Awesome Scavenger Hunt: Annapolis Red Bricks & Blue Views

Annapolis turns into a game board on this self-guided hunt, with your phone leading you between red-brick streets, public art, plaques, and major landmarks. I like the anytime start and the fact that the private format lets your own group set the pace. The photo challenges also give everyone a job, instead of leaving one person to read every clue.

I also like the low price of $14.99 per person, especially for a group that wants a light activity rather than a formal walking tour. The main concern is the app itself. Some people have had trouble redeeming tickets, getting the location check-in to register, and following unclear directions, so a charged phone and a little patience matter.

Key points at a glance

• Start at 100 State Cir: The hunt begins and ends near the Maryland State House.
• Three named stops: Visit the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, James Brice House, and Maryland State House.
• Play with your own group: This is a private activity, not a shared tour with strangers.
• Expect 1.5 to 2 hours: The route mixes walking, questions, photo tasks, and app-based activities.
• Bring a full battery: You use your phone for directions, clues, check-ins, and photo challenges.
• Good value with a caveat: The price is modest, but the experience depends heavily on reliable app access.

How the Annapolis scavenger hunt works

This is not a guided history walk with a person waiting at the meeting point. It is a self-guided challenge delivered through the Let’s Roam app. You buy your tickets, download the app from the App Store or Play Store, register, redeem the ticket information, and then follow the prompts.

You can begin at any time during the stated operating hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday. The activity is available for a private group, so you do not need to coordinate with another party or arrive at a set departure time.

I see the flexible start as one of the strongest features. You can fit the hunt around lunch, shopping, another attraction, or a change in weather. At the same time, flexibility means you are responsible for getting started correctly. Read the confirmation instructions before you arrive, install the app in advance, and keep the booking information handy.

The app assigns interactive roles and sends photo challenges and activities by text. That setup works best when everyone participates. One person can handle navigation, another can read the trivia, and others can look for details at the stops or take the challenge photos.

The hunt uses answers found in person on plaques, statues, art, and other public features. That is more engaging than answering general questions from a screen. You have to pay attention to the place in front of you, not simply tap through a quiz.

Starting near the Maryland State House

The official starting point is 100 State Cir, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. The activity finishes back at the meeting point, which makes the route easier to manage than an outing that leaves you on the other side of town.

Because the hunt is app-led, take a few minutes at the start to confirm that your group has access to the correct activity. Ticket redemption is part of the process, and this has been a weak spot for some users. One person reported installing two apps, entering the ticket number several times, and eventually giving up after difficulty reaching support.

That does not mean you will have the same problem, but it is a useful warning. Do the setup before your group is standing on the street. Make sure the phone has a strong charge, allow the app to use the features it needs, and bring a power bank if your battery is not dependable.

The route is designed for moderate physical fitness. You should expect to walk between stops and remain on your feet while searching for clues and completing tasks. Comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the forecast are sensible choices.

Stop 1: Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial

The first named stop is the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial. It gives the hunt a serious opening point and fits the activity’s larger idea: use the place itself to find answers.

Rather than treating the memorial as a quick photo backdrop, pay attention to the prompts and any nearby plaques or public details the app directs you toward. The challenge may ask you to inspect something that is easy to miss if you rush. This is where the format can work well for a group, since different people can look at different elements while the app keeps the task moving.

I would allow a little extra time here if your group likes reading and discussing what it sees. The activity is still a game, but the stops are not random street corners. The point is to connect questions with real places in Annapolis.

The drawback is that the app may not always recognize your arrival automatically. One user found that the location check-in did not register and required a manual check-in anyway. If that happens, do not waste too much time waiting for the GPS to behave. Use the app’s manual option if available and continue with the instructions.

Stop 2: James Brice House

The second stop is the James Brice House. The hunt includes the house as part of its route, but admission to entrances is not included in the $14.99 price.

That distinction matters. You should not assume that completing this part of the hunt gives you entry to paid attractions or interiors. The listed cost covers access to the Let’s Roam app, while admission tickets, food, parking, transportation, and personal expenses remain your responsibility.

The house works as an observation point for the game. Look for the information or visual details the app asks you to find, and expect the challenge to reward careful attention rather than speed alone. Your group may also need to pause for a photo activity or a trivia question.

This stop shows both the strength and limitation of the experience. The hunt can point you toward an important Annapolis location without charging the higher price of a full guided tour. But it also does not replace a dedicated house tour if you want detailed interpretation, interior access, or a long explanation from a guide.

If your goal is to see several places and keep moving, that tradeoff is reasonable. If your goal is a deep visit to the James Brice House, plan a separate paid activity and account for the extra time and cost.

Stop 3: Maryland State House

The route also includes the Maryland State House, near the starting point. Ending at or near the start makes this a practical final stop, especially if your group has parking, another booking, or a meal planned afterward.

The State House provides another place for the app’s in-person questions. Watch for plaques, statues, and other public details that can supply answers. The hunt is built around finding information on site, so the best approach is to slow down enough to read what is in front of you.

This stop may also help you judge the value of the hunt. You are not paying $14.99 simply to be led from one landmark to another. You are paying for a layer of questions, competition, and activities that changes how you look at familiar civic spaces.

Still, the app’s directions can send a group in circles if they are unclear. One person reported that support staff were helpful, but the ground instructions caused confusion. Keep the group together, compare the next clue with your actual location, and do not assume that a missed GPS signal means you are in the wrong place.

Trivia, photo challenges, and team play

The main appeal here is participation. You solve trivia, handle problems, answer questions found on site, and complete photo challenges. The app also uses a leaderboard, so your group can compete with other teams using the platform.

That competitive layer will appeal to friends, families, colleagues, and groups that enjoy a little pressure. It gives you a reason to keep moving and can prevent the quieter members of a group from fading into the background.

Each person receives an interactive role, which is useful for larger groups. You can divide tasks instead of letting the person with the phone make every decision. One person may watch the route, another may search for a plaque, and someone else may organize the photo challenge.

The photos earn points, including points for the best submissions. I would treat these as part of the fun rather than a serious photography contest. The goal is to create shared moments and keep everyone involved, not to produce polished travel pictures.

The leaderboard is optional in spirit, even if it is built into the app. You can compete seriously, play casually, or ignore the score and use the prompts as a way to see Annapolis with more focus.

What $14.99 really gets you

At $14.99 per person, this is a relatively inexpensive way to fill about two hours. For a private group, the value is strongest when you want an activity that offers structure without a guide, fixed departure, or large shared group.

I would compare the price to a casual self-guided outing, not to a full historical tour. The fee gives you access to the app, route, trivia, photo challenges, and activities. It does not cover parking, transportation, food, entrance fees, or paid attractions.

That means your real cost depends on how you reach the starting point and what you add afterward. Parking fees can increase the total, and a visit inside a paid attraction would be separate. The activity itself remains easy to budget, but you should not treat $14.99 as an all-inclusive day in Annapolis.

The value also depends on your comfort with phone-based activities. If you enjoy puzzles and team games, the price is fair. If you prefer a guide telling stories without asking you to troubleshoot an app, the same fee may feel less worthwhile.

App problems to prepare for

The biggest practical risk is not the walking. It is the technology.

The experience requires ticket redemption inside the Let’s Roam app, and some people have run into trouble before the hunt even began. Others have dealt with location prompts that failed to recognize their arrival or directions that were not clear enough on the ground.

Here is how I would reduce the risk:

• Download the app before reaching Annapolis.
• Keep the booking confirmation and ticket information available.
• Fully charge your phone.
• Bring a power bank if you may need one.
• Decide who will manage navigation and who will read clues.
• If the app does not register a stop, use the available manual check-in rather than waiting indefinitely.
• Contact customer service if you cannot redeem the ticket or continue.

Support has been described as helpful, but office assistance cannot always solve a confusing clue in the street. A calm group and a willingness to retrace a short stretch will help.

This is also a reason to avoid scheduling the hunt immediately before an important reservation. The planned duration is 1.5 to 2 hours, but app problems or slow clue solving can affect your timing.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for friends who like trivia, colleagues planning a casual team activity, and families with older children who can use a smartphone and enjoy a challenge. No minimum age is required, but the game’s value depends on active participation, reading, and walking.

It is also a good fit for a private group that does not want a guide. You choose the start time, control the pace, and compete only as much as you like.

I would be more cautious if your group wants a polished historical presentation, guaranteed GPS precision, or a completely hands-off outing. The experience provides facts through prompts, but it is not a substitute for a guide who can answer questions in real time.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. You should still plan for outdoor conditions and moderate physical activity. Check the forecast, dress for the day, and wear shoes that can handle walking on city streets.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

You receive confirmation when you book, along with instructions for downloading the app and starting the activity. The hunt is generally booked about eight days ahead, but the self-guided format means you can choose a start time rather than join a fixed departure.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Annapolis time.

Because the hunt begins and ends at the same meeting point, it is simple to add before or after other plans. I would still leave a buffer if you have a timed meal, event, or attraction afterward.

Should you book the Red Bricks & Blue Views hunt?

Book it if you want an affordable, private way to explore central Annapolis through puzzles, photos, and teamwork. The three named stops give the activity a clear route, and the flexible start is useful for groups with changing schedules.

Skip it if you dislike app troubleshooting or want a detailed, guide-led account of Annapolis. The reported rating of 3.6 from 17 reviews reflects a mixed experience, with the main concern being confusing setup and directions rather than the basic idea.

My advice is simple: buy it for the game, not as a replacement for a full walking tour. Set up the app before you arrive, bring a charged phone, allow two hours, and keep your schedule loose. For a group that enjoys solving clues together, $14.99 can buy a pleasant and active look at several important downtown stops.

FAQ

Where does the scavenger hunt start?

It starts at 100 State Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401, USA.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the hunt take?

Each hunt lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Can I choose my own start time?

Yes. This is a self-guided activity, so you can start at any time during the stated opening hours.

What are the named stops?

The named stops are the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, James Brice House, and Maryland State House.

Is a tour guide included?

No. The experience is app-led and does not include an in-person guide.

What is included in the price?

The price includes access to the Let’s Roam app.

Are parking and entrance fees included?

No. Parking, parking fees, admission tickets, food, transportation, personal expenses, and other paid attractions are not included.

Do I need to bring a smartphone?

Yes. You need a smartphone to download the app, redeem the ticket, navigate, and complete the challenges. A fully charged device is recommended, and a power bank may be useful.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.