Reviews of Miners Museum (Butcher Shop)

Tom Eijkelenberg

Nice museum. Really impressive stories from the former employees of the mine. I think people need to hear the stories so the history can be preserved.

Jaden Shah

Very good museum. I learned that German people existed in 1920 that is something i was previously unsure of

Nick Wombolt

The mine tour is fabulous. What a great museum.

Kevin Babineau

Well worth the money for the underground tour

Mark Berkeley

What a great museum to visit. Very informative venue with cool exhibits all capped off by a walking tour in an actual mine.

WonderWendy M

This falls into the category of: I never knew.... I never knew that the Canadian Government and the Province of Nova Scotia behaved so shamefully towards the Coal Miners and their families. They collected up convicts and pardoned them under the conditions that the former convicts join the Mining company's private police AND the provincially armed militia and go into the mining communities to harass the miners and the families of the miners; in an effort to prevent them from forming/keeping a union. The guides who take you into the mines are retired local coal miners and every one of them is a living memory of the times that were. Go and listen to their stories. You'll be amazed at what you didn't know.

Colin Bodor

Be sure to take the mine tour as well, worth the small amount extra. Our guide was fun, informative and very real about the history of coal mining in Cape Breton. Be sure to watch your head!

Jeremy Buchan

Great experience to learn about the history of the Miner's in Cape Breton!! Reallly well done and fun!!

P Talamonti

Thanks Eric for the tour. We learned so much about mining. Lots of artifacts to look at. We think you should get paid more!

David Macdonald

Did not get to go inside as we were later in the day. Toured the old equipment onsite. It's a shame that it is really deteriorating horribly from the elements. Very interesting site. The miner's memorial is very moving and a nice tribute to those who have been killed in the mine disasters. We met up with an older gentleman who was a retired miner who worked in the pits for nearly 40 years. He was amazing to talk to. He had so many stories and details. He gave us a tour of the equipment before he left for BINGO :) Great experience.

Joey Roberts

Amazing family fun!

Ron Robichaud

Miners had it bad... Great tour and even better tour guides... Thanks

Himkei

Don’t mind that it’s musty, this is a must-see portal to an important piece of the region’s history!!

Victoria Shoemaker

Awesome experience, great for a history lesson. Definitely recommend for friends and family!! Guide is a retired minor and very knowledgeable

Robert Wolf

Did the full tour which takes you inground into a real previously working mine. Allocate 2 hours for this very informative museum.

Lee Fraser

Beautiful museum wonder guides .thank you Anna

Joanne Bellafatto

What a wonderful experience! We were fortunate to have Abbie Michalik as our mine guide. He had the most interesting, heart warming stories about the mines from his, and his family's, own experience. Very educational!

Robin Taylor

We got to do sn underground tour of the mine it was really cool! I do feel bad for the families that lost loved ones in the various disasters associated with the mines, but they just opened a memorial outside the museum. This place is definitely worth visiting, it's an experience you won't get anywhere else.

Andrew Xiao

Very interesting and enlightening tour. Really provided a sense of the kind of conditions miners had to work in. Be cautious not to hit your head as most of the tour takes place in tunnels 4-5.5ft tall. **Warning: will strain your back if you have significant back problems! (Bent over for much of 45min)

Gus Kalbhenn

No one should miss this opportunity to learn about the history of coal mining on Cape Breton Island . A humbling and wonderful experience.

s. t.

Amazing true-life stories told by ex-miners of the realities and hardships of both the miner and their faithfull helpers...the pit pony, as you are ushered down into the reconstructed portion of the mine. Difficult on the neck+ back during a slight descent on foot as you have to remain in a bent-over position.Floor muddy so appropriate shoes required. A little claustrophobic and cold 12°C. But the talent of the guide + his tales makes you forget your difficulties.

Arthur Ma

Didn't have time to take the tour - wish we did. Displays were very informative.

Robert Bowers

Great stories! If you do the mine tour, you need to be comfortable being bent over in a 48" tunnel for almost an hour.

Darren Chan

Really cool experience inside the mine!

Marion Soroka

Wow being able to go in the mine and realize what my dad did to put food on our table was eye opening. The Mine Guides are so knowledgeable, and it was listening to my dad and his friends talking. SHELDON was our guide today and made us all laugh. A must to do if you are in Glace Bay Cape Breton

Kenneth Kissmann

If you happen upon Cape Breton you have to go up to Glace Bay and really really need to support and take this tour. My family including my 86 year old father, and 13 year old son were so blown away. Our tour guide, retired Miner 80 year old Abbie Michalik was a joy to be with. His retelling of his life in the mine while guiding us along the wet low cieling mine was a trip to a much harder life. This place is so special and such a testament to the abilities of men to do what needs to be done no matter the personal cost just to provide for his family. The displays in the museum portion are excellent, informative and to a degree interactive.

Doug Read

Great virtual tour and mine tour! Thx, Kenny. Kids loved it too.

chris Audi1

this museum is a must go if your close to glace bay!! the visit was amazing ! our guide was wish and old man of around 70-80 years old he explain us how the mine was working and how the coal company {besco} abuse of the miners and their family the tour last around 1h30 maybe 1h45 max it cost 16$ and I think it worth it. if you planing visiting the museum let the sandal in the car and grab a good pair of shoes please note if your a tall guys or tall woman it may be more difficult because the roof of the mine goes down to 5'1" and then goes to 4' 2" around that but i think it worth it

Josh Cheater

This museum has been one of the highlights of our trip to Nova Scotia. It's definitely worth stopping in at. The tour into the mine was amazing. The tours are run by retired miners that know a ton of information on coal mining in Nova Scotia. The tour itself was eye opening into the history of the area and how hard people worked to put food on their tables and take care of their families. If you are going to Cape Breton is definitely worth going to. You won't regret it. Pricing for the tours are very reasonable for the quality and length of them.

Bobson Wong

The storytelling by a former miner really helped me understand the poor treatment by the employer, BESCO. It was quite a history that made me appreciate our employment standards today. The tour into the [fake] mine also helped me experience the cramped working conditions inside the tunnels. There really was no better way to know the feeling if it had all been told purely by pictures or video alone. My one recommendation to the tour guide would be to use a microphone and speaker during the first part of the tour since the room we were in did not have the best acoustics for projecting sound. Plus it didn't help that it was right next to the virtual tour (i.e. the video introduction) which ran in parallel with the storytelling part. Overall, I believe the entrance fee of $23 was well worth it.

Mike Howse

Just was able to see the outside park. Interested in seeing what's inside.

Chrissy Bod

It's part of canadian history, it's a HAVE too place to go to when in Glace Bay

Jason Surette

What a great experience! The guide was a former coal miner and he had great stories and truly made the experience feel authentic. Walking through the mine gave a good view into life underground. You cant get that kind of experience looking at photos. Had a great visit.

David Muddle

Fantastic learning about the coal mining history of Glace Bay, and the sense of community that emerged from a hard and dangerous way of life.

beaton57

Very nice place, men of the deep perform there

Robert Hill

Great place to visit if you wanted to know about a mining town and what was used

Peter Burian

We did the Simulation and museum Very well done but not inexpensive. Did not do the underground tour.

Lloyd Steeves

Well worth the time to visit. Very interesting and informative ????

Janet Tyson

Great place to visit

Terence Dwyer

Lots of coal mining information and equipment in the museum. Take the time to listen to the video presentations to get a proper feel for the coal mining life. And pay the money for the underground tour. Well worth it.

Jeremy Heinze

Wish was an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide. We all learned a lot and now can really appreciate the history of mining.

Kevin Bryden

Great visit as we have been into a few mines across Canada. If you want to tour the mine you have to be prepared to be bent over as the height gets down to four feet high it also took us 1 1/2 hours to complete our visit. My wife didn't do the underground part which was good if you don't like dark damp places. Our guide a former miner added a lot to the experience. If your interested in coal mining it should be on your list of places to visit.

Marc Mapplebeck

We have visited here many times, always a great experience! Wish is our favorite guide!

Rain Bautista

Wonderful experience! It truly takes you to the past and provides you an experience like no other. It truly makes you appreciate how worker’s rights are now protected, unlike back then when the big corporation literally owns you and your family for life. A must see if you are in Cape Breton.

Ted Dixon

Very well done. Must take the underground tour for the full experience.

Mustafa al rubai

Really good history lesson, it shows the work conditions back then and what they did to improve it. I recommend people to see this place. Heads up, the tunnels area as big, so there is a lot of bending.

Jason M

Had the pleasure of having Abbie as a guide in the mines today. Abbie was full of energy, and had great stories of growing up in town full of mines. I highly recommend this tour if you're in the Glace Bay Area. Thanks again Abbie!

Jenn Wile

Loved the underground tour from an actual retired miner. The virtual tour was great, the guide said it's only been open a few weeks. Lots of staff behind the glass hanging out as we entered the building. Gift shop is severely lacking in …

Doug Johnston

What a great experience

Wade Fisher

Truly an amazing experience. Our guide was wonderful, knowledgeable and friendly. The restaurant was delicious and amazing sides. It took approximately two hrs, however; it felt very fast. It was so amazing to see an actually coal mine.

Mick M. Sahib

Pretty neat place to check out and definitely quite enlightening. There are some exhibits inside as well as outside. There is also a restaurant that you can eat at situated right outside the main museum building. Make sure you sign up for the mine tour, it's pretty neat to see the layers of coal under the ground. If you're a bit taller like I am it's tough with the low head space. The tour is about 40 minutes and you will have to crouch down or bend over. Can really give you some back pain! And water will be dripping down there, so wear proper shoes. The tour is $15 per adult and $13 for kids. Bring some cash to tip the retired miner tour guide.

robb hawley

Not bad.. Wasn't open the day I was there though...

Greg Blazina

Great tour for everyone in the family. Tour guide Wishie Donovan is a veteran miner who gave a great tour for our group. The underground tour was definitely worth it.

Walter Rudderham

This is a unbelievable and truely unique experience especially if you have family who worked in the mines here. Going through the tour is hard enough so i cant imagine what my grandfather and uncle went through. Do not miss this if you are in cape breton

Sam Son

Well worth the visit. We were on a cruise ship that stopped at Sydney. We rented some bicycles and peddled out the museum for the day. Was not disappointed... highly recommend. …

Brian O'leary

Disappointed in the hew attraction. Thought it would more of an animated experience not just another information video. Entrance fee overpriced..

Wanda Profit

Awesome. Got to talk with actual miners.

Pierre-Luc Pineault

Pretty interesting visit. There a small 10-20 minutes museum-like path you can take while waiting to go into the mines. Bunch of items and information panels plus a small looping video about coal mining. The mines themselves were really a unique experience I won't forget. The guide provided a bunch of informations, while we walked through the (smaller and smaller) mine shafts, which were decorated to be as they were when people worked there. The only problem is the ever decreasing height, at 6'2" it gets pretty uncomfortable by the end. Prices were great, more so for such a unique place to visit.

Dennis Fowler

Great tour, learned a lot, makes you appreciate how hard life was for the miners. The simulator was great!

Cathy McGraw

Just Great...Must do

Nick Wakeham

Excellent and a must see. Our tour Terry was extremely knowledgeable and a wealth of information during the tour before and during the tour of the mine.

Justin Wan

This was a great opportunity to learn about an important part of Nova Scotia's history! The museum is full of interesting facts and artifacts. I would definitely recommend the guided tour of the mine. Our group's tour guide had many fascinating stories about his long career as a miner. We learned a lot about the conditions miners faced throughout the history of coal mining in Nova Scotia, including various winter strikes. The guided tour offered a unique opportunity in terms of experiencing first-hand the cramped tunnels miners had to work in for many hours every day.

R Lem (Rocks)

I cannot say enough good things about this entire experience. Our guide, Wish, was fantastic. As a miner himself, there was not a question he could not answer, nor an experience he had not lived. We walked down into a coal mine and had a …

Wayne Anderson

This place is a must to see & u have to do the mine tour.It is only after u do the tour,u will see what our forefathers work. Wet,back kneading,black lung disease. Our tour guide was Eric Spencer a 30vetran Cole miner himself.Great mam,& a wonderful guide.Hats off to this wonderful Gentleman. ????

Peggy Matheson

Great tour guide. Many thanks Terry.y grandfather worked in a coal mine so it was very interesting to take a step back on time

Laurie Evans

It really helped me to understand what a coal miner and his family's life was really like throughout the past 100 years or so.

Rachael Dorothy

Half of the museum was under construction when I went. Outside was fun to see windmills for power on the shore. They also have bike parking!

Adam Lafontaine-Cook

Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. great tour. A must see!

John Rogez

A great family experience awaits. Love the stories

Dan R

Incredible experience that's going to stick with me for a long time. Our tour guide Ken was fantastic and helped bring life to the men and boys who laboured in terrible conditions in the mine. His colourful personal anecdotes were a real …

Mary Slade

My visit to the Museum was well worth it.A group of us went to see the new Simulator and it was Awesome!! Seeing how they worked back then was so eye-opening and very informative.Just like actually being there!!!

Debbie Mcleod

Would highly recommend if you haven't been here. The staff very knowledgeable and funny. Keeps all ages interested.

Dan Roberts

My family and I loved this restaurant! The staff were friendly and efficient, food was delicious and fresh, and the atmosphere was cozy. Very clean as well. We'd go back in a heartbeat!

Melanie LeBlanc

What a great experience! The tour guides are retired miners who can tell stories from their own experiences. We'll worth it!

James Craig

Great experience. I'd suggest taking the tour but beware, the mine tour requires a lot of bending over .

Darcy O'Neill

Great spot!

Chris Watso

Go into a coal mine! Mind the ceiling. The museum is filled with info and paraphernalia from Cape Breton's Mining age. It includes a guided tour of a coal mine. Say hi to Fred

Melissa Frost

This was such a amazing experience!

Michael Innis

Great to learn about mining that helped shape our Province. As told by the men who worked underground

Travis MacDonald

Toured across cape Breton with my family and this was hands down the highlight of our time. The museum is all right, some cool artifacts from that era and tons of news papers from events and stuff which was cool but our tour guide for the mine tour was 12/10 ⭐'s. Unbelievably knowledgeable, super interesting to listen to and hilarious. Check this out. We drove from our campground at Iona to get here and it was beyond worth it. I'd have driven twice as far and paid twice as much for the experience. There's period perfect company houses and a general store and an outside exhibit yard of mining equipment. Absolutely super cool. Just go to it. It's worth it. Take the tour, take your family.