The cold weather is here to stay and although it’s still fun to get outdoors and enjoy those winter activities, we know some ways to discover the magic of Anderson County indoors! We’ve rounded up some of the best local activities that don’t require a winter coat to be enjoyed.

Located in Historic Downtown Clinton, the Ritz Theater is a great way to experience current movies in a historical building. The theater originally opened in 1945 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Keep in mind all shows are at 7:00 pm. Tickets prices are always $6, so it is affordable for the whole family or date night! Downtown Clinton has several places to eat and grab a coffee, so grab a bite to eat or warm drink before you head to the show.

Clinch River Brewing – CRB is a craft brewery located across the street from the Clinch River and just down the road from Norris Dam. You’ll get to enjoy a wide variety of brews, delicious food and live music. Check their Facebook page to see the line-up of musicians. Make it a game night! The brewery offers live trivia on Thursday nights and has several board games available to guests or feel free to bring your own. If board games aren’t your thing, you can watch your favorite team play on TV in their upstairs tap room.

Oak Ridge Playhouse – Take in a play at the Oak Ridge Playhouse, one of the most thriving community theatres in Tennessee. The Playhouse offers a diverse season of musicals, comedies, dramas and children’s plays. All seating is reserved, so be sure to purchase a ticket in advance either online or by calling 865-482-4877. The theatre is located in Historic Jackson Square in Oak Ridge and just happens to be right down the street from the infamous Big Ed’s Pizza! If you haven’t tried Big Ed’s, you need to! We recommend trying the Big Ed’s Special.

VISIT ONE OF OUR MUSEUMS

Take a journey through the past and stop by a local museum. Anderson County is full of interesting culture and history and there’s no better way to learn it than through one of our many museums.

– You’ll get to explore the amazing world of science & technology and the unique history of Oak Ridge. AMSE has been considered one of the top tourist attractions in the Knoxville area and it attracts about 65,000 visitors per year. Visitors can touch a Van de Graaff generator and let their hair stand on end, use interactive touchscreens to learn about energy and super-computing and so much more! The museum also has a discovery shop with cool science kits, gifts and more.

Green McAdoo Cultural Center – Learn how twelve young people walked into history and changed the world. The “Clinton 12” were the first students to desegregate a state supported high school and you’ll learn their powerful story through film, interactive exhibits and photos at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center.

Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge – Whether you’re a child or a child at heart, the Children’s Museum offers a hands-on way of learning the Appalachian Heritage of East Tennessee. Visitors can play in a child-size dolls house, walk through a rain forest, and interact with a world of trains and more! The possibilities of play are endless at the museum.

Oak Ridge History Museum – Get an inside look at what life was like in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project. The Oak Ridge History Museum does a phenomenal job of demonstrating the day to day life of a Manhattan Project worker through photos and artifacts.

Museum of Appalachia – The Museum is a living history museum, a pioneer mountain farm village that lends voice to the people of Southern Appalachia through the artifacts and stories they left behind. There are over 250,000 artifacts in 3 buildings with vast collections of folk art, musical instruments, baskets, quilts, and more! In addition to the indoor exhibits, visitors can walk the grounds and see 35 log cabins, barns, farm animals, churches and more!

Coal Creek Miners Museum – The Miners Museum tells a touching story of the miners that lived, worked and died in Coal Creek, Fraterville and Briceville Tennessee. You will see authentic coal mining artifacts, photos and even read the last words written by Jacob Vowell among others before their death in the Fraterville Mine Explosion.