Travel back in time and experience what it was like to be a miner with a visit to the famous Britannia Mine Museum. Situated between Vancouver and Whistler is Britannia Mine, British Columbia's historic copper mine community in the 1900s. This award-winning museum will give you an in-depth look at mining throughout the years. General admission tickets also include gold panning, plus a ride deep into a real mine!
While visiting Vancouver or Whistler, the Britannia Mine Museum is an attraction that shouldn't be missed. The Britannia Mine Museum is a National Historic Site and an award-winning museum, located on the Sea-to-Sky Highway between Vancouver and Whistler. Britannia Mine was once the largest copper mine in the British Empire. Today, the Britannia Mine Museum opens up the little-seen yet fascinating world of the historical mine industry.
Explore the numerous educational exhibits, films, displays and hands-on activities within the state-of-the-art museum. Then, just like miners did, climb aboard a mine train and rumble into a real mine tunnel. Your knowledgeable guide will transport you into the past; many of the guides actually worked at the mines before they closed in the 1970s!
Get a first-hand look at the history of mining as you discover the inner workings of the massive mill building, once the heartbeat of the Britannia community and today one of the last remaining gravity- fed mills in North America. After, learn how to mine gold at the gold-panning station and then take home the treasures you find!
Quite a fascinating tour in a beautiful part of the coastline - the train going into the mountain was my favourite! Also includes a demonstration of the ways miners used to work in the beginning and throughout - from old noisy drills to working in candlelight, including blowing the miners whistle at the end awesomely loud!. Ends with a quick tour in the huge 20 story building that you see as you drive past. Have ample time to investigate the remainder of the site - all very fascinating and well laid out.
Review by: anitamaemcalister, October 2017
The location and atmosphere was nice. We took the greyhound bus to Britannia Beach and had a very beautiful scenic drive. Overall we had a fun time. The cafe they have was closed due to staffing issues - the Britannia Mine Museum Gift Shop has ice cream bars, coffee and cookies, chips for sale, but if you are really hungry you will have to go back down the mountain to Vancouver like we did to get lunch.
Review by: Stan K, August 2017
Excellent tour, fun, interesting, and knowledgeable. _br/_ seeing the mine built right into the mountain was amazing.
Review by: Linda C, August 2017
Had a wonderful and educational time. Who knew what a hard time miners had in the past i.e. working in the tunnels with candles. It was very well put together.
Review by: Barry R, June 2017
My family and I want to compliment our tour guide Gord. He was friendly, yet professional, timely, courteous, knowledgable and upbeat. We really can tell that he enjoys being a tour guide. The tour to Whistler on Wednesday, 6/7 was a highlight of our trip.
Review by: manny011, September 2016
Great little train ride through the mine, with demonstrations and a wondrous tale of the history of this mine from extremely well informed guides. Loved it. Great break on the drive between Vancouver and Whistler.
Review by: Stuart R, July 2016
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Lynne A, June 2016
We were there over 30 years ago. They've added more to the tour and opened another building which was very interesting.
Review by: Xiaoyu Z, April 2016
The tour guide was very passionate and knowledgeable. It can take a whole afternoon to see everything carefully.
Review by: Lynn C, August 2015
Doesn't look like much from the exterior but don't let that discourage you. Lots of fun for the entire family and really interesting too...
Review by: Kimberly H, July 2015
We had a 9 year old and a 16 year old on this tour and they enjoyed it just as much as the adults! Highly recommend this trip and spending an hour or so in the self guided museum and gold panning area.
Review by: Genevieve T, June 2015
For people with curious minds, this tour is for you. Good information on how the mining industry had evolved from it's early years to present. Great for kids. The fun part was panning for gold at the end of the tour.
Review by: Karen F, June 2015
We learned a lot about the history of mining here, and enjoyed panning for gold
Review by: Ginny T, June 2015
For people with curious minds, this tour is for you. Good information on how the mining industry had evolved from it's early years to present. Great for kids. The fun part was panning for gold at the end of the tour.
Review by: Sharon-Lee D, August 2012
excellent and fun my 2 year old had a blast playing around and my wife and I enjoyed it immensly would recomend for anyone
Review by: taylor, June 2012
Such a great experience! We really enjoyed our visit to the Britannia Mine Museum. It is right between Vancouver and Whistler and is located on the stunning Sea-to-Sky Highway. The exhibits and video at the museum were very interesting and the ride into the mine was amazing. It was so cool to go into an actual mine and the best part was learning about how mining has changed over the years and to see all the generations of equipment. Plus, they even turn off all the lights at one point to see how working in a mine really used to be. Our tour guide actually used to work at the mine in the 70s so he had a ton of great stories and insight. I can highly recommend a visit!
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