Guide to the Oklahoma Aquarium
You might not think a prairie is the most natural place to mingle with sea creatures, but the Oklahoma Aquarium brings sharks and seahorses right to the edge of the Great Plains
In the Tulsa suburb of Jenks, the farthest oceans and nearest rivers come alive in meticulously crafted habitats and interactive exhibits. Soak up knowledge about jellyfish and piranhas while immersed in all the aquarium has to offer, all in the middle of the farmlands of Oklahoma.
Waterfront Paradise
To find the Oklahoma Aquarium, gravitate toward water. Its location along the Arkansas River puts you right in the heart of a local entertainment destination, the Tulsa Riverwalk. Just follow Aquarium Trail to finish off your day of admiring the sea life with a meal along the waterfront, a stop to shop or a summer evening concert. You don't need to leave the aquarium to get food, though—there's a cafe selling sandwiches and snacks. Don't forget to hit the gift shop to take a piece of it home with you; stock up on plush sea monsters and other fishy souvenirs. The aquarium is open every day except for Christmas.
Shark Haven
If you're glued to Discovery Channel during Shark Week, it's time to sink your teeth into more than a TV show. You've probably seen some of the Oklahoma Aquarium's famed bull sharks if you've watched Discovery's tribute to the fearsome sea creatures, but the aquarium boasts the biggest bull sharks in captivity and they regularly star in aquatic documentaries. The configuration of the shark tank is something to behold, with a walk-in tunnel that surrounds you (safely) by bull, tiger, lemon and nurse sharks.
Tout the Oceans
The vast collection of species at the Oklahoma Aquarium is carefully curated to take you on a journey from local streams to the most remote seas. Get to know your anemones and urchins at the invertebrate exhibit, and be mesmerized by jellyfish and seahorses at the Marvels and Mysteries area. You'll find fish with fantastic adaptive qualities in the Extreme Fishes exhibit, and be dazzled by the tropical palette of the Coral Reef. The EcoZone mimics aquatic habitats from around the world, while Aquatic Oklahoma and the Ozark Stream stay closer to home with river and lake dwellers of the Sooner State such as paddlefish and river otters.
Fun for the Small Fry
Feeding time at the aquarium provides entertainment for the kids as well as sustenance for the marine life. Check the schedule and drop in on a feeding to see a piranha get his snack, or watch a diver descend into the Coral Reef to ensure the Caribbean creatures get their fill. Kids can get in on the action by feeding turtles and petting stingrays or, in the Extreme Amazon exhibit, by crawling through pint-sized tunnels to peek through bubble viewing windows at fish and lizards. Before you go, download the Fish Tale template on the aquarium's website and let your 3- to 12-year-olds fill in the form with a colorful drawing or story to get half-price admission at the door.
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