Wallace Self Guided Audio Walking Tour of Historic Downtown

Explore Wallace, a mountain city in Idaho’s Silver Valley, on a self-guided audio tour using a GPS app. As you walk through this remarkably intact historic commercial center, the town's stories will automatically unfold around you. Walk past striking Victorian architecture, the Northern Pacific Depot, the Wallace District Mining Museum, and the Oasis Bordello Museum. You will uncover a history of silver mining, labor disputes, and the 1910 Great Fire, and discover why the city officially declared itself the Center of the Universe. Explore at your own pace—pause for photos, step inside a historic building, or linger at a museum. The audio resumes whenever you are ready, letting you move freely without keeping up with a group. This is a self-guided experience (no in-person guide). Download the tour in advance and use it anytime. It works completely offline and follows your location along the route.

1. 1

   Center of the Universe Manhole

   5 min

   Discover the exact center of the universe—or at least, try to prove otherwise—marked by a quirky manhole cover at the intersection of Bank and Sixth Street. This tongue-in-cheek landmark stems from a 2004 mayoral proclamation based on the theory of probabilism, making it a beloved and bizarre photo op for visitors.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   Pass by

   Step deep underground on a guided trolley tour of a real, historic silver mine led by a retired hard-rock miner. You'll get an up-close look at vintage mining equipment while learning the gritty reality of life inside the richest silver mining district on earth.

3. 3

   Oasis Bordello Museum

   Pass by

   Step into a perfectly preserved time capsule of an active bordello that was hastily abandoned in 1988, complete with groceries still sitting on the kitchen counter. This fascinating museum offers a candid, unfiltered look into the secretive business, entrepreneurship, and daily lives of the women who worked there.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   5 min

   Marvel at this 1901 Chateau-style depot, famously constructed using unique bricks from a Washington hotel and concrete made from local mine tailings. Inside, you'll discover a beautifully recreated railroad agent's room and extensive exhibits chronicling the golden era of rail transportation in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District.

5. 5

   Wallace Mining Museum

   Pass by

   Delve into the fascinating history of the Silver Valley, renowned globally as the richest silver-producing region in the world. Engaging exhibits trace the ingenuity, struggles, and triumphs of the early miners who extracted over a billion ounces of silver from the surrounding mountains.

6. 6

   Pulaski Tunnel Trail

   5 min

   Hike this scenic, two-mile interpretive trail that leads to the very mine shaft where Ranger Ed Pulaski heroically saved his crew during the catastrophic 1910 Big Blowup fire. The lush forest path belies the tragedy of the past, offering a poignant look at one of the largest forest fires in American history.

7. 7

   Historic Wallace

   5 min

   Stroll through a beautifully preserved downtown where every single building is proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This unique, town-wide designation famously forced the federal government to reroute an interstate, permanently saving the town's classic late-19th-century boomtown architecture.

8. 8

   Stop 8

   5 min

   Grab a hearty bite at this legendary local watering hole, steeped in mining town lore and named for its original 13-by-13-foot dimensions. Beyond the classic American comfort food, the vibrant atmosphere serves as a perfect tribute to Wallace's rugged and spirited past.

9. 9

   Historic Wallace Chamber of Commerce

   5 min

   Start your adventure here to gather local maps, insider tips, and a warm welcome from the town's most knowledgeable residents. It's the perfect launching pad to discover hidden gems and get the lay of the land before exploring the broader historic district.

10. 10

    Sixth Street Melodrama

    Pass by

    Enjoy an evening of nostalgic entertainment at this lively theater, where audiences are encouraged to loudly boo the villains and cheer the heroes. Housed in the oldest standing wooden structure in Historic Wallace, it keeps the centuries-old tradition of classic interactive melodrama alive and well.

11. 11

    Stop 11

    5 min

    Admire the stately architecture of this historic county seat, which narrowly survived the devastating Great Fire of 1910 that wiped out a third of the town. The building stands as a testament to early 20th-century civic pride and continues to serve the local community today.

12. 12

    Stop 12

    5 min

    Embark on a unique urban hike up these century-old wooden and concrete stairways, originally built to connect miners' hillside homes to the bustling downtown below. With nearly 800 steps spanning 12 distinct flights, the climb rewards you with sweeping, picturesque views of the city and surrounding woods.

13. 13

    Stop 13

    Pass by

    View breathtaking, large-format historical photographs from the famed Barnard-Stockbridge collection, capturing the essence of early mining life between 1893 and 1965. These incredibly detailed images chronicle everything from the town's daily life to catastrophic events, preserving the raw, visual history of the Silver Valley.

14. 14

    Stop 14

    5 min

    Visit this expansive, historic lodge that has been a cornerstone of local community gatherings and social events for generations. When the vintage neon sign is lit, it warmly welcomes visitors to step inside and experience a genuine slice of small-town hospitality.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Works entirely offline once downloaded—no cell service required
• GPS-triggered audio plays automatically based on your location
• Flexible - Buy once, use any day/time—access never expires
• Get the Drives & Detours app download the tour ahead of time

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.