7. The Tennessee Aquarium
Take a journey from the mountains to the sea at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. In one building, explore the mountains and rivers of East Tennessee in River Journey, then travel to the sea in Ocean Journey (a building all its own). With more than 10,000 animals that swim, jump, fly and waddle, you can expect to see river otters, lemurs, penguins, sharks, colorful fish and octopuses. In River Giants, there are freshwater fish from around the world that grow to monstrous proportions. What’s more, the Turtle of the World gallery has the most extensive collection of turtles of any accredited zoo or aquarium in the U.S.
8. Oak Ridge
Known as the “Secret City,” Oak Ridge quickly developed on a tract of rural farmland purchased by the government in 1942 during World War II. Within 2.5 years, the city’s population reached 75,000, becoming the fifth largest city in the state at the time. More than 100,000 people of various professions, including generals, chemists, physicists, mathematicians and engineers, were brought to this city to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project, unaware the devastating atomic bomb they were producing would end WWII. While in town, plan to explore this significant part of U.S. history at the Oak Ridge History Museum and the K-25 History Center, which travelers appreciate for being well done and informative. The K-25 History Center is one of various free things to do in Oak Ridge, including off-road adventures at Windrock Park and bike riding, jogging, fishing or swimming at Melton Lake Park. For an extended stay, several major hotel chain properties are located in town.