Get Off the Beaten Path and Get to Know Anderson County

We invite you to explore Anderson County and see what the area has to offer. From our waterways and trails to our museums and history, here are 5 places to get off the beaten path and get to know Anderson County.

Rent a pontoon boat and explore Norris Lake: Norris Lake is surrounded by five different counties, 800 miles of shoreline and offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. Whether you want to spend the day fishing, swimming and relaxing or checking out lake front property, renting a pontoon boat is a great way to get off the beaten path. Pontoon boat rentals are available at Stardust Marina and Sequoyah Marina and we think it's a great way to see a different side of Anderson County.

Walking tour in Downtown Clinton: Anderson County is rich in history and the community of Clinton highlights some of that history with a historical walking tour. The walking tour includes over 11 stops and showcases a variety of historical sites, city parks and more. The route will take you down Market Street in Downtown Clinton, home to one of the top antiquing districts in the state. You can step back in time and browse the antiques and see a variety of specialty shops and boutiques. Be sure to fuel up for your walking tour with a delicious meal at one of the downtown eateries. Click here for a map.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park: The city of Oak Ridge was home to the Manhattan Project, one of the most transformative events of the 20thcentury. It ushered in the nuclear age with the development of the world’s first atomic bombs. We recommend diving into that history with a stop at the Manhattan Project National Historical Park headquarters, located at the Children's Museum of Oak Ridge. Meet with a park ranger who will tell you a little bit of the fascinating history and highlight some attractions at the museum. We also recommend going on a Department of Energy Bus Tour. The bus tours are one-of-a-kind tours that visit three primary sites of the Manhattan Project and it's a great way to get to know the historical significance of Oak Ridge.

The Lenoir Historical Complex located in Norris Dam State Park includes the Lenoir museum, an 18th century Grist Mill and a Threshing Barn that depicts life before the Tennessee Valley Authority built Norris Dam. On display is a pictorial history, hundreds of artifacts and historical documents that really give a glimpse of what the area was like prior to the dam. The park is situated along the shoreline of Norris Lake, offers a variety of trails for hiking and biking and is an overall perfect place to experience the beauty and history of Anderson County.

Driving Trail: Nestled in the Cumberland Mountains, the Devil's Triangle is 45 miles of back roads that take you alongside pastures and simple, rural beauty. It is the perfect driving trail to see the back country of Anderson County and the surrounding areas. Highlights of the trail include Brushy Mountain Prison which housed James Earl Ray, assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King, until his death in 1998. The prison is also the only prison to have a natural wall, the side of the mountain, as one of the prison walls. You can also see Tennessee's only windmill farm on top of Buffalo Mountain which is located at Windrock Park. Click here for a map of the trail.