If you’re already making your summer travel plans, be sure to put a visit to Oak Ridge, Tennessee on your itinerary! The Secret City is filled with opportunities for fun in the sun, whether you’re looking to splash around in the water or attend one of Oak Ridge’s signature summer festivals. Located just a half hour from Knoxville and an hour away from Sevierville, our city is the perfect addition to any getaway in East Tennessee. To help you make the most of your vacation, we have put together a guide to the top five summer activities in Oak Ridge TN.
1. Get Out on the Water at Melton Lake
Oak Ridge’s Melton Lake is a can’t-miss stop during the summer months! With 173 miles of pristine shoreline, Melton Lake is a populardestination for swimming, playing sand volleyball and soaking up the sun. Melton Lake’s serene water is also ideal for stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, boating, waterskiing and wakeboarding. If you’re in need of a kayak or paddle board, be sure to swing by Adventures Outdoors, which is located right on Melton Lake Drive.
2. Attend Summer Sporting Events in Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge’s beautiful summer weather makes the Secret City the ideal location for sporting events. In May, some of the best rowing teams in the country will come to Melton Lake for the Big 12 Rowing Championships. The banks of Melton Lake will host another exciting sporting event in June, when bicyclists will race by as part of USA Cycling’s Individual Time Trial National Championships. June also brings the Tennessee Enduro to Windrock Park, a thrilling mountain bike race through the nation’s most technically demanding enduro trails.
3. Have a Cone at Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab
No summer vacation is complete without going out for ice cream! If you’re in the mood for something sweet during your trip to Oak Ridge, we recommend grabbing a cone at Razzleberry’s Ice Cream Lab and Kitchen. This excellent creamery in Historic Jackson Square is famous for its one-of-a-kind (and constantly changing) ice cream flavors, such as Krispy Kreme Doughnut, Lavender and Smurf. In addition to its eclectic ice cream, Razzleberry’s also serves authentic Polish and German food.
4. Go for a Swim at Oak Ridge’s Outdoor Pool
Going for a swim is another one of the best summer activities in Oak Ridge TN. When the weather gets hot, we love to cool off at Oak Ridge’s Outdoor Pool, which is one of the biggest spring-fed outdoor pools in the United States. Boasting a 25-meter course and a 100-meter course, this outdoor pool is great for families with children.
5. Enjoy Summer Festivals in Oak Ridge
The summer months bring a number of popular festivals to Oak Ridge. Held in May, the Nine Lakes Wine Festival presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity to taste East Tennessee’s very best wines in one convenient location. In June, Oak Ridge hosts the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, which includes a writing workshop and live storytelling show. Later in the month, visitors can attend the Secret City Festival, a beloved two-day event featuring big-name musical acts, robotics competitions and delicious food. June also boasts the Lavender Festival, a daylong celebration in Historic Jackson Square with more than 100 vendors that sell everything from fine art to homemade jam.
Looking for even more wonderful summer activities in Oak Ridge TN? Visit our Events page to see all of the fun on tap for the summer months!