If you’re searching for aquariums around Broken Arrow, the Oklahoma Aquarium is the main full-scale aquarium to consider for a family outing. One important detail: the aquarium is not in Broken Arrow itself. It is located at 300 Aquarium Drive in Jenks, south of Tulsa. Once there, you can explore bull sharks, sea turtles, Oklahoma aquatic species, touch experiences, feeding programs, and exhibits designed for both children and adults.
Quick Answer
If you’re looking for an aquarium near Broken Arrow, plan on driving to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks. It is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. most days and until 9 p.m. Tuesday. Highlights include Shark Adventure, Sea Turtle Island, scheduled touch experiences, animal feedings, and family education programs.
Key Takeaways
- The Oklahoma Aquarium is in Jenks, not Broken Arrow, but it is a practical Tulsa-area aquarium destination for Broken Arrow families.
- Current regular admission is $24.95 plus tax for adults and $19.95 plus tax for children ages 3–12; children 2 and younger enter free.
- The aquarium normally opens at 10 a.m., stays open until 6 p.m. most days, and remains open until 9 p.m. Tuesday.
- Shark Adventure, Sea Turtle Island, Extreme Amazon, feeding programs, and supervised touch experiences are among the major reasons to visit.
- Check the official schedule before leaving home because feedings, touch sessions, special events, and seasonal programs can change.
Explore the Oklahoma Aquarium Near Broken Arrow With Your Family
For families based in Broken Arrow, the Oklahoma Aquarium offers an indoor marine-life outing a short drive away in Jenks. The official address is 300 Aquarium Drive, Jenks, OK 74037. According to the aquarium’s current visitor information, parking is free, the facility is ground-level and wheelchair accessible, and the last admission is sold one hour before closing.
The aquarium combines marine habitats with freshwater species and animals native to the region. Popular areas include Extreme Amazon, Sea Turtle Island, Aquatic Oklahoma, Ozark Stream, and Shark Adventure. Families can also plan their route around scheduled feeds, dive presentations, and staffed touch experiences.
One of the aquarium’s signature attractions is Shark Adventure, which the Oklahoma Aquarium says contains the world’s largest collection of bull sharks in an aquarium.
Shark Adventure features a walk-through tunnel through a 380,000-gallon saltwater habitat. The aquarium currently identifies 10 bull sharks and three nurse sharks in the exhibit. It is an especially memorable stop for children who want to see large sharks swimming overhead rather than viewing them only from a standard tank window.
Seasonal and Special Events at the Oklahoma Aquarium
The aquarium hosts programs throughout the year, but event names, admission rules, and dates can change. Rather than planning around an older promotion, check the official Oklahoma Aquarium events page before your trip.
For 2026, verified programming includes recurring Sensory Nights, STEAM Nights, Homeschool Days, holiday activities, sleepover programs, and other special events. Some activities are included with regular admission or membership, while separate-ticket fundraising or special events may have different rules.
Seasonal Program Highlights
Families looking for educational activities can watch for STEAM Night, which combines aquarium exploration with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math projects. The aquarium’s 2026 schedule lists these programs on selected third Tuesdays of the month.
Sensory Nights are another recurring option. The aquarium schedules reduced-light, quieter evenings on the first Tuesday of many months, giving visitors who prefer a lower-stimulation environment another way to experience the exhibits.
Homeschool families can also watch for designated Homeschool Days. The aquarium lists specific 2026 dates and separate homeschool rates, so checking the official page before traveling is important.
Note: Membership does not automatically include every special event. Fundraisers and separately ticketed events may be excluded, so verify the admission terms for the event you want to attend.
Special Family Activities
Beyond seasonal programs, families can build a visit around the aquarium’s scheduled animal activities. The official feed and touch schedule includes animal feeds, dive presentations, and staffed touch-tank periods. The exact lineup varies by day.
The aquarium currently lists supervised stingray and shark touch-tank sessions along with moon jellyfish touch sessions at selected times. Feeding presentations may involve animals such as sharks, beavers, otters, sea-turtle exhibit fish, electric eels, piranhas, and other species depending on the day.
How to Plan Your Aquarium Visit
A little planning can make your aquarium day easier, especially if you are driving from Broken Arrow. Check operating hours, ticket prices, feeding times, and the event calendar before leaving. This also helps you avoid arriving after the final admission time or missing a presentation your family wants to see.
Best Times to Visit
The aquarium currently opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The last admission is one hour before closing. It is normally closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, with reduced Christmas Eve hours.
The aquarium identifies approximately 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as its busiest part of the day. If you prefer fewer people around popular viewing windows, arriving near opening or visiting later in the afternoon can help.
Pro Tip: Check the feeding schedule before choosing your arrival time. A quieter visit near opening may be appealing, but arriving later may line up better with a shark feed, touch session, or dive presentation you want to see.
Ticket Purchase Options
According to the aquarium’s current ticket page, regular admission is $24.95 plus tax for adults and $19.95 plus tax for children ages 3–12. Children ages 0–2 enter free.
Current senior admission for visitors age 62 and older is $19.95 plus tax, and military admission with valid ID is also $19.95 plus tax. Group discounts are available for qualifying groups of 20 or more when arranged in advance.
You can purchase admission through the official aquarium website. Because pricing and promotions can change, confirm the current total before making your trip.
Must-See Exhibits List
Shark Adventure is the aquarium’s signature exhibit and should be high on your list. The walk-through tunnel gives you views of bull sharks and nurse sharks swimming above and alongside visitors.
At Sea Turtle Island, visitors can see a large loggerhead sea turtle, reef sharks, tropical fish, and viewing areas that provide different perspectives on the habitat.
Extreme Amazon introduces visitors to aquatic life associated with the Amazon region, while Aquatic Oklahoma and Ozark Stream bring the focus closer to home. Together, these exhibits make the visit more varied than simply moving from one saltwater fish tank to another.
What to Do Nearby After Visiting the Aquarium?
Because the aquarium is in Jenks, attractions mentioned in a Broken Arrow itinerary are not all within walking distance of one another. Think of them as possible additions to a wider Tulsa-metro day rather than attractions sitting next door to the aquarium.
If your family wants more hands-on learning, Discovery Lab in Tulsa offers interactive experiences centered on making, designing, experimenting, and exploring.
For outdoor time, Gathering Place in Tulsa offers playgrounds, trails, lawns, gardens, sports areas, and Williams Lodge. The lodge includes restrooms, indoor lounge areas, and a café.
If you are returning toward Broken Arrow, Haikey Creek Park is another option. Tulsa County lists a walking trail, picnic pavilions, a disc-golf course, and other outdoor facilities there.
Back in central Broken Arrow, the Rose District is a better choice for shopping, restaurants, public art, and a walk through the city’s downtown area.
Adults interested in local craft beer can also consider Broken Arrow Brewing Company, a Broken Arrow microbrewery and taproom located in a historic former ice-plant and power-company building.
Interactive Exhibits That Spark Curiosity
The Oklahoma Aquarium offers more than passive tank viewing. Scheduled touch experiences give visitors opportunities to interact with selected animals under staff supervision, while feeding sessions help children see how different species behave at mealtime.
The current schedule includes staffed sessions involving stingrays, sharks, and moon jellyfish. Availability is time-specific, so arriving at a touch area outside its staffed period does not guarantee that touching will be allowed.
Families can also learn through exhibit signage, educational programs, animal presentations, and environments such as Extreme Amazon, Shark Adventure, Aquatic Oklahoma, and Sea Turtle Island.
If you have heard about an Aqua Play system in Broken Arrow, that belongs to Nienhuis Aquatic Facility, not the Oklahoma Aquarium. Nienhuis is a separate seasonal swimming attraction operated by the City of Broken Arrow, with slides, a wading pool, and an Aqua Play area.
Fun Activities for Kids and Adults at the Aquarium
Families can make the day more engaging by choosing a few specific experiences instead of rushing through every gallery. Start with Shark Adventure, then check the daily schedule for a touch session or feeding before visiting Sea Turtle Island and the freshwater exhibits.
Children who enjoy animals may be especially interested in watching keepers feed or care for different species. Adults can spend more time with the conservation information and details about how animals are adapted to their environments.
The aquarium also lists additional experiences such as animal encounters and tours, a carousel, virtual-reality activities, and other attractions. Availability and extra charges can vary, so check the current visitor information when planning your day.
For families interested in structured learning, programs such as STEAM Night, Sensory Nights, field trips, homeschool activities, and seasonal events can give you a reason to return rather than trying to see everything in one visit.
Capture Your Memories: Photography Tips at the Aquarium
You can take personal photos and videos at the Oklahoma Aquarium, but aquarium rules matter when you are photographing animals through glass.
- Avoid flash: The aquarium prohibits flash where posted. Turning it off also reduces bright reflections from aquarium glass.
- Shoot straight through the glass: Keeping your camera or phone as close to perpendicular to the viewing window as practical can reduce reflections and distortion.
- Use a faster shutter speed: Fish and sharks rarely stay still, so a faster shutter can help reduce motion blur.
- Increase ISO when necessary: Aquarium exhibits can be dark. A modest ISO increase can help you keep a faster shutter speed without using flash.
- Wait for the animal: Instead of chasing a moving shark along the tunnel, choose a good viewpoint and wait for it to enter the frame.
- Respect other visitors: Do not block narrow viewing areas or prevent children and other guests from approaching the glass.
The aquarium also prohibits visitors from shining flashlights into tanks. Personal photography and video are allowed, while commercial use of images or video requires written consent from the Oklahoma Aquarium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Oklahoma Aquarium in Broken Arrow?
No. The Oklahoma Aquarium is located at 300 Aquarium Drive in Jenks, Oklahoma. It is a Tulsa-area attraction that Broken Arrow families can visit by car.
How much does the Oklahoma Aquarium cost?
Current regular admission is $24.95 plus tax for adults and $19.95 plus tax for children ages 3–12. Children ages 0–2 are free. Seniors age 62 and older and military guests with valid ID currently pay $19.95 plus tax.
What are the Oklahoma Aquarium hours?
The aquarium currently opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. The last admission is one hour before closing. Holiday hours can differ.
Can kids touch animals at the Oklahoma Aquarium?
The aquarium schedules supervised touch experiences involving selected animals, including stingrays, sharks, and moon jellyfish. Touching is only available during designated staffed periods, so check the daily schedule first.
What to Do in Broken Arrow, OK for Adults?
After an aquarium trip, adults can return to Broken Arrow for restaurants, shops, public art, and entertainment in the Rose District. Broken Arrow Brewing Company is another local option for adults interested in a craft-beer taproom.
What to Do With Kids in Broken Arrow?
Broken Arrow families can combine an Oklahoma Aquarium trip in Jenks with local activities such as Haikey Creek Park, the Rose District, city parks, or seasonal swimming at Nienhuis Aquatic Facility. Check operating schedules before visiting seasonal attractions.
What Is Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Famous For?
Broken Arrow is known for its revitalized Rose District, local restaurants and shops, community events, parks, and family attractions. The Oklahoma Aquarium is often included in wider Tulsa-area itineraries, but it is physically located in Jenks.
What to Do in Broken Arrow Tonight?
For an evening in Broken Arrow, check current Rose District dining and event listings, local performance schedules, and brewery or restaurant events. Because nightly programming changes, verify the date and hours before leaving home.
Conclusion
If you live in or are visiting Broken Arrow, the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks is one of the strongest nearby options for a dedicated aquarium day. Plan around Shark Adventure, Sea Turtle Island, touch sessions, and animal feeds, and check the official calendar if you want to pair your visit with a STEAM, sensory, homeschool, or seasonal program. Confirm current hours and admission before leaving, then add a Tulsa or Broken Arrow stop if you want to turn the aquarium visit into a full-day outing.
Sources
- Oklahoma Aquarium — Location, Parking & Hours — address, hours, parking, visitor rules, and last-admission information.
- Oklahoma Aquarium — Tickets — current adult, child, military, senior, and group admission information.
- Oklahoma Aquarium — Animals & Exhibits — current exhibit descriptions including Sea Turtle Island and Shark Adventure.
- Oklahoma Aquarium — Feed Schedule & Map — feeding, dive-show, and touch-tank schedules.
- Oklahoma Aquarium — Events — official special-event and recurring-program information.
- City of Broken Arrow — Aquatics — Nienhuis Aquatic Facility information and confirmation that its Aqua Play area is a separate Broken Arrow attraction.
