WASHINGTON, D.C., AND BALTIMORE PUBLIC SCAVENGER HUNTS
See your favorite places through new eyes on a scavenger hunt. Teams of up
to six people will tackle tricky, humorous questions about the objects
and places discovered. Don’t have a team? We’ll help you
find kindred spirits at the start of the hunt. No knowledge of any hunt
location is required—you just need a sharp mind and a good pair
of shoes. More than 95,000 hunters served since 1999.
Advance purchase is required for all hunts. To purchase tickets, go to the Calendar or Descriptions of the Hunts, or call our ticketing service, OvationTix, at
866-811-4111 (Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday
and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time).
CALENDAR Listing All Upcoming Washington, D.C., and Baltimore Hunts
DESCRIPTIONS of the Hunts
FAQ: How the Hunts Work and Other Frequently Asked Questions
Gift Certificates
Get the Schedule by E-Mail
Go Deluxe: Information About Private Hunts
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE HUNTS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
American Art Museum & National Portrait Gallery
• The American Museum Madness Family Scavenger Hunt
• The Naked at the Art Museum Scavenger Hunt
Georgetown
• The Secrets of Georgetown Scavenger Hunt
Madame Tussauds
• New! The Wax Attacks Scavenger Hunt
National Air & Space Museums
• The Air & Space Race Scavenger Hunt: The D.C. Edition
• The Air & Space Race Scavenger Hunt: The Udvar-Hazy Center Edition (Dulles)
• The Plane Crazy Family Scavenger Hunt: The D.C. Edition
• The Plane Crazy Family Scavenger Hunt: The Udvar-Hazy Center Edition (Dulles)
National Gallery of Art
• The Art Attack Family Scavenger Hunt
• The Murder at the National Gallery Scavenger Hunt
• The Naked at the National Gallery Scavenger Hunt
National Museum of American History
• The National Treasures Scavenger Hunt
National Museum of Natural History
• The Museum of Natural Hysteria Scavenger Hunt
• The Museum of Natural Hysteria Family Scavenger Hunt
National Zoo
• The Wild Wildlife Family Scavenger Hunt
White House & Downtown D.C.
• Halloween Ghost Hunt! The Fright at the White House Family Scavenger Hunt
• Halloween Ghost Hunt! The Haunted Washington Scavenger Hunt for Adults
• The Race to the White House Scavenger Hunt
BALTIMORE
• The Go Fish Family Scavenger Hunt at the National Aquarium
• The Secrets of Fell’s Point Scavenger Hunt
• The Walters’ Weird Wonders Scavenger Hunt at the Walters Art Museum
WASHINGTON, D.C., HUNTS
AMERICAN ART MUSEUM & NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY
The American Museum Madness Family Scavenger Hunt
Come see all of the presidents—plus a wild and wacky collection of American art and portraits of other famous Americans, from Pocahontas to Lucille Ball. Two
museums—the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery—combine in one building for an unusual whirlwind tour of the best of
America. For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and vice versa. Price: $15.50 for ages 7 to 17, $19.50 for adults (museum admission is free). Meeting place information
The Naked at the Art Museum Scavenger Hunt
Search for the naked and the naughty in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Highlights include a tempting she-devil, an Eve
who’d get you to bite an apple, a giddy drinker, native men with
no need for a gym, a “topless” horseman, and a nude that
gives new meaning to the word “hot.” Plus you’ll dip a toe into the adjoining National Portrait Gallery to learn the salacious secrets of some rakish presidents and other famous Amercians. No knowledge of art,
or nudity, is required. Price: $22.50 per person (museum admission is free). Meeting place information
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GEORGETOWN
The Secrets of Georgetown Scavenger Hunt
See the best of Georgetown while uncovering amazing tales and nooks (but not crannies).
One of the best things about this hunt is its variety, covering parts
of the neighborhood’s three distinct personalities. Highlights
include a 19th-century canal (and maybe a mule or two), chic shops in
historic buildings on M Street, JFK’s first Washington home (and
the neighbor honored by reporters for providing coffee in the cold), the
birthplace of the computer, a former prison that Lincoln visited, the
Old Stone House and its tranquil garden, “sunken” houses,
magnificent mansions, movie locations, hidden alleys, a tavern where
Founding Fathers tippled, and a bar that was the birthplace of a famous
cheesy song. Price: $22.50 per person, advance payment required. Meeting place information
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MADAME TUSSAUDS
New! The Wax Attacks Scavenger Hunt
Debuts Saturday, November 1 at 4 p.m.
Waxy build-up has never been so much fun! Go on a wild, surreal, campy adventure with celebrities through history at the new Madame Tussauds in downtown DC. You’ll tackle an array of tricky questions and tackle Team Photo Challenges with help from famous movie stars, presidents from George Washington to George Bush., heroes, villains, singers, journalists, presidential candidates and other celebs past and present. Bring at least one digital camera per team for the Team Photo Challenges. Price, which includes museum admission: $32 per person.
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NATIONAL AIR & SPACE MUSEUMS
The Air & Space Race Scavenger Hunt: The D.C. Edition
Few museums are as jaw-dropping as the Smithsonian National Air and
Space Museum, packed with real-life propeller planes, jet planes,
bombers and bombs, missiles and rockets—just about everything
associated with the history of flight and space exploration. On this
hunt for adults, highlights include the Wright brothers’ original
first-flight plane, Lindbergh’s famous Spirit of St. Louis,
the X-1 rocket in which Chuck Yeager became the first to break the
sound barrier, the Lockheed Vega piloted by Amelia Earhardt on the
first solo transatlantic flight by a woman, a touchable moon rock, and
American and Soviet nuclear missiles (please don’t sneeze next to
them). Price: $22.50 per person, advance payment required. Meeting place information
The Air & Space Race Scavenger Hunt: The Udvar-Hazy Center Edition (Dulles)
The giant hangar-like space of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport boasts more
than 200 planes, helicopters, gliders and space vehicles, including a
full-size Concorde, a full-size space shuttle, a Boeing 707, a
scary-cool Blackbird jet (like something out of a Batman movie) and the Enola Gay,
which dropped the first A-bomb on Hiroshima. But even if you
aren’t an aviation fan, you’ll discover plenty of objects
to amuse and fascinate you, such as an airman’s wacky
“party suit,” the original spaceship from Close Encounters of the Third Kind,
kitschy Lindbergh and space memorabilia, a true-to-life scene of
peasants attacking a balloon (they thought it was a monster), and an
ingenious CIA transmitter designed to resemble dog poop. Price: $22.50 per person, advance payment required. Meeting place information
The Plane Crazy Family Scavenger Hunt: The D.C. Edition
Recommended by GoCityKids.com
Kids and adults work together on this hunt exploring the best of the
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, packed with real-life
propeller planes, jet planes, bombers and bombs, missiles and rockets.
Above all, you’ll enjoy flights of fancy, as you scramble over an
aircraft carrier control tower, slip through a space station, touch a
moon rock, find out what happens when your jet pack is low on fuel,
ponder an ancient Chinese rocket and search for a teddy bear that has
been to outer space. For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and vice versa. Price: Ages 7-17, $17.50; everyone else, $19.50, advance
payment required. Meeting place information
The Plane Crazy Family Scavenger Hunt: The Udvar-Hazy Center Edition (Dulles)
Recommended by GoCityKids.com
A giant building filled with airplanes, jets and a space shuttle can be exciting to a wide-eyed child—but also overwhelming. On this fun and funny scavenger hunt at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport, kids and adults go on a self-guided whirlwind tour in serach of things that will amaze and amuse. You’ll discover an airman’s wacky
“party suit,” the original model spaceship from Close Encounters of the Third Kind,
space-inspired toys and kooky doodads, French farmers attacking a balloon they thought was a monster, and an
ingenious CIA transmitter designed to resemble dog poop. You don’t have to be familiar with or fascinated by aviation to enjoy and even win this hunt—you just need a sense of adventure, good teamwork and comfy shoes! For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and vice versa. Price: Ages 7-17, $17.50; everyone else, $19.50, advance
payment required. Advance
payment required. Meeting place information
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NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
The Art Attack Family Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by GoCityKids.com and the Washington Post
Saturday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Kids
and adults work together on this whirlwind tour of the most startling,
fascinating works in the National Gallery of Art. Don’t worry, hunters
don’t need to know anything about art—but we bet
you’ll come away eager to return on your own. You’ll search
for a sloppy dragon, greedy gremlins, a shark attack, Rip van Winkle, a
rude lion, an artistic monkey, a “fowl-mouthed” dog and
more. For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an
adult and vice versa. Price: $17.50 per person, all ages, advance purchase required. Meeting place information
The Murder at the National Gallery Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by The DC Traveler
Saturday, June 28, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
A murdered curator has left behind a cryptic trail of clues connected with secrets in works of art. As your team gathers answers about the art, you begin to piece together a sordid tale about greed, lust, pride, revenge and treachery, all revolving around the museum’s planned multimillion-dollar purchase of a Rembrandt. The murder victim knew too much—and now it’s up to you to learn what he knew and discover what drove one of four suspects to commit murder. To find out, you’ll have to crack a secret code left in the victim’s appointment calendar. Can you figure out who dunnit? Be prepared for our most challenging hunt. Price: $22.50 per person.
Advance payment required, and space is limited. Meeting place information
The Naked at the National Gallery Scavenger Hunt
Featured in the Washington Post
Every tricky question on this two-hour hunt involves nudity in some
way, shape or sultry form, whether you are looking for naughty nymphs,
a sea-monster surfer, eye-catching codpieces, bathing beauties, the
original Adonis or shark bait named Watson (no relation, we hope). No
knowledge of art, or nudity, is required. Price: $22.50 per person, advance payment required. Meeting place information
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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY
The National Treasures Scavenger Hunt
If the United States had a giant attic, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History would be it—and it provides the location for our most eclectic hunt. Recently and magnificently renovated, the galleries are packed with memorabilia representing all eras and aspects of American life. You’ll search for Lincoln’s top hat, Clinton’s saxophone, Julia Child’s kitchen, monstrous machines, early cars, two full-size locomotives, vintage cars, the flag that inspired the national anthem, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Fonzie’s jacket, Mr. Rogers’ sweater and Kermit the Frog. Price: $22.50 per person. Museum admission is free.
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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The Museum of Natural Hysteria Scavenger Hunt
Hunt
for dinosaurs, stuffed tigers and giraffes, a camping vampire, a
flossing bison, live insects, the Hope Diamond and other jewels,
mummies, and a charred bone from a real murder mystery. On this
whirlwind tour, you’ll travel to China, Africa, South America, the Ice
Age, a mine, ancient oceans and beyond. It’s our most surreal hunt. Price: $22.50 per person (museum admission is free). Meeting place information
The Museum of Natural Hysteria Family Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by Budget Travel and GoCityKids.com
Kids
and adults work together to solve tricky, humorous questions on this
whirlwind tour of the best of the Smithsonian National Museum of
Natural History. Highlights include giant dinosaurs, live insects, a
cursed diamond and other jewels, mummies, African dolls, a crystal ball
("Aunty Em!"), bats and bears and bones (oh my). Find out what town you
probably should avoid during a meteor shower, and how dental floss can
help you when confronted with a bison. For ages 7 and up. Kids must be
accompanied by an adult, and vice versa. Price: $15.50 for ages 7 to 17, $19.50 for adults (museum admission is free). Meeting place information
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NATIONAL ZOO
The Wild Wildlife Family Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by the Washington Post
Lions
and tigers and bears, oh boy! Kids and adults work together to explore
the National Zoo from giant pandas and great apes to naked mole rats
and the sea walnut. Bring a digital or Polaroid camera for the Team
Photo Challenges. For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an
adult and vice versa. Price: $17.50 per person, all ages (zoo admission is free). Meeting place information
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THE WHITE HOUSE & DOWNTOWN D.C.
Halloween Ghost Hunt!
The Fright at the White House Family Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by Washingtonian
Kids and adults learn the
creepy stories of the ghosts who have roamed the halls of the White House and
other buildings in the area while answering tricky questions about what
you discover along the way. Who knows, you might run into the spirits of Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Dolley Madison, Abigail Adams, Andrew Jackson and other less famous but equally restless souls. (Please note: You’ll see the White House, you’ll go around the White House grounds, but not actually into the White House grounds. But you guessed that, right?) For ages 7 and up. Kids must be accompanied by an adult and vice versa—teams with only adults are not permitted on this hunt. Price: Ages 7 to 17, $17.50; everyone else, $19.50. Advance purchase required. Meeting place information
Halloween Ghost Hunt!
The Haunted Washington Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by the Washington Post
BOO!
Sorry to startle you, but you better get used to it if you’re joining
this hunt. Armed with only a flashlight, you’ll visit ghost-plagued
buildings around and near Lafayette Park while learning the stories of
the restless souls you might disturb. Possible cameos by the spirits of
Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Dolley Madison, Abigail Adams,
Andrew Jackson, the (allegedly) suicidal Mrs. Henry Adams, and losing
duelist Stephen Decatur. Price: $22.50 per person,
advance payment required. Meeting place information
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The Race to the White House Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 14, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Uncover
history’s mysteries and discover surprising sights in such
locations as Lafayette Park, Freedom Plaza, Ford’s Theater, the
Octagon House, the FBI building and of course the White House itself.
Highlights include Lincoln’s champagne bill, a piece of the Berlin
Wall, the view from atop the Old Post Office and someone rashly taking
sword lessons wearing only a fig leaf. Price: $22.50 per person, advance payment required. Meeting place information
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BALTIMORE
The Go Fish Family Scavenger Hunt at the National Aquarium
Search for exotic and bizarre fish in one of America’s premier aquariums. Five levels of numerous tanks take your investigation to a tropical rain forest, an Amazon river forest, tropical coral reefs, a four-story coral reef tank, and murky depths where the giant Pacific octopus lurks. You’ll watch gliding stingrays, hear the crackling voltage of an electric eel, peer into the teeth of sharks, dodge tropical birds, spot a pygmy marmoset and rub your eyes at the brilliant colors of tropical fish and poison dart frogs.
The Secrets of Fell’s Point Scavenger Hunt
Featured in the Baltimore Sun
Dating back to colonial times, this neighborhood offers an exciting mix of cobblestone streets, 19th-century buildings, historic places, waterside walkways, harbor views and lively new stores, bars and restaurants. Even Hollywood loves the area: It has served as a set for such movies as Sleepless in Seattle and Avalon, and the classic TV series Homicide. We’ll take you to those locations and cover all of the highlights on our fast-paced tour. Bring a digital camera for the Team Photo Challenges that are one part of the game. Price: $17.50 per person, advance purchase required. Meeting place information
The Walters’ Weird Wonders Scavenger Hunt
Go
on an eye-popping journey across centuries and cultures on one of our
famous museum hunts, this time at Baltimore’s downtown jewel, the Walters Art Museum.
You don’t need to know anything about art; the emphasis is on
using your eyes and your wits. But after our whirlwind tour
you’ll come away from the hunt eager to return on your own. With
its majestic, mansion-like rooms (some still resembling the residences
they originally were), the Walters is full of twists and turns and
galleries and works you may never have suspected were there. Highlights
include mummies, an exorcism, a deadly dice game, suits of armor, Impressionists, a snake that tells time and a cow turning into a woman. Price: $22.50 per person, advance purchase required. Meeting place information
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GET THE SCHEDULE BY E-MAIL
Our free quarterly e-mail newsletter brings you the latest hunt schedule and special discounts for subscribers. Sign
up by clicking the button below—and on the next page you see, be sure to check off
“Washington, D.C./Baltimore Area.” If you have a junk mail filter,
remember to add “watsonadventures.com” to your safe
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(We DO NOT share your address with any other companies, especially purveyors of spam.)
The hunt’s afoot!
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© 2008 Watson Adventures LLC. All rights reserved.
Last update:
07-Oct-2008 10:51 AM
