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!
Purchase Tickets Here!
Public Tours Available April – October
Private Tours Available Year Round
Email [email protected] or call 406-543-4238 with any questions
Thank You to our Unseen Missoula Sponsors!
Meet Our Tour Guides!
Sophia Etier is a Public Historian, specializing in the history of Western Montana red light districts. Sophia has presented at a number of events, including the 2023 Montana History Conference and the 2024 University of Montana-Western Tedx Talk Conference. Her current research focuses on Montana's marginalized communities between 1880 and 1940.
Steve Bixby is a recently retired small business owner and self-proclaimed history nerd, with a multitude of interests including early Missoula, the history of fire lookouts, anything relating to antique cars. When not touring the downtown streets and alleys, he can be found volunteering at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula or enjoying Montana’s great outdoors.
Kali grew up as an U.S. Army brat moving from state to state and fell in love with the Missoula area after graduating from the University of Montana with a B.A. in History, a minor in Political Science, and a certificate in Public History. She currently consults and volunteers for Bonner Milltown Historical Center and Museum and was an associate producer of the PBS documentary “Hidden Stories: Montana’s Black Past”. Recently graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Master’s degree in History, she is passionate about sharing Missoula’s fascinating downtown history.
Quinn Huisman is originally from southern Minnesota where he grew up and went to school. After graduation, Mr. Huisman spent four years at the University of North Dakota working toward his B.S. in Civil Engineering. After working as an engineer, he made a move to Missoula, Montana where he enrolled at the University of Montana and earned his Masters of Mathematics Education. He is now in his fourth year at Arlee High School where he teaches High School Mathematics and Coaches Football, Basketball, and Track. In his free time, he enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities that are provided by beautiful western Montana.
Janet Frey is a retired geologist with a keen interest in Missoula history, both geological and anthropological. She will happily spend hours researching historical information for new stories to share on Unseen Missoula tours. In the rest of her spare time, she is usually hiking, gardening, or spending time with her family in Missoula and the Bitterroot valley.
Austin Haney is a UM alum and Central Montana native. After several years as an interpretive ranger for the National Park Service, he now works as a museum educator in Missoula and is a frequent guest lecturer around the state with organizations like Humanities Montana, the Lewis and Clark Foundation, and the Montana Historical Society.
Unseen Missoula FAQs
- How many tours are there?
- Unseen Missoula features FOUR TOURS April-September! Basements & Back Alleys, Hotels & Hooligans, Carnal Enterprises and Lower Rattlesnake & Greenough Park. Each tour is unique and covers different characteristics of Missoula’s heritage.
- 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 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 a few minutes before the tour begins in front of the Wilma
- The Lower Rattlesnake & Greenough Park tour meets a few minutes before the tour begins at Greenough Park Lower Parking Lot
- Can I get something to eat or drink before, on, or after the tour?
- The tour does not stop for refreshments or dining. Tour participants are encouraged to find a place to eat or drink before or after the tour. 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 farmer’s markets: Missoula Farmer’s Market & Missoula People’s Market.
- Where do I park?
- Hourly parking is available at Caras Park and in the parking garages Downtown. Click here for more info about parking in Downtown Missoula!
- Parking is FREE on weeknights after 5 pm and on weekends.
- 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 call (406) 543-4238 or email [email protected] 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
- What if my kid is 4 years or under – do they have to pay?
- Kiddos 4 years of age and under get to come along for free!
- What are the prices?
- Ticket prices are $18 for public tours and $20 for a private tour.
- How long are the tours?
- The tours are between 90 minutes and 2 hours and cover about a mile and a half on foot.
- When should you schedule a private tour?
- We ask that private tours be scheduled at least three weeks in advance to ensure we can accommodate your group and secure available tour guides.
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!
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 75 participants. However, over one thousand Missoulians came out to take this tour. See what started it all below!
