10 Best Things To Do In Oak Ridge, Tennessee

1. Explore the innovations of science in the American Museum of Science and Energy

View the merger of science and history as you witness the technical wonders of the famous Manhattan Project in the region. A variety of exhibits provides the chance for hands-on learning about nuclear energy. Video presentations, self-directed activities, visual demonstrations, and other such activities enable you to understand how science is applied to real-world situations. The museum contains several interesting exhibits - the celebrated Van de Graff’s generator, the earth’s energy resources, a restored original flat-top house from the 1940s, and more, entertaining visitors of all ages.

American Museum of Science and Energy

Address: 115 E Main St, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: American Museum of Science and Energy

Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 1pm - 5pm; Tue - Thu: 9am - 5pm; Fri: 9am - 8pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm

Price: 8 USD (Adults), 5 USD (Youth, Seniors, Active Military Personnel, & Students with ID), Entry free for children ages 5 and under.

2. Bring your kids to the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

Children and adults alike will enjoy the interactive exhibits that breathe life into classroom lessons. Over 20,000 artifacts display various aspects of the region’s history and culture, as well as help visitors to gain knowledge of geography and the environment. You can spend an afternoon experiencing the marvels of a rainforest. Children can enjoy exploring a life-size dolls’ house or whet their curiosity about locomotives at the exhibit on trains. The heritage of Oak Ridge and its history linked with the Manhattan Project are also showcased in this museum. Special events and classes are also conducted here.

Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

Address: 461 W. Outer Dr. Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge

Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm; Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 8 USD (Adults), 7 USD (Seniors), 6 USD (Children up to 3 years of age)

3. Stroll through the University of Tennessee Arboretum

Spanning over 250 acres (about 101 hectares), this research and education facility is home to almost 2500 trees. This serene woody region offers beautiful trails for hiking and exploring the regional flora and fauna. There are several tracks to choose from, some welcoming you with the heady aroma of Magnolia in spring, some enticing you with bright red berries in winter. There are also shady white pines, crabapple orchards, white and black oaks, and tulip poplars - trees found in the remote areas of China. The majestic trees host numerous bird species that are photographers’ and birdwatchers’ delight. You are sure to have a wonderful time with your family soaking up all the sights, sounds, and woody aromas that this protected woodland offers.

University of Tennessee Arboretum, Oak Ridge

Address: 901 S Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: University of Tennessee Arboretum, Oak Ridge

Opening hours: 8am - 6:30pm (daily)

Price: Free

4. Admire local visual art at Oak Ridge Art Center

This art center offers the opportunity to experience stunning and world-class visual arts. Feast your eyes on the fabulous creations by local geniuses. Get exposure to the variety of arts and crafts of international merit by visiting traveling exhibitions. You can also pick up some artistic skills from expert teachers and hone your creativity through the educative programs.

Oak Ridge Art Center

Address: 201 Badger Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: Oak Ridge Art Center

Opening hours: Sat - Mon: 1pm - 4pm; Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm

Price: Free admission

5. Check out the International Friendship Bell

A remarkable installation to commemorate peace, this 8000-pound (3628.7kg) bronze bell is inscribed with images that depict friendship between Japan and Oak Ridge. Designed in Oak Ridge and cast in Kyoto, Japan, this 7-foot (2.1-meter) bell is a fitting monument to the reconciliation between the two countries that flourished after World War II. Ringing the bell with its striker log brings to mind the significance of peace and unity. Now housed in a new Peace Pavilion in a tranquil ambiance, this plaza offers visitors a place to sit and reflect on international friendship. You can learn more about the history of the Manhattan Project and Oak Ridge at this place.

International Friendship Bell

Address: 205 Badger Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: International Friendship Bell

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

6. Savor farm-fresh produce at Oak Ridge Farmers' Market

Fruits and vegetables obtained at a farmers’ market always tend to be more delicious and healthier due to their organic nature. The farmers’ market at Oak Ridge is no exception. It offers the opportunity for a day out with family members, tasting sweet, ripe fruits, freshly baked goods, and locally produced honey. Pick up art created by local artisans or increase your collection of garden plants. You can also take part in various fun contests like a watermelon eating competition, socialize with the locals, exchange family recipes, and have a gala time.

Oak Ridge Farmers Market

Address: 281 Broadway Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: Oak Ridge Farmers Market

Opening hours: Sat: 8am - 12pm; Wed: 3pm - 6pm (closed from Sun - Tue and Thu & Fri)

Price: Free entrance

7. Learn about World War II at the Manhattan Project National Historical Park

The atomic bomb that pulled the curtain on the horrors of World War II has a riveting history. You can discover fascinating stories about people and events surrounding the creation of the atomic bomb, and understand the science and engineering behind its construction at this unique park. Structures of interest include a pilot nuclear reactor that produced plutonium, the places where uranium was enriched, and the buildings where the raw material for the uranium bomb was purified at this site. As you visit the places that played critical roles in shaping the future of the world, you can feel the thrill of witnessing history coming alive in front of your eyes.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Address: 475 20th St, Los Alamos, NM 87544, United States

Website: Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 4pm; Sun: 1pm - 4pm; Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Free

8. Feel the thrill of mountain biking at Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement

Apart from being the site that saw the dawn of the atomic age, Oak Ridge also boasts extraordinary natural beauty. You can experience this natural grandeur as you hike or ride a bicycle along the gravel trails of Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement. The trails have excellent drainage and are free from mud most of the time. You can meet a remarkable variety of woodland birds all year round. Mountain bikers can revel at the experience of exploring the singletracks that are sufficiently challenging even for the avid biker.

Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement

Address: Blair Rd, Harriman, TN 37748, United States

Website: Black Oak Ridge Conservation Easement

Opening hours: dawn to dusk

9. Learn about local history at Oak Ridge History Museum

In contrast to the American Museum of Science and Energy that reveals the scientific side of the Manhattan Project, this museum tells the tale from a humane perspective. It focuses on the lives of the people during World War II and highlights the patriotism of the people who worked in the secret project to end the war. Exhibits on show include a model of the United Church, Chapel on the Hill. Also, the museum has exhibits on the director of the Manhattan Project, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves, and artifacts that recount the foundation of Oak Ridge. You can also admire the most extensive collection of original photographs by James Edward Westcott, a noted photographer of the Manhattan Project era.

Oak Ridge History Museum

Address: 102 Robertsville Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: Oak Ridge History Museum

Opening hours: Thu - Fri: 10am - 2pm; Sat: 10am - 3pm (closed from Sun - Wed)

Price: 5 USD (Entry free for children under 5)

10. Experience Oak Ridge's cultural heritage at the Historic Grove Theater

Originally used as a venue for music concerts during the wartime era, Grove Theater bears testimony to performances by world-famous virtuosos like the violinist Isaac Stern. The gorgeous hardwood stage has now been renovated. The theater is now home to various arts and music organizations like the children’s choral group, the local dance troupe, and the local symphony orchestra. The theater’s construction makes the acoustics amazing even today, and this place is still an integral part of Oak Ridge’s culture. You can enjoy cultural programs like the countless benefit concerts, music, and dance performances, and education activities that are hosted here all year round.

Historic Grove Theater

Address: 123 Randolph Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States

Website: Historic Grove Theater

Experience a perfect vacation in Oak Ridge

The perfect vacation is one that not just creates memorable moments but also makes you recall those memories over and over again with happiness and contentment. The wonders of the Secret City are entertaining as well as educational, without taking away the fun element from learning. The minutes you spend exploring the myriad of activities here are sure to bring a smile every time you look back on your Oak Ridge holiday. Incorporate some of these things to do in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in your itinerary and chalk out a delightful holiday experience that you will cherish forever.