Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour

REVIEW · OLD QUEBEC CITY WALKING 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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Turn Quebec City into a game.

This self-paced scavenger hunt turns a walk into a point-scoring adventure with photo tasks and clue-based stops you can pause and restart whenever you want. It is designed to help you learn the city while still keeping it fun, including big-name spots like Place Royale and Petit-Champlain.

What I like most is that you are not tied to a tour guide’s pace. The app gives a map to guide you between sights, then you earn points by finding locations, answering questions tied to what you see, and completing creative snapshot prompts.

One thing to consider is your phone setup. If you do not have data on your phone when you arrive, the experience may not work smoothly, so plan for signal or offline options.

Key highlights at a glance

  • Self-paced start and pause so you can slow down for photos or speed up when the kids are in a good mood
  • Clue + question format where answers are often on-site, like signs and pictures
  • Photo tasks that score points which is a clever way to keep attention without lecturing
  • 6 named stops including Samuel-De Champlain, Petit-Champlain, and Place Royale
  • Works for families and teens because the competition and challenges feel like a game first

More walks inside the walls of Old Quebec

Turning Quebec City into an outdoor game

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Turning Quebec City into an outdoor game
This experience is built around one simple idea: instead of listening to a lecture, you solve small tasks while you walk. You buy a ticket, then you get an access code to use inside the Explorial-App. From there, you go to the starting spot, open the game, and follow the on-screen map function to move from clue to clue.

The fun part is how the tasks are layered. You are encouraged to look closely at what is in front of you, not just glance and move on. You also get points for completing the different types of challenges, which naturally keeps the energy up for kids and teens, even when the adults are the ones doing the navigation.

The overall timing is flexible. The tour is not limited in time, and the adventure averages about 1 to 2 hours, depending on how long you linger at each stop and how often you replay photo prompts for a better shot.

Price and value for a 2-hour self-paced hunt

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Price and value for a 2-hour self-paced hunt
At $15.90 per person, this can be a good value if you like active sightseeing. You are paying for structure, not for someone talking at you. That matters in Quebec City, where it is easy to spend time wandering streets without really learning what you are looking at.

You also get a lot of control for the money. Start whenever your group is ready. Pause when someone needs a snack, the weather changes, or you want to detour for an extra photo. For families, that flexibility is often worth more than a guided route that runs on a strict clock.

It is also a private activity, meaning only your group participates. That tends to feel less stressful with kids, because you can move at your speed without worrying about matching a strangers’ pace.

How the Explorial-App scavenger game works

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - How the Explorial-App scavenger game works
Before you go, here is the simple flow you will use on-site:

  1. After booking, you receive an access code.
  2. You download the Explorial-App and enter the code inside the app.
  3. You start at Monument Samuel-De Champlain, then follow the map hints.
  4. At each stop, you complete tasks like sight-finding, answering questions, and photo challenges.
  5. When you finish, the experience ends back where you started.

The tasks are varied on purpose. You are asked questions once you arrive at a sight, and in many cases the answers are hidden in what you can already see around you, like signs and pictures. That is a smart learning method because it turns passive looking into a scavenger-style hunt.

The photo tasks also play a big role. They reward creativity, and that tends to keep energy high when the walk could otherwise feel too “touristy” for younger kids.

Your walking route, stop by stop

This tour uses 6 named stops. The order is fixed for the game, but your pace inside each stop is yours.

Stop 1: Monument Samuel De Champlain

You begin at Monument Samuel-De Champlain at Esc. Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7. Starting with a landmark monument gives you an easy first anchor for the game. It is the kind of place where the app can quickly get you moving, and you can orient yourself before the rest of the route.

Practical tip: take a minute here to make sure your app is functioning well. Check the map and confirm the game is loading before you set off for your next clue.

Stop 2: Parc de la Chute-Montmorency

From the monument, the route shifts to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency. This is a great shift in scenery in the middle of the hunt, because it gives you a change of pace from architecture and streets to a park setting.

For the scavenger method, parks are ideal because there is usually a lot to look at. That gives the questions and observation tasks something solid to latch onto as you explore on foot.

Stop 3: Quartier Petit Champlain

Next up is Quartier Petit Champlain. This is the part of the route where many people start feeling the charm of the old neighborhoods. In the game, this stop matters because you are not just walking through, you are actively searching, solving, and collecting points based on what the app asks you to find.

If you have kids, this is usually the moment when they start enjoying the tour more because small “find the thing” challenges feel natural here.

Stop 4: Fresque du Petit-Champlain

Then you reach the Fresque du Petit-Champlain. A mural stop is a strong choice for a game format. It gives you something visual to focus on, which helps the question tasks feel less abstract and more tied to a real object you can see clearly.

If you want better photo results, slow down for this one. Photo prompts often go over better when you take a second pass at the scene.

Stop 5: Place Royale

Place Royale is next. This kind of central square stop works well for a scavenger hunt because you are likely to spot relevant details around the perimeter. For the game, it also acts like a checkpoint in the middle of the route where the tasks can feel satisfying, since you get a real sense of place.

I like how the activity keeps you moving forward without forcing you to rush. You can take a break here and still stay on track.

Stop 6: La Fresque des Quebecois

The final named stop is La Fresque des Quebecois. Ending with another mural gives the route a strong visual finish. It also fits the pattern of the tour, where observation and photo tasks are part of how you earn points.

Once you finish the last activities, the experience ends back at the meeting point, so you will get a simple, clear wrap-up instead of an ambiguous “you’re done somewhere downtown” feeling.

Pacing and who this tour suits best

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Pacing and who this tour suits best
This works best when your group enjoys walking with a purpose. It is not a long-distance hike, and the structure helps keep it manageable.

From the way people describe the experience, it is especially strong for:

  • Families with kids, including ages roughly from elementary through preteen years
  • Teens, since photo challenges and team dynamics make it feel like an activity, not a lesson
  • Mixed groups, like parents pairing up with kids, or family members splitting into teams

A good sign is how often the tour format keeps kids engaged without needing constant adult coaching. The tasks create built-in motivation, and the map hints reduce decision fatigue when you are trying to keep everyone together.

Logistics that matter on the ground

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Logistics that matter on the ground

Meeting point and how you begin

You start at Monument Samuel-De Champlain, Esc. Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7. The activity ends back at that same meeting point, so you are not guessing where you will finish.

Duration and breaks

Average duration is about 2 hours, and the experience can take 1 to 2 hours for many groups. Because it is not limited in time, you can build in breaks without feeling like you are falling behind.

Language

The experience is offered in English. If you are traveling as a mixed-language group, make sure everyone who wants to play can read English prompts in the app.

Mobile connectivity, the one practical risk

One review highlights a real-world issue: you might need mobile data to play. If your phone relies on data to load the app content, a lack of connection can stop someone from completing tasks. If you can, test your phone connection before you walk out, and consider keeping the app ready on Wi-Fi or using any offline options the app itself may support.

The real reason this works: learning through looking

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - The real reason this works: learning through looking
A standard city walk can feel like this: you see a thing, you hear a fact, you move on. This game flips that loop. You search for sights first, then you answer questions that are often grounded in what you can already see, like signs and pictures.

That does two things. It helps you remember because you worked for the answer. And it turns the walk into active attention, which is how you start noticing details you would otherwise miss.

The photo tasks add another layer. They reward creativity and turn the stop into an activity, not just a destination. In practical terms, that means you spend more time at each place, and you leave with a better feel for the city, not just a list of stops.

Weather and timing notes for comfort

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Weather and timing notes for comfort
The route is outdoors and relies on phone interaction, so bad weather can shorten how long you want to linger at each stop. If it is rainy or cold, you can still keep moving and complete tasks faster since the game is self-paced. Just plan to wear shoes that handle uneven sidewalks and corners, because you are walking from one labeled location to the next.

Should you book Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights?

Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour - Should you book Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights?
Book it if you want a low-pressure, family-friendly way to see major sights while staying active. It is a solid choice when you want structure, but you still want freedom to pause and explore at your pace. The photo tasks and clue-based questions are a real strength, especially for kids and teens who may tune out on traditional tours.

Skip it or plan carefully if your group depends on mobile data. If someone in your party cannot use the phone properly on-site, they may feel left out of the game. Also, this route focuses on the specific set of named stops, so if your must-see list includes additional attractions, you may want to pair this with other sightseeing afterward.

If you match the format to your travel style, this is a fun way to get your bearings fast and learn as you go.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Quebec City scavenger hunt tour?

The tour lasts about 2 hours on average, with an average experience time of about 1 to 2 hours. It is not limited in time, so you can explore at your own pace and take breaks.

How much does it cost?

It costs $15.90 per person.

What language is the experience available in?

The experience is offered in English.

Is it guided by a live tour guide?

This is a private activity, and it is driven by the Explorial-App game format rather than a live guided narration.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

What do you do during the scavenger hunt?

You find sights using hints, answer questions based on what you see at each location, and complete photo tasks to earn points. You can start and pause the mobile tour whenever you like.

Do I need a phone data connection to play?

One review specifically notes that you need data on your phone to play. If you do not have data, it may affect the ability to participate in the game.

Is there a cancellation window?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is it accessible for most travelers?

Most travelers can participate. Service animals are allowed, and it is near public transportation.

Just off the notebook: recent Quebec City write-ups