The mine is located 300 feet below the surface, where temperatures remain a consistent 53°F (12°C) throughout the year.
Guides are specifically selected from the ranks of retired coal miners to ensure authenticity in describing labor conditions.
The tour traverses geological veins of anthracite coal that were first opened for extraction in 1860.
Visitors ride in specialized mine cars that were historically used for transporting miners rather than coal.
The tour includes a stop at the 'Bottom Shaft,' which served as the primary ventilation and transport hub for the original mining operation.
The Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour offers a descent 300 feet below the earth into a repurposed anthracite coal mine in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Visitors travel in mine cars along the original tracks used by miners to reach the working face. The tour covers a 1.5-mile path through tunnels carved into 100-year-old rock formations. Guides are retired coal miners who provide firsthand accounts of the extraction process and life underground. The site maintains a constant temperature of 53 degrees Fahrenheit year-round due to the depth of the mine. It is located within the McDade Park complex, which features additional historical exhibits and recreational amenities. The tour demonstrates methods of coal extraction including room-and-pillar mining.
The entrance to the mine shaft where the original steel machinery and tracks are visible.
Bring a hooded sweatshirt or light jacket, as the underground temperature remains constant regardless of the weather outside.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes with good traction, as the tunnel floor can be damp or uneven.
Arrive early to explore the adjacent Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum located within the same park grounds.
Do not attempt to touch the tunnel walls, as coal dust and shale can be abrasive or unstable.
Closed annually during the winter months; check for seasonal reopening dates in late spring.
Hard hats are provided and must be worn at all times while inside the mine tunnels.
