An aquarium visit soothes the soul with visions of ambling fish and bubbling tanks that call to mind the gestation pods in which all human life begins. Come full circle with today’s Groupon to Shedd Aquarium. Choose between the following options:

• For $25, you get one admission to a behind-the-scenes tour on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., or 3 p.m. (up to a $49.95 value).
• For $32, you get one admission to a penguin encounter, held on Saturdays and Sundays (up to a $59.95 value).
  
  

Both activities are subject to availability—call 10 days ahead to schedule your penguin encounter or behind-the-scenes tour. All encounters and tours must be booked by March 15, and must take place by May 31.

Shedd Aquarium, one of the world’s leading aquariums, houses scores of undersea creatures, from sharks and dolphins to vibrant sea cucumbers, in educational, eye-catching exhibits. During 50-minute behind-the-scenes tours, Maritime masters lead guests through the animal-healthcare center, offering up information on preventative healthcare and nutrition programs. Visitors then sneak behind galleries to get a rare view of the animals. Alternatively, during Shedd’s new 30-minute penguin encounter, a knowledgeable staff member introduces up to 10 guests to an affable penguin who rewards every 1,000th guest with a silver penguin egg. Visitors are encouraged to pet the penguin’s sleek feathers before posing with the birds for a complimentary 4”x6” photograph.

Both of today’s Groupon options grant admission to Shedd staples, including the Oceanarium, Wild Reef, and Waters of the World exhibits. Encounter beluga whales and sea otters at the Oceanarium, or share a rueful chuckle at the dodo’s demise with the penguins at the Polar Play Zone. Crystalline invertebrates lacking blood, bones, and brains sway their tentacles with the languid grace of a lobotomized maestro in a limited-run exhibit, Jellies.