Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour

Quebec City turns sightseeing into a game. This app-led scavenger hunt gives you a playful way to see major sights, answer questions, and complete photo challenges without following a guide’s schedule. I like the freedom to pause, and I like how the tasks make children and teens pay attention to details they might otherwise miss. The main drawback is practical: you need mobile data on your phone to play.

The tour costs $15.90 per person and takes about one to two hours, though you can take breaks and continue at your own pace. It is offered in English, works well for private groups, and has earned a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 15 reviews, with 93 percent of participants recommending it. Rain can also affect the experience, since the game is played outdoors.

Key things to know before you play

• The Samuel-De Champlain Monument is your starting point: You begin at Escalier Frontenac in Quebec City and finish back at the same meeting point.
• The app controls the adventure: After booking, you receive an access code, download the Explorial app, and follow the map to each task.
• The route mixes major sights and small details: Stops include Petit-Champlain, Place Royale, murals, and the Champlain Monument.
• Photo challenges keep the pace lively: You earn points not only by finding places and answering questions, but also by taking creative snapshots.
• You set the timing: The activity is available from noon to 11:30 p.m. daily during the stated operating period, and the game itself has no strict time limit.
• Mobile data is essential: One participant could not play because their phone lacked data, so check your connection before arriving.

A self-guided way to meet Quebec City

This is not a traditional walking tour with a guide explaining every building. Instead, it turns Quebec City into a large outdoor puzzle. The app gives you clues, points you toward the next place, and asks questions once you arrive.

I like this setup for families because it gives younger members a job. One family let three children, ages 10, 13, and 13, handle the navigation. The children stayed involved, saw places the adults might have skipped, and picked up both historical and modern information along the way.

You can also split into teams. One group used two young teens on one team, with the parents playing separately. That format gives older children a little independence while keeping everyone within the same activity.

The game is private, so only your group participates. That matters if you want to move slowly, stop for photos, or take a break without waiting for strangers. It also means you do not receive the personal stories, local conversation, or spontaneous questions that come with a live guide.

Starting at the Samuel-De Champlain Monument

Your starting point is the Monument Samuel-De Champlain at Escalier Frontenac, a central location in Quebec City. From there, the app gets you moving with the first set of clues.

The monument provides a sensible opening because Samuel de Champlain is closely tied to the city’s beginnings. You are not simply handed a paragraph of history. Instead, you look at the site, follow hints, and answer questions based on information visible around you.

That approach makes the first stop useful for getting familiar with the app. You learn how to read the map, search for details, and submit answers before the route becomes more involved.

Expect to use your phone often. Keep the screen available, make sure the app is installed before reaching the starting point, and bring enough battery for the full outing. The activity depends on the phone for navigation, questions, and photos, so mobile data is not a minor extra. It is part of the basic setup.

The Parc de la Chute-Montmorency stop

Parc de la Chute-Montmorency appears as the second stop in the route. The supplied details do not explain the exact task at this location or how transportation between the old city and the park is handled, so you should check the route shown in the app before starting.

This is the one part of the stop list that deserves extra attention. The other named locations are concentrated in and around Old Quebec, while Montmorency Falls is presented as a separate stop. If you are expecting a compact old-town walk, confirm how the app places this stop in your version of the route.

The broader value of including the park is clear: it adds a major Quebec City area attraction to an activity otherwise centered on streets, squares, monuments, and murals. Still, do not assume every stop takes only a few minutes to reach. The app map is the best guide to the actual sequence.

Petit-Champlain and its painted history

The route then brings you to Quartier Petit-Champlain, one of the city’s most atmospheric areas. Here, the point of the game is not only to reach the district, but to look closely and solve questions connected with what you find.

Petit-Champlain works well for this kind of activity because there is a lot to notice. The narrow streets, storefronts, public details, and old-city setting give the photo tasks plenty to work with. You may find yourself slowing down, not because the app tells you to, but because the surroundings invite a closer look.

Next comes the Fresque du Petit-Champlain. This mural gives the game a visual break from standard monuments and signs. A question may depend on a detail in the artwork or nearby information, while the photo task asks your group to create something of its own.

This is where the experience feels more active than a basic audio guide. You are not just listening while someone else leads. You are looking, comparing, posing, and deciding how to earn points.

Place Royale and the Fresque des Quebecois

Place Royale is another strong stop. It gives you a chance to connect the city’s public spaces with its past, while the app asks you to search for answers in the setting around you.

The tasks are designed so that answers are often found on signs, pictures, or other visible details. That makes the experience accessible to families and to people who do not want a long lecture. You learn by observing the place in front of you.

The final listed stop is La Fresque des Quebecois. Like the Petit-Champlain mural, it rewards close attention. Large public artwork can be easy to photograph and walk past, but the game gives you a reason to inspect it.

The two murals also help keep the route from feeling like a parade of formal landmarks. They add color, storytelling, and a creative challenge. For many groups, this mix of history questions and photo assignments will be more memorable than simply checking off buildings.

How the questions and photo tasks work

The game has three basic parts. First, you use clues and the map to find a sight. Second, you answer questions once you reach it. Third, you complete photo challenges for additional points.

The questions are not described as difficult trivia. In most cases, the answer is hidden in a sign, picture, or detail at the location. That makes the activity less about prior knowledge and more about observation.

I like that design because it gives you a reason to stop and look. Children can contribute even if they know little about Quebec City, and adults can help without turning the outing into a classroom.

The photo assignments add a different kind of energy. They ask for creativity rather than simple documentation. If your group enjoys silly poses, inventive framing, or friendly competition, these tasks may become the favorite part.

You do not need to race. Points can add a game-like goal, but the activity is not limited in time. You can pause for food, rest, weather, or another attraction and return to the game later.

Timing, weather, and the need for mobile data

The stated average duration is one to two hours. That is a useful estimate, but your actual timing will depend on how seriously you take the questions, how many photos you create, and how often you stop.

The experience can begin during the published daily opening window of 12 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., from April 23, 2022 through December 10, 2026. Since this is an app-based activity, you have far more control over timing than you would on a fixed group tour.

Bad weather is a real consideration. One group had to move quickly because of rain and felt they would have taken more time under better conditions. Bring weather-appropriate clothing and avoid starting when the forecast will force you to hurry.

Mobile data deserves equal attention. One participant paid for a ticket but could not play because their phone had no data connection. Before you go, confirm that every person who plans to use the app can access the internet. If only one person has a working phone, the group can still navigate together, but you lose the benefit of separate teams and individual participation.

Is $15.90 a good price?

At $15.90 per person, this is a low-cost activity for a private group. The value comes less from a long running commentary and more from the structure: you receive a route, questions, map support, challenges, and a reason to explore at your own speed.

For a family, the price can compare well with a traditional guided tour, especially if children lose interest during long explanations. You are paying for an activity that gives them decisions to make and points to earn.

The value is weaker if you want detailed interpretation at every stop. The app can direct you and teach you through questions, but it does not replace a local guide who can explain context, answer follow-up questions, or adjust the route to your interests.

The private format is a plus for friends and families. You do not have to match another group’s pace, and you can pause whenever you like. The tradeoff is that the experience depends on your group’s willingness to read clues and play along.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour is best for families with school-age children, teenagers, and friends who enjoy light competition. The tasks give young people a role, while the historic locations keep the activity from feeling like a game detached from the city.

It also suits independent visitors who dislike fixed departure times. You can start when you choose within the operating hours, pause for a meal, and return to the meeting point when you finish.

You may want something else if you prefer quiet sightseeing, serious historical commentary, or a guide who does the navigating. The app format asks you to participate. That is the point, but it will not appeal to everyone.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, though no specific transport instructions are provided. It is offered in English.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book, followed by an access code for the Explorial app. Download the app, enter the code, and go to the Samuel-De Champlain Monument at Escalier Frontenac.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. It is sold as a private experience, so only your group takes part.

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

Should you book the Quebec City scavenger hunt?

Book it if you want a flexible, affordable way to see Quebec City with children, teens, or friends who enjoy puzzles and photos. The best features are the self-paced format, the private group setup, and the clever use of questions that send you looking at real signs and artwork.

Before paying, check two things. Make sure every intended player has mobile data, and look at the app route carefully because Parc de la Chute-Montmorency is listed alongside the Old Quebec stops. Also keep an eye on the forecast.

If you want a guide’s stories and local conversation, choose a traditional walking tour. If you want your group to explore, compete, laugh, and notice details together, this $15.90 activity is a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the Quebec City scavenger hunt take?

The activity lasts about one to two hours on average. You can pause and take breaks, since the experience is not limited to a strict playing time.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Monument Samuel-De Champlain at Escalier Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7, Canada.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Do I need a smartphone with mobile data?

Yes. You need to download the Explorial app and use an access code. Mobile data is needed to play, so check your phone connection before arriving.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Can I pause the scavenger hunt?

Yes. You can start and pause the mobile tour whenever you like and explore at your own pace.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.