Western Museum of Mining and Industry
Western Museum of Mining and Industry, Colorado Springs: Hours, Address, Western Museum of Mining and Industry Reviews: 4.5/5
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
Western Museum of Mining and Industry
4.5
Speciality & Gift Shops • Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
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9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The museum features artifacts and research involving the region's early mining and industrial activities.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
212 reviews
Excellent
125
Very good
64
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
3
MichaelLong1963
Colorado Springs, CO340 contributions
If you want to learn a lot about the mining industry this is a great place to visit. My granddaughter and I took a tour that started at 1pm and we were lucky to get Rick (the museum curator) and his knowledge was impressive. My granddaughter is 10 years old and she found it interesting too. The museum offers the largest display of fluorescent light room of minerals and it's really neat to see. I would estimate that the age group on our tour ranged from 8 - 75 and everybody appeared to enjoy it. The tour also offers some demonstrations of early steam engines & other early machinery.
The museum offers one of three replicas of the Chilean Pods that saved 33 lives about 12 years ago. They even made a movie about it called "33." On this tour we were able to get inside (if you fit). Also, you can pan for gold or small gems as long as you want. The tour and panning is part of the admission price (adults $12 & children $6) and they offer military/AAA discounts. There are outside attractions to see but the museum does close at 4pm including the outside attractions.
It's conveniently located if your traveling through Colorado Springs because it's located right off Interstate 25 at the North Gate exit to the USAFA. There is a small store and the items are moderately priced.
The museum offers one of three replicas of the Chilean Pods that saved 33 lives about 12 years ago. They even made a movie about it called "33." On this tour we were able to get inside (if you fit). Also, you can pan for gold or small gems as long as you want. The tour and panning is part of the admission price (adults $12 & children $6) and they offer military/AAA discounts. There are outside attractions to see but the museum does close at 4pm including the outside attractions.
It's conveniently located if your traveling through Colorado Springs because it's located right off Interstate 25 at the North Gate exit to the USAFA. There is a small store and the items are moderately priced.
Written June 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MichaelLong1963
Colorado Springs, CO340 contributions
Great learning experience for the whole family. You can even pan for gold! We found a little amount but found quite a bit of "fool's gold" along with different minerals.
We took the tour they offer a couple times a day and our tour guide was Tom and he did a great job! He knows a lot and makes the mining tour interesting and you will learn a lot about the mining experience. I would recommend taking a tour if you visit the museum which was a former farm in reality but you wouldn't know it unless you take the walking tour outside of the farming experience.
The museum contains of of only 5 known Chile "Fenix 2" models that helped transport the 33 Chili miners who were trapped for over 2 months. Also, it contains many different early engine devices that helped mining.
During your visit I would recommend panning for gold and other minerals. We did it for over an hour and it was fun even though we didn't get rich...haha
There is a small gif store that offers assorted items at very reasonable prices. The admission price varies depending on age and applicable discounts. The normal adult price is $11 and the child rate is $6 for kids age 4 - 12. The hours vary depending on the day you want to visit so I would check their web page or call them to get the most accurate information. The museum is easy to get to right off Interstate 25 at the North Gate exit (the north entrance to the USAFA and Bass Pro Shop).
We took the tour they offer a couple times a day and our tour guide was Tom and he did a great job! He knows a lot and makes the mining tour interesting and you will learn a lot about the mining experience. I would recommend taking a tour if you visit the museum which was a former farm in reality but you wouldn't know it unless you take the walking tour outside of the farming experience.
The museum contains of of only 5 known Chile "Fenix 2" models that helped transport the 33 Chili miners who were trapped for over 2 months. Also, it contains many different early engine devices that helped mining.
During your visit I would recommend panning for gold and other minerals. We did it for over an hour and it was fun even though we didn't get rich...haha
There is a small gif store that offers assorted items at very reasonable prices. The admission price varies depending on age and applicable discounts. The normal adult price is $11 and the child rate is $6 for kids age 4 - 12. The hours vary depending on the day you want to visit so I would check their web page or call them to get the most accurate information. The museum is easy to get to right off Interstate 25 at the North Gate exit (the north entrance to the USAFA and Bass Pro Shop).
Written July 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jay R
Ken Caryl, CO481 contributions
Family
We visited the museum on a family trip including a 12 year old, two 50-somethings and an 81 year old. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the visit.
We purchased tickets online in advance. It was $42 for all of us. A reasonable fee for a group of four in such a cool place.
Our visit started with a 25 minute movie on the history of Mining in the West. It was interesting but the 12 year old lost interest in a matter of minutes. We opted for a self guided tour. The Gold Panning was fun for all and got the 12 year old back on board. You keep what you pan, which for us, appeared to be some black sand and some pyrite flakes. There’s a replica of an old Mine, tons of tools and equipment, along with a mineral room, lit with black lights. Outside is more Mining equipment as well as the homestead itself.
We spent probably 90 no yes at the Museum and thoroughly enjoyed the time. A definite stop if you’re in the area.
We purchased tickets online in advance. It was $42 for all of us. A reasonable fee for a group of four in such a cool place.
Our visit started with a 25 minute movie on the history of Mining in the West. It was interesting but the 12 year old lost interest in a matter of minutes. We opted for a self guided tour. The Gold Panning was fun for all and got the 12 year old back on board. You keep what you pan, which for us, appeared to be some black sand and some pyrite flakes. There’s a replica of an old Mine, tons of tools and equipment, along with a mineral room, lit with black lights. Outside is more Mining equipment as well as the homestead itself.
We spent probably 90 no yes at the Museum and thoroughly enjoyed the time. A definite stop if you’re in the area.
Written June 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pennvyaj42
cubert131 contributions
The amazing knowledge of our guide. This is a comprehensive insight into gold mining over the 100 years and more. The static exhibits and write-ups were so good and informative, we could have spent double the time here.
Much of the pristine heavy machinery is still in perfect working order and is set going whilst we were there. Our guide Tom was a credit to the organisation
Considering how inexpensive the visit was, it has to be a bargain.
It is not easy to find, but Google will help!
Much of the pristine heavy machinery is still in perfect working order and is set going whilst we were there. Our guide Tom was a credit to the organisation
Considering how inexpensive the visit was, it has to be a bargain.
It is not easy to find, but Google will help!
Written February 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
imub4ur
Hesperia, CA306 contributions
This place rocks. This museum has working machinery that is demonstrated by the tour guide. We happened to be there on Family Day. This is when they fire up the big outdoor machinery, not to be missed. We saw them operate a steam shovel, and steam mucker, an air trammer and the stamp mill, not to mention the regular indoor machinery.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sue A
2 contributions
This is an excellent tour by very well educated and entertaining guide. The exhibits, the machinery and "mock up" mine was very interesting. My grandson and his Papa loved panning for gold. The even restock the gold flakes twice a month, so it is legit! Once you get your rocks and gold, they provide you a plastic bag to put it in. I would say it's worth the extra dollar to purchase a small glass bottle with cork to properly display them. Outside had a lot of nice things to take a look at as well. Will go back!
Written March 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SteCunha
Broken Arrow, OK3 contributions
Very nice and informative visit with the sweetest guide. If you like museums, you will enjoy this. It gives a good idea about the economic history of the region since mining has been going on in various forms for more than 150 years.
We spent about 2 hours in there and could have stayed longer if we had managed to read all displays and exhibits. However, our family takes a bit longer in museums than most others. This is not fancy, state-of-the-art, but very informative especially for those who are not familiar with mining. Our guide operated about 10 (really old) engines/machines for us and you an try to pan some pyrite (fool's gold) if you are willing to get your hands wet and a bit dirty and I finally learned how to discern gold from fool's gold! You can buy water, snacks and gifts here.
We spent about 2 hours in there and could have stayed longer if we had managed to read all displays and exhibits. However, our family takes a bit longer in museums than most others. This is not fancy, state-of-the-art, but very informative especially for those who are not familiar with mining. Our guide operated about 10 (really old) engines/machines for us and you an try to pan some pyrite (fool's gold) if you are willing to get your hands wet and a bit dirty and I finally learned how to discern gold from fool's gold! You can buy water, snacks and gifts here.
Written January 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa B
5 contributions
Family
I really liked seeing the vintage steam engines in operation. Our knowledgeable tour guide, Rick, informed us about the history of mining, the challenges miners faced, and the different processes used in gold mining. Thanks for an informative and entertaining tour!
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tani S
12 contributions
Family
Very interesting tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and did a great job of explaining the mining process. Lots of great exhibits and we were astonished to see these old machines still in working order.
Written August 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
N0rmalee
Bossier City, LA551 contributions
Couples
This was a stop my husband was excited about much more than me, but I enjoyed it much more than expected. There are a number of fluorescent rocks and the machines work so you get to watch them. They even had one of the capsules used to get the Chilean miners out several years ago, the one that looks like a rocket. The working conditions were so terrible and children began working at the age of 8 in dangerous jobs. I’m interested in the stories of how life was while he is more focused on the machinery, tools, and such. Our tour guide was Rich and he was wonderful and especially engaged the kids on the tour. And we were supposed to be with another couple who had to cancel due to a funeral but they are issuing a refund from the online purchase for those 2 tickets, which we didn’t anticipate. Great staff, very knowledgeable and friendly.
Written May 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Western Museum of Mining and Industry
- Western Museum of Mining and Industry is open:
- Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near Western Museum of Mining and Industry:
- (0.37 mi) My Place Hotel-Colorado Springs, CO
- (2.62 mi) Drury Inn & Suites Colorado Springs
- (2.98 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Colorado Springs-Air Force Academy-I-25 North
- (2.99 mi) Residence Inn Colorado Springs North/Air Force Academy
- (6.25 mi) Best Western Plus Peak Vista Inn & Suites
- Restaurants near Western Museum of Mining and Industry:
- (0.18 mi) Starbucks
- (0.24 mi) Kneaders
- (0.28 mi) Bourbon Brothers
- (0.28 mi) Costa Vida
- (0.27 mi) MOD Pizza