Visitor Information
We host visitors frequently. We have collected some tips here to facilitate your travel planning. The Future Technologies Group hosts many visitors throughout the year. We are located onsite at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in Building 5100, rooms 227-242.
ORNL Information
Prior approval and a visitor’s badge is required in order to visit ORNL. A DOE Standard Badge (non-site specific) is not an acceptable badge for the lab. Information about those requirements, along with directions and other general information can be found at http://www.ornl.gov/ornlhome/visiting.shtml.
Airport Information
The closest airport to ORNL is McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). It is located just outside of Knoxville in Alcoa, Tennessee and is approximately 30 miles from ORNL. Nashville International Airport (BNA) is aproximately two hours away, and Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta (ATL) is approximately 3.5 hours away. More information on McGhee Tyson Airport and available flights can be found at http://www.tys.org/.
If you are flying, you will need to obtain a rental car for your visit. Please be advised that if ORNL is sponsoring your visit and paying for your travel, GPS systems for rental cars are unallowable expenses. Please get your driving directions ahead of time.
Lodging
The ORNL Guest House is an option for those wishing to stay within the ORNL campus. More information can be found at http://web.ornl.gov/adm/fo/ls/hospitality/guesthouse/.
There are a variety of hotels in Oak Ridge and West Knoxville (about 10 and 15 miles from ORNL, respectively).
- West Knoxville hotels (on google maps)
- Oak Ridge hotels (on google maps)
Although Oak Ridge is closer to ORNL, Knoxville, located about half the way between ORNL and the airport, has a larger selection. Please be advised that if ORNL is sponsoring your visit and paying for your travel, per diem is based out of Oak Ridge, which is a lower rate than Knoxville. Information about the cities of Oak Ridge and Knoxville including hotels and restaurants can be found at http://oakridgevisitor.com/ and http://www.knoxville.org/.
Directions
ORNL is located at One Bethel Valley Road, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
- ORNL provides several links on https://www.ornl.gov/content/maps-and-directions.
- Google map directions from Knoxville airport to the ORNL Visitor Center (and building 5100). You will have to pass through the East security gate on this route. Your visitor paperwork should make this possible.
Things to do
The websites for the cities of Oak Ridge and Knoxville offer information and suggestions to explore the area: http://oakridgevisitor.com/ and http://www.knoxville.org/.
Information about The Great Smoky Mountains National Park can be found at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm. An article on how to better enjoy the park is here http://gear.rockcreek.com/how-to-avoid-the-crowds-in-great-smoky-mountains-national-park.