The Oklahoma Aquarium first opened its doors in May of 2003 and has been the top spot in Oklahoma for finding the largest number of aquatic creatures.
With over a thousand of these water creatures in over 100 exhibits, this aquarium is a must-see destination if you ask me.
Oklahoma has no shortage of underwater wildlife in its own lakes and rivers, and this aquarium hits the high mark in paying tribute to our very own native species.
Without further ado, Let’s jump into the article!
For more information on the Oklahoma Aquarium, you can check them out here.
Where is the Oklahoma Aquarium?
This aquatic museum is located outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma in the suburb of Jenks. A fast-growing community, Jenks, is beautifully situated between the Arkansas River and U.S. Route 75.
The town of Jenks is full of small-town charm outside of a big city. The town is known for its downtown shops including boutiques, fancy restaurants, and the Antiques and Arts district.
But the main tourist draw is the Aquarium.
Address: 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks, OK 74037
The Exhibits
The Oklahoma Aquarium is home to the world’s largest exhibit of bull sharks which you can explore in the unique, walk through tunnel.
In addition to the bull sharks, they also have an array of sea turtles, seahorses, and stingrays.
Interactive Exhibits
On Monday and Thursday afternoons at 1:30, you can take this experience up a notch or two by attending the feed shows.
The stingray feed is definitely worth the price of admission. Every time I visit, I walk away amazed on the amount of involvement and education that takes place.
They also have a hurricane simulator inside the aquarium that can mimic the force of 75 mph winds. Pretty cool if you ask me!
Opened in May of 2020, the Secret World of Octopus exhibit allows visitors to see a 360-degree view of a giant Pacific octopus in a large cylinder tank with a shipwreck structure. Again, pretty awesome stuff.
I also enjoyed in learning about Oklahoma’s native fish such as the alligator gar, channel catfish, and largemouth bass.
All in all, they have some exhibits that no one can touch on the cool factor.
Sensory Evenings
The Oklahoma Aquarium now offers sensory awarness evenings on the 1st Tuesday of every month.
If big crowds aren’t your thing, (they aren’t mine either) the provide low lights, quiet music, and you have a self-guided scavenger hunt for everyone that completes it.
This event is free with an Oklahoma Aquarium membership.
Free Monthly Events
I love the fact that the aquarium is community driven. Each month there are special events free for members. From holiday parties, food truck events, salsa tasting festivals, this aquarium has something for everyone throughout the year.
Thoughts & Takeaways
And that wraps things up for today. The Oklahoma aquarium is without a doubt a must-see attraction if you’re visiting the sooner state. With so many interactive exhibits and children programs that are offered throughout the year, there is no wonder why this place gets a lot of attention. I hope you get a chance to visit the aquarium soon. Please share your experiences at the Oklahoma Aquarium in the comment section below.
-CT