Cape Breton Miners' Museum, Glace Bay: Address, Phone Number, Cape Breton Miners' Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Cape Breton Miners' Museum
Cape Breton Miners' Museum
4.5
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4.5
518 reviews
Excellent
408
Very good
87
Average
19
Poor
0
Terrible
4
Canadian_tourist12
Ottawa, Canada49 contributions
Sep 2021
The tour with Eric Spencer was GREAT! He was knowledgeable as he worked in the mine and had a great sense of humor! Lots of interesting information and portrays a good picture of the era and what it was like to work in the mine. The movie was a great addition! Highly recommend visiting!
Written 3 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear Canadian_tourist12,
Thanks for taking the time to review us on TripAdvisor. Eric is a treasure. Our mine guides are walking bits of history with many stories to tell.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 26 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MJH3103
Toronto, Canada18 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
We had a great tour with Eric Spencer. So knowledgeable, personable and provided great insight into life in the mines. Worth the trip to Glace Bay!
Written 25 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear MJH3103,
Thanks for taking the tome to review us on Trip Advisor. We agree. We are worth the trip to Glace Bay.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 26 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
soccerlorraine
Hamilton, Canada7 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Powerful interactive experience. Tour guide, Eric's experiences were dynamic & told history very well.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear soccerlorraine,
Thank you for taking the time to review us on TripAdvisor. Most of our visitors would say that the real treasure in this Museum is our Tour Guides.
Safe Travels,
Mary Pat
Written 26 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ron W
Oshawa, Canada1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Couples
We absolutely loved our tour!!! Our guide was Eric a miner with 30 years punched. The history of the company and its treatment of the workers was unbelievable. But the actual fondness of Eric’s coworkers and community was enviable. It’s something you have to see to crawl along in a 42” high coal seem and imagine doing that everyday is a once in a lifetime experience. Honestly the best tour I’ve ever done of anything anywhere !!
If your in cape Breton make the time it will not disappoint. Warning it is strenuous on the legs and back
If your in cape Breton make the time it will not disappoint. Warning it is strenuous on the legs and back
Written 17 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear Ronward,
Thank you for your great review! Your experience is exactly what we hope our visitors will take away with them. Even the uncomfortable moments of crouching through 4'2" tunnels help us connect to the experience of the miner's daily life.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 26 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dkbaker
Dunnville, Ontario138 contributions
Sep 2021
This was a fascinating place to visit. Definitely the occurrences during the 1920's in Cape Breton coal mining is a stain on Canadian history. Our guide, Wishie, did a great job although he was rather soft-spoken and difficult to hear at times. A previous reviewer stated that the museum was handling COVID restrictions well. We must strongly disagree. Although masks are required in the museum, physical distancing is non-existent. During the initial monologue by the retired miner before descending in to the mine, we were sitting less than 6 inches from a stranger, not 6 feet. Same uncomfortable closeness in the mine but then as we were walking up the ramp out of the mine, we were told to walk in single file 6 feet apart so as to comply with COVID regulations. There were 20 people in our group and the staff tried to add more. If the museum ran more frequent tours, groups could be smaller and safer.
Written 16 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear dkbaker,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on our Museum with TripAdvisor. We are very pleased that you had a fascinating visit. And yes your are right, we are struggling to work within the parameters of Covid restrictions. Because sometimes social distancing can be an issue, we require anyone entering the museum to wear a mask.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 17 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rob K
Saint John, Canada71 contributions
Sep 2021 • Solo
Was a great tour and learned a lot of the past hardships of coal mining.
Always be thankful and don't take for granted what we have today, it was built on the sacrifices of men like these.
Always be thankful and don't take for granted what we have today, it was built on the sacrifices of men like these.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear Rob K,
Thanks for posting your review to TripAdvisor. Going underground with a retired miner gives us a new definition for a bad day at work.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 17 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Lynda
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Friends
Very interesting, entertaining tour given by retired miners. A little uncomfortable and cold for awhile since you go down into the actual mine and cannot stand upright if you are over 5 feet tall. My only complaint was that there were 2 men in an office with the door open talking through the tour guides entire introduction. I had to move to the other side of the room but could still hear them over the guide. Very annoying.
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear Baxwitch666,
Thanks for posting your review on TripAdvisor. I will mention to the guides that they should close the door if they are in there when another guide is giving his introduction.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 17 September 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Alex M
Kitchener, Canada154 contributions
Aug 2021
A lovely place to learn about the history of coal mining in the region. I have been here a few times taking various visitors to the museum. Take the tour and enjoy the history given by real coal miners and their experiences.
I don't have anything bad to say, they basically have adapted it nicely do to Covid.
I don't have anything bad to say, they basically have adapted it nicely do to Covid.
Written 18 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear alexmac131,
Thank you for posting your review on TrpAdvisor. It is very nice to hear from a repeat visitor and we are grateful for your recommendation.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 19 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michelle
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Family
Absolutely amazing tour of the mine! Eric our guide was friendly and even though he made the tour enjoyable, I think I’ll stick to my desk job lol. Unbelievable!!!! Thank you so much and I’m glad CTV news did a piece on this hidden gem so we knew to drop by. Anyone close to the Glace Bay area really needs to make a point of stopping in.
Written 7 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear Michben16,
Thank you for posting your review on TripAdvisor. Eric is a wonderful mine guide and a gifted story teller. I will let him know you enjoyed your tour.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 19 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Greg B
14 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Great tour, thanks to Wishie Donovan. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting Cape Breton. The kids loved it.
Written 6 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Dear gregD3512DM,
Thank you for posting your review on TripAdvisor. We are thrilled that you mentioned your kids enjoyed it. We try to provide a first class family experience.
Safe travels,
Mary Pat
Written 19 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
how long is the tour? trying to squeeze it in before flying home to Ontario
Julie N
Wylie, TX93 contributions
At least an hour for the tour itself I would say. There is a museum you can walk through in that building and some outer buildings. I would 2 hrs to be there
elysecarey
Woodmere, NY19 contributions
I want to come to the museum on the 12th of July and would like to know which bus is it that we need to take on Dorchester St. please. Also, what stop do we get off and how will we find the museum once we disembark from the bus? Thanks.
marypat m
Glace Bay, Canada
The bus stop is about 4 blocks from the pier. Take Esplanade to Dorchester to George. Wait at the glass-enclosed bus stop on Dorchester just short of George Street. Take the #1 Glace Bay bus at 10:00 or 11:00am. It may arrive early but it will wait and leave on the hour. The ride takes about 50 minutes. Once you arrive in Glace Bay, get off on Commercial (between
Marconi and York, across the street from Tim Hortons). Walk downhill on Commercial St. Commercial becomes South after you cross over a stream. Continue on South St and turn left at Birkley St. The museum will be straight ahead, about 2 blocks. (Total walk is 1.1 km, which will take you about 20 minutes). You will see occasional signage.
The Miners' Museum has a movie and exhibits on coal mining, methods, tools, and history. The real value in visiting the museum is the tour, led by retired coal miners who share with you their coal mining experiences.You go underground into a 1932 'room and pillar' coal mine where you will see coal-lined walls and learn from a true insider about the mining
methods and working conditions. He will share his stories with you as you enter one tunnel after another. Our tour lasts at least an hour. Highly recommended! Tours are not scheduled.
Catch the return bus on Marconi Street, near where you arrived, on the hour. If you get back to the bus stop a little early, stop in at Tim Hortons for a fresh Krispy Kreme-style doughnut or muffin, and coffee or hot chocolate.
Cost for the bus is $3.25pp 1 way (except Saturdays where all fares are just 1 Loonie).Allow a total of 6 hours for this excursion (1.5 hours for the bus and walk each way and 3 hours for the museum and mine tour).
All the best,
Mary Pat
Mary Pat Mombourquette
Executive Director
(902) 849-4522
Melinda W
Chico, CA13 contributions
What is the most economical way to get to the museum from Sydney? We are coming into Sydney on a cruise ship and really want to take in the Miner's Museum. Is it best to catch a taxi from Sydney or arrange to have a private car take us?
marypat m
Glace Bay, Canada
You can catch a cab away from the pier and it will cost you $25.00 one way. Renting a car would be a little costlier but you could make other stops along the way. For a really inexpensive trip to Glace Bay you can catch the bus on Dorchester Street for $1.25 one way. It is about one hour trip this way, car or taxi would be half an hour. Also if you come by bus and you get dropped off and will need to walk about a 20 minute to reach us. Please let me know if you have more questions or need further details.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cape Breton Miners' Museum
- Hotels near Cape Breton Miners' Museum:
- (3.32 km) Vespers by the Sea Bed and Breakfast
- (8.38 km) Port Morien Rectory B&B
- (5.75 km) Becky's Bed & Breakfast
- (10.96 km) Jacques Cartier Motel
- (9.30 km) Lingan Bay View Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Cape Breton Miners' Museum:
- (0.08 km) Miners Village Restaurant
- (0.87 km) The Glace Bay Chip Wagon
- (1.12 km) Talo Cafebar
- (0.81 km) Jay's Drive-In
- (1.60 km) Colette's Family Restaurant