
A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour worth booking?
A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour is a 2.3-hour experience in Boise, United States, from $25 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (4)
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- From
- $25 per person
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 foun
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Stories that you won't hear elsewhere
- We include stories found by master's level historians in various physical and digital archives
What you'll see and do
Boise
Macabre walk through downtown Boise
Pass by without stopping
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!
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Boise
The old U.S Assay office in downtown Boise
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The old U.S Assay office in downtown Boise
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Wed
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Idahistory
Know before you go
- 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
Photos



What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Macabre tour, highly recommend
If you’d enjoy learning about local murders and some historical facts along the way, this is the tour for that - generally +/- 2.25 hours.
via Tripadvisor
Informative and fun but could be a little shorter on a weeknight.
Very 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.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your feedback, though the tour is advertised as a 2hr and 15min walking tour. Regardless of if the tour ended at 10th and Main or our starting point, a walk back was going to happen anyway. Thanks for the positive review however, I appreciate it.
via Tripadvisor
Fun experience
Enjoyed the tour and his knowledge of the history of each house. Was very personal with everyone. Funny and entertaining. Highly recommended
Response from the operator: Thanks so much Carrie, It was a great crowd! Appreciate the positive review!!
via Viator
Worth it!
Great guide! Very knowledgeable and fun. Learned a lot about the areas. Just over the 2 hour mark but worth it. Highly recommend.
Response from the operator: I really appreciate you realizing that for a unique experience to be unique, it takes some time!! Thanks!!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Wed
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Boise.
How much does A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Boise usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour take?
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Plan for about 2.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Boise is not rushed.
Is A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Boise, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Boise can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Boise and add a light layer if any part of the 2.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Boise within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Boise?
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Boise, ID packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Boise by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Boise experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 1/2 Day Whitewater Rafting Trip near Boise, ID, Culinary and Cultural Tour of Boise, Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Boise by Operation City Quest. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Boise?
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Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Boise, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Boise?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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