Overview
Available languages
2 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
What is a town? It’s many things, but above all, it’s a reflection of our desires and needs. To truly understand Boise City’s character, dating back to 1863, we must look beyond the stories of the city’s upper-class founders and politicians.
Instead, we turn our focus to the everyday people—the misunderstood, the misrepresented, and even the vile. While Boise is often portrayed as a quaint and orderly town where pioneers thrived despite the isolation, there’s a darker side to its history that’s often overlooked.
On this tour, I’ll guide you through the shadows of Boise’s past, revealing the macabre, the forgotten, and the unsettling truths that shaped this city.
Remember, what holds true for Boise’s history echoes across America’s past as well.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What To Expect
Boise
Macabre walk through downtown Boise
U.S. Assay Office
Starting Point - Constructed in 1869 to assess the claims of miners in the Idaho Territory. This sandstone structure opened in 1871 and became the center of town that was actually on the outskirts of town. We start here, however, for a crazy story about felines!
Options
A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour
What‘s Included
Stories that you won't hear elsewhere
We include stories found by master's level historians in various physical and digital archives
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
4 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Macabre tour, highly recommend
14Travel1991,Sep 19, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you’d enjoy learning about local murders and some historical facts along the way, this is the tour for that - generally +/- 2.25 hours.
Informative and fun but could be a little shorter on a weeknight.
Ashley D,Sep 5, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Very interesting history of early Boise. Our guide was very knowledgeable and at times it was a little overwhelming as he had so much information to share. But he was funny and engaging and kept our attention. It could have been a little shorter and I thought we were going to end where we started but we didn’t so we had a long walk back to our car. Overall it was fun and I would recommend.
Fun experience
Carrie H,Aug 29, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Enjoyed the tour and his knowledge of the history of each house. Was very personal with everyone. Funny and entertaining. Highly recommended
Worth it!
Nancy L,Jun 27, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Great guide! Very knowledgeable and fun. Learned a lot about the areas. Just over the 2 hour mark but worth it. Highly recommend.
Related Experiences
![[MAX 8pp] Gelato, Wine & Cheese in San Gimignano from Florence](https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-720x480/r/33/90/04/00/caption.jpg)
Operated by Idahistory