Oak Ridge combines insights into the history of the Manhattan Project with science, art, and outdoor activities. When planning your trip, consider whether you want to focus primarily on the people and facilities of that era, take a broader look at science, or enjoy activity by the water. The Oak Ridge Visitor Center serves as a starting point for exploring the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Oak Ridge.
Different perspectives on history
Opened in 2019, the Oak Ridge History Museum devotes numerous exhibits to the history of the people in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project. At the K-25 Overlook, visitors can see a detailed timeline of the K-25 facility. The K-25 History Center offers a different focus: the 7,500-square-foot facility features interactive exhibits and more than 250 original artifacts about the people who worked at this vital wartime site.
The New Hope Visitor Center at Y-12 features a public information center on the history of the Y-12 plant. Y-12 was one of the original uranium production facilities of the Manhattan Project. Together, these places offer different thematic perspectives: personal stories, a timeline of the K-25 facility, and the history of the Y-12 plant.
The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge also tells history through specific exhibits. “Difficult Decisions” and “Manhattan Project” include numerous artifacts from that era and tell the story of Oak Ridge. In the “World of Trains” area, highlights include an interactive playroom with a replica diesel engine and the large “Lloydstown” HO-scale model railroad.
Science, art, and theater
The American Museum of Science and Energy tells the story of scientific and technological advances in Oak Ridge since the early days of the Manhattan Project. Interactive exhibits and programs explain how the world and universe work. The museum also serves as a starting point for bus tours to historic sites on the federal government’s Oak Ridge Reservation.
The Oak Ridge Art Center focuses on visual arts and education. This private, nonprofit art museum features works spanning more than 2,000 years in its permanent exhibition, including pieces by regional and international artists. Admission to the galleries is free, and studio tours are also available. The Oak Ridge Playhouse has been in continuous operation since 1943. Its varied season includes musicals, comedies, dramas, and children’s plays.
Greenways and water activities
Melton Lake Park is on the eastern edge of Oak Ridge. Its 5.6-mile waterfront greenway is designed for walking, running, and cycling. The park is also considered one of the best 2,000-meter rowing courses in the United States. This makes it a place that combines a waterfront trail for different types of activity with a dedicated rowing venue.
Oak Ridge’s greenways are designed as interconnected loops linking natural corridors with parks, schools, and cultural centers. Haw Ridge is a destination for cycling, hiking, and running. When choosing activities, the distinction is clear: at Melton Lake, a specific waterfront greenway is identified by its length and uses; at Haw Ridge, several activities are highlighted.
The UT Arboretum is a 250-acre research and educational facility. More than 2,500 native and exotic woody plant specimens there represent 800 species, varieties, and cultivars. Typically, more than 30,000 people visit the arboretum each year. Its size, extensive woody plant collection, and diversity of represented species give this destination a different profile from Oak Ridge’s museums and waterfront trails.
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