Oak Ridge, TN
by Linda Aksomitis
Oak Ridge, TN is also known as the Secret City. Indeed,
Oak Ridge has lots of great secrets for tourists to discover!
Oak Ridge hotels
- I had a great stay at the
Hampton Inn. I particularly enjoyed having my own coffee maker, refrigerator and microwave! The location was perfect with walking
distance to attractions and shopping...
Best Oak Ridge Restaurants:
- Big Ed's Pizza (101 Broadway) -- 865-482-4885. Be prepared to meet everybody here as
it's one of the most popular places in town. Watch the cooks flip the pizza shells, stretching
them to size.
- Bleu Hound Grille (80 East Tennessee Avenue) -- 865-481-6101. Fine dining. The salmon was almost as
good as their lemon creme brulet dessert!
- Buffalo Grille (203 Oak Ridge Turnpike) -- 865-481-0515. An interesting and tasty
menu--try buffalo, elk, ostrich or venison. Great low fat meats done to perfection.
- Burchfield's Dining Room in the Double Tree Hotel -- http://www.doubletree.com/ Fine dining in an Art Deco setting. I chose
red salmon and a Pina Calada from the low carb menu. Couldn't ask for better!
- Hot Bagel Company (1155 Oak Ridge Turnpike) -- 865-482-2435. Whatever kind of bagel you want,
they serve it here! I had the tasty breakfast bagel and rice pudding. Who says desserts
are supposed to be with lunch or supper?
- Soup Kitchen (47 E Tennessee Avenue)
http://www.thesoupkitchen.com/ -- 865-482-3525. Family priced great food--let me recommend their awesome
seafood salad, vegetable soup, and a carrot
cake to end your meal.
- Magnolia Tree Restaurant (1938 Oak Ridge Turnpike) -- 865-482-5853. The seafood
bisque was delicious!
Taking the family to Oak Ridge? There's lots for them to do as well!
- Children's Museum of Oak Ridge -- http://www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org. This is a great place to
spend hours day after day! Visit the doll house, pioneer living, waterworks and nine more
interactive exhibits.
- American Museum of Science & Energy in Oak Ridge --
http://www.amse.org . Fabulous exhibits that put together the history and science
of the Manhatton project with the medical and scientific advancements that have resulted.
- Secret City Excursion Train -- http://www.techscribes.com/sarm/. Take the train ride back in time
and see the K-25 plant, which was one of the significant parts of the Manhatton project.
- Museum of the Appalachia (nearby Clinton) --
http://www.museumofappalachia.com/ -- living history exhibits to explore and
discover the rich history of Tennessee.
The Coal Creek Motor Discovery Trail
While you're in the Oak Ridge area, you may want to discover some of its history.
The Coal Creek Motor Discovery Trail is a fascinating look at the
history of an already unique spot of the country. It's about the courageous struggle of a
group of miners to keep their jobs and way of life in the face of government policy. In
1891 and 1892 the miners went to war against the state of Tennessee over the practice
of the government's policy of leasing convicts to mining companies. Their victory
brought changes across the country.
But the Coal Creek Miners and their families were far from done with challenges and
tragedies. Two horrendous mining disasters, in 1902 and 1911, are commemorated with
historic stops along The Coal Creek Motor Discovery Trail. For the full story of these
heroic people read here:
http://www.coalcreekaml.com/history.htm
Try the ATV trails at Windrock!
Find a link that doesn't work? Want to suggest a link? Email
editors@snowridermag.com
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