Chicago does creepy well, and this game adds structure. It’s a self-led haunted-style city scavenger hunt that turns famous spots into clue-solving stops. You follow a story on your smartphone and move at your own pace, with no guide herding you along.

I like two things right away. First, it’s a budget-friendly way to see major landmarks around Lincoln Park. Second, the challenge format makes you slow down just enough to notice details you’d normally walk past. One thing to keep in mind: you’ll need to sort out the phone game yourself, and some attraction admissions aren’t included, so plan a little extra for those entries.

Key points before you go

• Self-led smartphone scavenger hunt across Lincoln Park, with your own walking pace
• Affordable at $7.20 per person, built for value over guided narration
• Top outdoor monuments like the Lincoln Monument and Ulysses S. Grant Monument are included (free entry)
• Two paid-admission stops to budget for: Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo
• 24/7 customer support plus in-app help if something glitches
• Private activity so it’s just your group, not mixed strangers

Haunted Chicago by Phone: How the Questo Game Works

This is not a guided tour with a human storyteller. It’s a self-led exploration game you run on your phone, using the Questo app. You’ll start at Chicago History Museum and solve clue-based challenges that feed you directions for the next stop. Think of it as a history-and-landmarks route, with a light haunted flavor to keep you engaged.

The experience is priced low enough that the game is really the main product: the smartphone scavenger format, the clue flow, and customer support. You’re also not stuck with a fixed group schedule. The time at each checkpoint is about 10 minutes, but you can linger longer at the stops where entry is free.

Because it’s self-run, success comes down to simple things: a charged phone, basic comfort with maps, and patience if the app needs a moment to load. The company lists 24/7 customer support, and the game includes an in-app help menu and chat, which matters if you hit a snag.

Price and Value: $7.20 for Lincoln Park Landmarks (and Two Ticket Costs)

At $7.20 per person, you’re buying a low-cost structure for seeing Chicago’s Lincoln Park area through clue prompts. That’s the value angle. You’re not paying for a guide or a bus. You’re paying for a storyline route you can do on foot.

Here’s the catch to budget correctly: entrance tickets aren’t included. Specifically, Chicago History Museum at the start is listed as admission ticket not included, and Lincoln Park Zoo is also not included. The other monument/photo stops in the middle are marked as free.

So the money math looks like this:

• If you were going to visit Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo anyway, this becomes a smart add-on. You get the game layer for a small cost.
• If you only want the free sights, you can still do the route, but you may choose not to enter the museum or zoo when you reach those points.

Either way, it’s still one of the cheaper ways to connect several famous stops into one walkable outing.

Start at Chicago History Museum: First Clue and Story Setup

Your adventure begins at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614. This is where you get the first clue. It sets up the story and gives you the direction for the next location. The stop is listed as about 10 minutes, and admission is not included.

This starting point matters because it puts you in the museum’s orbit right away. If you want to actually enter the museum, you’ll need to plan for additional time and pay the admission yourself. But even without getting too deep inside, this first stage is mainly about getting the game rolling.

Practical tip: arrive with your phone ready. Have the app installed before you leave your hotel, and make sure you can access the game at the start location. If the setup takes longer than expected, your clue time starts ticking.

Lincoln Monument and Ulysses S. Grant Monument: Outdoor Clues at Your Tempo

Next you head to the Lincoln Monument. The game gives you a new clue to solve there. The stop is listed as about 10 minutes, but you can stay as long as you like, then continue when you’re ready. Admission is free for this stop.

From there, you go to the Ulysses S. Grant Monument with another clue, again with a roughly 10-minute checkpoint and free admission. These two stops are a nice pairing for a phone game. You can stand, solve, look around, and grab a few photos without worrying about lines or ticket booths.

What I like about these monument stages is the pacing. You aren’t trapped in a single indoor timeline. You can pause, backtrack, and re-check your clue if you’re not sure you’re looking at the right spot. That flexibility is exactly how a self-led hunt should feel.

Bridge Over South Pond and Hans Christian Andersen: Two Quirky Stops That Keep It Fun

The route then includes the Bridge Over South Pond. Like the earlier monuments, you’ll receive another clue to solve. It’s listed at about 10 minutes at the checkpoint, with free entry and flexibility to linger.

Then the game takes you to the Hans Christian Andersen Monument. You’ll get yet another clue at this stage, and you can explore at your own pace. Admission is free here too, and this checkpoint is also listed around 10 minutes.

These mid-route stops are where the game can feel most playful. Outdoors, you can take your time reading the clue, spotting details, and figuring out the answer. If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want a strict lecture-style tour, these puzzle-like moments give them something active to do.

The practical downside? If you’re the type who likes clear, guided interpretation at each stop, the game gives fewer spoken answers. Your reward comes from solving and noticing, not from a guide’s commentary.

Lincoln Park Zoo and Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool: Where You May Pay Extra (and Where You Finish)

Two of the later stages are tied to Lincoln Park landmarks where you may want to plan your budget and time.

First comes Lincoln Park Zoo. The game provides another clue at the zoo and the checkpoint is listed at about 10 minutes. But admission is not included, so you’ll decide how deep you want to go once you arrive.

Then you finish at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool (125 W Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614). This final stop is listed at about 10 minutes and admission is marked as free. It’s where the story and the exploration game end.

I like how this finish works. Instead of ending at another crowded building entrance, the last stop gives you a clear wrap-up point. It’s an easy way to close the loop: solve the final pieces, then take a breather before heading back toward transit or dinner.

Support, App Setup, and the Reality of a Self-Guided Haunted Hunt

Self-led sounds easy until you actually start. In this kind of smartphone experience, your success depends on getting the app running smoothly and following clue directions without constant assistance.

In the best case, the app is straightforward, the clues guide you from stop to stop, and you get a fun mix of history-ish context plus sightseeing. That’s the experience I’d expect if everything loads as intended.

In the less perfect case, you might run into phone friction. One person noted that downloading and getting ready was a hassle, though they still found it worth the money. The good part of that story is that the app’s help menu and chat seemed to handle issues when the game didn’t finish as expected at the end.

So here’s my practical advice:

• Start the game early enough that you’re not rushing.
• If the final clue doesn’t work or a step feels inaccessible, use the in-app help/chat and contact 24/7 customer support.
• Keep an eye on battery level. If you lose power, the whole hunt can stall.

Also, one review called it a scam, mainly because it’s essentially a self-run hunt using the free Questo app. That complaint misses the point if you understand how it’s meant to work. This is not a guided tour—so the phone game is the product. If you hate self-navigation and app-based tasks, choose a different style of tour.

Timing, Transit, and What a “2-Hour” Walk Really Means

The duration is listed as about 2 hours. Each stop is listed around 10 minutes, but real-world walking and clue solving can stretch or shorten that window depending on how long you linger.

The meeting point and ending point are both in the Lincoln Park area:

• Start: Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St
• End: Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, 125 W Fullerton Pkwy

The company notes the activity is near public transportation and offered in English. It also allows service animals and says most travelers can participate.

What you should wear matters more than you’d think. This is a walking-first outing across several outdoor sites. If you’re planning to spend extra time at the zoo or museum, give yourself time for the “real stop time” those attractions can require.

Who Should Book This Haunted Chicago Game (and Who Should Skip It)

You’ll likely love this if:

• You want a low-cost way to cover several landmarks in one outing
• You enjoy puzzles and solving prompts on your phone
• You’re okay with a self-led format instead of a guided lecture
• You’re traveling with a group that doesn’t all want the same pacing

You might want to skip it if:

• You hate app setup steps or you want someone to explain everything in person
• You need a guaranteed, friction-free route through every clue
• You only want museum/zoo time but don’t want extra walking or puzzle checkpoints

It’s also a solid option if you like structure. A free-form wander in Chicago can be fun, but it’s easy to forget what you saw. This game forces you to connect the dots between stops—then you decide what to revisit later.

Should You Book This Haunted Chicago Exploration Game?

My take: this is a strong value choice for people who want a budget-friendly, phone-based way to see Lincoln Park landmarks and stay engaged with clue challenges. The price makes sense, and the free stops keep it from feeling like you’re paying for everything.

I’d book it if you’re comfortable handling your own phone navigation and you’re open to adding paid admission at Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo if you want the full sights. I’d think twice if you’re expecting a traditional guided tour with a human storyteller at every step.

Bottom line: if you can handle a smartphone scavenger hunt and you like light spooky storytelling in between famous Chicago locations, this is an inexpensive way to turn a walk into an activity.

FAQ

How long is the Haunted Chicago Exploration Game?

It lasts about 2 hours (approx.).

How much does it cost?

The price is $7.20 per person.

Is there a tour guide on this experience?

No. It’s a self-led city exploration game with no tour guide.

Where do I start and where do I finish?

You start at Chicago History Museum, 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 and finish at Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, 125 W Fullerton Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60614.

Are admission tickets included?

No. Entrance tickets are listed as not included for Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo. The other monument stops are listed as free.

What’s included with the booking?

You get a mobile ticket and the smartphone city exploration game. The provider also lists 24/7 customer support.

Do I need the app?

You’ll use the Questo app on your phone as part of the experience.

Is this experience available in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.