Sierra Silver Mine Tour
Sierra Silver Mine Tour
5
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Full view
About
Go Underground! A retired miner is your guide as you walk through the main drift of a real silver mine. Your guide will demonstrate the operation of pneumatic powered mining, and share his personal mining experiences as you learn about the modern and historical methods of hard-rock silver mining. On the way to and from the mine, hop aboard Sierra Silver's trolley for a narrated tour of Historic Wallace, Idaho, the Silver Capital of the World that will give you a look into the colorful history of this 135 year old mining camp. Open 7 days a week. June, July & Aug 10-4, May, Sept & Mid-Oct 10-2. A new tour starts every 1/2 and takes 1hr & 15 min. Following your underground adventure, treat yourself to a delicious ice cream or milkshake in our old fashioned ice cream parlor, or try you luck at gold or gemstone panning in out sluice!
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Sierra Silver Mine Tour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
272 reviews
Excellent
223
Very good
41
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
3
WillGlobetrotForFood
Charlotte, NC496 contributions
Jul 2020
I knew nothing about Wallace, ID before our road trip to Glacier NP. Since we had 3 nieces (10 to 14 years old) with us, we stopped in Wallace for a few hours since it offers some fun things to do, one of which is the mine tour. We did the last tour (4pm - I called ahead, since I didn't know when we would arrive. They took my name down and I paid in person). The tour starts in the middle of town, and their store offers souvenir shopping and ice cream - we did both.
$49 per family (2 adults and up to 4 kids) is reasonable. We rode on the green trolley, and Lee (former miner, now tour guide) gave the tour once we arrived at the mine. We learnt about the silver mining history and operations; there were some real tools for demonstration inside the mine. Afterward the trolley took us around town and the driver (Rob? he was funny) gave us a quick tour and history of Wallace. Overall I thought it was a well spent 90 minutes.
$49 per family (2 adults and up to 4 kids) is reasonable. We rode on the green trolley, and Lee (former miner, now tour guide) gave the tour once we arrived at the mine. We learnt about the silver mining history and operations; there were some real tools for demonstration inside the mine. Afterward the trolley took us around town and the driver (Rob? he was funny) gave us a quick tour and history of Wallace. Overall I thought it was a well spent 90 minutes.
Written July 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Peggy C! I'll share your kind words with Lee and Rob. :-)
Written August 20, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
patroo
Springfield, OR320 contributions
Jul 2020
We found this tour to be excellent. This mine has become a classroom to educate students and tourists alike. Visiting the Sierra Silver Mine Tour ticket office and gift shop was also a delight, with great gifts, unique t-shirts, and a wonderful Norwegian Forest Cat who is up for adoption! Please give Poof a home!
The gift shop is in a historic building (actually virtually every building in Wallace is protected by historic building status, which is why the freeway is bridged over the town instead of tromping through the middle of it).
You get to ride one of two vintage trolley buses up to the mine. They run about every thirty minutes, give or take a few, depending on how the trolley feels that day. You'll get a tour from an actual miner who will demonstrate equipment for you.
Please be aware that some of this equipment is extremely loud, though the operation time is brief. This is NOT a suitable outing for babies or toddlers. This much noise isn't good for their little ears, and they aren't going to get anything out of it. If you insist on taking them, cover their ears during the equipment demos, which include a jackhammer, a trammer, and a scraper device used to move loose debris out of tunnels. Another thing I noted that the toddlers were let loose on the floor where they played in puddles and muddy spots. Fingers were often inserted in mouths, and while I don't object to kids eating dirt, the geology of this mine may include some lead (galena). Obviously they can't eat enough to really harm themselves during a short tour, but why let them do it? If your child isn't old enough to understand "No," and "stand beside me, please," this is not a great place for them. The noise will also scare them. Kids that are a little older will love this tour and wish that they had the Tonka toys like the ones they just saw running.
Mining is a hard way to earn a living, and it's good to see how the earlier miners worked deep underground, where the darkness was close, and death and injury even closer.
The gift shop is in a historic building (actually virtually every building in Wallace is protected by historic building status, which is why the freeway is bridged over the town instead of tromping through the middle of it).
You get to ride one of two vintage trolley buses up to the mine. They run about every thirty minutes, give or take a few, depending on how the trolley feels that day. You'll get a tour from an actual miner who will demonstrate equipment for you.
Please be aware that some of this equipment is extremely loud, though the operation time is brief. This is NOT a suitable outing for babies or toddlers. This much noise isn't good for their little ears, and they aren't going to get anything out of it. If you insist on taking them, cover their ears during the equipment demos, which include a jackhammer, a trammer, and a scraper device used to move loose debris out of tunnels. Another thing I noted that the toddlers were let loose on the floor where they played in puddles and muddy spots. Fingers were often inserted in mouths, and while I don't object to kids eating dirt, the geology of this mine may include some lead (galena). Obviously they can't eat enough to really harm themselves during a short tour, but why let them do it? If your child isn't old enough to understand "No," and "stand beside me, please," this is not a great place for them. The noise will also scare them. Kids that are a little older will love this tour and wish that they had the Tonka toys like the ones they just saw running.
Mining is a hard way to earn a living, and it's good to see how the earlier miners worked deep underground, where the darkness was close, and death and injury even closer.
Written July 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you patroo.
Written July 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KRM
4 contributions
May 2021
Loved this tour! The trolley driver gives a little tour of the town that is very entertaining. The mine tour is interesting and the guide was very knowledgeable. They allow time for pictures with the mining equipment and demonstrate how they work. My kids loved it. All together an enjoyable time.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you ChrisandKatrina! :-)
Written June 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
steve v
Brutus, MI3 contributions
Sep 2020
I just took the tour and it could've been great to learn the history and see the mine safely. Unfortunately despite the signs people were not encouraged to wear masks and at the minw were actually told not to wear them. The helmets worn in the mine were not cleaned between guests. The noise level from the machines was well beyond safe. This place should be closed down until corrections are made
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am sorry that this was your perception. Idaho is in stage #4 per the CDC guidelines. These are the guidelines we follow. We do encourage masks, and we do sanitize our equipment between uses, as you may have noticed by the assortment of sanitizers, sprays and wipes by the hardhat area. Your guide did not wear a mask, because he has to talk throughout the tour, and can not be heard or understood if he does wear a mask. He does try to stay 6' away from his guests.
Regarding your noise complaint, we operated pneumatic powered mining equipment as a tool to educate our guests about the actual equipment, environment and conditions in a hard-rock mine. Every one is warned about the noise prior to the start of each piece of equipment. The noise level is what a hard-rock miner experiences every day while at work.
Written September 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lendi B
8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
This affordable tour offers so much insight and information and is worth every penny!! I took a group of senior citizen and they loved the history and knowledge they learned. The tour includes a complete city of Wallace guided and narrated trolley tour. The mine tour guides are experienced retired miners and actually run the equipment/machinery on the tour to give you an idea of exactly how the miners worked and the tools they used. The guide offers to take your photo with your cell/camera at the beginning of the tour as well. Don’t miss this fun experience when in Wallace. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll even get a souvenir!
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aaron M
COLORADO SPRINGS2 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
Great tour. Educational, safe and some minor humor.
Great family activity.
The tour lasted about an hour with a short 15 min bus ride. Wallace is a great old town.
Great family activity.
The tour lasted about an hour with a short 15 min bus ride. Wallace is a great old town.
Written July 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill K
Mantorville, MN6,856 contributions
Jun 2020
This tour was such a great experience. Our tour guide was Marty, and he made this tour exceptionally educational and informative.
The tour starts with a trolley ride to the mine entrance. From there it is 60-80 minutes of full scale, sometimes hands-on, education on the life of a silver miner. Marty was so knowledgeable, he could compare and contrast methods used in this mine with methods used today.
This is a tour I highly recommend you take.
The tour starts with a trolley ride to the mine entrance. From there it is 60-80 minutes of full scale, sometimes hands-on, education on the life of a silver miner. Marty was so knowledgeable, he could compare and contrast methods used in this mine with methods used today.
This is a tour I highly recommend you take.
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Bill K! I'll share your kind words with Mighty Marty. :-)
Written July 21, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ocean50Napa
Coeur d'Alene, ID39 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
Marty the Miner was so authentic and informative. We actually went into a mine and saw the equipment used.
It was chilly In the mine. The trolley ride was fun and interesting. I learned so much about the historical town of Wallace ID. This is run by a non profit group.
It was chilly In the mine. The trolley ride was fun and interesting. I learned so much about the historical town of Wallace ID. This is run by a non profit group.
Written September 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Ocean50Napa! Marty is great isn't he.
Written October 12, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ms julie
Dobson, NC233 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Starts with a trolley ride with a history narrative to the mine. At the mine a very informative retired miner escorts through the mine. Actual running pieces of equipment to demonstrate how they work and what they sound like. Excellent guide mixing facts with humor. Trolley ride with tour around town on the way back.
Written August 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dale
Rochester, NY3 contributions
May 2021
We had a great time, the trolley ride and tour of the town was very interesting. Then came the mine tour and we were really impressed, the guide made the trip through the mine really interesting and educational. We would all recommend this trip to anyone young or old.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Cheshire1954!
Written June 1, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If we just drive into town, are we likely to be able to get on a tour the end of July? Don't really want to buy tickets for a designated time as I am not sure what time we will be arriving in Wallace.
Written March 11, 2024
They schedule quite a few tours daily so there is a chance you can get on without pre booking. But that's just my feeling. I would call them closer to your date and ask them.
Written March 12, 2024
Is there a lot of walking involved? I am coming to visit with a 91 year old and she isnt sure if she could do it.
Written August 26, 2019
I'd say a 1/8 of a mile several steps up to the entrance and a gradual slope in the mine. Rock floor most of the time. if she is spry and sure footed yes...if not no.
There is a two mile trolley ride to and back, open air.
Written August 26, 2019
Abby S
Portland, Oregon
Is this tour suitable for young children? Thinking of doing this as a stop on a family road trip. We have a 7 yr old (she’d love it) and a 3 yr old who I’m not so sure about....
Written July 7, 2019
Yes this would be great for children. They do demonstrate how the equipment is used so it does get very loud for a brief amount of time. They also turn out the lights just for a fraction of a second to show how dark it is. You might want to bring ear protection for the loudness and just prepare them for a brief time of darkness. If they're ok with this, everything else will be fine and it will be fun for them too.
Written July 8, 2019
Is the trolley wheelchair friendly?
Written September 4, 2016
I'm so sorry, I don't know.
I did not see any ramp and I know the mine is definitely not something you would want to use a wheelchair to see.
Written September 4, 2016
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