Children's Museums
American Museum of Science and Energy
📍 115 E Main St, Oak Ridge, TN 37830🕐 Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 1–5 PM |
About American Museum of Science and Energy
Exhibits investigating energy sources. Museum offering educational & interactive displays exploring energy, with a focus on nuclear power. The museum is associated with the Smithsonian Institution and focuses on the history of Oak Ridge, which was a secret city of 75,000 people that did not exist in 1940 but was fully established and growing by 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,687 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Science Center
- Location
- Oak Ridge, East Tennessee
- Best For
- All ages
- Hours
- Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
- Focus
- Manhattan Project history and scientific innovation
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum is associated with the Smithsonian Institution and focuses on the history of Oak Ridge, which was a secret city of 75,000 people that did not exist in 1940 but was fully established and growing by 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project
- The museum features exhibits on Oak Ridge National Laboratory's role in operating the world's first operational fission reactor and housing previously the largest supercomputer
- Interactive tours are offered at $15 for 3.5 hours with knowledgeable guides, but require advance registration as only a few tours are conducted per week
- The museum recently underwent significant expansion with a new building, as evidenced by 26 mentions of 'new building' in visitor reviews
- Notable exhibits include a 3D printed Army jeep and robotic arms, demonstrating the museum's focus on both historical and cutting-edge STEM education
💬 What Visitors Say
- Book guided tours in advance as they only run a few times per week. Tours are highly informative (3.5 hours for $15) and provide deep context about Oak Ridge's Manhattan Project history and the scientific community's contributions.
- Plan to spend 2-3 hours minimum to fully explore the interactive exhibits and displays. The museum is information-dense with games and demonstrations throughout, so allow adequate time rather than rushing through.
- Take advantage of the museum's STEM summer camps (2026 registration now open) and year-round homeschool science classes for hands-on learning beyond the main exhibits.
- Don't miss the interactive nuclear science and atomic energy exhibits, which are among the most frequently mentioned highlights. The robotic arms and 3D printed army jeep displays are also unique features worth seeing.
- Engage with knowledgeable staff and volunteers throughout the museum—they can provide valuable context about exhibits and Oak Ridge's pivotal role in nuclear science and American innovation.
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