TOUR 2 - Bushkill Falls & Sterling Hill Mining Museum

We will start our tour at 8:00 am in midtown Manhattan, 8th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Street (by Duane Reade) DON'T BE LATE! Please come 15 minutes early to sign in. 

You will be greeted by your tour guide for the day. You will sign our liability waiver, and after departure a light breakfast will be served on board the van.

Our first stop on the tour is the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in New Jersey. This mine is an old zinc mine which closed in 1986 and opened to the public as a museum in 1990.

One remarkable thing about this mining district is that more than 340 minerals has been found here, which is more than anywhere else in the world. More than 80 of these species are fluoresce, again more than any other single place found on earth.

You will learn about the mining process and minerals, visit exhibit halls and visit a real underground mine. You will be guided by an experienced miner.

On the same grounds as the mining museum we will visit the Thomas S. Warren Museum of fluorescence. Here you will view one of the greatest collections in the world of fluorescence minerals. You will view different fluorescence minerals in all shapes under ultraviolet light.

We will enjoy lunch with non alcoholic beverages included at a restaurant.

We will drive to the Pocono Mountainsin Pennsylvania where we will visit Bushkill Falls, also known as the "Niagara of Pennsylvania". This is a unique natural area where you will be able to on your own time hike to a series of 8 waterfalls.

The waterfalls are easy accessible through an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges which afford fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest.

The longest trail to see the most waterfalls is about 2 miles, you can also choose to just stay around the main gorge with the main waterfall which is only about 10 minutes walk away from the entrance, 

A beautiful view point on one of the trails.

At Bushkill Falls you can also view the Pennsylvania Wildlife Exhibit, a Native American Exhibit and for a minimal fee enjoy a paddle-boat ride, play miniature golf or fishing.

We will drive back to NYC with an arrival at approximately 8 pm.

WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR ON THE TOUR:

ID: Please bring a valid government issued identification. (Adults only)

EMAIL CONFIRMATION: Either on your phone or printed out

CLOTHES: According to the weather. The Pocono's Mountains is usually about 8-12 degrees cooler than NYC. If the weather is hot you should still always bring a light jacket and sweat pants/trainers, the temperature in the Sterling Hill mine is a constant 56 degrees (14 degrees Celcius).

FOOTWEAR: We will be hiking in a rocky mountaineer terrain which gets very slippery when wet. Hiking boots is ideal, or sneakers with good traction. Do not wear sandals, dress shoes or high heels during the hike.

WATER: In a plastic bottle, especially on hot days. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

MOSQUITO REPELLANT containing deet

RAIN GEAR: Even with no rain in the forecast, we highly recommend you bring rain gear.

CAMERA: With extra film highly recommended. You will experience breath taking scenery.

CASH: Although our tour is classified as an "all inclusive". It is advisable to bring some cash for souvenirs, snacks and gratuities for the guide which is left to your discretion.

AN OPEN MIND: Although this is a recreational/leisure tour, you will also learn about the geology and history of some of our natural wonders.

INSURANCE: Even if this is just a day tour, if you are concern about losing money due to illness (including Covid-19) or other unpredictable matters, we highly recommend you buy a travel insurance. We can recommend www.insuremytrip.com or www.squaremouth.com (Hines Tours is not affiliated with either of these sites in any form). We do not give tour refunds or tour credits if you are not able to make the tour for any unforeseen reasons.