Discover Jenks: Aquarium, Riverwalk and Downtown Experiences

Jenks offers an unusual mix of aquatic life, riverfront, downtown culture and activities for different interests. The Oklahoma Aquarium, the paths along the Arkansas River, Main Street and special places such as the Jenks Planetarium give your trip several possible focal points. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Jenks, you can choose the location based on whether your days are to focus more on aquarium experiences, outdoor activity, shopping, art or events.

Oklahoma Aquarium and special family experiences

The Oklahoma Aquarium is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m. on Tuesdays. In the EcoZone, visitors can touch rays and small sharks. A notable highlight is the shark tunnel, which contains the world’s largest collection of bull sharks: Ten bull sharks swim above visitors, while three nurse sharks stay nearby. Those traveling with children will find an engaging opportunity here not only to look at marine worlds, but also to experience individual animals from close up.

The Jenks Casting Pond is located directly next to the Oklahoma Aquarium. Free public fishing lessons take place there every summer. These dates can be planned as a separate item on your itinerary if you want to combine a trip with nature experiences and practical activities.

Paths, riverfront and exercise

The Jenks Aquarium Trail runs along Aquarium Drive, 101st Street, from Elm Street to the pedestrian bridge near 96th and Riverside. The trail connects with the Tulsa River Parks and Creek Turnpike Trails systems. For planning your day, it is helpful to note the exact route and select the sections that suit your desired pace.

Veterans Park also offers various opportunities for active hours. The skate park covers 8,000 square feet and is suitable for skateboards, bicycles and scooters. Fishing is also permitted there as part of the "Close to Home" program. The Jenks Planetarium uses a 50-foot-high SciDome dome in high definition for its presentations. Topics include planets, stars, galaxies and Earth; the presentations last approximately 50 minutes.

Downtown, art and the Arkansas River

The center of Downtown Jenks is located on Main Street. Free street parking is available there. At the River City Trading Post, more than 300 independent dealers offer antiques, unique items and collectibles. The Mvskoke Waters Gallery is a tribal art gallery with changing exhibitions; it is free and open to the community.

RiverWalk Crossing is located on the west bank of the Arkansas River and is a mixed-use center on the riverfront. It is connected to the Tulsa Riverparks Trail System. The Jenks Riverwalk also has a children’s playground. This gives this part of Jenks a different travel focus from the planetarium or the downtown shops: You can include the riverfront, trails and time outdoors in your plans without dedicating the entire day exclusively to a single attraction.

Traditions and further travel ideas

Main Street hosts an annual tradition marking the start of the Christmas shopping season. This includes traditional carriage rides. If you visit Jenks at this time, this event adds a seasonal occasion to the places and offerings mentioned above. The South Lakes Golf Course, with its championship layout for golfers of different skill levels, provides another change of pace.

Choosing the right accommodation location in Jenks

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Jenks, it is worthwhile to first decide on your preferred travel style. Aquarium, planetarium, Riverwalk, fishing opportunities or the skate park call for different day plans. Therefore, check the location of each accommodation based on the destinations you actually want to visit, and plan aquarium days, downtown explorations and riverside activities at your own pace.

More places for your travel planning: Sand Springs, Owasso, Broken Arrow, Glenpool, Tulsa.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tulsa.