One of Boise’s quirkiest Halloween traditions is rolling back into town. Boise Trolley Tours Haunted Halloween Tour is happening October 10-31!

If you’ve never been, let me set the scene for you: you’re on a red vintage trolley cruising around Boise at night, rattling past landmarks with a haunted past. But instead of a guide with a mic, you’ve got Ron Skully, a wisecracking skeleton. His glowing eyes dart around, his jaw moves, and he tells ghost stories with the timing of a stand-up set. The whole thing feels like a mix between a haunted house, a history lesson, and an open mic night.

SPONSORED BY BOISE CITY DEPARTMENT OF ARTS & HISTORY Celebrate James Castle & Community ​Join the inaugural James Castle Community Celebration on Saturday, Sept 27, 2–6pm at the James Castle House. In honor of Castle’s birthday and Deaf Awareness Month, the community is invited to enjoy an afternoon of artmaking, bookmaking, scavenger hunts, lawn games, storytelling, live music, food & drinks. It’s all free and open to the public! Presented in collaboration with the Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Idaho Association of the Deaf, and community partners. Learn more about the celebration

Ron was dreamed up just last year, when the Boise Trolley Tours team decided to level up their annual Halloween rides. They found a high end animatronic skeleton head, dressed him in a bus driver’s uniform, and gave him a voice. With a mix of spooky audio, tongue-in-cheek humor, and plenty of groan-worthy “boo” jokes, the tours sold out fast.

This year, Ron’s back with a neck upgrade (his head now swivels) and a friend. Bonita, voiced by local comedian Krystal Moore, is making her debut. Now there will be two trolleys going, each with a spooky host. Between the two, every ride will be a little different.

The Haunted Trolley kicks off on Friday, October 10 with two tours a night at 6pm and 8pm. They start and end at the Red Lion Hotel on Main Street, loop past downtown, Boise State, and Hyde Park, and make a stop at the Idaho State Penitentiary and Pioneer Cemetery (of course).

Tickets must be booked in advance online or by phone (208-433-0849), and based on last year, they’re going to go fast.

SPONSORED BY MCCALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Real People. Real Trips. Real McCall. Ever wanted to be part of something unforgettable? Now’s your chance. ​The McCall Chamber is choosing a few local couples and families to go on a fully hosted 3-night, 4-day trip to McCall. Free lodging, meals, activities, and a custom itinerary included. They’ll film the journey and feature it in a new travel campaign, so your story becomes part of McCall’s story. Lights, camera, lake day! Apply here!

More Trolley Tours

Boise Trolley Tours isn’t just about Halloween. They run a handful of other rides throughout the year:

Historical Tours

Hop on an open-air trolley for a 2 hour ride through Boise’s past. These tours run daily at 10am and 1pm, Monday through Sunday, and feature more than 100 tidbits about the history of the City of Trees.

Comedy Tours

Trolley tour meets comedy booze cruise. The Boise Hysterical Tours feature local comedians who roast you through Boise’s colorful past. Each show kicks off at the Red Lion Hotel lobby bar at 7pm, with the trolley rolling out at 7:30pm for 90–120 minutes of laughs. Along the way, you’ll stop at three historic downtown bars for drinks, stories, and plenty of punchlines.

Holiday Lights Tours

Bundle up, grab a hot drink, and climb aboard the Jolly Trolley for a cozy ride through West Boise neighborhoods to see the city’s best holiday displays. Holiday music, twinkling lights, and plenty of Christmas cheer included.

Custom Tours

The Boise Trolley Tours crew loves working with the community to create one-of-a-kind experiences. Weddings, private history rides, team building and more.

Boise Trolley Tours has been around for years, but it’s in the middle of a glow up. With skeletons at the wheel, comedy (& cocktails) on the road, and a fresh spin on local history, it’s one of the most fun ways to see our city.

Whether you’re visiting or just wanna play tourist in your own town, hop on board and see Boise in a whole new way.

Get tickets & more info at boisetrolleytours.com​

Thanks for reading!

With love from Boise,

Marissa

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