WalkAbout Boise
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 10th and continuing through November 22nd.
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 designed especially for third and fourth graders
Learning History Where It Happened
WAB Kids transforms Idaho history lessons into an engaging real-world experience. Tours begin in front of the Basque Museum on Grove Street and follow an approximately one-mile loop through downtown Boise. Led by one of our professional tour docents, students, teachers, and parent volunteers explore the downtown core, stopping along the way to learn about significant people, places, and events that shaped Boise and Idaho.
By walking the same streets where early settlers, community leaders, and cultural groups lived and worked, students connect classroom learning to the physical environment around them - making history tangible, memorable, and fun.
Designed for Students. Aligned with Curriculum
WAB Kids supports key Idaho curriculum topics while encouraging:
Civic pride and community connection
Curiosity, critical thinking, and observation
An understanding of architecture, culture, and place
Appreciation for Boise’s diverse cultural heritage
Tours are age-appropriate, interactive, and designed for families, school groups, homeschool programs, and youth organizations.
Building Future Stewards of History
WAB Kids empowers the next generation to value their built environment and understand why preservation matters. By fostering a strong sense of place early on, the program helps Preservation Idaho carry forward its mission - preserving Idaho’s shared story by cultivating future community stewards.
Now Booking for Spring & Fall 2026
Tours are now booking for late winter and spring 2026.
Have questions, want to sign up, or know a school that would be a great fit for this program? Contact us at kellie@preservationidaho.org or call (208) 424-5111.
Let’s bring Idaho history to life - one block at a time.
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.