15 City Exploration Games in the USA You Can Book Today

1.San Francisco Haight Ashbury Hippie Exploration Game

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $7Our pick

Use your phone to guide yourself through San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury on a story-driven puzzle walk. Solve clues, learn about the district’s counterculture past, pause for shops or drinks, and continue when ready. The game works offline, takes about one to two hours, ends at Golden Gate Park, and has no physical guide.

“Fun computer game on phone ..different experience ..walking in sf Haight St etc want to try other games with cell phone”

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2.Balboa Park Botanical Exploration Game

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Lead a botanical adventure through Balboa Park with your own group. Start at the Carousel, solve 12 mobile puzzles, and follow clues to the Spanish Village, Rose Garden, Lily Pond, museums, theater, bridge, and Alcazar Garden. It lasts about 90 minutes, but you can pause and resume as needed. No guide or attraction tickets are required.

“My kids ENJOYED this. They enjoyed the story and solving the puzzles, and reading the map to direct us to the nxt location. This was a fun family activity.”

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3.Eastside Chicago The Heist Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 1 hour 35 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Use your smartphone to guide a private, self-paced Chicago exploration from the Art Institute through Millennium Park and Grant Park. Solve location-based challenges at Cloud Gate, Crown Fountain, Buckingham Fountain, and other landmarks. The game works offline, costs $7.20 per person, and takes about 95 minutes, though construction or technical issues may affect play.

“Prepare to walk a lot, so wear comfortable shoes! The instructions were clear, and the highlights were interesting if you want to learn about some of the city's iconic landmarks.”

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4.City Park Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Use the Questo app to solve clues around New Orleans City Park, starting at the New Orleans Museum of Art and ending at the Singing Oak. You set the pace, play offline, pause when you like, and learn about park art and history along the way. The Botanical Gardens are included, but admission is extra.

“It was great to see interesting details about City Park that we had never seen before! We learned a lot about the art in the park and the history of the park and had a great time finding the solutions to all the clues. We did it on a super hot day - definitely wear sunscreen and bring water!”

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5.North End Boston Mafia Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes (approx.) · from $7

Explore Boston’s North End with a self-guided Questo game built around clues, local landmarks, and a mafia-themed story. You’ll walk from the Rose Kennedy Rose Garden to Italian Cities Sign on Hanover Street, stopping at parks, churches, odd buildings, and historic sites. Bring a charged phone, allow about two and a half hours, and expect no guide or admission fees.

“If it is cold and dark and you do not know the area it is difficult because we did not know the area”

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6.Haunted Chicago Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $7

Explore Chicago’s Lincoln Park with a self-guided Questo game that mixes local landmarks, history, clues, and small challenges. You’ll walk from the Chicago History Museum to the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, stopping at monuments, South Pond, and the zoo. There is no guide, and admission tickets are separate, so bring a charged phone and expect a flexible two-hour outing.

“It was a super fun and interesting way to get some history of the park and also get to sightsee!! It lets you discover little things that you probably normally wouldn’t explore. Definitely Recommend!! I’m going to look for one everywhere I travel!!”

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7.Detroit City Scavenger Hunt by Operation City Quest

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $10

You’ll use your own smartphone to explore Detroit from 199 W Jefferson Ave, finding everyday objects, completing silly photo missions, and earning points in any order. A remote host is available in the app for two hours. This is a private, flexible game, not a history tour, and works best for groups that enjoy walking, laughter, and friendly competition.

“We had so much fun. I love that everything was in a good walking distance! This was a great idea and would actually do again.”

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8.Manhattan’s Famous Artists: Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $5Best value

This self-guided Questo game leads you from the White Horse Tavern to the Bitter End through Greenwich Village, with stops tied to Jimi Hendrix, Edgar Allan Poe, Suze Rotolo, Café Wha?, and historic theaters. You solve challenges at your own pace, pause for food, and play without an internet connection. No physical guide joins you.

“I loved learning all these many details about some of my favourite musicians and, literally, following their steps in the city. It’s self-guided and you can stop anytime to grab a bite, which is quite convenient actually.”

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9.Queen City Quest Scavenger Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Start at The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters and use your phone to follow a playful Charlotte quest hosted remotely in English. Walk or drive between stops such as the Charlotte Convention Center and Metro Credit Union Amphitheater, solve clues, complete oddball tasks, and send photos to your host. The hunt is family and dog friendly, with Kat among the hosts who may cheer you on.

“It was a fun way to explore "off the beaten path" area of NC. Some of the locations were to far to walk to so we ended up driving to them. Still a fun time”

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10.Downtown Atlanta: Past and Present Exploration Game

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 4 reviews · from $8

Use the Questo app to guide your private group through downtown Atlanta in about 60 to 90 minutes. Solve clues at World of Coca-Cola, the Fountain of Rings, Johnny Rockets, Atlanta Breakfast Club, Suite Food Lounge, and more. Attraction entry is not needed, and each player can use a phone for the best experience.

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11.Phoenix Art Heist: Mural Mystery Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $5

Explore central Phoenix without a live guide as Questo leads you through Roosevelt Row’s murals and alleys. Solve 13 mobile puzzles tied to works by Tato Caraveo, Isaac Caruso, Carrie Marill, Hugo Medina, and Jesse Perry. The private, English-language game lasts about 90 minutes and lets you pause or resume along the way.

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12.Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Pittsburgh by Operation City Quest

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $10

Start at Market Square and use your phone to find photo targets and complete playful challenges in any order. A remote host follows your progress through the app, answers questions by chat, and keeps your group moving. The route is flexible, private, and conducted in English, with time to notice Pittsburgh as you compete for points.

“I was blown away when the policeman had us pose with his classic car and the lady did the hokie pokie with us. Though the scavenger hunt was generic it helps to get you familiar with the city, or neighborhood you are visiting. I was surprised at how many people wanted to help us out. Had a great time doing as much as I wanted.”

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13.Harvard’s Secret Society: Exploration Game and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $6

Use the Questo app to follow a story through Harvard Yard, solving clues at Johnston Gate, Widener Library, the John Harvard statue, and other landmarks before finishing at the Harvard Lampoon Building. There is no guide, fixed group, or rush. Allow about 80 to 110 minutes, and check access before you start.

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14.Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Fort Myers by Operation City Quest

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $10

Start at Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers and use your own smartphone to solve riddles, find objects, and complete challenges in any order. A remote host guides your private group by chat, while the app tracks points and shows a final leaderboard. Plan for about two hours, English only.

“There were seven of us ranging in age from 8 to 75. There other adults arrived late. We were able to get about half finished. It was fun and something different. We enjoyed it and will recommend it to others.”

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15.Gatlinburg City Scavenger Hunt Excursion by Operation City Quest

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $10

Use your phone to guide a two-hour scavenger hunt around Gatlinburg. Solve riddles, find listed items, complete app challenges, and chat with a remote host for help. You choose the order and pace, then check the leaderboard against other teams. The activity starts and ends at 234 Airport Rd and is offered in English.

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