04/08/2026
A tour of Kentucky's "Old Portal 31 Coal Mine" in the old coal town of Lynch, KY makes for one of the Bluegrass State's most historic and interesting...yet somewhat eerie experiences! During the tour, you climb aboard a small rail car that slowly carries you deep inside the mountain through the same dark mine tunnels once used by real coal miners. As the rail car moves along the tracks, you pass through scenes set up to show what daily life underground was like. Life-size figures, tools, and equipment show miners drilling, blasting, loading coal, and working long hours far below the surface.
When the ride comes back out of the mine, there is still plenty to see. You can explore several original buildings from the 1920s coal camp, including the lamphouse where miners picked up their lights and the bathhouse where they cleaned up after long shifts underground. A small museum nearby shares photos, tools, and stories that help bring the history of Lynch and its coal mining past to life. If you enjoy underground places and real Kentucky history, this tour is one you won’t forget.
