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 program aims to connect Missoulians and guests to our community, foster cultural identity, and promote heritage experiences for all.

Thousands of people have enjoyed the guided tours and connected to the program through social media since its inception. The season begins in April and continues through October. Experience Missoula’s heritage through these unique and exciting guided walking tours!

Buy Tickets Here!

Thank you for taking a tour in 2023! Tours will be available starting in late April 2024 (and go until October).

Thank You to the Unseen Missoula Sponsors!

 

Preserve Historic Missoula             Cranky Sam Public House             Epilepsy Foundation
 University of Montana Department of History

Meet Our Tour Guides!

Leif

Unseen Tour Guide
View Bio
Leif Fredrickson teaches history at the University of Montana. He's a member of the Historic Preservation Commission and the Friends of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. With some other Montanans, he created the podcast Death in the West. When he's not being a history nerd, he's being a plant nerd.

Sari

Unseen Tour Guide

Reid

Unseen Tour Guide

Sophia

Unseen Tour Guide

John

Unseen Tour Guide

Steve

Unseen Tour Guide

Sophie

Unseen Tour Guide

Unseen Missoula FAQs

  1. How many tours are there?
    • Unseen Missoula features THREE TOURS! Basements & Back Alleys, Hotels & Hooligans, and Secrets of the Clark Fork. Each tour is unique and covers different characteristics of Missoula’s heritage.
  2. Can I reserve a spot on the Unseen Missoula tours?
  3. Where do we meet?
    • The Basement & Back Alleys tours meet a few minutes before the tour starts time in Caras Park near the Carousel.
    • The Hotels & Hooligans tour meets a few minutes before the tour begins at Burlington Northern Plaza, at the statue of Captain John Mullan by the XXXXs on North Higgins.
    • The Carnal Enterprises tour meets at the bottom of the stairs to Higgins Avenue at Caras Park
    • The Secrets of the Clark Fork River walking tour meets at the Montana Natural History Center, 120 Hickory Street, Suite A, Missoula, MT 59801
  4. Can I get something to eat or drink before, on, or after the tour?
  5. Where do I park?
  6. How many tickets can I buy?
    • You can buy as many as you’d like, depending on availability. Our capacity for each tour is 15-16 people, so if you have a group larger than 10 please contact (406) 543-4238 to schedule a private tour.
  7. 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
  8. What if my kid is 5 years or under – do they have to pay?
    • Kiddos 5 years of age and under get to come along for free!
  9. What are the prices?
    • Ticket prices are $15 for all individuals 5 and older.
  10. How long are the tours?
    • The tours are between 90 minutes and 2 hours 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!

Montgomery Distillery Tasting and Tour
Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures – Trail Tours (River Pub)
Thirst Gear – Group Bike & Brewery Tour
MT Shuttle – Brewery Tours

Unseen Missoula:  September 2017

In September 2017, the Missoula Historic Preservation Commission hosted a one-time tour called the “Unseen Missoula” tour. The tour featured three of Missoula’s historic locations: the underground steam tunnels, a Cold War-era bomb shelter, and The Bluebird Theater. The organizers 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!

Contact Unseen Missoula

Tour Development Partners