REVIEW · QUEBEC CITY
Quebec City Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Explorial · Bookable on Viator
A walking game beats a standard city tour. This Quebec City experience turns sightseeing into an on-foot scavenger hunt with app hints, points, and photo challenges around famous spots like the Monument Samuel-De Champlain.
I love the freedom to start and pause whenever you want, plus the route is built so you can move at a kid-friendly pace. I also like that the app keeps you busy with question prompts at each location, often using what you can see on signs or pictures nearby.
One thing to plan for: you may need phone data to play, and without it at least one person couldn’t complete the game on their device.
In This Review
- Key Highlights That Make This Tour Work
- Quebec City’s Best Break From The Usual Walking Tour Routine
- The Explorial App: Hints, Maps, Questions, and Photo Missions
- A practical heads-up on phone data
- Your Route: How Each Stop Fits Into the Game
- Stop 1: Monument Samuel-De Champlain
- Stop 2: Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
- Stop 3: Quartier Petit Champlain
- Stop 4: Fresque du Petit-Champlain
- Stop 5: Place Royale
- Stop 6: La Fresque des Quebecois
- How Much Walking Is Actually Involved?
- What You Learn Without Being Stuck in Lecture Mode
- Who This Tour Fits Best (And When It Might Not)
- Price and Value: $15.90 Per Person for a Self-Guided Adventure
- Timing and Getting Around: Start Smart, Finish When You’re Ready
- The Bottom Line: Should You Book This Scavenger Hunt?
- FAQ
- How long does the Quebec City scavenger hunt take?
- Can I start and pause the tour whenever I want?
- Where do I begin the activity?
- Do I need an access code?
- What kind of tasks will I do during the walk?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Do I need phone data to play?
- What if I need to cancel?
Key Highlights That Make This Tour Work

- Self-paced timing: start, pause, and take breaks since it isn’t limited in time
- App-based navigation: use the map function to get to the next stop
- Point-scoring tasks: solve questions and complete creative photo challenges
- Major-city sights without a guide: you hit key locations on a walking route
- Family-friendly for mixed ages: it’s designed to keep kids and teens engaged
- Private group experience: only your group participates
Quebec City’s Best Break From The Usual Walking Tour Routine

If you’ve ever felt stuck on a traditional tour schedule, this is a nice change of pace. Instead of following a guide at one speed, you’re solving the city at your own rhythm. That matters in Quebec City, where cobblestones, stairs, and viewpoints can wear people out faster than they expect.
I also like that it’s not just a route—it’s a set of mini-missions. You’re not relying on memory or a brochure. The app pushes you to look closer at what’s in front of you, then asks you to answer questions based on what you can spot nearby.
And because it’s a private setup for your group, you won’t have to manage the usual awkward gaps between “tour pace” and “real life pace.” If you’ve got kids, that’s a big deal.
You can also read our reviews of more walking tours in Quebec City
The Explorial App: Hints, Maps, Questions, and Photo Missions

This experience runs through the Explorial-App. After you book, you’ll get an access code. Then you download the app, go to the starting point, and begin when you’re ready.
Here’s what you’ll actually do on the ground:
- Find sights using hints: you’re guided to each location, and the app includes a map function to help you navigate
- Answer questions at each stop: the prompts are tied to what you can see—answers are often hidden in signs, pictures, and similar details
- Earn points with photo tasks: there are photo challenges that reward creativity
This structure is why the experience tends to work well for families. Kids get a job. Teens have something fun to focus on. Adults get facts without sitting through long explanations.
A practical heads-up on phone data
One review pointed out a real-world issue: you might need data for the game to run. If your phone plan is limited, consider bringing a reliable data source or making sure you have connectivity before you start. It’s a small detail, but it can make or break the fun.
Your Route: How Each Stop Fits Into the Game
The walking route is designed as a “hit the highlights” loop, with enough variety to keep you moving and thinking. You start at Monument Samuel-De Champlain (Esc. Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7) and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.
The stops go in this order:
Stop 1: Monument Samuel-De Champlain
You kick things off right where many people orient themselves when they first arrive. In game terms, this is your launch pad: you start navigating and the app begins prompting you with tasks. It’s a good point to get your bearings fast because the mission is already set up for you.
You can also read our reviews of more city tours in Quebec City
Stop 2: Parc de la Chute-Montmorency
This stop adds a different feel to the walk. Expect the app to shift from “find and recognize” into “answer and score,” with a question-style task tied to what you can see at the location. If your group likes a short goal at each stop (instead of wandering aimlessly), this structure helps.
Stop 3: Quartier Petit Champlain
Now you’re in a more story-like area of the city route. Again, the point isn’t just passing by—it’s using the hints and then stopping long enough to work through what the app asks. For families, this is where the kids often start acting like the team leads, directing where to go next.
Stop 4: Fresque du Petit-Champlain
This is one of those locations that pairs naturally with the game format. A mural or artwork spot is ideal for photo tasks, and the app questions here are typically meant to get you to look closely rather than rush through.
Stop 5: Place Royale
As you reach Place Royale, the route keeps delivering familiar “must-see” energy, but in game form. You’ll be pulled to pause, read prompts, and answer questions at the site instead of just walking past what you already expected to see.
Stop 6: La Fresque des Quebecois
This closing stop gives you a final chance to rack up points with the kinds of missions that reward attention and creativity. By the time you reach the last location, you’ll usually have the rhythm of the app down—find the spot, read what you need, and move on.
How Much Walking Is Actually Involved?

The experience is built for a casual walking rhythm, and multiple families specifically said it wasn’t too much walking. Still, it’s a walking tour with outdoor time, so wear comfortable shoes and plan for breaks. If you decide to go slow, you can. The experience is not limited in time, so taking longer at points that interest your group won’t ruin the day.
Average duration is listed at around 2 hours, but the tour typically runs about 1–2 hours. The key is that you aren’t trapped by a strict end-time. You can keep playing until you’ve finished the route at your own pace.
What You Learn Without Being Stuck in Lecture Mode

The game format pushes you to learn by observation. The questions are usually hidden in visible clues—signs, pictures, and related details near the stop. That means you’re not depending on an external explanation.
From the way people describe the experience, you get a mix of city information and practical context, with tasks that keep you actively looking rather than passively listening. If you want a sightseeing day that still feels like play, that’s the sweet spot.
Also, because the app makes the “why” part of the game, it tends to work even when your group has different interests. One person might enjoy the photo challenges, another might focus on solving the prompts, and everyone stays busy.
Who This Tour Fits Best (And When It Might Not)

This is a great match if you want:
- a family-friendly sightseeing plan that keeps kids engaged
- an activity that works for mixed ages (including teens)
- flexibility to go at your own speed without waiting for anyone else
- a way to see key parts of Quebec City without booking a timed guided tour
It might not be ideal if:
- your group hates using a phone during a walk
- you don’t have reliable phone data or signal (since connectivity may be required)
- you strongly prefer a live guide who can answer spontaneous questions on the spot
Price and Value: $15.90 Per Person for a Self-Guided Adventure

At $15.90 per person, this can be a surprisingly good deal if you’re comparing it to the cost of one-off activities. You’re paying for a full app-based route that bundles navigation help, question prompts, and photo tasks into one package.
The bigger value comes from time structure. Instead of spending your sightseeing day “hoping you’ll see everything,” you’re given a path and missions that keep you moving to specific locations. That’s especially useful for families who want a plan but don’t want to feel controlled by a tour guide schedule.
It also tends to sell well: it’s booked about 20 days in advance on average, so if your dates are busy, plan ahead.
Timing and Getting Around: Start Smart, Finish When You’re Ready

The tour window is listed as daily from 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM during the available season dates (04/23/2022 – 12/10/2026). That makes it easy to fit into your day. If you prefer a lighter pace, you can start later and treat it like an evening activity.
Location-wise:
- Start: Monument Samuel-De Champlain, Esc. Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7
- End: back at the starting point
It’s also marked as near public transportation, which helps if you don’t want to treat the entire route as an all-day trek. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.
The Bottom Line: Should You Book This Scavenger Hunt?
I’d book it if you want a fun Quebec City outing that feels like an activity first and sightseeing second, in the best way. The app-driven tasks make it easier to keep kids engaged, and the start/pause flexibility helps you avoid the usual “we have to finish now” stress.
You should also book it if your group likes doing things hands-on: scanning clues, answering prompts, and taking creative photos. If your phones aren’t reliable for data, fix that first.
If you’re the type who wants a live person telling stories the whole time, you might feel less satisfied. But if you’re okay with learning through the game and walking between top sights at your own pace, this is one of the most practical ways to spend a couple hours in Quebec City.
FAQ
How long does the Quebec City scavenger hunt take?
It’s listed at about 2 hours, with an average duration around 1–2 hours. The experience is not limited in time, so you can go at your own pace.
Can I start and pause the tour whenever I want?
Yes. You can start and pause the mobile tour whenever you like, and you can take breaks since it isn’t limited in time.
Where do I begin the activity?
The meeting point is Monument Samuel-De Champlain, Esc. Frontenac, Québec, QC G1R 4S7, Canada. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
Do I need an access code?
Yes. After you buy the ticket, you’ll receive an access code that you can use in the app.
What kind of tasks will I do during the walk?
You’ll find sights using hints, solve questions at locations using clues near the stops, and complete photo tasks to earn points.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes. The experience is offered in English.
Do I need phone data to play?
The tour uses the Explorial-App, and at least one review noted that phone data was needed for the game to work. To avoid issues, make sure your phone has connectivity.
What if I need to cancel?
You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid isn’t refunded.




























