Unseen Missoula Historic Downtown Guided Walking Tours!
Unseen Missoula, a program of Heritage Missoula from the Downtown Missoula Partnership, offers education-based, guided walking tours to showcase Missoula’s unique history. The goals are to help Missoulians and their guests connect to our community, foster cultural identity, and promote our heritage experiences for all.
More than 1,400 people have enjoyed the guided walking tours, and thousands more connected to the program through social media since its inception in 2018. The season begins in April and continues through October. Experience Missoula’s heritage through these unique and exciting guided walking tours! The Unseen Missoula Program is currently comprised of two main tours: Basements & Back Alleys and Hotels & Hooligans. Experience Missoula’s heritage through these unique and excited guided walking tours!
*Tour research and writing was provided in part by the work of graduate and undergraduate students in Public History course at the University of Montana offered by the Department of History and the Davidson Honors College.*
Buy Tickets Here!
New tours are added to the schedule weekly!
We’re seeking an intern to help with this program! Learn more here…
Thank You to the Unseen Missoula Sponsors!
Preserve Historic Missoula United Way Windfall, Inc. Worden’s Market
Meet Our Amazing Tour Guides!
Heritage Missoula Newsletter
Want to be in the know about upcoming tours and heritage happenings? Sign up for the Heritage Missoula Newsletter!Unseen Missoula FAQ’s
- How many tours are there?
- Currently, we have THREE TOURS! One is focused on historic buildings south of Broadway (Basements & Back Alleys), another is focused on historic buildings north of Broadway (Hotels & Hooligans) while the other tour is centered around the seeing the history of Missoula on a bicycle (Pedal Through the Past).
- Can I reserve a spot on the Unseen Missoula tours?
- Absolutely! We ask that you reserve your spot in advance – online – by the end of the previous day. Click here to reserve a spot online.
- Where do we meet?
- The Basement & Back Alleys and the Pedal Through the Past tours will meet a few minutes before the tour start time in Caras Park near the Carousel.
- The Hotels & Hooligans tour meets a few minutes before the tour begins at the statue of Captain John Mullan by the XXXXs.
- Can I get something to eat or drink before, on, or after the tour?
- Not on the tour, but please do so before or after! There are plenty of amazing restaurants around Downtown so take a look here! You can also stop by the Clark Fork River Market on the other side of the bridge! Or check out the other farmers markets: Missoula Farmer’s Market & Missoula People’s Market.
- Where do I park?
- After 5pm on the weekdays and all day on Saturday and Sunday parking is free in Downtown! There is a parking lot in Caras Park that you can park in or you can park in the parking garages that are around Downtown. Click here for more info about parking in Downtown Missoula!
- How many tickets can I buy?
- You can buy as many as you’d like, depending on availability. Our capacity for each tour is 12-15 people (depending on the tour), so if you have a group larger than 10 please contact (406) 543-4238 to schedule a private tour.
- What if I need to cancel? Can I get a refund?
- We understand that things come up! We will refund the purchaser up to 24 hours before the tour. If there is an extreme circumstance, please call our offices at (406) 543-4238
- *Due to COVID-19 Precautions, we are now offering refunds up until the tour time and date. We hope all attendees reach out if there are any symptoms showing in any of the attendees.
- What if my kid is under 2 – do they have to pay?
- Kiddos under 2 years of age get to come along for free!
- This does not apply to the Pedal Through the Past tour.
- What are the prices?
- Ticket prices are $12 for all individuals.
- How long are the tours?
- The tours are approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes long and cover about a mile and a half on foot.
Unseen Missoula Guidelines
- Silence cell phones
- No pets
- Stay with the guide. Tell the guide if you need to leave the tour
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Have the best time ever!
More Missoula Tours!
Unseen Missoula // September 2017
In September 2017, during Missoula in Motion’s Walk & Roll Week, the Missoula Historic Preservation Commission hosted a one-time tour called the “Unseen Missoula” tour which featured three of Missoula’s historic locations – the Underground Steam Tunnels, a Cold War Era bomb shelter, and The Bluebird Theater. The Historic Preservation Commission expected a turn-out of approximately 75 participants however over one thousand Missoulians came out to take this tour. See what started it all below!
