K-25 History Center
The enormous plant that once enriched uranium.
Oak Ridge
A secret city built in 1942 to enrich uranium for the atomic bomb, now part of the Manhattan Project park.
About 75,000 people lived behind fences here, most without knowing what they were building. The Y-12, K-25 and Graphite Reactor tours explain it, and the K-25 History Center tells the story of its workers.
- Best Time
- April–May and September–October
- Time Needed
- 1 day
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About 30 minutes by car west of Knoxville.
What to See
2 of 3 are freeX-10 Graphite Reactor Tour
The world's second reactor, by bus tour.
American Museum of Science and Energy
A good family introduction.
Know Before You Go
- Bus tours require ID, and US citizenship for some sites. Book ahead.
Where to Stay
A day trip from Knoxville.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
If You're NearbyKnoxville
Tennessee
A university city in the Tennessee Valley, gateway to the Smokies, with a gold-glass globe from the 1982 World's Fair.
Full Guide
Must-SeeGreat Smoky Mountains
North Carolina and Tennessee
America's most visited national park: misty ridges and old-growth forest.
Full Guide
If You're NearbyLos Alamos and Bandelier
New Mexico
The secret wartime town where Oppenheimer's team built the bomb, beside Bandelier's cliff dwellings.
Full Guide
Last checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Southeast list.