4 Star Places To Visit in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States (12)

1. 4.5 American Museum of Science & Energy (517 reviews)
   - Very enjoyable
   Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Science Museums • History Museums
   
   
   WHERE SCIENCE COMES TO LIFE! AMSE tells the story of the advances in science and engineering that have occurred in Oak Ridge since the first days of the Manhattan Project. We are a national resource that is proud to be located in east Tennessee, a region that has been and remains on the cutting-edge of scientific innovation. AMSE is a powerful engine of STEAM education and inspiration. With our fun, interactive exhibits and programs, every day we tell visitors from the globe exciting, world-changing stories and we help explain how our world and universe works. Come join us at AMSE, where science comes alive. See more..
   
2. 4.5 Children's Museum of Oak Ridge (141 reviews)
   - Great time!
   Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Children's Museums
   
   
   This museum is very much a hands on experience for younger children and has a wealth of information for older children. We took our grandsons, ages 5 and 7 and our granddaughter, age 11. All three enjoyed their time there. Definitely will take the younger two again when they are a little older as then they too will be able to read the signs. (Maybe older sister will come too!) See more..
   
3. 4.0 Manhattan Project National Historical Park (48 reviews)
   - The main reason for our visit to Oak Ridge was for the Manhatten Project history
   Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites
   
   
   As others have said, the National Park is a number of different areas within Oak Ridge. We found that starting at the main museum gave us an over view as well as help from the volunteers to the other locations of interest in the town. There is a bus that goes out early, but we didn't use that, we self toured See more..
   
4. 4.5 Haw Ridge Park (38 reviews)
   - wonderful park in OR
   Parks
   
   
   Lot of opportunities for activities here. You can park in several spots and walk on a nice paved greenway from the Edgemoor bridge on Melton Lake Drive to the Solway area. There are even water fountains at both ends. Where do I start: greenway a great place to walk or run or ride bikes. Have done all these as well as gone on birdwalks with local experts (hint start at 8 or 9 and park at west end/walk east on boardwalk through the river (under bridge) and you'll see 30 or 40 species, as did I. Haw Ridge itself has hills and flat trails for serious mountain biking or hiking. On a nice day, the lot near the Solway bridge with dozens of cars as the locals all know what a great place this is. Connected to miles and miles of trails (hint: get free maps at termini, or find online. It gets confusing wiithin the HR park itself). Portapotties, water fountains See more..
   
5. 4.5 University of Tennessee Arboretum (21 reviews)
   - A great way to spend an hr or 2
   Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas • Hiking Trails
   
   
   Beautiful! Free! I have not been to such a nice arboretum before that was free! Wide, well-marked trails mean you don't get lost AND you don't walk into spider webs (double bonus). I used the Picture This app to identify trees and fungi not labeled. It was a good time. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Cinemark Tinseltown (16 reviews)
   - GREAT Seats
   Spent 2-3 hours Movie Theaters
   We've been to the Cinemark Tinseltown location many times but once we decided to check out the Turkey Creek move theater. Welllllll, we were very disappointed because the seats were not at all as comfortable as those at the Cinemark Tinseltown ..... we haven't visited any other theater since. See more..
   
7. 4.5 Melton Lake Park (13 reviews)
   - Great park
   Gear Rentals • Kayaking & Canoeing • Jogging Paths & Tracks
   
   
   We stopped in to look at the lake and made a day out of it. We went swimming and walked around the lake. The swimming area is very large and its sand. Water was so clean amd clear. Definitely will be heading back again. Would highly recommend if in the area See more..
   
8. 4.0 Centennial Golf Course (13 reviews)
   - Much Improved!
   Spent More than 3 hours Golf Courses
   
   
   I live in Oak Ridge and have played this course, off and on, for years. Most of that time it was only in fair shape and I played elsewhere a lot. Recently, however, the condition of the course, fairways and greens, has been superb. I started asking around and found out that they have a new superintendant and the city has invested heavily in the course. Slow play has been fixed with the course marshals doing their job. I am really happy with it now and play it at least once a week. Warning-the greens are severely sloped and fast! Put your ego in your pocket and move forward on the tees. It plays much better and its fun to play! See more..
   
9. 4.5 Oak Ridge Playhouse (11 reviews)
   - Sorry we haven't been there sooner
   Spent 2-3 hours Theaters
   We lived and worked for several years in Oak Ridge but never attended a play at the playhouse. A friend suggested we get tickets to go see the play, "All Shook Up" which is based on Elvis Presley's music. My husband doesn't like plays, especially musicals, but even he enjoyed himself. We were there the first night the play opened and the actors were great, very professional and entertaining. If you get a chance, go see a play and give your support to this historic theater. See more..
   
10. 4.0 The Secret City Commemorative Walk (7 reviews)
    - Great memorial
    Spent < 1 hour Historic Walking Areas
    
    
    Just a short walk around the path with a large amount of plaques with Secret City information about US history in WWII. See more..
    
11. 4.5 Emory Valley Greenway (5 reviews)
    - Trying to find this place
    Spent < 1 hour Parks • Hiking Trails
    
    
    When using Waze, you are directed straight to a neighborhood. Turn right into neighborhood. Park right at unmarked trail head labeled "Cascade Drive". Basically you join the path by either starting right where "Cascade Dr" says not to drive down, or go up by the main road and enter on sidewalk.. We parked on grass by woods, and walked down to an amazing stream with perfect weather. Watch out for chiggers/ and or mosquitoes- I had 3 bites from playing in the creek for less than 20 minutes. This trail is soo undisturbed that I watched two squirrels stroll right across the path. Many houses line either side of the creek, and a few people passed us on the trail. See more..
    
12. 4.5 Locally Grown Gallery (2 reviews)
    - Great little shop for local art
    Saturday: 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops
    This is an awesome little shop for local art and crafts in East TN. Don't miss out on this place as it is not widely advertised, but has a fascinating selection of things. From books to jewelry, bags to glassware this shop has a little bit of everything and it is all handmade by local artisans. Small shop with a lot to see in it, has all price points so there is really something for everyone. See more..