WalkAbout Boise
NOTE: No WalkAbout Boise tours are scheduled on Halloween — Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Join us for WalkAbout Boise — a 90-minute guided walking tour through 150 years of history and architecture. Let us introduce you to the built environment that makes downtown Boise like no other place. This tour is great for visitors and Idaho residents who want to learn more about how Boise's vibrant downtown was developed and the people who made it happen.
The walking tours take place almost every Saturday at 10 AM, starting on May 30th and continuing through November 21st.
Tour Highlights Include:
Downtown's evolution from gold rush boomtown, through urban renewal decline, and 21st-century revitalization.
The oldest and newest buildings downtown, spanning 150 years of construction.
Buildings associated with Boise's historic Basque, German, Jewish, and Chinese communities.
The Idaho State Capitol and Boise City Hall.
Buildings designed by early pioneers and nationally known master architects.
The Egyptian Theatre.
Purchase your tickets in advance online.
The tours are held rain or shine; tours are not postponed or rescheduled, so plan to dress accordingly in comfortable walking shoes, bring sunscreen and an umbrella if needed, and a bottle of water.
Tours start promptly at 10:00 AM and end around 11:30 AM, beginning and ending in front of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center on Grove Street in downtown Boise. Our walking tour docent will meet you at the bench in front of the museum.
Cost: Cost is $10 for Preservation Idaho members, $15 for non-members, $8 for children 13 and under plus tax (credit card processing fees apply).
Member Benefit: Members looking to use the $5 discount can click LOGIN FOR MEMBER BENEFITS to access and purchase through their online membership account.
Day-of Walk-Ups: Walk-ups are welcome on the day of the event if space is available. Payment must be made by cash or check (exact amount only).
For more information, contact us at kellie@preservationidaho.org or call (208) 424-5111.
WalkAbout Boise tours are sponsored by
Visit Boise and Visit Idaho.
WalkAbout Boise Kids
Bringing History to Life for Boise’s School Children
We’re excited to bring that rich history to life for younger learners with WAB Kids - a hands-on, place-based history experience created specifically for third and fourth graders.
This project is supported in part by the Idaho State Historical Society.
We are grateful for their investment in bringing local history directly to Idaho’s students.
Organizations in idaho With Historic Tours
There are several other organizations around the state offering tours where you can learn more about local history. Here are a few that we are aware of. For more information please contact the partner organization directly.
The Latah County Historical Society offers self-guided tours of Moscow and Potlach. Click the logo for more information.
Book a seasonal 1.5-hour walking tours with a local historian through the streets of Coeur d'Alene and learn about the city’s early history.
Walking tours are scheduled April through September on Saturday mornings but can also be booked by private groups of at least four individuals with 48 hours advance notice. Call (208) 664-3448 x 2 or email programs@museumni.org to book your walking tour today. Discounts are available for groups with 10 or more people.
The City of Meridian's Historic Preservation Commission created this self-guided tour. The tour is also accessible through the Tour Buddy app. For more information click on the logo above.
Historic self-guided walking tours hosted by the City of Pocatello’s Historic Preservation Commission. For more information click on the logo above.