Overview
Oak Ridge is a city in Tennessee. Oak Ridge was created as secret city during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project. In Oak Ridge, thousands worked in secrecy to enrich the uranium used in the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. The city is no longer secret, but it has a rich history worth exploring, and a strong bent toward science and technology. Oak Ridge is Appalachia and the nuclear age rolled into one, a great city to check out.
6 sights · 4 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Oak Ridge
American Museum of Science and Energy
This museum has several exhibits. Primarily it is dedicated to explaining Oak Ridge's role in furthering the WWII-era Manhattan Project. There are also various scientific toy puzzles and a gift shop. Offers three-hour to…
Children's Museum of Oak Ridge
University of Tennessee Arboretum
International Friendship Bell
The first monument between a U.S. Manhattan Project city and Japan, the bell serves as an expression of hope for everlasting peace.
Images Studio
This small art gallery has various paintings, post cards, and other locally-produced arts, crafts, and jewelry.
Green McAdoo Cultural Center
In 1956, it was here at the former Clinton High School where the Clinton Twelve supposedly became the first African Americans to desegregate a state-supported public school in the Southeast.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Wettest: May and Mar. (climate data from nearby Cumberland Falls State Resort Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville/Maryville — 21 mi away (major hub). Directions
- CHA Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (Lovell Field), Chattanooga — 86 mi away. Directions
The closest municipal airport is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), which is served by:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning American Museum of Science and Energy, International Friendship Bell, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge
- Lunch Big Ed's Pizza
- Afternoon Images Studio, University of Tennessee Arboretum
- Dinner Buffalo Mountain Grill
- Evening Crafter's Brew Market & Social
Day 2
- Morning Green McAdoo Cultural Center, Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue
- Afternoon Oak Ridge Playhouse
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Tourist information
- Oak Ridge Visitor website
Get in
By plane
The closest municipal airport is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), which is served by:
- American Eagle, +1-800-433-7300.
- Delta Air Lines, +1-800-221-1212.
- United Express, +1-800-241-6522.
A taxi from the airport to Oak Ridge might cost $70. Renting a car is a better idea, particularly because Oak Ridge has little public transit.
By car
When Oak Ridge was first built by the U.S. government, there were only two entries and exits from the city due to the desired isolation of the secret Manhattan Project. In later years, several other entrances were built, but Oak Ridge is still fairly disconnected from surrounding towns.
By the Interstate, Southbound I-75 and westbound I-40 converge in the middle of Knoxville. Continuing on I-40, proceed west until the northbound Pellissippi Parkway exit. Pellissippi merges into Illinois Avenue, which leads into downtown Oak Ridge.
By bus
- Greyhound, 100 East Magnolia Avenue, +1-800-231-2222. A taxi from downtown Knoxville to Oak Ridge will also be expensive, about $70.
Get around
Oak Ridge was designed by the government, so the layout of the town is fairly simple, almost utilitarian in some neighbourhoods, the streets are even in alphabetical order. Having a car is almost necessary, as the city is quite sparsely laid-out. There is virtually no public transportation.
See
See American Museum of Science and Energy
This museum has several exhibits. Primarily it is dedicated to explaining Oak Ridge's role in furthering the WWII-era Manhattan Project. There are also various scientific toy puzzles and a gift shop. Offers three-hour tours of the Clinton Engineer Works (now Oak Ridge Reservation), the headquarters of the Manhattan Project.
See Images Studio
This small art gallery has various paintings, post cards, and other locally-produced arts, crafts, and jewelry.
Do
Do Windrock Park
It has the country’s largest privately owned off-road recreation area (400 mi of ), so it's popular with ATV enthusiasts.
Eat
Eat Big Ed's Pizza
One of Oak Ridge's strongest traditions. At Big Ed's the pizzas are made out front of the customers. The pizza slices are thin, floppy, gooey and hot, served on paper plates. The only restroom is in the basement, which is inconvenient for handicapped customers.
Eat Buffalo Mountain Grill
Standard American restaurant and bar. Small selection of beers and liquors.
Drink
Oak Ridge has been a dry town since consumption of alcoholic beverages was banned in 1946, shortly after becoming chartered. Therefore, one would not find any bars in this town.
Drink Crafter's Brew Market & Social
Sleep
Most of the hotels in the area cater to scientists visiting Oak Ridge National Laboratory on their expense accounts, so rates are generally higher. There are few "no-frills" motels.
Go next
- A half-hour drive will take you to downtown Knoxville.
- An hour-and-a-half drive will take you to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Nearby
Farragut
City / town · 11 mi away
Lenoir City
City / town · 2 listings · 15 mi away
Rocky Top
City / town · 3 listings · 16 mi away
Kingston
City / town · 1 listings · 17 mi away
Harriman-Rockwood
City / town · 17 mi away
Knoxville
City / town · 61 listings · 19 mi away
Townsend
City / town · 42 listings · 19 mi away
Maryville
City / town · 5 listings · 24 mi away
My experience
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