Oak Ridge, Tennessee -
American Museum of Science & Energy

American Museum of Science & Energy

Atom Age museum embraces energy alternatives, but also has replica A-bombs and a memorable zombie cam. Roadsideamerica.com Report...

American Museum of Science and Energy

If you are interested in visiting a few other fun-filled and exciting Oak Ridge landmarks, you might try 1) the second nuclear power plant ever built (after Enrico Fermi's Chicago blowout), including a graphite reactor that fuels one light bulb and an open cooling tank where you can actually see the reaction glowing, and 2) the American Museum of Science and Energy, a down-home country museum about nuclear, hydroelectric and other forms of energy. Nearby, the Museum of Appalachia shows how area residents lived before the atom was split, and has a great festival every fall where craftspeople and oldtimers make sorghum, lye soap, apple-head dolls and other Tennessee stuff. There's excellent music there, too. [Paige R. Penland, 04/30/2000]