Cape Breton Island Coal Mine Experience & Museum

4 hours | Sydney | YQY-315
From
$ 89.95
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Points of Interest

  • Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Moderate activity

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

While you're visiting Cape Breton, you'll no doubt agree with Travel & Leisure magazine that the island is "the #1 best island to visit in the continental United States and Canada." Boasting a rugged shoreline, rolling hills, and miles of unspoiled beauty it may be difficult to believe that steel mills and coal mines once dotted the area. In fact, Glace Bay on the east side of Cape Breton Island, once had the world's largest underground coal mining operation. During this four hour excursion you'll be offered a unique perspective into the lives of the people who moved to the area to work the mines and later, actually go down into a mine for a first-hand look.

Your adventure begins as your bus winds its way to the east side of Cape Breton Island to Sydney. Along the way, you'll learn about the city's colorful history including how coal mining on Cape Breton began over 250 years ago when the French needed fuel to construct the Fortress of Louisbourg.

When you arrive at the Cape Breton Miner's Museum, it may be hard to imagine that beneath the wild roses, tall grasses, and the museum building lies an authentic coal mine. Inside the museum you'll learn all about the various types of coal mining and mining techniques, and see the large display of equipment on hand. The Miners' Village, which is located next to the museum, allows you to step back in time and visit a company store and a home from the period 1850 to 1900.

The highlight of your visit is a tour of the Ocean Deeps Colliery, an actual 1932 coal mine that's directly underneath the museum. After a brief orientation, you'll be handed helmets and raincoats before going down into the mine (the tour requires 200 yards of walking). Retired coal miners will accompany you on this one hour excursion where you will experience first-hand what it was like to extract coal and learn all about trapper boys, (as young as eight and nine) who had to control the air current by opening and closing the underground doors when the coal boxes passed.

Back on the surface, you'll board your transportation and make the short hop to the historic 112-year-old Glace Bay Heritage Museum. Originally the Town Hall, the three story red brick building housed the fire and police departments, courtrooms, civic offices, and the town jail. Eventually, the aging building was restored in 2003, and began new life as the Glace Bay Heritage Museum, which features exhibits chronicling the area's history and contributions. Enjoy refreshments then browse the gift shop for unique jewelry, games, handcrafted items, pottery, painting, Old Town Hall memorabilia, and books written by authors from Cape Breton.

At the end of your visit you'll return to your ship with a deeper understanding of the pride and hard work of the people who built Sydney into the beautiful city it is today.

Special Notes:

Underground mine has a low ceiling and requires 200 yards of walking. Taller guests may have to bend slightly in some spots. Those entering the cave complex must not be claustrophobic and must be able to walk short distances in a stooped position; only recommended for physically fit guests.

Child Price:

12 & under reduced

Tour timeline may vary to avoid overcrowding, etc.

Depart ship and drive through downtown Sydney enroute to Whitney Pier

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Transportation
Transport Capacity:
42
Travel time:
00:15
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No

Drive along the coastal toute seeing mining towns entoute to Miner's Museum

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Transportation
Transport Capacity:
42
Travel time:
00:30

Orientation of site - Mining Encounter exhibit

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
42
Time at site:
00:15
Free time at site:
15
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes

Underground mine tour including free time at the Museum

Transport type:
Walking
Time at site:
01:45
Free time at site:
45
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
No
Walking distance:
200
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes
Photo/video restrictions:
No
Photo/video opportunity:
Yes

Travel to Glace Bay Heritage Museum

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Transportation
Transport Capacity:
42
Travel time:
00:05
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No

Glace Bay Heritage Museum (Tea, Lemonade & Oatcakes)

Transport type:
Walking
Transport Capacity:
42
Time at site:
00:40
Free time at site:
60
Inside visit:
Yes
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No
Restroom available:
Yes
Shopping available:
Yes
Photo/video restrictions:
No
Photo/video opportunity:
Yes

Travel back to the ship

Transport type:
Air Conditioned Transportation
Transport Capacity:
42
Travel time:
00:30
Air conditioned:
Yes
Wheelchair accessible:
No