compare the two is really apples and oranges. They have a great outside tidal pool area,are very active in sea otter rescue,etc.
The Shedd Aquarium is the largest facility in the USA,is multifaceted on different aspects of the ocean and is gorgeous inside and out. I think anyone who has ever been to the Oceanarium at the Shedd with the view of Lake Michigan beyond the windows would agree on how incredible it is.The Shedd is very geared to education and learning about the oceans around us in a way that you do not realize you are learning! Next year when the new Asian coral reef opens-you will really be impressed. The Carribean coral reef at the Shedd is presently the largest coral reef around.(To experience the diver feeding the fish in a 360 degree tank with the narration is incredible.)It is a magical place so if you are coming to Chicago-plan on a visit. It is definitely NOT another fish place.....and no ,I do not work there!

Who cares which is "best"? They are in different parts of the country and if one admires aquariums, and travels, I'm sure they would like to see any within proximity. I get really tired of the superlative crap on this site. Most ratings are subjective and almost every location has something to offer. Only a dolt with no sense of exploration takes another's endorsement of "better" carte blanche all the time. I don't mean to diminish your review, Debbie; this is just my little tirade.

I've been to both and was impressed with both. They each have a unique spin on presentation, but to be honest, the aquarium at Monterey was one in a million in terms of uniqueness. Being set on the coast as well made it very enjoyable as well.

I've been to both and I think Monterey is quite a bit better. Shedd is considered the "largest" primarily because of the massive oceanarium, which is mostly devoid of any sealife except for a couple of whales.

Your mileage may vary.

The Monterey Aquarium is worth it for the jelly fish display alone - plus it features a lot of sealife that is native to the deep trenches in the nearby pacific, which you won't find in Chicago...

I have been to both and I must say I prefer the Monterey Aquarium. It is much less crowded and feels more spacious. The new speical exhibits at Shedd are corwded and you can't really stop and be mesmorized with everyone craning to get a good view. I did like the belugas at Shedd, but I missed the touch pools found at other Aquariums.

I've been to both as well. The Monterey Aquarium focuses on life in the various parts of Monterey Bay and beyond. The new jelly fish exhibit just opened this spring for those planning to go again. It is apples and oranges because the two environments are so different. If you like aquariums, you like both. If you love the sea otters, as we do, Monterey is tops. And I also find these comparison questions worthless----which is better. That's purely subjective and just gets a lot of sniping.

I have been to both (I also live in Chicago). I recommend going to the Monterey Aquarium. My teenage daughters love it as well as I did!