Oak Ridge TN is a very good and historical place where you should visit for a short trip and vacation to know the history behind world war 2.
Oak Ridge is rich in history and this city was built secretly in 1942 and that is the reason why it is known as a ‘secret city. In 1942 when this place was built within just 2.5 years its population went up to 75,000.
And then it becomes the fifth largest city in Tennessee. Oak Ridge plays an important role in world war 2, and it was the first and largest of 3 Manhattan sites built to produce the world’s first atomic weapons.
The centre of oak ridge is Jackson Square and it was the only district open 24/7 while world war 2 was happening. It was open because many weapons were secretly kept in this area.
There are lots more history behind this city but this blog is all about the best things that you can do in Oak Ridge TN and with the help of local people I have a list of things to do in Oak Ridge TN that are worth doing.
There are things that are more than historical in Oak Ridge and you will love to do with your family and friends.
And if you want to see the virtual tour of some places on the list then you should check out the YouTube video which is below at the end of the blog.
List of things to do in Oak Ridge Tn
1, Chapel on the Hill
It is a very beautiful white church on the hill which looks like heaven and from inside it is as normal as the churches are. It is a normal Church but it has seen many histories and the location is very cool for photography.
It has served as Tennessee primary church during the Manhattan Project. It was built in the year 1943 and it was a multi-denomination chapel shared by Catholic, Protestant and Jewish congregations.
But today it is not a multi-denomination chapel and visitors are welcome to this beauty and the review and ratings of this place are also very positive.
Details of the place
Address: 85 Kentucky Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
Phone Number: +1 865-482-1016
Site: https://www.thechapelonthehill.org/
2, A K Bissell Park
This is for the whole family there are some of the other things for all age groups and you can enjoy here with your family very well. It was the most suggested place by the local people.
It is the core of Oak Ridge with a public library, swimming pool, friendship bell and park in the same way. There is also a small but beautiful trail around the space and it is really good for a walk.
You can also bring your dog for a walk and there is also a small children park where you can keep your children to play while you are walking and exploring the place.
It opens at 8 am and closes at 8 pm and it has got a 4.6/5 rating by the visitors which ha too good.
Details of the place
Address: 1403 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
Phone Number: +1 865-425-3450
Site: http://orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov/
3, American Museum of Science and Energy
It is a very scientific museum and they have lots of things that look super cool and you can learn the science behind the things which is very interesting.
The staff here is very friendly and they clear all your doubt and answer everything in detail. Along with scientific things, you will see many armed forces things and weapons and you can know the history behind the particular weapon.
And this museum is filled with the atomic bomb and other nuclear technologies which you can see here. The review of this place is very good and it has got 4.5/5 which is good for a museum.
Details of the place
Address: 115 E Main St, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
Phone Number: +1 865-294-4531
site: https://amse.org/
4, Burchfield Restaurant
It is a very beautiful restaurant with good food and the service is also great. They also play background music while the customer is enjoying their meal.
It is a perfect hidden gem and you will not see any type of crowd here because tourist doesn’t even know that this beautiful restaurant exists even this place was suggested by the local people.
Surrounded by the big windows and overall it is a good place for dinner and it has for 4.1/5 because very few people have rated this place. It has two timings in the morning from 6-10.30 am and evening 5-9 pm.
Details of the place
Address: 215 S Illinois Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
Phone Number: +1 865-481-2475
Site: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/orkdtdt-doubletree-oak-ridge-knoxville/
5, Tellico Reservoir
It is also known as Tellico lake, it was built in the year 1979, by the Tennessee Valley Authority. This lake is very huge and it is around 16,000 acres big and there are 357 miles of shoreline.
It was made because of the floods that were created by the TVA. It is a very unique thing to see the two lakes and two dams together. You can also do fishing and boating in the lake. And you will catch very big fishes here.
There is also a smoky mountain nearby where you can go hiking and all of these places are very photo-friendly you can click very awesome photos here.
Details of the place
Address: Loudon / Monroe counties, Tennessee, United States
6, oak ridge art centre
The artistic in the list because this place got some of the best artworks in the town and if you love to see art and paintings then this place is for you.
The staff here are very good and they are very helpful you can see the information about every painting. And after knowing the information your mind will be blown.
You will see so many people here and it is not like other art space where there is no crowd. This place is special and for that reason, people and tourist love to visit this place.
Details of the place
Address: 201 Badger Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830-6216
Phone Number: +1 865-482-1441
Site: https://www.oakridgeartcenter.org/
7, Adventures Outdoor
Now, after so many museums and another place, this adventures outdoor has all the activities that tourist love to do such as kayaking, paddle boating, biking and many more things to do here.
The rental price of the boats are very affordable starts from 19$ and the highest is 25$ for an hour and there are different kinds of the boat which you can try.
The review of this place is very good and people find it budget-friendly place. You can also book your reservation in advance. From their official website which is below.
Details of the place
Address: 695 Melton Lake Drive Oak Ridge, TN 37830 US
Phone Number: +1 865-498-9951
Site: https://adventuresoutdoorsrentals.com/
8, Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue
They have many kinds of animals in their zoo and the animals they have are rescued. It is small so it won’t take you too much time and after this place, you can continue to your other places.
You can also feed some of the animals which are allowed such as sheep, goats, lamas, cows, alpacas, deer, camels, emu and ostrich and you can see Monkeys, birds, tigers, zebras, raccoons, peacocks, and ride ponies
The staff are super friendly and they help you to feed animals if you are scared of them and the reviews and ratings of this place are also very good it has got 4.7/5 ratings.
Details of the place
Address: 629 Granite Rd, Clinton, TN 37716, United States
Phone Number: +1 865-457-5536
So these are some of the best things to do in Oak Ridge Tn and all the places are suggested by local people of the city and with the help of the experience that is shared in this blog will help you to decide whether you should visit this place or not.
And if you want to see the video format of this blog then you can click the YouTube video which is below. however, this is the full version of the list but if you want the virtual tour of someplace then the video is for you.