Home Page - Explore Oak Ridge

Always More to Explore

Born in war and rich in natural beauty, Oak Ridge is the “Secret City” with a big story to tell. From the peaceful waterfront to the innovative achievements, there is always more to explore in Oak Ridge.

Getting Here

Trip Ideas

More to Explore in the Museums

Oak Ridge is home to four outstanding museums, sure to delight both children and adults. The American Museum of Science and Energy is newly remodeled and reimagined, the K-25 History Museum is brand new for 2020 and an absolute must-see, the Oak Ridge Children’s Museum is a wonderful museum built with kids in mind, and the Oak Ridge History Museum showcases the people’s history of Oak Ridge.

Watch this video, and make your plans to spend a couple of days exploring the museums of the Secret City.

Pressed for Time? Check out some of our curated Iteneraries below!

See Them All

Historical Vault

Clinton Engineer Works

In 1943, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, then known only as the Clinton Engineer Works, was conspicuously absent from any map. On 60,000 acres of farmland framed by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, it was one of the United States’ three secret cities—remote sites chosen by Manhattan Project director Gen. Leslie Groves, evacuated of their civilian inhabitants, and developed for the specific purpose of producing an atomic bomb. The men and women of the Clinton Engineer Works would help provide the material for the bomb.

More History

Manhattan Project Park

Historical Vault

Clinton Engineer Works

In 1943, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, then known only as the Clinton Engineer Works, was conspicuously absent from any map. On 60,000 acres of farmland framed by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, it was one of the United States’ three secret cities—remote sites chosen by Manhattan Project director Gen. Leslie Groves, evacuated of their civilian inhabitants, and developed for the specific purpose of producing an atomic bomb. The men and women of the Clinton Engineer Works would help provide the material for the bomb.

More History

Manhattan Project Park

The Oak Ridge 85

The Secret in Scarboro: The Oak Ridge 85 One year before the Clinton 12, two years before the Little Rock Nine and five years before Ruby Bridges, there was the Oak Ridge 85. On Sept. 6, 1955, 85 Black students from the historic Scarboro community integrated Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High. [...]

John Marquis Featured in The Fishing Guide Podcast – Sophie Becknell

Written by Sophie Becknell John Marquis, the owner of Adventures Outdoors located at Melton Lake Park and Norris Paddling Adventures at Norris Dam Marina, was featured in an interview on a recent episode of The Fishing Guide Podcast, episode 62, with Brad Wiegmann. The two discuss Marquis’ businesses and the variety of options that [...]

Find your next adventure with the new National Park Service app

The new National Park Service app is available for download in the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. WASHINGTON – Just in time for National Park Week, the new National Park Service (NPS) mobile app (go.nps.gov/app) is now available for visitors to national parks across the country. Created by park rangers with visitors in [...]

Some of the African American History in Oak Ridge

Written by: Ray Smith, Oak Ridge City Historian The Oak Ridge 85 or the Scarboro 85, depending on your preference, has recently come to prominence as a result of the efforts primarily of Rose Weaver, John Spratling and Martin McBride as well as several others who have contributed. It is a worthy effort to [...]

The Secret City That Surprised Me

By Kristy Burns, My Town Today Of all the small towns that My Town has visited, Oak Ridge is unlike anywhere in the world. Its entire existence is due to the mission of the Manhattan Project, and the “Secret City” tells a story that no one else can. Its story is of a culture [...]