Old Lackawanna Coal Mine, Pennsylvania: Head 300 Feet Underground

Traveling 300 feet underground into a labyrinth of tunnels and shafts at the old Lackawanna Coal Mine in Scranton, Pennsylvania felt a bit like heading backward down a steep, dark and noisy roller coaster.

During the fascinating hour-long walking tour, our guides–former miners and mining experts–described the techniques and equipment of one of the nation's most dangerous jobs. Working solely by the light of headlamps, generations of men spent up to 10 hours a day mining anthracite coal–and fueling the Industrial Revolution.

I recommend you bring a jacket or borrow one from the mine, and anyone who's more than 5 feet, 10 inches tall might want to borrow a hard hat.

Scranton is in northeastern Pennsylvania at the junction of I-81 and U.S. Highway 11. The coal mine is located atop McDade Park on Keyser Avenue. Tours run from 10 a.m. until about 4:40 p.m. from April through November, except Easter and Thanksgiving Day; arrive by 3 p.m. for the last tour.

Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12. To learn more call 1-800-238-7245.