✨ Children's Museum of Oak Ridge
The Children's Museum of Oak Ridge is a hands-on science museum in historic Oak Ridge, about 30 minutes north of Maryville. It's a fantastic rainy-day or summer outing for kids ages 0–10, with interactive exhibits covering everything from space and engineering to local history.
The museum features themed galleries where kids can climb through structures, explore a mock control room, experiment with simple machines, and learn about Oak Ridge's role in the Manhattan Project — all designed for active, tactile learning.
What's great for families: - Indoor, climate-controlled (perfect for hot or rainy summer days) - Birthday party packages available - Summer camps and school-break programs (Intersession Camps) - Classes and workshops for kids - Girl Scout partnership programs - Toddlers' Playtime sessions - Museum store with educational toys and gifts
Hours: Tue–Sat 10 AM–4 PM, Sun 10 AM–4 PM (Closed Mondays)
Cost: Admission fees apply — check the website for current pricing and family memberships.
Pro tip: Plan for 1–2 hours. The museum is small enough to cover in a single visit but engaging enough that kids will want to explore every exhibit twice.