Most folks call Oak Ridge “The Secret City” because of its cloak-and-dagger past, when scientists in the town secretly enriched the uranium used in the first atomic bomb during World War II.
But these days, Oak Ridge is no secret. The area’s lakes, hikes and fishing spots draw tourists from all over, as do its festivals, museums and music. Whether you want to learn about life in Appalachia or take a train through the countryside, you’ll find fun, food and fish in Oak Ridge.
Here’s a taste of what Oak Ridge has to offer.
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Quick FactsAnswers to the questions you never thought to ask.> Oak Ridge has more than 70 restaurants and 700 hotel rooms.> Edgar Meyer, a Grammy-winning bassist, graduated from Oak Ridge High School.> Oak Ridge has 1,282 acres of parkland, 23 tennis courts, 14 ball fields and nine playgrounds.> There are more than 90 historic cemeteries in Oak Ridge.> Oak Ridge was not incorporated as a city until 1959, although residents had been living there since the 1940s.Source: Oak Ridge Welcome Center
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*Outdoor Opportunities*Lace up your boots and bait your hookThe University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge spans more than 11,000 acres. Used primarily for research, it is also open to the public for hiking.Hikers can chose from nine different hikes in the arboretum. A good place to start is the Visitors Center, at 901 South Illinois Ave. It’s usually open from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and can be reached at 865-483-3571.If you’d prefer water over forests, you’re in luck — the Oak Ridge region is surrounded by lakes and rivers with ample opportunity for anglers, rowers and more.Start with Melton Hill Lake if you’d like to row. The lake is considered one of the best rowing venues in the United States. Every year, the Oak Ridge Rowing Association hosts as many as 10 regattas throughout the area.For fishing, consider Watts Bar Lake or Norris Lake, which are filled with largemouth bass, rock bass, sun fish, yellow perch, catfish and bluegills.*Source: City of Oak Ridge, University of Tennessee
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FestivalsGet festive for these events:> Celebrate Oak Ridge’s past with the Secret City Festival, a free two-day event each June that includes live music, Oak Ridge history exhibits, arts, crafts and regional vendors. Check out secretcityfestival.com for more information.> Perk up with some purple flowers at Oak Ridge’s Lavender Festival, held each year in June as a celebration of all things herbal. You’ll find live music, crafts and art at this shindig. Visit lavenderfestival.org for more information.
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*Oak Ridge Civic Music AssociationOak Ridge has its own symphony, orchestra and chorus, courtesy of the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association.The symphony performs regularly throughout the year and offers both free and paid concerts. The schedule changes, so visit orcma.org for the schedule.Tickets range from $5 to $25, with a lower rate for children.
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MUSEUM OF APPALACHIAMore than 100,000 people make time to visit the Museum of Appalachia every year, and you should too. > The museum portrays an “authentic mountain farm and pioneer village,” with more than 30 log cabin structures on-site.The museum includes some live animals and thousands of artifacts of Appalachian life.> It’s open seven days a week during most seasons, and usually from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. Check museumofappalachia.org when planning your trip to find the correct hours for the season you visit.> Tickets cost $18 for adults, $6 for children between the ages of 5 and 12, $10 for children between the ages of 13 and 18, and kids under 5 are free.Source: Museum of Appalachia
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Secret City SceneryFamilies can step back in time by boarding a 1950’s-era locomotive train for an hour-long round-trip ride through the region around Oak Ridge.> Trains depart from the Heritage Center, at 1020 Commerce Park Drive, for the 14-mile loop. Riders can either sit in an air-conditioned coach or dining car, or head to an open-air car for concessions.> Tickets are $19 for adults and $15 for children age 12 and under. Kids under the age of 2 are free if they sit on a parent’s lap. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. Call 865-241-2140 for details.> One important note: No open-toed shoes or sandals are allowed on the train, so bring some tennis shoes along.Source: Southern Appalachia Railway Museum