Old Montreal, solved game-style. This interactive scavenger hunt and walking tour uses the Explorial-App to guide you with hints, questions, and point-scoring as you roam, mostly at your own pace. I love the self-paced setup and the mix of sight-finding tasks plus creative photo challenges that push you to notice details instead of just passing by.

One thing to consider: it is a game, not a guided lecture. If your group wants nonstop explanations or lots of shade and sitting breaks, the side quests can feel like extra effort on a hot day.

Key things to know before you start

• Explorial-App map and hints help you find each checkpoint without a live guide herding you around
• Questions tied to what you see (signs, pictures, and details) make the stops feel like mini lessons
• Photo tasks turn observation into points, and that can be fun for couples and friends
• A compact Old Montreal route with named highlights like Notre-Dame Basilica and Bonsecours Market
• No strict finish time, so you can pause, regroup, and keep going when it suits you

Getting Started at Place d’Armes with the Explorial App

You begin at Place d’Armes (Pl. d’Armes, Montréal), and the activity ends back there. After you buy your ticket, you get an access code, and that code is how you launch the game inside the Explorial-App.

The big advantage is control. You are not stuck to a group pace or a scripted tour rhythm. You can take the route, hit the checkpoints, and then linger when something catches your eye, as long as you keep playing.

Also, this is listed as a private activity. That matters if you want your group together instead of mixing with strangers. It is still app-driven rather than a traditional guide-led tour, so you get freedom without the pressure of a bus schedule.

The tour is offered in English, and it is near public transportation, which makes it easier to tack onto other Montreal plans. Service animals are allowed too, which is helpful to know ahead of time.

Notre-Dame Basilica and Grand Quai du Port: start strong, then move by clues

Your first stop is Notre-Dame Basilica. From here, the hunt style is consistent: you find the location using the app map and hints, then you answer questions tied to what you can see at the spot. A lot of the answers are hidden in signs or pictures around the area, so slow down for a minute and look like you mean it.

The next checkpoint is Grand Quai du Port de Montreal. This is a smart early contrast in the route. You go from a major landmark feel to a port-side setting, which helps keep the experience from becoming one long stretch of similar streets.

Practically, this first segment works best when you treat it like a walk with objectives, not a checklist race. If you rush, you will miss the small visual cues that help with the questions. And if you take your time, you get that satisfying moment of, I see it now, which is basically the point of a scavenger hunt.

If you are traveling with people who get cranky when tasks interrupt sightseeing, you can help by setting expectations: you are doing a playful puzzle walk. It makes the first 20 minutes smoother.

Vieux-Montreal and Old Montreal: the hunt slows down in the best way

Stop 3 is Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal), and stop 4 is Old Montreal again. That might sound repetitive, but it is actually a sign the route is designed as a loop through the old core, with different tasks at different points.

This is where the hunt becomes more than navigation. You get hints that push you to look for details at street level, then the app asks you questions once you arrive. In practice, this style helps you learn without feeling like you are sitting through a lecture.

Stop 5 brings you to Place Vauquelin Fountain. This is one of those moments where a photo task can make the stop click. If the app gives you a creative snapshot challenge, you will likely want a few minutes to test angles rather than snapping one photo and moving on.

The main drawback in this area is also a real one: you are walking. Montreal can be warm, and the experience is designed for on-foot play, not for constant indoor refuge. If you are visiting in a heat wave, bring water, plan a break, and let the app’s no-time-limit feel work for you instead of against you.

Bonsecours Market and Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel: learn by reading what you see

The route continues to Bonsecours Market (Marche Bonsecours) at stop 6. This is a strong fit for the hunt format because questions are meant to be answered from what you see nearby, often from signs and pictures. That means you do not need special background knowledge. You just need patience and eyes on the details in front of you.

Stop 7 is Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. Expect another set of arrival tasks where the game asks you to connect the question to the physical location. This is where you can feel the educational side most clearly, because you are not learning from a screen, you are learning from the environment.

One practical tip: when the app asks something, do not sprint to the next place immediately. Take a minute to re-check the sign or picture the question seems tied to. Many scavenger hunts lose points because people assume they already know the answer.

This is also a good zone for a group reset. If your party splits your attention between puzzles and photos, this is a natural time to regroup and decide who will handle the next hint, who will focus on the photo task, and who will read the question prompt.

La Grande Roue de Montréal, then back to Place d’Armes

Stop 8 is La Grande Roue de Montréal. By the time you reach the final checkpoint, you usually know how the hunt works: find, solve, and score. If you still have points to chase, photo tasks here are a great place to end strong, because you can spend a bit longer on creativity instead of rushing.

After completing the last checkpoint, the activity ends back at Place d’Armes, the same start point. That loop is convenient. You can connect the walk to coffee, dinner, or another neighborhood plan without having to figure out how to get back across town.

Timing is flexible. The tour lasts on average about 1 to 2 hours, and the tour summary lists it as about 2 hours. The key word for your planning is average. Your actual time depends on how long you spend on clues, how many photo tasks you try, and how often you pause.

Because it is not limited in time, you can take breaks. That sounds obvious, but it is huge for comfort, especially if you are traveling with kids, teens, or anyone who hates being rushed.

How the Hunt Works: hints, map navigation, questions, and points

Here is the core mechanic. You download the Explorial-App, enter at the starting point, and use the access code you received after booking. Then the app handles the route using a map function, plus hints that tell you where to go next.

At each place, you solve questions. Most of the time, the answers are hidden in signs, pictures, or other visible details around the spot. That means the activity feels fair. You are not guessing from memory. You are looking like a detective.

The game also includes photo tasks. These can reward creativity, not just speed. If you like taking photos, you will probably enjoy this part a lot more. If you prefer zero pressure, you can still participate, but focus on completing the task in a way that feels fun for your group.

You should also know what to expect from the tone of the experience. It is more playful than educational in the traditional museum sense. You will learn, but through prompts and observation rather than a lecture. In my view, that is the best reason to pick it. It turns sightseeing into an active scavenger hunt.

The tour is listed as for most travelers, and it is a great option when you want a city overview without booking multiple timed attractions.

Price and logistics: value at $15.93 per person

At $15.93 per person for an experience that typically runs about 1 to 2 hours, this is one of the more budget-friendly ways to get structure into your day. You are paying for an app-guided route, interactive tasks, and a planned set of named checkpoints.

Is it worth it? It usually is if you enjoy games, photos, or learning by looking. You get a real reason to stop at the places you might otherwise walk past quickly. And since it is app-based, you do not lose money waiting for a guide to start on schedule.

Booking timing matters too. On average, it is booked about 10 days in advance, so if you want a specific day and time, do not wait until the last minute.

You can also plan with flexibility. The experience lists opening hours across the day (Monday through Sunday, 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM). That gives you room to start when your energy level fits your schedule. If you are building a Montreal day around meals and rest breaks, that flexibility helps.

One more value point: the activity is private for your group. Even though it is self-guided, you still avoid the awkwardness of sharing space and attention with unrelated people.

Who should book this hunt, and who may want a different style

This is a strong match for couples, friends, and families who like doing something together while sightseeing. If your group enjoys puzzles and quick problem-solving, you will likely find the experience satisfying because the tasks are tied to real places on the route.

It can also work well when you want Old Montreal highlights without committing to a long guided tour. The named stops provide structure, while the app keeps the pace in your control.

But it is not for everyone. If you want a traditional walking tour with continuous commentary, or if you hate side quests, the scavenger hunt approach may feel like distraction. On very hot days, the walking aspect can add strain, especially if you were hoping for frequent shaded breaks.

So the deciding question is simple: do you like solving prompts in public spaces? If the answer is yes, you will probably enjoy the playful, educational angle. If the answer is no, you might prefer something more straight-forward.

Quick practical tips to make it smooth

Wear comfortable shoes. This is a walking experience, and you will spend time locating checkpoints and scanning signs or pictures for answers.

Treat the first stop like practice. Once you understand how the app delivers hints and what kind of answers it expects, the rest of the walk usually goes faster.

Bring water and plan a break. The route is built around several key locations, but it is still outdoors much of the time, so comfort matters.

If you are traveling with a mixed group, split roles. One person can focus on the app prompt and map, another can hunt for the clues, and a third can handle photos. You will keep momentum and reduce arguments over what you already did.

Finally, if you want to try it on a day with better light for photos, consider doing it earlier rather than later in the day. The route includes a fountain stop and a major structure stop, so timing can affect how fun the photo tasks feel.

Should you book this Montreal Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost, structured way to see Montreal at your own pace, with interactive tasks that reward noticing details. The app-driven hints and map navigation make it easy to keep moving without getting lost, and the questions based on what you see can feel like learning without homework.

Skip it if your group mainly wants guided narration, or if you know you will hate side quests and puzzles. On a hot day, the walking can be a challenge, even with the freedom to pause.

If you like games, photos, and getting a city overview through a planned route, this is a smart pick. With a 4.7 rating and 92% recommending it, it has earned a strong reputation for exactly that kind of fun, on-foot city exploration.

FAQ

How long is the Montreal scavenger hunt?

The tour is listed as about 2 hours. The average time to complete is about 1 to 2 hours, depending on how you play and how often you pause.

What do I do after I book?

After you purchase, you receive an access code. You download the Explorial-App, go to the starting point, and use the code to start the game.

Where is the meeting point?

The start point is Place d’Armes (Pl. d’Armes, Montréal, QC H2Y, Canada).

Does the tour end where it starts?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point, at Place d’Armes.

What stops are included in the route?

The itinerary includes Notre-Dame Basilica, Grand Quai du Port de Montreal, Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal), Old Montreal, Place Vauquelin Fountain, Bonsecours Market (Marche Bonsecours), Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, and La Grande Roue de Montréal.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is there a time limit to finish?

No. The experience is not limited in time, so you can explore at your own pace and take breaks.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. It is private, meaning only your group participates.

Can I bring a service animal, and is it near public transportation?

Service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. Free cancellation is available, with a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount is not refunded.