Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour

Quebec City becomes a game board on this self-guided walking tour. You follow clues from the Samuel-De Champlain Monument through Old Quebec, answering questions, finding details, and taking creative photos along the way. It is a lively alternative to simply trailing behind a guide with an umbrella.

I like the freedom to pause and restart, especially if you are traveling with children or need time for lunch, pictures, or a break. I also like the way the tasks make you look closely at signs, artwork, and buildings you might otherwise walk past. The main catch is that you need mobile data to play. One participant had paid for a ticket but could not join because their phone had no data, so check this before you begin.

Key points at a glance

• A private game for your own group: You explore together rather than joining a larger walking party.
• Six notable stops: The route includes the Champlain Monument, Petit-Champlain, Place Royale, and two major Quebec City murals.
• Flexible timing: The activity usually takes one to two hours, but you can pause it and continue later.
• Good for families: Children and young teens can help navigate, answer questions, and complete photo tasks.
• A low-cost way to get oriented: At $15.90 per person, it costs less than many guided city tours, though the app provides less personal explanation.
• Plan for phone data: The game runs through the Explorial app, so each player needs suitable phone access.

Why this Quebec City game works well for families

A normal walking tour asks you to listen. This one asks you to act. You find the next place with map hints, inspect the sight once you arrive, and answer questions based on signs, pictures, or visible details. Photo challenges add a playful twist and give children a job beyond simply keeping up.

That format has real value in Quebec City. Old Quebec offers plenty to see, but younger members of a family may not care about a long explanation of a monument or square. Give them points to earn and clues to solve, and the same walk feels more active.

The route also suits a group with mixed interests. Two young teens can work as a team, while parents choose their own pace. A group of friends can compete against one another, or everyone can share one phone and solve the tasks together. The activity is private, so you are not trying to match the speed or mood of strangers.

The app mixes city facts with small observations. You may need to read a plaque, inspect a mural, or spot a detail in a picture. That makes the information stick better than a list of dates delivered while you walk.

Still, this is not a substitute for a live guide. You will not have someone beside you to answer a sudden question, adjust the route on the spot, or tell stories beyond what the app provides. If you want detailed historical interpretation, choose a traditional walking tour. If you want a light introduction with a bit of competition, this format is a better fit.

Starting at the Samuel-De Champlain Monument

The activity begins at the Monument Samuel-De Champlain on Escalier Frontenac. This is a practical starting point in the heart of Old Quebec, and the monument gives you an immediate sense of the city’s French colonial identity.

The first task is likely to get you looking outward at the setting as well as at the monument itself. Use the map in the app to confirm your position, then read the prompts carefully. The point is not to rush through the first stop. Take a moment to get your bearings, since the opening task helps you understand how the game works.

The start is also useful for a first day in Quebec City. You are placed near several major sights, so the activity can help you learn the shape of the old city before you explore on your own. It is worth arriving with your phone charged and the Explorial app already downloaded.

A note about Parc de la Chute-Montmorency

Parc de la Chute-Montmorency appears in the stated stop list, along with the Old Quebec locations. The supplied details do not explain how this stop connects to the walking route or whether it is represented by a specific task within the app.

That matters because Montmorency Falls is outside the compact core of Old Quebec. Do not assume this activity includes transportation to the falls or a full visit there. The confirmed meeting point and ending point are both at the Champlain Monument, and the experience is described as a walking game in the city.

If Montmorency Falls is a priority, treat it as a separate outing unless the app gives you different instructions after purchase. This is one place where checking the route before setting off can save confusion.

Petit-Champlain and its creative details

The route continues into Quartier Petit Champlain, one of the most atmospheric parts of Old Quebec. The district is known for its narrow streets, historic buildings, and strong visual appeal. Here, the scavenger hunt format makes sense because there are many details to notice at street level.

Expect to use clues to find the next point, then answer questions based on what you can see. The tasks are not only about memorizing information. You may need to inspect a sign or image, which encourages you to slow down and look around.

The Fresque du Petit-Champlain gives the route another visual stop. Large murals can be easy to admire for a few seconds and then leave behind. A question or photo challenge gives you a reason to examine the scene more closely.

This section may take longer than the shortest estimate if your group likes taking pictures. That is not a problem, since the game can be paused. Families should also remember that the district can be busy, so keep your phone secure and avoid stopping in the middle of a narrow path while solving a task.

Place Royale and the city’s oldest-feeling quarter

Place Royale brings you into one of the key historic squares of Quebec City. It is a good setting for questions about buildings, signs, and the city’s past because the square gathers several layers of Quebec’s story in one compact area.

The game format works best here when you resist the urge to answer too quickly. Look around the square first, then use the prompt to guide your attention. You are not simply checking off a stop. You are learning how to read the place.

Place Royale is also a good point for a short pause. The tour has no fixed live departure time, so your group can stop for a drink or take photos and then continue. That flexibility is especially useful if you are traveling with children who need a breather after walking through Petit-Champlain.

The limitation is that a game prompt can only offer so much context. You may learn a useful fact, but you will not get the full story you would receive from a guide who can explain how the square changed over time or answer follow-up questions.

Two murals that reward a closer look

The Fresque des Québécois adds another art-focused stop. Together with the Fresque du Petit-Champlain, it gives the activity a strong visual thread. These murals are not filler between major monuments. They are places where the app can turn looking into an actual challenge.

This is where the photo tasks can be especially effective. You may be asked to frame a creative snapshot or complete a visual assignment. The activity rewards imagination, not just speed, so groups can approach the same task in different ways.

The photo element has another benefit: it keeps teenagers involved. Instead of asking them to put their phones away, the tour gives them a useful reason to use them. That can make the experience feel less like a school lesson and more like a shared city game.

Keep expectations sensible. The activity is about discovering selected sights, not covering every major part of Quebec City. The route does not specifically include the Citadel or the Plains of Abraham. If those places matter to you, plan extra sightseeing before or after the game.

How the app-based format changes the experience

After booking, you receive an access code for the Explorial app. Download the app, go to the starting point, and begin the game. The tour is offered in English, which is important to note if your group wants another language.

The map function helps you reach each location. At the site, the app presents questions and other challenges. Answers are often found in visible signs, pictures, or details at the stop, so you do not need to arrive with background knowledge of Quebec City.

The activity is not limited to a strict two-hour window. The average time is about one to two hours, but your pace will depend on how many photos you take, how carefully you solve the questions, and how often you pause. That is a better arrangement than a fixed walking departure for families with different energy levels.

Your group should have enough phone battery and mobile data for the whole activity. The data issue is not minor. If one person lacks data, that person may not be able to participate even if the group has paid for their ticket. Confirm access for every player before you leave.

Is $15.90 per person good value?

At $15.90 per person, this is a modest way to see several central Quebec City sights. A private group receives a route, map guidance, questions, and photo challenges without paying for a dedicated guide. For a family, the price can be appealing because the entertainment is built into the sightseeing.

The value is strongest if you want an introduction to Old Quebec and enjoy solving things together. You get a clear reason to walk from one location to the next, and the challenges help prevent the day from becoming a simple procession of photo stops.

The value is weaker if you mainly want expert commentary. The app cannot replace a person who can adapt a story to your interests or point out an unexpected detail. You are paying for structure and play, not for a long historical lecture.

At this price, I would see it as a useful first activity rather than your only Quebec City tour. It can show you several central places and help you decide where to return for a slower look.

Timing, access, and practical planning

The activity is available every day from midnight to 11:30 p.m. during the stated operating period, from April 23, 2022 through December 10, 2026. Those broad hours give you plenty of control, though daylight and weather will affect how pleasant the walk feels.

Rain can change the experience. One group had to move quickly because of wet weather and felt they would have enjoyed it more at a slower pace. Since photo tasks and visible signs are part of the game, clear conditions make the activity easier and more enjoyable.

Wear comfortable shoes, keep your phone ready, and leave room in your schedule. The listed duration is about two hours, but the ability to pause means you can build the activity around meals or other plans.

The tour begins and ends at the Champlain Monument. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the experience does involve walking through the city, stopping at sights, and using a phone throughout.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this for families with school-age children or young teens, especially if the children enjoy puzzles, points, and taking pictures. It also fits friends who want a shared activity rather than a passive sightseeing route.

It is a good pick for independent people who dislike fixed schedules. You can start when it suits you, take breaks, and let the group move at its own speed. The private format also means you can be as competitive, silly, or relaxed as you like.

I would be more cautious if your group has no mobile data, dislikes app-based activities, or wants detailed historical storytelling. I would also check the stop details if you are expecting Montmorency Falls, the Citadel, or the Plains of Abraham to be major parts of the route.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from 15 reviews, with 93 percent recommending it. That is a small sample, but the pattern is clear: the strongest appeal is its family-friendly design, flexible pace, and ability to lead you to places you might otherwise miss.

Should you book the Quebec City scavenger hunt?

Book it if you want a low-cost, active introduction to Old Quebec and your group enjoys solving clues together. The Champlain Monument, Petit-Champlain, Place Royale, and the two murals create a useful route through some of the city’s most recognizable areas.

Skip it if you want a guide’s voice, a full historical tour, or a route that clearly covers every major sight. Also skip it unless each participant who needs to play has mobile data.

For most families and friend groups, this is a smart two-hour add-on to a Quebec City visit. Bring a charged phone, allow extra time for photos, and treat the game as a fun way to notice the city rather than as a replacement for every other kind of tour.

FAQ

How long does the Quebec City scavenger hunt take?

The activity lasts about one to two hours on average. You can pause the game and continue later, so the experience is not restricted to a single continuous time period.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Monument Samuel-De Champlain on Escalier Frontenac in Quebec City. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What sights are included?

The listed stops include the Samuel-De Champlain Monument, Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, Quartier Petit-Champlain, Fresque du Petit-Champlain, Place Royale, and Fresque des Québécois.

Is the tour led by a guide?

No. This is a self-guided mobile experience using the Explorial app, an access code, map clues, questions, and photo tasks.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Do I need mobile data?

Yes, you need suitable data access on your phone to play through the app. Make sure every participant who plans to play can connect before starting.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.