Sterling Hill Mining Museum invites visitors deep into the story of mining history in the NJ Highlands and the remarkable natural history beneath its surface. At the heart of the experience is a guided tour through the actual underground mine, where you learn about mining methods, life below ground, and the geology that led to this region being known as the “Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World.” Above ground, Zobel Hall Museum and the Warren Museum of Fluorescence showcase expansive collections of minerals and artifacts, including dazzling fluorescent specimen displays, including the Rainbow Tunnel, that glow in dramatic color under special lighting.
Throughout the site, interactive discovery centers bring geology, earth science, and mining history to life for explorers of all ages. Young visitors and adults alike can try mineral collecting, sluicing for gemstones, and hands-on activities that connect scientific curiosity and play. A gift shop and snack bar make Sterling Hill a destination that is entertaining for a few hours or a whole day, blending education, adventure, and the wonder of what lies beneath the NJ Highlands.
