REVIEW · CITY TOURS

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour

4.5 · 15 reviews 2 hours (approx.) From $15 Operated by Explorial · Bookable on Viator
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Quebec City can feel like a maze. This self paced scavenger hunt turns a walk into a game, with hints, questions, and photo challenges that keep you moving through the old city.

I like that you can start and pause the mobile tour whenever your group needs a break. I also like how it helps you hit major sights plus photo spots, without worrying about matching a tour guide pace. One drawback to plan around is that you may need a working mobile connection to play smoothly.

Key highlights you will feel right away

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Key highlights you will feel right away

  • App controls the rhythm, start, pause, and resume on your time
  • Find and answer tasks that use signs and pictures to teach as you walk
  • Photo challenges that earn points and get kids hands-on
  • A route built for variety, from a monument area to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency and the Petit-Champlain zone
  • Private group play, so only your group participates
  • Rated highly for families, including teens who still enjoy the challenges

Why this Quebec City walking game works so well

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Why this Quebec City walking game works so well
A standard guided walk can be great, but it also has one big constraint: you are stuck with someone else’s schedule. This experience flips that. You move at your pace while the app gives you the next goal, so the city stays fun even if you stop for a snack, a photo, or a bathroom break.

The format is simple and smart. You use hints to navigate, then you solve questions once you arrive. Most of the answers are written right where you can see them, on signs or in pictures, so you are not guessing from thin air.

This is also one of those rare tours that can keep multiple ages engaged at once. The game-style tasks make it easier for kids to “own” parts of the walk, and teens can still enjoy the competition side, especially when photo tasks are involved.

More Walking Tours in Quebec City

Price and what you actually get for $15.90

At $15.90 per person for about 2 hours (approximately), this is really a value play. You are paying for an experience that replaces a live guide with an app-driven adventure that still covers multiple well-known areas.

What makes the price feel fair is the structure. You get a point-based game with different task types: find sights, answer questions, and complete photo challenges. That mix matters because it prevents the usual problem of “one kind of activity gets boring fast.”

It also helps that the experience is not limited to a strict end time. You can explore at your own pace and take breaks, which turns the cost from a timed ticket into something closer to a flexible city activity.

How the Explorial-App scavenger hunt plays in real life

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - How the Explorial-App scavenger hunt plays in real life
After you buy, you receive an access code. Then you download the Explorial-App, enter the code, and you are ready to play at the starting spot.

Two app features make this work well for families:

  • The tour is not limited in time, so you are not rushed.
  • You can start and pause whenever you like.

You also get a map function to help you reach each location. That reduces stress, especially if you are traveling with kids who get impatient when directions are slow.

As you go, the app guides you in three core ways:

  1. Find sights using hints and the on-screen map.
  2. Solve questions once you arrive, usually by reading what is on-site.
  3. Have fun with photo tasks that reward creativity and earn points when you do them well.

One practical note: the experience relies on your phone working for the app. If you do not have a connection, you might not be able to play right when you arrive. I would plan for this by checking your data plan before you start.

Your walking route: from Samuel de Champlain to Quebec City’s murals

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Your walking route: from Samuel de Champlain to Quebec City’s murals
You start at Monument Samuel-De Champlain, Esc. Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7, Canada and you end back at the same meeting point. The overall loop usually lands around 1 to 2 hours, but you can stretch it if you pause often or linger for photo tasks.

Here is what each stop adds to your day.

Compare these Scavenger hunts in Quebec City:

Stop 1: Monument Samuel-De Champlain as your easy starting anchor

Starting at the Samuel de Champlain monument area is a smart choice for a game tour. It gives you a clear first target, so you are not wandering while you figure out where to begin.

You will use the app to launch the first segment, likely with hints and a quick arrival goal. This setup helps you get into the rhythm early, especially if you are walking with kids.

Stop 2: Parc de la Chute-Montmorency for a change of scenery

Next comes Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. Even without over-planning every step, this stop helps break up the city-walk feeling by shifting the scenery and pace.

For families, parks can be a sanity saver. If you need a moment to rest, stretch, or reset after a few clue hunts, this kind of stop gives you that built-in breathing space.

Stop 3: Quartier Petit Champlain for old-city vibes and easy wandering

Then you move into Quartier Petit Champlain. This is the kind of area where a scavenger hunt feels natural because you are surrounded by places that invite curiosity.

For the game, this stop likely sets you up for more visual tasks, since the app’s style emphasizes finding sights and then answering questions based on what you can see on location.

Stop 4: Fresque du Petit-Champlain for photo tasks that kids actually enjoy

After Petit Champlain proper, you hit Fresque du Petit-Champlain. A mural-focused stop is perfect for an app tour because it makes the “photo challenge” part of the game feel effortless, not forced.

If your group includes teens, this is often where the fun spikes, because they can experiment with angles and creativity while still staying on task for points.

Stop 5: Place Royale for a classic, central feeling

Next is Place Royale. This stop helps the route feel like a true highlights walk, not just an out-and-about scavenger hunt.

Because your tasks involve answering questions tied to what you can see, Place Royale’s built environment is well suited to the style of play. It gives your group something concrete to look at, read, and respond to.

Stop 6: La Fresque des Quebecois to wrap with another visual payoff

Finally, you reach La Fresque des Quebecois. Ending on a mural or fresco-style stop makes sense because the game’s point system often rewards creative participation, and photo tasks feel most satisfying when you are near the end of the loop.

Since the tour ends back at the starting area, finishing this way also helps your group transition smoothly from game mode to “okay, now we explore freely” mode.

The family and teen advantage: why kids thrive on this format

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - The family and teen advantage: why kids thrive on this format
This is the kind of activity that turns navigation into teamwork. Kids can take the lead by reading hints, spotting targets, and solving the on-site questions. That role makes them less likely to zone out.

It also keeps walking from feeling like a long slog. Even when you are covering several stops, the tasks give you a reason to keep moving, because each location unlocks the next objective.

Teens are a different story. They often say they want something active but then lose interest if the experience is too childish. Here, the mix of trivia-style questions and creative photo tasks gives teens something to do that does not feel like a kids-only worksheet.

If you want a low-pressure way to see the city together without a single guide calling all the shots, this works. It is a private setup for just your group, so you avoid the awkwardness of trying to manage kids while listening to strangers.

Pacing tips so you do not feel rushed

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Pacing tips so you do not feel rushed
Even though the tour is about 2 hours on average, your real pace depends on two things: how often you pause and how you handle photo tasks.

I suggest you:

  • Treat the walk as a choose-your-own-adventure, not a sprint.
  • Plan for short breaks, especially with kids.
  • Expect some stops to slow you down naturally, because answering questions and taking photos takes time.

If the weather is bad, the “start and pause” feature can save the day. You can keep playing when you want, then pause until it feels comfortable again.

The biggest practical concern: phone data and connectivity

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - The biggest practical concern: phone data and connectivity
One clear consideration comes from real-world use. The game may need mobile data to function. If one person in your group cannot play because of data limits, it can turn into an awkward split.

To avoid that, check these things before you start:

  • Do you have enough data for the full session?
  • Does the app load quickly at the start point?
  • If you are traveling with teens, do they have their own phone and data access, or are you sharing?

A scavenger hunt is only fun if everyone can participate. Solving the phone issue first helps keep the group energy up.

Is it worth booking, or should you choose a guided tour instead?

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Is it worth booking, or should you choose a guided tour instead?
I would book this if you want:

  • Family-friendly flexibility, with activities that keep kids engaged
  • A way to see multiple city highlights without waiting on a guide schedule
  • A self-paced approach where your group can stop for photos and questions without feeling behind

I might skip it if:

  • Your group cannot rely on phone data or a stable connection
  • You strongly prefer a traditional guided commentary format where someone talks through history start to finish

For many visitors, this hits a sweet spot. It gives structure, points you toward good locations, and still leaves room for wandering when you want to slow down.

FAQ

How long is the Quebec City scavenger hunt walking tour?

It is listed at about 2 hours on average. The experience is not limited in time, so you can explore at your own pace. The tour lasts about 1 to 2 hours for many people.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

The tour starts at Monument Samuel-De Champlain, Esc. Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7, Canada. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Can we start and pause the tour whenever we want?

Yes. You can start and pause the mobile tour whenever you like. The experience is self-paced, and you can take breaks.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Do I need data on my phone to play?

You may need data on your phone to use and play the mobile tour. If someone in your group has no data, they might not be able to participate.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.

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