Shedd Aquarium: General Admission or Shedd Pass?
 

We're visiting family in Chicago in a couple of weeks and will have one day to spend as we like in the city, so we decided to go to the Shedd. We have a 13 month old who doesn't walk yet, so we have no interest in the Polar Play Zone, but the Abbott Oceanarium and Wild Reef aren't included in the General Admission...are they really worth the extra cost? $29 vs. $8 a person...I hesitate to drop $60 on something we might have to leave prematurely if the baby gets too fussy, but I also don't know when we'll be back... OTOH, Gen. Adm. isn't available in advance, so we'd have to wait in line. Ugh. Thoughts?

I would definitely go to the Oceanarium as the view you get of the pool extending into Lake Michigan is phenomenal and was my favorite part of the aquarium. I would say do that part first then backtrack to the other exhibits so that you will have done it, if you have to leave.

I agree with tchoiniere about the Oceanarium being well worth the (not inexpensive) admission.

And I might be excoriated by the anti child crowd, but I think the Shedd is one of those places that is busy enough and in many parts of it loud enough that you will be able to find a spot to console a fussy child. It's a struggle sometimes to travel with that age but, if were me as youi've described it, I'd go to the Shedd.