Let me start off by saying the mine itself was awesome but with several others in the area, I would recommend choosing another one. It was my husband and my first time in a mine and we were super excited by it. It started off with an informative video and being told to take our time (usually takes around 45 minutes we were told) and then we went down on our self guided tour. The first thing we noticed was the rotting, soft wood we had to cross on several steps and across a hole. We later informed them about this and were told "oh yeah its been rotting for years but the owner doesnt fix it". We observed the water in the lower levels, even went back to our car to get our flashlight to see more of it (Online they stated the mine was very well lit-that is misleading). After we enjoyed the mine, read every sign and looked all around we came back up. We were then told that we were down there a really long time (little over an hour) and that they had closed at 6 (it was 620). We of course apologized and stated we had no idea. we returned the hard hats and looked around outside at the outdoor part since the employee had said she just needed to turn the lights off. After enjoying the outdoor ruins we were walking to the car when the owner drove up to us and began lecturing us how long we took, assuming we were trespassed past the gates since we were "back there so long" (we were back there for 16 minutes) and that he lost money on us since he had to pay his employees overtime because of us. We explained we had no idea and were very sorry to which he accused us of lying and insisted we knew they had closed. As hourly working people ourselves we would have never done that. It left us quite upset and appalled that we were treated that way. For this reason we will never return. There are plenty of other mines in the area, dont waste your time and...
Read moreMy daughters and I decided this last summer we wanted to have a unique Michigan UP experience. We decided we wanted to go to Copper Harbor and stay in the northernmost town in Michigan. On the way, we also knew we wanted to go to visit the copper mines in the area. Since we had already been to the Adventure Mining tour in Mass City, we knew we wouldn't pass up the chance to do another tour if we could. Delaware is only half hour away from Copper Harbor, so we knew we had to do the tour. This is a self guided tour, where you watch a safety video, grab your helmet and light, and you're on your way. You take yourself down into a mine and get to explore on your own. There is one shaft going down that T's into a shaft that goes left a short way, then right about a quarter mile if I remember right, and that's it. It isn't a huge mine, but it's a lot of fun because you're on your own. You don't have a guide or anything and you feel like such an explorer. My daughters and I ran into 2 other small groups in passing and that's it. We loved it. The experience isn't nearly as detailed or educational as the Adventure Mines tour, but with this one you really feel like a bit of an explorer. You can climb the rocks if you want and do those things that you can't do in the other cave tours. It really was a rather unique experience. When we were done, we got to walk outside and see some of the old buildings and equipment that was slowly rusting and rotting away. The proprietors are really, really nice too. Since we were able to let them know we knew some of the history of the area and had done some caving, they really opened up to us and talked to us about all kids of things. They could see we were passionate about being there and it excited them too. It may not be the fanciest cave tour you'll ever do, but it's worth the trip and...
Read moreBrought the youngest for a birthday present. She's into to rocks and minerals. Everything was pleasant and the people running it were respectful and pleasant. Well worth the minor amount we spent. Although we weren't supposed to. We took a few smaller rocks with copper inbeded off the floor. We told the operators that we did. And showed them when we came out. They said for someone her age. And the fact she could tell them in her own words. What it meant to her. That it was okay. My daughter has a huge collection of rocks. And she's looking into to geology when she gets older. That they were happy to help a budding geologist. The very small samples meant the world to her. We will be back to visit the mine. She loves looking at them under a microscope. And she only 9. I'm proud of her myself. They were really happy to help her fulfill her dreams. Wish more people were like this. With that being said. If you young person doesn't have a burning desire to do these things. Please respect the mine owners wishes. And please don't take rocks from this place. We had their OK to do so. Otherwise, we would have left, everything we took from it. It's how they make money. We didn't remove anything from the walls. Only what we found on the ground. If this place would like the materials back. We will bring thing back. No need to sue us. Just ask and we will bring them back. And to add to that. Will will pay for the tour again at that. This place was fantastic in every way. On your next trip we hope to be able to take her to a silver and gold mine. One day she would like to visit the only diamond mine in the USA that allows us to...
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