Major city · United States
Oak Ridge
Spend one day in Oak Ridge for the science museum and bell; add a half‑day for the zoo or golf if you have extra time.
Oak Ridge is a small Tennessee city built for the Manhattan Project. Its main attractions cluster near downtown and are reachable by car in short drives. One full day covers the American Museum of Science and Energy, International Friendship Bell and a quick walk in the Arboretum; a half‑day extra lets you visit the Little Ponderosa Zoo or Centennial Golf Course. Public transport is minimal, so a rental car is recommended.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited daylight)
- Airport
- TYS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Oak Ridge911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Oak Ridge, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow overall crime; stay alert after dark in isolated spots and watch traffic on I‑40 and I‑75.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire · 911 ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTYS McGhee Tyson Airport (Taxi to Oak Ridge about $70; rental car recommended).
- Getting aroundCar is essential; no regular bus service.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketAmerican Museum of Science and Energy adult entry$8
- Budget bedStandard hotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$120
- Mid-range bedStandard hotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedStandard hotel room (double), a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TYS McGhee Tyson Airport (Taxi to Oak Ridge about $70; rental car recommended)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Oak Ridge: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential; no regular bus service. Main roads are I‑40 and Pellissippi Parkway to downtown.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Knoxville
goDoor to door: ≈ 30 min
Drive west on I‑40 about 30 min
Downtown offers restaurants, museums and riverfront
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
goDoor to door: ≈ 1 h 30 min
Drive north on I‑75 then I‑40 about 1 h 30 min
Scenic drive; park entrance at Gatlinburg
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hampton Inn Oak Ridge
Convenient downtown location; rates higher for lab visitors
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–$100 excl. accommodation
- Mid
- $120–$180 excl. accommodation
- High
- $200+ excl. accommodation
Trip budget
| Standard hotel room (double)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Taxi airport → city centre (both ways)2 × US$70 · check | US$140 |
| Car rental (4‑day, economy)2 × US$180 · check | US$360 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$89 |
| Trip total≈ US$490 per person per day, bed included | US$979 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental not included
Prices of common things
| Taxi airport → city centrecheck | $70 |
| American Museum of Science and Energy adult entry | $8 |
| Hotel night (mid‑range) | $120–$150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi from airport costs around $70; plan for that expense
- City is dry – no bars serve alcohol
- Limited public transit; walking distances can be long between attractions
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire
- 911
- Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Oak RidgeOak Ridge
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
US consular services are in Knoxville; nearest foreign embassies are in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi airport → city centre: about $70, 30 min (check)
- Car rental (economy, 4 days): ≈ $180 total, pick‑up at TYS
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the museum? — Where is the museum?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Oak Ridge. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Oak Ridge
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