Area Guide
Recreational & Cultural Opportunities
Some Things To Do In and Around Oak Ridge
Area Attractions
The following links offer general information about parks, cultural events, and recreational opportunities available. All locations listed are within a few hours' drive.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area of the U.S. National Park Service, located near Oak Ridge.
Biltmore Estate- A 250-room historical chateau in located in Asheville, North Carolina (about 3 hours from Oak Ridge); open all year
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Knoxville
Old City Historic District, Knoxville
Ice Rinks
Ice Chalet
Icearium
Korrnet - Website for area nonprofit organizations
Big South Fork Park - Canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking; located near Oneida, Tennessee; about 2 hours' drive from Oak Ridge
Knox County Events - West Knoxville
Concord Park - 10901 S. Northshore Drive 37922 (I 140 – (Pellissippi Pkwy) to Westland Drive exit (3) travel west on Westland Drive, approx. 1.25 miles, turn right on to Northshore Dr. approx. 1/2 mile on right.) Total acreage for Concord Park (500) - Baseball (7) - Boat Access – Concessions (2) - Fishing - Football (1) – Golf (1) Concord Jr. Golf 9-hole par three – Marina (1) - Mountain Biking – (8 miles) - Natural Trail - Paved Trail - Picnic Shelters (3) - Picnic Tables (34) - Playground (1) – Restrooms (1) - Softball (2) – Tennis (2) – (1) Skatepark (3 ramps)
The Cove at Concord Park - 11808 S. Northshore Drive 37922 (I -140 – (Pellissippi Pkwy) to Westland Drive exit (3) travel west on Westland Drive, approx. 1.25 miles, turn right on to Northshore Dr. approx. 4 miles on left.) Beach Area with lake swimming - Fishing - Paved Trail (.7 mile) – Picnic Shelter (1)- Picnic Tables (18) - Playground (1) – Restrooms (1) – Volleyball (2) - Walking Loop - Canoe & Kayak Rentals (River Sports) The Point at Concord Park - 10882 S. Northshore Drive 37922 (I -140 – (Pellissippi Pkwy) to Westland Drive exit (3) travel west on Westland Drive, approx. 1.25 miles, turn right on to Northshore Dr. approx. 3 miles on left.) In-line Hockey (1) - Paved Trail (.3 mile) – Soccer (2) - Walking Loop
Fort Loudon State Historical Area- Near Vonore, Tennessee; about an hour's drive from Oak Ridge
Frozen Head State Park - near Wartburg, Tennessee; about 45 minutes from Oak Ridge
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Most visited national park in the U.S.; about an hour from Oak Ridge; camping, hiking, fishing
Historic Rugby- near Oneida, Tennessee; about 2 hours from Oak Ridge
Norris Dam State Park- About 30 minutes from Oak Ridge
Boat/Jet Ski Rentals at several marinas, including:
Fort Loudon Marina and
Shanghai resort
Oak Ridger (link to "Intermission" for local events)
Oak Ridge Reservation - The Oak Ridge Reservation has more than 45 known prehistoric sites, 250 pre-WWII structures (such as Freels Bend cabin, shown above), and a number of historically significant Manhattan Project structures. A Research Park brief, "Cultural Resources on the Oak Ridge Reservation" is now available in pdf form. Contact Pat Parr at 576-8123 with your name and mailing address for a hard copy or see the Research Park Briefs website.
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)- includes recreation information
Concerts and Events
Concert Wire
MetroPulse Events Calendar
Knoxville Area Theatres
Oak Ridge Playhouse- East Tennessee's oldest community theater; summer shows available
Cumberland County Playhouse
Clarence Brown Theatre
Museums
American Museum of Science and Energy
Knoxville Museum of Art
McClung Museum
Museum of Appalachia, Norris
Sevierville
Dollywood (not as tacky as it sounds)
Dolly’s Splash Country
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg
Tennessee Smokies Baseball
Train rides
Secret City Scenic Excursion Train
Three Rivers Rambler
Whitewater Rafting
Ocoee
Ocoee Adventure Center
Wild Water Rafting in Ocoee
Rafting in the Smokies
Nantahala
Swimming
Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool (“this is the biggest and best municipal swimming pool in America ….. clear water fed by a natural spring”)
Oak Ridge Indoor Pool at Oak Ridge Civic Center
