PA Museums

A Complete Guide to PA’s Best Underground Coal Mine Tours

Collage of five photos featuring various Pennsylvania underground coal mine tours. The top left shows a statue of a miner with a raised lamp next to the 'Pioneer Tunnel' train car. The top right displays the 'Brooks Coal Mine' sign against a stone wall and trees. The center right picture has a colorful sign welcoming visitors to 'No. 9 Mine,' with 'Old Company’s Lehigh' at the top. The bottom left is the entrance to 'Tour-Ed Mine' with a yellow banner greeting visitors. The bottom right captures the entrance sign to 'The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour' with the tour facility in the background.

If you’re looking for information about experiencing Pennsylvania’s best underground coal mine tours, you’re in the right place!

A group of visitors on a guided tour inside the Number 9 Coal Mine in Carbon County, PA, listens attentively to a guide. The visitors are equipped with hard hats for safety. They are standing in a large cavernous space of the mine, with rocky walls and ceiling. The mine's structure is supported by timber beams, and there's an old mining elevator cage in the background. Illuminated by overhead lights, educational signs are also visible on the mine's walls, enhancing the tour experience.

As of 2024, Pennsylvania is home to 5 underground coal mine tours.

Since I’ve visited all 5 recently, I’d like to share with you some of my photos and a brief summary about each one.

Riding a mine car into the depths of the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine in Schuylkill County Pennsylvania. — Riding a mine car into the depths of the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine in Schuylkill County.

Simply click on the blue text links in any of the summaries below to read a more in-depth article about that mine tour.

The Tour-Ed coal mine excursion takes you 160 feet beneath the surface of the Earth.

Why Tour a Coal Mine?

Underground coal mine tours in Pennsylvania play a crucial role in preserving the state’s rich mining history and educating the public about the significant contributions of miners to both the state and the nation.

A tour guide, holding a long metal rod, stands inside the Number 9 Coal Mine in Carbon County, PA. He appears to be demonstrating or explaining a process as he gazes upward, likely discussing the mine's history or the mining process. The guide is wearing casual attire and a headlamp. The mine's tunnel surrounds him, with its dark, rugged rock walls and ceiling, illuminated by lighting that casts a glow on the scene. Further back in the tunnel, another person is visible near some equipment, possibly part of the tour group.

These tours offer a tangible connection to the past, allowing visitors to experience the conditions under which miners worked and understand the challenges they faced.

A realistic diorama within the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, depicting two miners working in the tight, confined spaces of the mine. The miners are shown with headlamps illuminating their immediate area, one kneeling while working and the other hunched over. The scene is set deep underground with rough, dark walls and heavy wooden beams for support, highlighting the challenging and cramped working conditions of historical coal mining.

By walking the same tunnels, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of the coal mining industry.

Inside the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA, a tour guide in a high-visibility jacket and hard hat with a headlamp is speaking next to a lifelike statue of a 'mule boy.' The boy is depicted in historical mining attire, leading a mule carrying a cart full of coal. The scene is set in an underground mining tunnel with rustic wooden beams and dim lighting, enhancing the historical ambiance of the exhibit.

Additionally, these tours help foster a sense of identity and pride within local communities, ensuring that the legacy of Pennsylvania’s coal miners is honored and remembered.

A granite monument outside the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum honoring those who worked in the anthracite coal mining industry. The stone is etched with an image of a miner holding a pickaxe, with text below stating, "This monument perpetuates the memory of those who worked throughout the anthracite coal mining industry." Above the etching, a religious verse promises relief from hardship. The memorial stands as a somber reminder of the miners' contributions and sacrifices, set against the backdrop of the museum's brick exterior.

The Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Carbon County

Visiting the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum in Carbon County involves a journey deep inside a historical anthracite coal mine, where visitors are transported 1,600 feet into a mountain for a detailed tour.

Passengers seated in a yellow mine car are journeying through a low-ceilinged tunnel within the Number 9 Coal Mine in Carbon County, PA. The tunnel is reinforced with timber beams above and metal sheeting along the sides, reflecting the car's lights and creating a play of light and shadow. The perspective of the image draws the viewer into the depth of the tunnel, emphasizing the enclosed, subterranean environment of this historic mine.

Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour offers a close look at the mining conditions and methods, including viewing a mule-way and a miner’s hospital built directly into the rock.

Underground hospital inside the Number 9 coal mine.

The adjacent museum hosts a vast collection of mining artifacts, highlighting the life and work of miners with engaging exhibits and historical documentation.

Inside the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum, visitors explore exhibits showcasing the anthracite mining heritage. The museum features exposed brick walls, a high wooden truss ceiling, and American flags hanging proudly. Glass display cases contain mining artifacts, documents, and photographs. A large diorama of a coal mine, complete with miniature buildings and a train, draws attention at the center. Informative posters adorn the walls, and a mannequin dressed in mining gear adds to the authenticity. This space serves as an educational gateway into the history and culture of coal mining in Pennsylvania.

This educational experience deepens the appreciation for the miners’ contributions to America’s industrial history.

The interior of the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum features a scale model of an anthracite coal breaker, displaying the intricate architecture and operational components of coal processing. The exhibit is complemented by various mining tools, equipment, and historical photographs in the background, including large signs such as "OLD COMPANY'S LEHIGH" and "CROSS CREEK" with symbols of mining heritage. The museum's high wooden ceilings and brick walls create an authentic and rustic atmosphere that pays homage to the coal mining industry.

The Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum is open from the beginning of April until the end of November.

An interior view of the Number 9 Coal Mine tunnel in Carbon County, PA. The photo captures the rough and textured rock ceiling and walls of the mine, with a track laid out along the ground for mine carts. Electrical lines run along the top, illuminating the tunnel with sporadic lights. The perspective leads the viewer's eye down the track, giving a sense of depth and the dark, enclosed nature of the mine environment.

Admission fees are as follows: Adults: $12 | Children (ages 4-12): $9 | Under 4: FREE.

Tourists wearing hard hats are riding in a mine car through the dimly lit tunnels of the Number 9 Coal Mine in Carbon County, PA. The photo captures the passengers in a candid moment, as they experience the underground environment, with the mine car's interior structure and protective mesh visible under the artificial light, which casts shadows and adds to the ambience of the mining experience.

For more detailed information about the Number 9 Coal Mine and Museum, you can read my full article here.

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton offers a compelling journey underground, descending into the historic coal mines.

A miner in high-visibility clothing and a hard hat stands next to a wooden sign inside the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA. The sign, with a bright red background and yellow lettering, reads '2ND OPENING 250 FT. TO SURFACE' with a red arrow pointing to the left, indicating the direction to the nearest escape shaft. The environment is dimly lit, with rocky walls and wooden support beams, reflecting the authentic underground setting of the coal mine.

The adventure begins with visitors boarding a mantrip car (underground personnel carrier) and descending approximately 250 feet below the ground surface through the #190 slope.

Bright yellow mine car on tracks at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. The car, which appears to be an old, rugged vehicle used for transporting miners underground, has a metal grated window and a 'Fasten Seat Belt' sign on its side. It's parked on rails with a forested backdrop and the entrance to the mine visible in the distance, complete with the coal mine's sign.

Visitors learn about mining through the expertise of guides who are former miners, sharing insights from their experiences.

A tour guide, wearing a yellow high-visibility jacket and a hard hat, demonstrates an old-fashioned miner's lamp to visitors at the Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, PA. Two visitors in hard hats are listening attentively. They are standing in a dimly lit mine shaft with rough stone walls and heavy timber supports. The guide is holding up the lamp, adding to the educational experience in the historical mining environment.

The tour reveals the tough conditions and the evolution of mining technology, from hand tools to mechanized equipment.

A tour guide at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA, is presenting in front of a large educational board detailing the 'End View of Lackawanna Basin Scranton, PA.' The guide, wearing a reflective jacket and hard hat, is gesturing towards the diagram which illustrates various coal beds and rock layers, providing insights into the geological structure of the coal mining area.

The Anthracite Heritage Museum, adjacent to the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, preserves the history of the anthracite coal mining industry in northeastern PA, including the cultural legacy of the European immigrants who toiled to extract the region’s “black diamonds.”

A collage of four photos from the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton, PA. The top left photo shows a large piece of anthracite coal on display in the museum's exhibit hall. The top right photo features a recreated coal miner's chapel with wooden pews and an altar. The bottom left photo depicts a diorama of a miner's home kitchen, while the bottom right photo displays a historical black and white photograph of a miner's family. Together, these images provide a comprehensive overview of the museum's dedication to preserving the history of coal mining and the lifestyle of miners and their families in Pennsylvania. — Scenes from the Anthracite Heritage Museum.

Tours are offered April through November, Friday through Monday, from 10 am until 3 pm (last tour at 2:30 pm).

View from inside a mine car looking out onto the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. Two visitors wearing hard hats are seen from behind, one in a high-visibility jacket and the other in a dark coat. They are gazing out through a window with a metal grid, with the mine's red metal tunnel structure leading out to the daylight where buildings and bare trees are visible.

Admission fees are: Adult (13-64): $10.00 | Senior (65+): $9.50 | Military: $9.00 | Children (3-12): $7.50 | Under 3: FREE.

A tour guide, dressed in a high-visibility jacket and a yellow hard hat, stands in the underground tunnel of the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. The guide is illuminated by the warm glow of the tunnel lights, with mining tracks extending into the dimly lit passage behind him. His posture and the equipment he carries suggest he is providing educational information to visitors about the mine.

For a detailed account about the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, you can read more here.

Welcome sign at the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour in Scranton, PA. The wooden signboard, prominently displayed on a grassy lawn, informs visitors of the tour times from Friday through Monday, 10 AM to 3 PM, with the last tour at 2:30 PM. In the background, the tour's main building features a large 'COAL MINE TOUR' sign and exhibits mining artifacts, including a rusted cart. The setting is serene with a clear sky and autumn trees, indicating a peaceful yet educational attraction.

Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine in Schuylkill County

At the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine in Schuylkill County, visitors experience an authentic coal mining journey underground, traveling 1,800 feet into Mahanoy Mountain on a mine car.

The Pioneer Tunnel coal mine tour uses open air mining cars to take you 1,800 feet into the side of Mahanoy Mountain in Ashland Pennsylvania. — The Pioneer Tunnel coal mine tour uses open air mining cars to take you 1,800 feet inside of Mahanoy Mountain.

Guided by knowledgeable guides, the tour includes walking through historic passageways where visitors learn about coal mining history and techniques.

Tour guide pointing out the numerous coal seams and passageway inside the Pioneer Tunnel coal mine.

Additionally, the site offers a steam train ride around the mountain, providing insights into strip mining and the natural reclamation of the landscape.

The Henry Clay steam engine preparing to return to the station at Pioneer Tunnel coal mine in Ashland Pennsylvania. — The Henry Clay steam engine preparing to return to the station at Pioneer Tunnel coal mine.

At the nearby Museum of Anthracite Mining (located in the Ashland Borough Building), you can learn just about everything you’d ever want to know about anthracite coal – how it forms, how it is mined, how mining technology has changed over the years, and the dangers associated with the process.

A collage of four photos showcasing different exhibits at the Museum of Anthracite Mining in Ashland, PA. Top left: The entrance to the museum with a sign reading 'COAL: THE ROCK THAT BURNS' above a hallway leading to various exhibits. Top right: A photo gallery of black and white images of coal miners. Bottom left: A replica mine tunnel constructed with heavy timber, providing a walkthrough experience. Bottom right: A glass display featuring a detailed model of a maroon and yellow dragline excavator set in a simulated mining environment. Each image captures the educational and immersive atmosphere of the museum. — Scenes from the Museum of Anthracite Mining in Ashland.

Pioneer Tunnel coal mine tours and steam train excursions are offered April through October.

Pioneer Tunnel in Schuylkill County PA was a working anthracite coal mine from 1911-1931. — Pioneer Tunnel was a working anthracite coal mine from 1911-1931.

Admission fees are as follows: Coal Mine Tour: Adults $12.00, Children (under 12): $9.00 : Steam Train Excursions: Adults $10.00, Children (under 12): $8.00.

The trip into Pioneer Tunnel is made in an open mine car pushed or pulled by a battery-operated mine motor.

For more details about the Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine Tour, you can read my full article here.

The Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine Tour is open April through October in Ashland Pennsylvania. — The Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine Tour is open April through October.

The Tour-Ed Coal Mine and Museum Near Pittsburgh

The Tour-Ed Coal Mine and Museum near Pittsburgh offers a deep dive into the bituminous coal mining world with a journey that starts with an educational video before visitors board an enclosed mine car for an underground tour.

The height of the passageways in the Tour-Ed coal mine is a little less than six feet.

Led by retired miners, the tour gives insights into the historical and modern-day challenges of mining, displaying operational vintage mining equipment underground.

Modern mining methods displayed inside the Tour-Ed coal mine in Tarentum.

The museum above ground enriches the experience with a collection of mining artifacts and tools, offering a glimpse into the daily life and history of miners.

Early Mining exhibit at the Tour-Ed Coal Mine and Museum near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. — Early Mining exhibit at the museum.

This educational tour highlights both the technical aspects of bituminous coal mining and its cultural impact.

Mining methods in the 1930s and 1949s displayed underground in the Tour-Ed coal mine near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. — Mining methods in the 1930s and 1949s displayed underground.

The Tour-Ed Coal Mine and Museum is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, and admission is $9.00 for adults, $8.50 for kids 12 and under.

Visitors ride these enclosed mine cars for a half-mile into the mine during the Tour-Ed coal mine excursion. — Visitors ride these enclosed mine cars for a half-mile into the mine.

For a more detailed overview of the Tour-Ed Coal Mine and Museum, you can read my full article here.

The Tour-Ed Coal Mine and Museum is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The Brooks Mine in Scranton

The Brooks Mine in Scranton, constructed in 1902, was never a commercial coal mine, but rather was built as a “model” mine to give people an idea of what did go in inside an operational anthracite coal mine.

The historic entrance to the Brooks Coal Mine in Nay Aug Park, Scranton, Pennsylvania, partially covered with autumn leaves. The entrance features a gated archway set within a stone structure, with the name 'BROOKS MINE' inscribed above. Tall trees with sparse, late autumn foliage stand guard around this old mine, adding to the historic ambience of the scene. — The Brooks Mine was originally constructed in 1902 to serve as an exhibition about coal mining.

This 150-foot “model mine” closed in 1975, but was recently rehabilitated and reopened for tours in the summer of 2023.

Interior view of the Brooks Coal Mine tunnel at Nay Aug Park in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The tunnel entrance shows moss-covered stone arches and wooden support beams. Railroad tracks lead into the dark depths of the mine. A warning sign for 'DANGER NO SMOKING OPEN FLAME' is visible, indicating the hazardous nature of the environment within the historic coal mine. — The Brooks Mine reopened in 2023 after being closed for more than four decades.

The Brooks Mine is open to visitors on Saturdays 10AM – 5PM starting the first weekend in April through Halloween weekend, and admission to the mine is free (donations accepted).

The Brooks Mine is open for free tours on Saturdays, April through October.

The Broad Top Area Coal Miners Museum in Robertsdale (Huntingdon County) takes visitors on a deep dive into the coal mining and railroad history of the Broad Top region, which includes portions of Huntingdon, Bedford, and Fulton counties.

A collage of four photos showcasing the Broad Top Area Coal Miners Museum in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. The top left image shows the museum's exterior, a historic brick building with a marquee that reads "Coal Miners Museum" and features a vintage mining cart displayed outside. The top right image reveals shelves inside the museum filled with mining artifacts, tools, lanterns, and memorabilia from the coal mining industry. The bottom left photo displays an informational sign about the formation of coal, paired with a historic photograph of East Broad Top coal miners. The bottom right image highlights a section of the museum with mining safety equipment, an old "Danger Explosives" sign, and vintage framed mining certificates on the wall.

The Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton (Lackawanna County) preserves the history of the anthracite coal mining industry in northeastern PA, including the cultural legacy of the European immigrants who toiled to extract the region’s “black diamonds.”

The Museum of Anthracite Mining in Ashland (Schuylkill County) is a hidden gem that explores the coal mining history that shaped the region and the country.

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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