Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine

Hey dipsticks with smartphones. We get it: your screen can light up a dark coal mine, but you missed the point entirely that the (very great and kind) guides try to make-​in total blackness your eyes can’t adjust. So thanks for ruining the effect with your self-​absorbed bs.
Other than that, it’s a good time. Use one of their jackets or brave the cold in the mine.
No black lung for me, and almost a black eye for said dipsticks.

A combo ticket for both the train and mine tour is $ 17 approximately for adults. I highly recommend doing both of them. We did the train ride first, and although quite bumpy, was totally worth it. Both of the tour guides we had (you get a different one for each tour), were absolutely amazing, full of interesting information and seemed to know everything there is to know.
The mine was 49 degrees when we went into it, so def. bring a jacket, as it’s also a bit wet down there, but it’s so gorgeous. You go 400 feet into the mountain and get to see lots of things. Wear walking shoes, as you will be walking a little bit.
Totally worth the price, totally worth going again. They have a food court and a gift shop with awesome things and books and trinkets.

This is another place I may seem corny for wanting to visit again, but, oh well. The tour of the mines was very interesting and the gift shop had some goodies. Though, everybody looked at me like I had three heads when I bought a book. I also recall a pretty stellar playground. And oh, you just might see some Amish people. They’re chill.

Both parts of Pioneer are equally worth doing.
Ideally first you do the Steam train or Lokie ride which lasts about 35 minutes.
You bump along the outer perimeter of the mountain and stop twice at scenic points where the guide explains points about mining and the area and will take questions.
After coming back you have about a 15 minute wait for the start of the mine tour. For this part definitely bring a jacket, poncho, sweater as the mine was 50 degrees when we were there and there is lots of water dripping through the walls and ceilings.
After getting in one of the mine cars you ride horizontally into the mine and then get out for a short walk through a small part of the mine where the guide will show you a few veins of coal and some of the equipment and tunnels and walkways that were used.
All in all this whole thing will take you about two hours but it is interesting and different and well worth the trip into Ashland.

Coal Mine Tour is 9.00 for adults. Steam train Ride is 7.00 for adults. Combo tickets are 14.50.
The Coal mine tour itself is neat, if you dont have one jackets are provided. The train & coal mine tour are open in late spring, summer and early fall. Theres a gift shop, office, barn and large play area with wooden trains for children.

This is the best tour I’ve ever been on. For $ 8.50 you get to ride on little mine carts like Indiana Jones deep into the old Pioneer Tunnel and learn all about how coal is mined from a nifty Irish dude. We were in the area looking for things to do, and when this showed up on our radar we didn’t expect it to be half as awesome as it was. If you’re ever around the area, just go – you won’t regret it. But wear some real clothes, ’cause it gets damn cold in the mine.