Photo: mtandiz
Photo: Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
Photo: Halina Cross
Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour
★4.7(607 reviews)$$Adventure
🕑 1.5 to 2 hours (including museum time before/after the tour)👶 Best for ages 6 and up. The descent into the mine and historical content are most appreciated by school-age children who can understand the history and handle the underground environment. Younger children may find the descent intimidating or the tour length challenging.🧡 Saved by 31 families
About
Descend 300 feet below the surface into a real anthracite coal mine for an unforgettable underground adventure that brings history to life. The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour offers families a unique, hands-on educational experience where kids can see authentic mining equipment, learn about the lives of coal miners, and explore the actual passages where miners once worked in Scranton's industrial heyday.
Highlights
- ✓Riding the underground mine car down a sloping tunnel 300 feet below the surface
- ✓Seeing authentic mining tools, equipment, and machinery used over 100 years ago
- ✓Learning about the dangerous and difficult work of child laborers who worked in the mines
- ✓Exploring the dark, winding underground passages with atmospheric lighting
- ✓Interactive demonstrations showing how coal was extracted and transported
Pro Tips
- 1.Bring jackets or sweatshirts for everyone: the mine stays at a constant cool 50-55 degrees year-round, even in summer.
- 2.Wear closed-toe shoes with good traction as the mine floor can be damp and uneven in spots.
- 3.Arrive 15-20 minutes early to visit the museum exhibits before your tour and allow time for restrooms, as there are none underground.
- 4.Ask your tour guide questions: they are incredibly knowledgeable and love sharing stories that bring the mining experience to life for kids.
- 5.Skip the stroller and use a baby carrier if bringing very young children, as the terrain is not stroller-friendly.
Best Time to Visit
Visit on weekday mornings during the school year for smaller crowds and more personalized attention from guides. Summer weekends are the busiest. The consistent underground temperature makes any season comfortable for touring.
What to Know
Tours depart regularly throughout the day and last about an hour. The venue is partially accessible but the mine tour itself involves stairs and uneven surfaces. There is a small gift shop on-site, and you can easily combine this with other nearby Scranton attractions for a full day.
Seasonal Notes
Open year-round with the same cool underground temperature regardless of season. Hours may be reduced in winter months (typically January through March), so check ahead. The mine offers a great escape from summer heat or winter cold.
Nearby Eats
Cooper's Seafood House (quirky nautical-themed family restaurant with a diverse menu about 5 minutes away) or Colarusso's Coal Fired (pizza and Italian comfort food perfect for hungry families after the tour).
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