Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hrs to visit the museum, possibly more for the complete Museum experience.

Wear comfy shoes, it takes 48 steps up to where the train departs.

Dress warmly, and for all weather. The underground train ride is cool. Literally and figuratively, and BOOM! is in the Mill which is not heated.

We recommend making a reservation prior to your visit to guarantee a place on the underground train. You can make your reservation here

In the underground tour there are a few loud moments when the drills are run. There is lots of warning and you will be provided with earplugs so that you can cover a child’s ears during the short but loud demonstrations.  

At the end of BOOM! there is about 30 seconds of loud noise.

Lights will be turned off in the underground for a few moments to show how dark the working conditions were. There will be total darkness for a moment or two, followed by a demonstration of working conditions by candlelight, Carbide Lamp, and a Flashlight.  

Children may notice the dark, cold, damp and noisy conditions of the tunnel more than an adult.

Please judge accordingly your decision to take young children underground. Our Admissions Staff can give you helpful suggestions and options.  

The full underground tour is 35 minutes. You will then exit the tunnel and watch BOOM! in the Mill for a further 15 minutes.

We ask that parents/guardians keep in mind the pleasure and interests of others on the tour. Some young children can be impatient at listening which can be distracting

A Heritage Interpreter describes the conditions and equipment of mining in the past during the underground Tour; the tour is designed for a mixed but primarily adult audience.

The train ride is fun – but not the focus of the tour.  It lasts around 3 minutes.

Yes we have a cafe onsite, The Chatterbox Cafe, where you can purchase hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, soup and baked goods.

All children must wear a hard hat and one will be provided to a parent or guardian so that everyone has a hard hat underground. You may need to hold it over the child’s head. Our tunnel is extremely safe and inspected regularly. Hardhats underground are the law under the BC Mines Act.  

This is one of our most-asked questions, so here is an honest, straightforward answer. Many parents bring children of all ages underground, and it can be a memorable part of the visit. What matters is knowing what to expect so you can judge what is right for your child on the day you come.

The full underground tour runs about 35 minutes, then you exit the tunnel and watch BOOM! in the Mill for a further 15. It includes the train ride (roughly three minutes, fun but not the focus), a walk through the tunnel, and a few demonstrations. There are a handful of loud moments when the drills are run, but we give plenty of warning and provide ear plugs upon request, so you can easily cover a child's ears during the short, loud parts. A couple of times the lights go out for a moment or two to show how dark the working conditions were, followed by demonstrations by candlelight, carbide lamp, and flashlight. Heads up that BOOM! ends with about 30 seconds of loud noise too.

A few practical points. Every visitor wears a hard hat, as the BC Mines Act requires, and one is provided for you as well so everyone underground is covered. Our staff will help you fit your child's hat and can show you how to hold it comfortably over a younger child's head. The tunnel is extremely safe and inspected regularly. Note the underground is cool and the Mill is unheated, so dress warmly.

The reassuring part. You are never stuck and never left to guess. If your child becomes distressed and you feel you should leave, your guide will tell you exactly when it is safe to step out and how to exit the tunnel. Our Admissions staff are happy to talk through your options before you buy tickets, including gentler ways to enjoy the Museum. Many families choose to stay above ground to explore the site, visit the shop, or warm up in the Chatterbox Cafe, and that is a perfectly valid way to visit.

Possibly! The water troughs in our gold panning area are low to the ground, making it easy for little ones to lean in and get a bit splashy while they pan for Gold, Pyrite, and Gems. We recommend bringing a change of clothes for small children—just in case! It helps keep them comfortable for the rest of your visit.

If in the event you feel you must leave the tour with your child, your guide will be able to tell you when it is appropriate to do so and how to exit the tunnel.  

To ensure the safety of all animals, visitors, and our employees, we only allow accredited guide and service dogs - as defined by the BC Government- to fully explore on-site with their handler. Dogs must be leashed with a short, non-retractable leash. Please note that there are loud noises in the underground and BOOM! show.

• Therapy and emotional support animals are not permitted under these guidelines.
  
• Upon arrival, BC residents must provide our Admissions team with their Guide Dog and Service Dog Certificate.

For local options for day care for your dog visit the link below.

Please do not leave your dog in a hot car!

Doggy Daycare Options

Although some people spell it Brittiana it is correctly spelt Britannia Mine Museum. Thanks for checking.