The Astonishing Scavenger Hunt: At the Heart of Canada turns a walk through central Winnipeg into a game. You play on your own phone at your own pace, following clues and solving puzzles that lead you from place to place, and learning facts about the city along the way. It is built for groups, so friends, families and colleagues can split into teams and compete, or work together as one. The route is centred on the downtown area around The Forks, the part of the city where the rivers meet and where many of its best-known sights sit within a short walk of each other. A hunt is a good fit for travellers who find formal tours a little stiff, for children who need a reason to keep walking and for groups who want an activity with a bit of energy and laughter. It is rated 3.6 from a small number of reviews, so go in expecting a light, fun outing rather than a deep history lesson.
How it works
The hunt runs on a smartphone, so there is no guide and no set start time. After booking you receive instructions for starting the game, and you move through the route at your own speed, answering clues and puzzles that point you to the next stop. Check the product page for the length, which is about two hours for the main version, along with the starting point, the group size and the device requirements.
Charge your phone, bring a power bank for a longer outing, and consider downloading anything you need over wifi first. If you play in teams, agree in advance who will hold the phone and who will watch the road, because walking and puzzling at the same time takes some care at crossings.
What to expect
Scavenger hunts of this kind mix observation, trivia and silly challenges, and they reward teams who look closely at their surroundings. You are likely to notice plaques, statues, building details and street corners that you would otherwise walk past, and you will pick up bits of local history at the same time. Because the route sits in the central, walkable part of the city, it passes close to places that deserve a longer visit, such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and The Forks market.
Treat the game as a way to scout, and return to anything that catches your interest once the hunt is done. The hunt also works as a team-building activity for groups travelling together, and as a rainy-day plan if you pick a dry window and take an umbrella.
Planning your outing
Choose a time of day when you are not hungry or short of daylight, and wear comfortable shoes. In winter the temperature can be severe, so dress in layers, wear insulated boots and gloves that work with a touchscreen, and plan a warm stop at The Forks market part way through.
Summer afternoons are pleasant, but bring water and sun protection. A scavenger hunt is a good companion to more traditional sightseeing, because it gives children and teenagers a lively way into a city that can otherwise seem like a series of museums.
Finish with a meal in the market or the Exchange District, and use the facts you learned to decide what to visit next. If your group prefers a quieter style, the audio walking tours in this guide offer commentary without the competition.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided scavenger hunt played on your phone, with clues and puzzles through central Winnipeg.
Best time
A dry daytime window, in mild weather or with warm layers in winter.
How long
About two hours, at your own pace.
Tips
Charge your phone, wear comfortable shoes and agree in advance who will watch the road while you puzzle.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and groups who want a playful way to see the city.
- Families
- A good way to keep children and teenagers walking and curious.
- Couples
- A light, fun outing that ends well with lunch at The Forks market.
- Pair with
- Pair it with the Human Rights Museum or The Forks market.
- Time needed
- Allow about two hours.
Good questions
Do I need a guide?+
No, the hunt is self-guided and runs on your own smartphone, so you choose your start time and pace.
How long does it take?+
The main version takes about two hours, depending on how quickly your team solves the clues.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, it gives children and teenagers a game to play while they walk, though young children will need help with clues.
How well is it rated?+
It is rated 3.6 from a small number of reviews, so expect a light, fun outing.
Can I play in winter?+
Yes, with warm layers and gloves that work with a touchscreen, and a warm stop at The Forks market.
