Neighborhood Scavenger Hunts in Washington, D.C.

Do you believe in ghosts?

You just might after this spooky tour that reveals the stories of the restless souls you might disturb. On teams, you’ll follow clues to ghost-plagued buildings near the White House and answer tricky questions about what you find. 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.

The hunt is a bit spooky, a bit macabre, a bit goofy, and a lot of fun. It’s also a bit slower paced than our regular hunts because the questions are longer, in order to fill you in on the eerie events that transpired at each location.

For private groups, we also offer a Kids Edition of this ghoulish game, suitable for ages 7 and up.

Please note: you’ll see the White House, as well as go around the White House grounds—but you won’t actually go onto the White House grounds. But you assume that, right?

See the best of Washington…

…on a whirlwind hunt that takes you uptown, downtown, and all around town. On teams, you’ll travel by limo or mass transit to explore Lafayette Park (which faces the White House), the Library of Congress, the Vietnam Memorial, Chinatown, the FDR Memorial, the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, the Smithsonian, and more. But that’s not all: along the way, you’ll also answer tricky, humorous questions about what you find to uncover D.C.’s hidden history.

Highlights include…

• The legendary Willard Hotel, where Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “I Have a Dream” speech and Lincoln ordered a lot of champagne
• The Air and Space Museum, where you must find wartime enemies plotting against the U.S.
• The U.S. Botanic Garden, where you’ll be challenged to locate an Rx in the jungle
• The spectacular Reading Room in the Library of Congress
• A view of Chinatown that will take you back in time
• The Star-Spangled Banner at the National Museum of American History

…and on and on. Meanwhile, during your journey from point to point, the Hunt Host will contact you to tackle tricky trivia questions.

You don’t need any previous knowledge to triumph. You just need to use your wits and collaborate with your team.  

Out-of-towners and locals alike are sure to enjoy this hunt, which is a great activity for everything from birthday parties and family reunions to alumni get-togethers and corporate outings.

Contact us to learn more about this fun-filled citywide scavenger hunt—and find more fun in Washington, DC!

Enjoy a getaway just outside D.C.

Discover the humorous, quirky, adventurous side of National Harbor on this fast-paced and funny scavenger hunt, perfect for team building and large group events. On teams, you’ll follow clues that reveal hidden history and humorous details around the waterfront. Along the way you’ll also be challenged to take creative team photos that meet a variety of unusual requirements. During the game you’ll also meet up with your Hunt Host to do a surprise bonus challenge.

Along the way, your team can…

• Mingle with Marilyn Monroe
• Awaken a giant
• Philosophize with a Greek over a pint
• Stand with our military
• Face off against a menagerie

In addition to the classic version of this team building activity, you can opt for an International Edition, for groups where the first language of the participants might not be English. There’s also a Kids Edition that is great for school field trips.

Contact us to learn more—and find more fun on the National Harbor Scavenger Hunt!

Go on An Unforgettable Tour of the National Mall Memorials

…on a scavenger hunt that features the most memorable and historical monuments on the western end of the National Mall. On teams, you’ll complete a variety of challenges that bring out your teamwork, in the spirit of E pluribus unum. You’ll pose for team photos, search for interesting details on statues and inscriptions, answer trivia, and more.

On this group activity, you’ll see…

• The Lincoln Memorial
• The World War II Memorial
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• The Constitution Gardens
• The Reflecting Pool

No previous knowledge of the National Mall or its monuments is necessary: all you need is sharp eyes and comfy shoes.

A Kids Edition is also available: it’s designed to get adults and kids (ages 7 and up) working and playing together. It’s a great activity for Washington D.C. field trips, summer camps, scout outings, you name it.

Contact us to learn more about our National Mall scavenger hunts—and find more fun in Washington, D.C.!

Uncover history’s mysteries…

…and discover surprising sights in the public places around and near the White House. You’ll be challenged to answer tricky, humorous questions about interesting places, look for the perfect settings to take fun Team Photos, and complete a surprise bonus challenge.

On this D.C. scavenger hunt you’ll discover…

• Lincoln’s tab at the Willard Hotel
• Jackie O’s White House view
• Dolley Madison’s house
• A site where a would-be presidential assassin was foiled
• Someone vastly underdressed for his sword lessons

And those are just a few of the highlights on this unusual group game. To win, you don’t need to know the area or its landmarks—you just need good teamwork, sharp eyes, and comfy shoes.

A Kids Edition is available in which young hunters and adults work together to see great sights, take in a bit of history, and have as much fun as possible. Suitable for ages 7 and up, the hunt is a great field trip activity.

Contact us to learn more about our scavenger hunts near the White House—and find more team-building fun in Washington, DC!

Great food, great art, great adventure

Explore what might be Washington’s most dynamic neighborhood on a team-building DC scavenger hunt filled with surprises. Inside Union Market, you’ll explore a dazzling variety of vendors and foods. Outside, you’ll investigate an eye-popping display of street art an intriguing new businesses. Your quest: answers to tricky, humorous questions about what you discover, and team photos that meet various criteria.

Highlights of this DC scavenger hunt include…

• A mural by Mr. Brainwash that included collaboration with a First Lady
• An “super” pinball machine among gleaming culinary knives of all kinds
• A flying pig at Harvey’s Market
• Unusual British treats, such as mushy peas, at Aboveground
• An Automatic Recording Studio at a place for “the byrds”

If you think you might work up an appetite on this DC scavenger hunt, consider the Munch Around Union Market Scavenger Hunt: your team’s challenges include choosing snacks to snag and tidbits to bite along the way.

Contact us to learn more—and find more fun at Union Market!

Fun games with humorous twists!

If you’re looking for a good, old-fashioned scavenger hunt, we have one—with very unusual challenges that will exercise your brain and tickle your funny bone. Your tasks may involve strange uses for food, new lyrics for old songs, people in any kind of uniform, strangers wearing valuable words, secrets about local landmarks, and more. If you’ve been on scavenger hunts where you’ve had to collect boring things like clothespins and obscure CDs, you’re in for a surprise and a treat.

Teams fan out to tackle such challenges as…

Take unusual team photos

Get creative and keep your eyes open as you explore your area and try to meet the requirements of diverse “photo op” challenges. Everyone has to get into the picture (except the person holding the camera, of course). We’ve designed them to allow room for creativity while also delivering dramatic visuals (not just shots of people standing around, smiling and pointing). You might be asked to demonstrate a group member’s superhuman powers. Or treat a staircase as if it’s a carnival ride. Or photobomb another team.

Participants use their smartphone cameras and our browser-based app. You’ll get to see the other players’ pictures and download them afterward.

Find or create unusual items

As in a classic scavenger hunt, you’ll have to locate or create unusual items. But in our version, you might encounter these tricky tests: Can you create and name an amazing new food by combining two unlikely foods? How about an appropriate trophy for the hunt winners? Three items that rhyme? Something improved by being broken? You’ll be surprised by the results that come from great teamwork.

Crack a code to decipher a mystery message

Your hunt materials will include a bizarrely coded message. What the heck does it say? To crack the code, you’ll need to solve crafty, fun puzzles, involving a trivia questions, pop music, and a “pigpen cipher.” Can you piece together the key that unlocks the mystery message?

Locate the Hunt Host for a surprise bonus challenge

At a designated spot in the hunt area, the Host will be waiting for you, ready to spring a tricky, humorous visual puzzle for you to ponder. It could involve unusual celebrity pairings…or musical snippets…or international maps…or strangely altered art.

Go on a scavenger hunt anywhere, with versions and themes to suit your group

Go Deluxe: Let us tailor the hunt to your needs. Tell us what you want to highlight and we’ll weave it into the game. Perhaps someone you want to celebrate? A theme or slogan for a new campaign? Hidden talents in your group? Talk to us! We like a challenge.

Care to take a bite out of crime? Check out the Murder Mystery Mayhem Scavenger Hunt.

The hunts are available in International Editions, for hunters whose first language is not English. They are also available in Spanish, as well as in other select languages.

A Grab ’n’ Go Scavenger Hunt for Kids challenges youngsters and adults to work together to tackle challenges appropriate for ages 7 and up. It’s the perfect activity for birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, family reunions, school field trips, summer-camp outings—you name it.

For a snack-tastic adventure, the Grab ’n’ Go Food Edition features food-themed Collect & Create and Photo Challenges.

And young Harry Potter fans will be cheating if they use their wands and other magical powers on the Wizards & Witches Scavenger Hunt, for ages 7 and up.

What are people saying about the Anywhere Scavenger Hunts?

“The Grab ’n’ Go Scavenger Hunt was so much fun! All of the teams were engaged and working together. We couldn’t have asked for a better team-building and celebration event.” –Brittney Gallardo, Office Manager/Executive Assistant, Texture by Next Issue Media

A 5-star review on Google: “We hired Watson Adventures to host the Grab ‘n’ Go scavenger hunt for a teambuilding event in our local downtown area. We chose to pay for an on-site host and it was well worth it. Kim, the host, was fantastic, well organized, very helpful with the game app, and added even more fun to the game with opportunities to earn extra points. Our team had a blast!! We thoroughly enjoyed getting out from in front of our computers to spend time together in this fun and creative environment!”

A 5-star review on Yelp: “I planned a surprise custom scavenger hunt for my fiancé’s birthday last year and it was so much fun! Tara was a pleasure to work with and incredibly accommodating with all of my requests. The event host was equally wonderful. We all had a blast. I wish I had more reasons to plan scavenger hunts!”

Another 5-star review on Google: “Watson Adventures was so incredibly fun for our company offsite! Correy was a fantastic host that guided the experience and Tara made planning a customized hunt a breeze. 10/10 recommend!”

Contact us to learn more about the Grab ’n’ Go Scavenger Hunts—and find more fun wherever you are!

’Tis the season for a team-building game

Gather your friends and colleagues for a holly, jolly holiday scavenger hunt in your favorite neighborhood. Your challenge: take creative team photos and collect items that relate to the holiday season. If you’re looking for a different way to kick off your year-end celebrations, you don’t have to ask Santa: just go on this holiday scavenger hunt!

Players use our browser-based app on their phones to check off challenges, take photos, and at the end, share them with other teams. The emphasis is on teamwork and appreciation. By the finish line, even a Scrooge will be acting like it’s Christmas morning.

Your team will tackle holiday-themed challenges…

Take unusual team photos

Get creative and keep your eyes open as you explore your area and try to meet the requirements of diverse “photo op” challenges. Everyone has to get into the picture (except the person holding the camera, of course). You might need to pose while blending in with a holiday window display. Or act as if you are caroling. Or spell a season’s greeting with your bodies. Or re-create a sleigh ride, dashing through the snow.

Find or create unusual items

As in a classic scavenger hunt, you’ll have to locate or create unusual items. But in our version, you might encounter these tricky tests: Can you create and name an amazing new holiday treat by combining two unlikely foods? How about something that could create a “snow storm” for one of your photo challenges? Something you’d put in a colleagues stocking? A holiday gift that is improved by being broken? You’ll be surprised by the results that come from great teamwork.

Crack a code to decipher a mystery message

Your hunt materials will include a strangely coded holiday message. What the heck does it say? To crack the code, you’ll need to solve crafty, fun puzzles, involving a trivia questions and festive holiday season music. Can you piece together the key that unlocks the mystery message?

Locate the Hunt Host for a surprise bonus challenge

At a designated spot in the hunt area, the Host will be waiting for you, ready to spring a tricky, humorous holiday-themed puzzle for you to ponder. It might involve celebrities who have played Santa or the Grinch or Scrooge…

This game can be played in almost any outdoor location. A Kids Edition is also available. Contact us to learn more about this holiday scavenger hunt—and find more fun!

Happy Halloween!

Whether you want festive fun or a chance to show off your costume before you go party, a spooky Halloween scavenger hunt is a mummy-rable—sorry, memorable—adventure for all. You might have to discover weird new uses for food, dig up a skeleton, ward off a vampire, use your bodies to spell “BOO!,” do your best zombie impression, and more.

Teams fan out to tackle such challenges as…

Take unusual team photos

Get your creative juices flowing and your haunted side showing as you come up with clever ways to complete fun “photo op” challenges. Everyone has to get into the picture (except the ghoul holding the camera, of corpse).

They’re designed to give you room to have fun while also delivering dramatic visuals (not just shots of people standing around like a bunch of stiffs). You might have to do the Monster Mash in a crowded place. Or rise from the dead in a funny way. Or pretend to go trick-or-treating.

Participants use their own smartphone cameras and send the images to our photo-sharing site. You’ll get to see the other players’ pictures and download them afterward.

Find or create unusual items

You’ll also have to procure or concoct unusual items, often with a tricky twist. Can you find or draw a creature that represents your team spirit? How about a food menu featuring blood and bone? A haunting Halloween mask? Something inflatable with a terrifying message written on it? You’ll be shocked—and occasionally horrified—by the results that come from devilishly good teamwork.

Crack a code to decipher a mystery message

Your hunt materials will include a bizarrely coded message. What the H-E Double Hockey Sticks does it say? To crack the creepy code, you’ll need to solve crafty, fun puzzles, possibly involving a few twisted trivia questions, an intriguing message from beyond the grave, a musical phone call, and other surprises. Can you piece together the key that unlocks the mystery message?

Locate the Hunt Host for a bone-tingling bonus challenge

At a dead-signated spot in the hunt area, the Host will be waiting to treat you to a tricky, icky visual puzzle. It’s a monstrous good time, and you’ll want to do your best if you hope to stay alive…to win the game, that is!

And show what makes your state so great…

…on a scavenger hunt that sends teams complete challenges that give you a chance to flaunt your hometown pride. You’ll go in search of unusual objects, take inventive team photos, decode a mystery message, and meet the Hunt Host for a surprise challenge.

How is the game tailored to your favorite city and state? Consider some examples:

If you’re from New York City, you might need to locate an actual big apple, or know the best subway route to get from Yankee Stadium to Citifield.

If you’re from Texas, the Lone Star Showdown might challenge you to come up with one of the six flags that have flown over the state, or get a photo with a Longhorn signing “Hook ’em Horns” or with an Aggie signing “Gig ’em.”

Celebrate Milwaukee and the great state of Wisconsin on games that send you in search of such local delights as frozen custard, cheese curds, brats, and booyah stew. Or dramatize the phrase “Fear the deer!”

If you have a case of Minnesota Mania, we might prescribe that you collect some cough drops or lozenges, in honor of Minnesota homeboy Bob Dylan.

In Wilmington, Delaware, you can help a stranger in honor of Joan of Arcadia (the TV series in which Wilmington poses as the fictional Arcadia), or collect a used Amtrak ticket in a salute to hometown hero and rail enthusiast Joe Biden.

In Atlanta, brace yourself for a photo in which you seem to be “gone with the wind” (you know why), or strike a pose with one of the more than a thousand works of street art. Or find a takeout menu with the word peach on it. Peachy!

Or are you visiting the Magnificent Mile in Chicago? Get in the spirit of the Windy City by taking a Team Photo as if you’re being blown away by a gust, or get historical by remembering the Great Fire and finding something toasted (not yourself, please).

In Washington, DC, you can “filibuster” another team for points, or get caught by a “spy camera” with just your heads showing. Or present a stranger with DC’s official flower, an American Beauty red rose.

What people are saying about the Celebrate Your City Scavenger Hunts

A 5-star review on Google: “Our team of 100 had a wonderfully fun time and the coordination with Watson Adventures was super smooth and easy. Laura L. was a wonderful event consultant…she was exceptionally knowledgeable and answered every question I had when planning our team’s Grab n Go option from our hotel conference in San Francisco, which for any event planner is a gold standard….[Watson Adventues] was highly recommend to me by colleagues and now I know why, if you need a fun team building event you will not be disappointed by Watson Adventures!”

“Everyone, even the cynics who weren’t planning on having fun, really enjoyed themselves. We were having so much fun that a complete stranger tried to join our group photo at the finish line!” —a director of sales

Let us know what city or state you love, and we’ll provide a madcap team-building scavenger hunt for your group!