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Guided Tours

 

A historic black and white photograph taken in 1975 of a young white woman known as Cordelia “Corki” Onweiler wearing a shirt and long skirt walking in downtown Boise, with the historic Ada Theater in her background. To the right of the photograph, the words CITY STEPS surrounded with colorful pins, and Guided Tours of Boise's History and Public Art, Saturday Tours: Begin on June 1 through August 17 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and Wednesday Tours, Begin on June 5 through August 17 at 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.Residents and visitors curious to learn more about Boise’s history and public art can sign up for our summer-long series of 90-minute guided tours offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays from June through August 2024. Each tour will cover 1.5 miles and be offered at no cost upon registration. Registration opens on the 15th of each month for the month ahead (May 15, June 15, July 15).

Tour Offerings

City Steps: Public Art Downtown Tour

Explore Boise’s core and its colorful tapestry of murals, sculptures, and traffic boxes. Each 90-minute guided tour will begin and end at Cherie Buckner-Webb Park (1100 W Bannock St.). This tour is offered as part of a summer-long series of public art and history guided tours alternating on Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. from June through August. Tours are free and open to the public, with pre-registration required. Space is limited to 15 participants per tour.

Registration is now open for July/August tours.

City Steps: Building Blocks of Boise History Tour

"Building Blocks of Boise History" offers 160 years of captivating history, highlighting the many cultural identities, activist movements, and environmental forces that have shaped our community. Each 90-minute guided tour will begin and end across from Zoo Boise at Julia Davis Park (700 S Capitol Blvd.). This tour is offered as part of a summer-long series of public art and history guided tours alternating on Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. from June through August. Tours are free and open to the public, with pre-registration required. Space is limited to 15 participants per tour.

Registration is now open for July/August tours.

City Steps: Public Art Cultural District Tour

Explore the cultural facilities and public artworks located in Boise's Cultural District located along South 8th Street corridor and River Street. Each 90-minute guided tour will begin and end at the Erma Hayman House (617 Ash St.). This tour is offered as part of a summer-long series of public art and history guided tours alternating on Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. from June through August. Tours are free and open to the public, with pre-registration required. Space is limited to 15 participants per tour.

Registration is now open for July/August tours.

City Steps: Tracing Boise's Eco-History Tour

“Tracing Boise's Eco-History” dives into Boise's environmental history, including the many community efforts to clean up and conserve many of our local treasures. Each 90-minute guided tour will begin and end across from Zoo Boise at Julia Davis Park (700 S Capitol Blvd.). This tour is offered as part of a summer-long series of public art and history guided tours alternating on Wednesdays at 11:45 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. from June through August. Tours are free and open to the public, with pre-registration required. Space is limited to 15 participants per tour. 

Registration is now open for July/August tours.

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Self-Guided Tours

You may also enjoy self-guided tours of Boise's history and public art collection using our interactive map or by downloading a public art brochure. You may also request one or the series at artsandhistory@cityofboise.org. 

In our commitment to engaging everyone, the City of Boise is actively removing barriers to participation, including for our residents with disabilities and those who prefer a language other than English. If you need an accommodation to access City of Boise’s services, programs, or activities, please contact us at artsandhistory@cityofboise.org or 208-608-7050 (TTY 800-377-3529).