Oak Ridge TennesseeATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
1. American Museum of Science & Energy
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE DISCOVERY
The American Museum of Science & Energy showcases the history of Oak Ridge's pivotal role in the Manhattan Project through interactive exhibits and multimedia presentations. Visitors can explore hands-on displays about nuclear energy and scientific advancements that shaped America's history. The museum offers an educational experience suitable for all ages, highlighting the intersection of science, history, and innovation.
2. K-25 History Center
MANHATTAN PROJECT LEGACY
The K-25 History Center preserves the story of the once-classified uranium enrichment facility that played a crucial role in the Manhattan Project. The center features original artifacts and innovative 'Top Secret' interactive key cards that bring wartime industrial history to life. Set among original guard posts, the museum offers visitors insight into both atomic science and daily life during this secretive wartime operation.
3. Children's Museum of Oak Ridge
EDUCATIONAL FAMILY FUN
The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge provides engaging, hands-on learning experiences designed specifically for young explorers. The museum features interactive exhibits covering science, history, arts, and culture in ways that captivate children's imagination. Families can spend hours discovering together in this educational environment that makes learning enjoyable and accessible.
4. Manhattan Project National Historical Park
AMERICA'S ATOMIC HERITAGE
The Manhattan Project National Historical Park preserves sites where scientists and workers developed the world's first atomic weapons during World War II. Visitors can explore facilities, homes, and landscapes that were once part of the top-secret city built specifically for this massive wartime undertaking. The park's information desk provides orientation to this pivotal moment in history where science, warfare, and American ingenuity converged.
5. Haw Ridge Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Haw Ridge Park offers over 780 acres of outdoor recreation space featuring miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and nature exploration. The park's peninsula setting provides beautiful water views along Melton Hill Lake, creating a scenic backdrop for outdoor adventures. Nature enthusiasts appreciate the diverse ecosystems and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout this well-maintained natural area.
6. Melton Lake Greenway
SCENIC WATERFRONT TRAIL
Melton Lake Greenway provides a picturesque paved pathway extending along the shoreline of Melton Hill Lake. The trail offers stunning water views, shaded sections, and access points to observe rowing competitions on this internationally recognized rowing venue. Visitors enjoy walking, jogging, cycling, and wildlife watching along this well-maintained recreational corridor.
7. Oak Ridge Playhouse
COMMUNITY THEATER EXCELLENCE
The Oak Ridge Playhouse has been entertaining audiences with high-quality theatrical productions since 1943, making it one of Tennessee's oldest continuously operating theaters. The intimate venue presents a diverse season of plays, musicals, and youth productions featuring talented local performers. Theater enthusiasts appreciate the professional-caliber productions in this historic community arts institution.
8. International Friendship Bell
PEACE AND UNITY SYMBOL
The International Friendship Bell is an 8,000-pound bronze bell that symbolizes the peace and friendship between Japan and the United States following World War II. Housed in a striking pavilion in A.K. Bissell Park, this remarkable bell features inscriptions and decorative elements representing both Japanese and American cultures. The bell stands as a powerful reminder of reconciliation and serves as a popular gathering spot for reflection and cultural appreciation.
9. A.K. Bissell Park
CENTRAL COMMUNITY GREENSPACE
A.K. Bissell Park spans 38 acres in the heart of Oak Ridge, featuring a paved 1.25-mile loop trail perfect for walking and jogging. The park includes picnic shelters, a performance pavilion, and serves as home to the International Friendship Bell. Visitors and residents alike enjoy this central greenspace for recreation, community events, and outdoor gatherings throughout the year.
10. 5th and 9 Axe Lounge
COMPETITIVE AXE THROWING
5th and 9 Axe Lounge offers a unique recreational experience centered around the increasingly popular sport of axe throwing. The facility provides a family-friendly environment where visitors can learn proper throwing techniques under expert guidance. Groups and individuals enjoy this distinctive activity that combines skill development with friendly competition in a controlled setting.
11. Adventures Outdoors
WATER & TRAIL RECREATION
Adventures Outdoors provides equipment rentals for exploring Oak Ridge's beautiful natural landscapes by water and land. Visitors can rent kayaks, paddleboards, and bicycles to experience the region's lakes and trails from new perspectives. The company focuses on promoting health, fitness, and outdoor appreciation through accessible recreational activities for all skill levels.
12. Alexander Inn Guest House
HISTORIC MANHATTAN PROJECT LODGING
The Alexander Inn Guest House, originally built during the Manhattan Project to accommodate official visitors to the secret facility, now stands as a preserved historic landmark. This structure, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers visitors a glimpse into the accommodations provided for scientists, military officials, and government representatives during the development of the atomic bomb. The building's restoration preserves an important piece of Oak Ridge's unique wartime heritage and architectural history.
13. Secret City Commemorative Walk
MANHATTAN PROJECT MEMORIAL
The Secret City Commemorative Walk honors the thousands of individuals who lived and worked in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project. The walkway features bronze plaques, informational displays, and artistic elements that tell the story of the city's rapid development and the contributions of its wartime residents. Visitors gain insight into daily life in a classified community that fundamentally changed world history through its scientific achievements.
14. Oak Ridge National Laboratory
WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH FACILITY
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a premier scientific research facility that evolved from its Manhattan Project origins into a multidisciplinary center for cutting-edge innovation. The laboratory conducts groundbreaking work in energy, advanced materials, computing, national security, and biological sciences. Visitors can occasionally tour portions of this facility to learn about its contributions to solving global challenges through scientific discovery and technological development.
15. UT Arboretum
BOTANICAL EDUCATION CENTER
The UT Arboretum encompasses protected woodlands with diverse walking trails ranging from easy to moderately challenging terrain. Managed by the University of Tennessee, this living laboratory showcases native plant species, specialized gardens, and natural forest ecosystems. Visitors particularly enjoy seasonal displays including spring wildflowers, summer foliage, fall colors, and the peaceful winter landscape throughout the year.