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Britannia Mine Museum

Britannia Mine Museum

Britannia Mine Museum
4.5
Historic SitesHistoric Walking AreasHistorical & Heritage ToursMinesHistory Museums
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Rumble aboard The Underground train as it rolls through a historic mining haulage tunnel. Push up your sleeves at our Gold Panning Pavilion and keep what you find! Immerse yourself in the award-winning, live-action, multi-sensory experience of BOOM! Learn about minerals, the copper extraction process, and what life was like back in the day as the mill building is brought back to life. Britannia Mine Museum opens up a little-seen world that fascinates all ages, offering awe-inspiring sights and memorable family experiences. Take a step back in time at this award-winning attraction and National Historic Site. Located along the beautiful Sea to Sky corridor between Squamish and Vancouver.
Britannia Beach, British Columbia, Canada

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Tours and Tickets by Britannia Mine Museum
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles599 reviews
Excellent
422
Very good
147
Average
21
Poor
5
Terrible
4

Loreal.Klassen
Ocho Rios, Jamaica24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
My husband and I decided to stop at the Britannia Mine Museum yesterday on our way back from a night in Whistler. I remember doing the gold panning activity as a child but have always wanted to go into the actual mill! First we spent an hour going through all the self guided buildings. Then we did the underground train tour. We were able to see one of the mining drills run. Ashley was so informative and we loved learning how copper was mined. We were also shown how the miners used candles and took core samples. Then we watched the Boom show which was absolutely amazing! We finally got to see the inside of the mill and learn about the process of each level. The Boom show was so captivating- from the lighting, sounds, and scents. We were blown away! The whole experience was incredible and I can't stop thinking about how wild it would be to live through that!
Written October 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your visit, Loreal. We're glad you had a good time.
Written April 19, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Maya
Edinburgh, UK390 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
Stoped in here on the way back from Whistler having seen it on the way up but not had time to go in.

Without google maps we’d have never found the entrance / parking. There are signs from the road but they stop and there isn’t one at the right turn off or at the parking lot. We guessed where to go and got it right. They definitely need a sign at the junction from the sea to sky highway.

The actual museum is great with lots of interactive activities and exhibits. There’s even a panning for gold activity.

When we arrived there was a tour leavening in 20 for the mine so we were able to get on that. It’s an hour with half in the mine and the other half in the boom show. I wasn’t sure how claustrophobic the mine would be but it was not bad at all. The tour was very good and informative.

The highlight of the tour was definitely the boom show. I had a rough idea what to expect but it was even better in person. It was great to see they used the building as a filming location for a few movies!

If you are in the area I’d highly recommend a visit to the mine. It’s an easy trip from Vancouver too and is fun for all the family.
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brigid S
Vancouver, Canada104 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
A great day traveling into the Britannia Mine via the train wearing our hardhats. Then Angela gave us a walking tour of the inside of the mine shaft and the use of some of the equipment.
There were people of all ages and we had received an email regarding wearing closed toed shoes because it is wet and the ground is uneven, as well as a jacket because it is cold inside the mine.
The BOOM presentation was a perfect ending to the whole experience.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Winch50
Winchester, England119 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Family
A really interesting tour, we learnt a lot about the copper mining the took place here. Our guide, Spencer, was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Loved the Boom presentation at the end of the tour. Our grandchildren enjoyed panning for gold. Interesting exhibitions too.
Written June 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian K
Abbotsford, Canada1,233 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Couples
This is my second trip to the museum I visited when I was a teenager in the 90's the place has changed a bit and the tour provides and excellent history of the area.
Written April 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for coming back! We underwent a big renovation in 2010, and are gearing up for another big addition this summer - our BOOM! live-action experience in the historic Mill building. Hope you'll come back yet again!
Written April 8, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Rachel K
Redmond, Washington37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Friends
I hadn't been to this museum in maybe 10 years- it has been drastically improved in that time.
I drive past the building every year on my way up to Whistler, BC. This year we decided to make a trip back down to visit.

Start with the mine tour- there are a bunch of stairs to walk up for this part. Put on a hard hat (required) and head into the mine on a little train. Bring a jacket or long sleeve shirt even in the summer as it is cold and damp inside. The tour guide was awesome- knew a lot about the mine and answered lots of questions. I won't spoil the tour with details but know its fun!

The tour ends inside the big building that you see from the road. It is amazing inside- great place to take photos. Our tour guide stuck around to answer any other questions.

Once tour is over go back through the other buildings- lots of great pictures/artifacts about the mine and the life that the miners/families lived. There are also a few outdoor exhibits to see- make sure you explore!!!

Also, you must pan for gold even if you're an adult. Lots of fun and a little (free) souvenir to take home. Don't feel embarrassed panning for gold next to a dozen children. Worth it.
Written September 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mandywey
Saskatoon, Canada73 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Couples
We stopped here on our way back from Whistler, and was pleasantly surprised at how great the tour was! It was only $22 or so for the tour (which I thought they could have charged more and people would pay), you got to go in a coal mining car underneath the mountain, which I thought was very interesting. Underneath, you got to see the various tools that were used to mine within the past 100 or so years. You also learned what it was like to work underneath the ground. Then you could explore the rest of the museum on your own. You could spend hours here!
Written September 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Canadoc
Fort Langley, Canada149 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2013 • Family
If you went years ago, go again. It has been redone and I thought I'd check it out again. I took my 14 year old son.

It is very easy to find. It is right (literally) on the main highway (Sea to Sky) just after the Furry Creek community. There is plenty of free parking. The main check in is easy and efficient. People may think it is expensive but I think the cost is comparable to other similar tourist spots. They give you a map and you are off. There is a short movie about the history. This first building has nice displays. There are interactive computers which the kids will love. There are exhibits for adults and some for kids.

There are plenty of other buildings to explore. There are outdoor exhibits. The educational signage makes it really easy to learn the main features of the mine. I particularly liked the exhibits about the history of the mine families and their day to day lives.

The tour of the mine is fine. You should wear closed shoes because there is standing water in the mine. There is mud so don't wear your best shoes. You do have to wear hardhats. Little kids might have trouble keeping them on but they will have fun on the tour. The actual train ride itself is short and then there is a little walk around inside the mine. The guide explains how the mine ran and answers questions. Very knowledgeable. After that the tour goes into the huge mine building.

There is a nice play area for kids. There is a small café open during the summer. There is a large gift shop. Prices are reasonable considering it is a tourist spot. The income from the store goes to the running of the mine so in the end it helps to consider that when purchasing your items. Washrooms are clean.

Across the highway is the ocean. Walk over and you can walk to a small rocky beach with logs to sit on.

Enjoy.
Written September 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RandomCanada
Canada15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2011
I went to the Britannia mining museum this summer and it was definitely worth the visit. The entry price for adults ($21.50) was a bit on the steep side, but I didn't feel it was a waste. The train ride and machinery demonstrations underground were the highlight. It's also rather mind blowing to walk into the old mill - a huge building that left us all looking up and gaping as soon as we walked in the door. Our tour guide was exceptionally good. He was obviously not a former miner at the site (too young), but he was very knowledgeable and spoke as if he had a great affinity to the place, the miners, and the mine's history. I'm usually not big on "welcome to our museum" films, but the one they show in the interpretation centre was very useful, to see old footage and picture what the mining towns were like when the mine was working. There was a senior with us (80ish) and there is a climb of several stories of wooden steps (no elevator) to get to the mine ride entrance, so we had to allow for plenty of time to get to the train ride on time.
Written September 1, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Screaminlizard
Vancouver, BC, Canada16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2011
I've been on a few mine tours over the years and most are less than inspired but the mine at Britannia Beach is a rare exception. The tour starts with a short train ride through the tunnel on the old trolley carts taking you well inside the mine. The guide actually operates several large drills and various other peices of equipment in the mine shafts at various locations to give you a real sense of what it was like to work in the mines. The equipment is loud so they'll have you plug your ears. After a few stops in the mine shaft a walk out a second exits starts your tour of the main buildings. The main processing building will blow your mind!!! Built in 1922-23, the entire structure is about 27 of engeneering marvel with masive beams and a vaulted interior that allows you to see from the bottom all the way to the top. I've never seen anything like it. The size and scope of the equipment is breathtakng. There is a rail track with an adjacent staircase that runs at an impossible angle up the back mountainface. The pitch of the rails and stairs is so steep it's hard to beleive people used to use them. Apparantly this was the worlds largest copper mine at one time producing 17% of the worlds copper supply! Amazing and well worth the stop.
Written July 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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