Montreal becomes fun-fast when you turn it into a game. This scavenger hunt walking tour uses an app to guide you between classic landmarks and quieter corners at your own speed. You follow hints on-screen, use the map to navigate, and earn points along the way.

I like two things right away. First, it’s genuinely self-paced, so you can pause, stretch, and keep moving when you’re ready. Second, the stop-and-learn format is built into the adventure, with questions that push you to look closely at signs and details you might otherwise walk past.

One drawback to consider: the adventure includes side quests and photo challenges, and if you want a straightforward guided walk, this may feel a bit game-y. Also, it’s on foot, so hot or sunny weather can make breaks and shade extra important.

Key things to know before you start

• App-led hints + a map help you find each target without a rigid schedule
• Question tasks at every stop rely on what you can spot in the environment (signs, pictures, and more)
• Photo challenges add a creative twist and a points system to keep you engaged
• No strict time limit lets you finish in 1–2 hours or take longer with breaks
• Old Montreal and the Old Port area are the main playground, starting near Place d’Armes
• Private group format means you’re doing it just with your own party

How the Explorial app turns Montreal into a real walk-game

This tour works because the phone is doing the job a traditional guide might do. After you purchase, you get an access code and you use it in the Explorial-App. Then you head to the start point and let the app run the flow: hints to guide you, a map function to get you there, and tasks once you arrive.

What I like is the mix of “find this” and “figure this out.” You’re not just sightseeing by sight number. You’re doing short missions. One type is sight-finding, where the app points you toward a place and you use the hint system to track it down. Another type is question-solving, where the answers are hidden in what’s in front of you—signs, pictures, and other details connected to the sight.

And yes, there are photo tasks. These are more about creativity than posing perfectly for a camera. If you enjoy thinking on the spot—trying an idea, getting the shot, then moving on—you’ll probably have more fun here than you expected.

Place d’Armes start: easy entry into Old Montreal

You begin at Place d’Armes (Pl. d’Armes), and you end back at the same meeting point. That matters more than it sounds. Old Montreal can feel like a maze of streets, corners, and one-way routes. Starting near Place d’Armes puts you in the right zone to walk into the historic core without a long, uncertain commute.

The app also keeps things practical. Instead of you guessing where the next landmark is, you follow the app’s guidance between stops. That’s especially helpful if you’re in the city for a short visit and you want to cover a good chunk of the highlights without planning every turn in advance.

The tour is offered in English, so you won’t need to hunt for language support while you’re doing the tasks. Most importantly, the experience is not limited in time. It’s built for a “walk, pause, play” rhythm.

The route: Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Montreal streets, and the port edge

You’ll hit a sequence of major stops that creates a nice loop through some of the most recognizable parts of Montreal. The full list goes in this order:

1) Notre-Dame Basilica

2) Grand Quai du Port de Montreal

3) Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal)

4) Old Montreal

5) Place Vauquelin Fountain

6) Bonsecours Market

7) Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel

8) La Grande Roue de Montréal

Here’s what each stop tends to do for your experience—and where you might want to plan for a drawback.

Notre-Dame Basilica: the “big landmark” mission

This is your first stop, and it’s a good choice. When you start with a major landmark, you immediately get your bearings in Montreal. The mission style here is simple: arrive, then use the app’s questions to slow you down and look for details tied to the sight.

Why it works: it sets the tone. Instead of racing past, you’re encouraged to notice. And since answers often come from signs and pictures, you’ll naturally learn a few things without it turning into a lecture.

Possible drawback: if you’re the type who hates reading small signs or searching for info on foot, this style can feel like homework—just outside.

Grand Quai du Port de Montreal: break from the cathedral energy

Next up is the Grand Quai du Port de Montreal. This is a nice shift in scenery—moving from grand architecture to the waterfront feel of the port area. Again, the app keeps you in “arrive and answer” mode.

Why it works: it helps your walk feel varied. You’re not doing a single repeat theme; you’re moving through Montreal’s different moods.

What to watch: quays are great for views, but they can be exposed. If it’s bright out, bring sunglasses and plan for shade breaks whenever you can.

Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) and Old Montreal: the street-level payoff

Then you’re in Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) and also another Old Montreal stop. That might look redundant on paper, but in a scavenger format, it often means you’re targeting different sections of the same historic zone.

Why it works: Old Montreal is all about small moments—doorways, façades, street corners, and little details. The app-style questions are the difference between “I walked through” and “I paid attention.”

Possible drawback: if you’re expecting a traditional narration where you never have to think, the street segments can require more engagement from you.

Place Vauquelin Fountain: a calmer mid-walk checkpoint

At Place Vauquelin Fountain, you get another natural pause point. Places like this often work well with scavenger missions because they’re easy to recognize visually. The app can guide you to exactly where it wants you to stand, then ask you a question tied to what’s visible.

Why it works: it can be a breather in the route—less about rushing between buildings and more about taking in a specific spot.

Tip: treat it like your mini reset. Check your pacing, hydrate, and decide how fast you want to move through the remaining stops.

Bonsecours Market: learning while you look

Bonsecours Market (Marche Bonsecours) is a key Montreal stop. In this format, you’re not just staring at it for a photo. You arrive and then work through questions that often depend on visible clues—signs and pictures are mentioned as common answer sources.

Why it works: it’s a low-effort way to get a practical education. You’re learning the kind of details you’d otherwise miss because you’re not looking for them.

Possible drawback: if you prefer quick “see it, move on” sightseeing, the time you spend hunting answers might feel slow.

Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel: one more architectural moment

The route continues to Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel. By this point, you’ve already done a few app tasks. That means you can settle into the pattern: find the spot, read what you need, and answer.

Why it works: the chapel stop adds variety to the walk. You’re moving through different building types, so your attention doesn’t get stuck in one visual category.

What you’ll likely enjoy: the app’s style pushes you to look at small informational cues, which can turn an “I recognize this” landmark into “I understand a bit more of what I’m looking at.”

La Grande Roue de Montréal: ending with a memorable landmark

Finally, you reach La Grande Roue de Montréal. This is a strong closer because it’s the kind of landmark that makes a clear end-point. Even if you don’t take lots of photos, finishing at a distinct feature helps the whole route feel complete.

Why it works: you’ve got a built-in stopping point, and then you’re done—back near where you started.

How the games keep you moving (and when they might not)

The scoring and point system are the glue here. You earn points by completing tasks, including solving questions and doing photo challenges. The app also supports navigation, which reduces the mental load of planning turns and directions.

What I like about the task design is that it gives your brain a job without making the walk feel like a classroom. You can enjoy the scenery while still staying “on mission.”

Now, the fair warning. The experience includes creative side quests. One person’s fun is another person’s boredom, especially if you’re traveling with people who want calm sightseeing only. If your group is sensitive to heat, remember that the tour is done on foot. One of the best ways to make this work is to pace yourself early, take shade whenever you find it, and don’t force yourself to keep a fast tempo.

The good news: the tour is not limited in time. If you slow down for breaks, you don’t have to worry about missing a tour departure. You’re solving at your pace.

Price and value: what $15.93 buys you in real time

At $15.93 per person, this is an affordable way to cover a good chunk of central Montreal on foot. You’re paying for three things:

• A game structure that keeps you moving between stops
• An app with hints, map navigation, and task prompts
• A set of planned highlights without hiring a guide for every minute

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to explore at your own speed, the cost makes sense. You’re not buying a long guided lecture. You’re buying momentum. The app helps you decide what to do next, so you don’t waste time wandering with no plan.

It also tends to fit well with couples and friends because you can collaborate on answers or split photo challenge ideas. And if you’re traveling with teens or young adults who get bored with passive sightseeing, the point-and-photo format can be a better match than a standard walking tour.

One more useful data point: this experience has a 4.7 rating and 92% of people recommending it. That’s the kind of signal that the format lands well for a lot of groups.

Timing and pacing: how to make it enjoyable in any weather

The experience is available every day, from 12:00 AM to 11:30 PM. That wide window is helpful because it means you can choose a time that suits your energy level and weather.

Since the tour lasts about 1–2 hours on average (with no strict time limit), you can treat it like a flexible half-day activity. Want a short “Montreal warm-up”? Go earlier. Want to mix it with lunch and slower sightseeing? Take your time and let the app missions stretch out.

If it’s hot, plan your strategy. Look for shade whenever you stop. Use the app pauses to rest, not just to read the next prompt. If you feel pressure to keep up a fast pace, you can lose the fun fast. This tour is best when you give yourself permission to slow down.

Who should book this scavenger hunt?

This works best for you if you want to:

• Walk around Old Montreal and the port area without building a complex plan
• Learn small bits of information by answering questions on-site
• Enjoy a light competitive element through points and photo tasks
• Prefer self-guided freedom over a rigid schedule

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want a purely guided, narrative-style walk with no puzzles
• Dislike side quests or creative photo challenges
• Need a lot of shade and short stops because you’re walking outdoors for the whole route

If your group has mixed tastes, this can still work—especially if you approach it as a choose-your-own-adventure game. You can focus on the sights and skip the creativity when needed, then jump back in later.

Should you book it?

I’d book this if you’re heading to Montreal and you want a smart, low-cost way to get familiar quickly—without cramming in a guided tour timeline. The app-driven hints, the question tasks, and the built-in photo challenges make it more active than standard sightseeing, and the route through major highlights keeps it feeling worthwhile.

Skip it only if you’re not interested in the game format. If puzzles, searching for answers on signs and pictures, and creative photo tasks sound like a chore, you’ll probably feel it halfway through.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Montreal scavenger hunt and city highlights walking tour?

The tour is about 2 hours approx., and it typically runs 1–2 hours on average. It’s not limited in time, so you can take breaks and finish at your own pace.

Where does the tour start?

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

Does it end at the same place?

Yes. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the experience offered in?

It’s offered in English.

What do you do during the tour?

You explore on foot using the app to get hints to find sights, then answer questions about what you see, with answers often hidden in signs and pictures. There are also photo tasks that earn points.

How do you access the game in the app?

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

Is it a group tour with other people, or just your party?

It’s described as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

If you want, tell me who’s going (ages, pace, interests). I’ll suggest a best time to do it and how to handle the side quests so everyone stays happy.

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