Welcome to Oak Ridge
From draft to micro brews
Oak Ridge Community Guide
If you are thinking about moving to or buying a home in the Oak Ridge, TN area, you might be interested in what the community has to offer. Here is a great community guide to get you started with exploring and learning about the Oak Ridge area. This guide includes some area statistics and market information, as well as a few highlighted local dining spots, parks and recreation locations, and some of the arts and culture in the area.
About
Oak Ridge is a young town with a fascinating history.
What was once undeveloped woods and farmland was purchased by the US government in the 1940s and fashioned into a town that was the headquarters of the Manhattan Project. Since then, Oak Ridge continues to be called the Secret City, and many of its present day residents support the Department of Energy at the Y-12 National Security Complex or the vaunted Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The homes here range from newer construction neighborhoods to established homes from the 1940s on to the 1970s. There are several elementary and middle schools, but only one high school, Oak Ridge High School. There is plenty to do outdoors in one of the 16 parks conveniently located within a half mile of each residential area. Melton Lake can also be found here in which many go to for boating, relaxation, and rowing. Along the lake is Melton Lake Greenway, which is perfect for jogging, biking, or walking. Each year Oak Ridge hosts the Secret City Festival, which celebrates its unique history with live music, history demonstrations, festival food and arts and crafts.
Area Schools
420 Students | 12:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
425 Students | 14:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
335 Students | 11:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
370 Students | 12:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
Oak Ridge, TN Area Middle Schools
725 Students | 13:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
700 Students | 13:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
Oak Ridge, TN Area High Schools
1,525 Students | 16:1 - Students : Teacher ratio
Oak Ridge, TN Area Private Schools
200 Students
76 Students
Dining & Drinks
Big Ed's Pizza
Big Ed's Pizza has been in continuous operation for over 50 years, serving up pizza and burgers from high quality, fresh ingredients. This popular beer and pizza joint gets busy during peak hours, as Oak Ridgers line up for a slice from their favorite local spot, especially on Friday's during the highshool football season. Located across from the Oak Ridge High School football field, Big Ed's has received multiple awards throughout the years, including recognition from USA Today for having the best pizza in Tennessee.
Location & Hours
101 Broadway Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
- Friday & Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM
- Sunday Closed
Calhoun's
Almost every Calhoun's has an attractive, unique location, and Calhoun's Oak Ridge is no different. This expansive venue offers a lakeside view from every seat, including from a covered outdoor dining patio. Customers can even paddle up or weigh anchor at the dock from surrounding Melton Hill Lake. The pride of Calhoun's is its barbeque pork, ribs and baked beans, but their burgers arn't bad either. When it comes to drinks, a full bar is on offer, but they are best known for their house-brewed beers. My personal favorite is the Black Bear Brown.
Locations & Hours
100 Melton Lake Peninsula, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Sunday - Thursday 11:00AM - 9:30PM
- Friday & Saturday 11:00AM - 10:30PM
Crafter's Brew Market & Social
Truly a beer-lover's local favorite, Crafter's Brew, as it is most often called for short, offers a fun, eclectic atmosphere that's hard to match. Live music, table-served pretzels, pizza, and sandwiches are on offer, along with more than 20 rotating craft beers on draft. During the winter months, this largely outdoor location extends the season with heaters inside their outdoor tent. Don't leave Rover at home. This location is puppy friendly!
Location & Hours
856 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Monday - Thursday 3:00PM - 10:00PM
- Friday 3:00PM - 12:00AM
- Saturday 12:00PM - 12:00AM
- Sunday 1:00PM - 9:00PM
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Buffalo Mountain Grille
Tucked away on the far east side of Oak Ridge is a bar and grill with possibly the best wings in town, along with other unique and popular options like real buffalo meat burgers, venison burgers, and my person favorite - the grilled tuna sandwhich. And don't forget the fried avocado! Buffalo Mountain Grill often features live music, and offers a good selection of beer and liquor in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Location & Hours
205 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Sunday - Monday - Closed
- Tuesday - Thursday 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Friday 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
- Saturday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Dean's Restaurant & Bakery
Dean's Restaurant & Bakery is located inside the historic Jackson Square, a shopping center that largely preserves one of the multiple town centers that were located throughout the Oak Ridge community during the Manhattan Project. Dean's offers scrumptious Southern fare of traditoinal "meat and two" or "meat and three" style. Personal favorites include the potroast, smoky greens, and wood-grilled summer squash.
Location & Hours
239 Jackson Sq, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Monday - Friday - 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Saturday - Sunday - Closed
Magic Wok
This local treasure is loved by firebrand supporters of local legend, Ming Wha, aka "Magic Betty" or Miss Betty, if you like. She and her husband, have operated this old diner since 1992. The facility, however, goes back even further into Oak Ridge's history. Originally, operated as Eric's Diner, this WWII-era diner is a blast form the past for those who don't mind a little wear on their eatery building. With almost no options to speak of, this little restaurant is known for its Cashiew Chicken dish, famously ordered as, "Spicy or No Spicy?". I recommend spicy, but suggest staying away from the dangerous off-menu extra-spicey option.
Location & Hours
202 Tyler Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Monday - Friday - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Saturday - Sunday - Closed
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201 CAFE AND WINE BAR
First opened in 2022, this newcomer to the area has made a big splash. As the only wine bar in the Oak Ridge area, it was bound to draw some attention, but also offered and interesting experience with its 1920s art deco and jazz stylings, and a unique offering of charcuterie boards themed after various regions of Europe and East Tennessee. The overpowered sound system is another enjoyable feature that allows patrons to enjoy high-quality sounding live music, while still being able to converse with one another.
Location & Hours
201 Jackson Square, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Tuesday - Thursday - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10 PM
- Friday - 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11 PM
- Saturday - 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11 PM
- Sunday - Monday - Closed
Sports & Outdoors
Haw Ridge Park
This unique, 780-acre park is quickly becoming a favorite of mountain bikers of all skill levels, with the addition of the Dirtlab Mountain Bike Skills Park, created by the
Clinch Valley Trail Alliance. Whether you're a beginner looking for a little fun, or a veteran looking to let loose and build your skill, there's something for all kinds at this recreational gem. Hikers, trail runners, and equestrians are able to explore over 30 miles of single-track and dirt trails. Other features of the park include many miles of trails and shoreline to kayak, bike, walk, or run.
Location & Hours
Parking at: Old Edgemoor Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Seven days a week from dawn to dusk
- Closed one weekend in November and two weekends in December for deer hunting
Atomic Rowing/Oak Ridge Rowing Association Inc
The Oak Ridge Rowing Association is the premier venue for rowing sports in all of the United States. Oak Ridge offers one of the best 2,000-meter rowing courses in the entire United States. At peak season, Melton Lake is decked out with a seven-lane, 30-mile buoyed race course; a veritable rowers delight! Whether you're an early adpoter, or looking forward to the unmatched opportunities that this area presents for an affordable, yet unmatched opportunity for your budding rower.The Oak Ridge Rowing Association fulfills the mission of promoting the sport of rowing across East Tennessee and beyond. ORRA is home to the Atomic Juniors and Masters Rowing Teams.
Location & Hours
Parking at: 697 Melton Lake Dr, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Rowing Association open seven days a week from 3 - 7 PM
Windrock Park
Though not technically located in Oak Ridge, but rather in nearby Oliver Springs, an outdoor list of sports and activities for the Oak Ridge community would be remiss not to mention this treasure of motor sports enthusiasts across the globe. Windrock Park has 72,000 acres of outdoor exploration and more than 300 miles of trails for ATVs, side by sides, dirt bikes, Jeeps, trucks, and even extreme downhill mountain biking. Camping, trailer sites, and cabins are also available onsite, or in the many surrounding campgrounds. And many national competitions and special concerts are held onsite. Land passes are required for most activities. Check the website for additional information.
Location & Hours
800 Windrock Rd, Oliver Springs, TN 37840
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- Open 24/7 with some restrictions for noise and traffic. Visit website for more details.
Arts & Culture
Children's Museum of Oak Ridge
Parent's and children alike will relish the interactive exhibits on offer at the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge! This community museum delivers the perfect balance of small-community charm and patron-pleasing wow-factor with engaging features like the childsize Dollhouse exhibit, Rainforest room, model train display, Life in Appalachia display, and more parent-child pleasing features. The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge provides "edutainment" covering a myriad of topics from Appalachian history to music, geography, gardening, and more, with hands-on activities that bring learning to life.
Location & Hours
461 W Outer Dr, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Monday Closed
- Tuesday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Sunday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
American Museum of Science & Energy (AMSE) and K-25 History Center
As one of the Knoxville-area's top attractions, the American Museum of Science and Energy hosts more than 65,000 visitors each year. This science-and-technology-based museum tells not only the history of the Oak Ridge community, telling the story and legacy of the birthplace of nuclear techology, but also showcases many of the basic concepts and applications that the modern
Oak Ridge National Laboratory continually develops, to maintain the United State's position as an international innovator in science and applicable technologies.The relatively newly-developed
K-25 History Center tells the story of the incredible men and women who built and operated one of the most impressive projects of World-War II history; a facility that made a major contribution to the war effort; shortening the world's most devasting war by six months or more!
Location & Hours
AMSE - 115 E Main St, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
K-25 History Center - 652 Enrichment St, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Hours for Both Museums
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- Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 5 PM
- Sunday 1:00 PM - 5 PM
Oak Ridge Playhouse
Continuously operated since 1943, the Oak Ridge Playhouse is one of the oldest and most prestigious community playhouses in the Southeast. This cultural gem offers as many as eight shows each season, July through May. Though a crew of three full-time staff keep things organized, the organization is primarily volunteer-run, and remains open to the community for off and onstage roles. Be sure to check out the latest shows at the playhouse website.
Locations & Hours
227 Broadway Ave, Oak Ridge, TN 37830
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- Hours depend on individual show schedules.
