General Tour Information

Q: What exactly are these tours? A: These tours are self-guided, clue-based adventures designed to help you explore an area’s hidden gems and iconic landmarks at your own pace. You'll receive a set of instructions and clues, and it's up to you to decipher them and navigate your way through the tour!

Q: How do your tours work? A: Once you book and confirm your tour, you'll receive a digital package (via email) containing instructions on how the process works. You will be able to choose any date you want with a preferred starting time. When your appointment time approaches, you will get a text message for your first clue from one of our helpers. We will have a set of helpers ready to give you clues over text messages for each location. Your job is to take a picture of the location proving that you reached the desired location. We recommend you take selfies for a complimentary photo album at the end of the tour! When a location is confirmed by the helper, you will receive a confirmation text, and then a clue from the next helper.

Q: Are these guided tours? A: No, our tours are entirely self-guided! This means you have the freedom to start when you want, go at your own speed, and take as many breaks as you like. You're in control of your adventure. Every tour is personalized to the group and the speed of the group.

Q: What makes your tours different from a traditional walking tour? A: Our tours offer a unique blend of adventure, problem-solving, and discovery. Instead of passively listening to a guide, you're actively engaged in a fun challenge, using your wits to uncover the area’s secrets. It's more interactive, personalized, and allows for greater flexibility.

Q: What kind of things will I discover on a tour? A: Our tours are designed to showcase a mix of popular landmarks, historical sites, unique local businesses, hidden alleys, public art, viewpoints, attractions, markets, restaurants/food places, and bars/places for drinks. Every clue is crafted to lead you to an interesting point of interest.

Booking & Participation

Q: How do I book a tour? A: You can book your tour directly through our website by selecting your desired tour length (5-hour, 8-hour, or All-Day), choosing your preferred date, and completing the payment process. You'll receive a confirmation email with all the necessary details.

Q: Do I need to book in advance? A: We need at least 24 hours in advance, especially if you plan to start on a weekend or during peak season, to ensure everything is processed smoothly. The more time you give us, the better your tour will be. We actually take the time to craft a quality tour for each group!

Q: What's the ideal group size? A: Our tours are great for 2-6 people. This allows for fun collaboration on clues. However, we do not have a limit to how many people can be on your tour. Only one person will be receiving the clues through text. Also, keep in mind that larger groups tend to move slower, so you might miss some of our planned destinations due to time. Larger groups can split into smaller teams and even compete against each other if you want to do a tandem tour! However, this does include extra charges per group.

Q: Is there an age limit for participants? A: Our tours are designed for all ages! However, they are best enjoyed by participants aged 10 and up who can actively engage in problem-solving and walking. Children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult and we do not allow groups without a person at least 16 years of age. Anybody under 18 will need a consent form signed by a guardian. Toddlers and very young children might find the walking extensive for the longer tours.

Q: Are your tours family-friendly? A: Absolutely! Many families love our tours as they encourage teamwork, critical thinking, and outdoor activity. It's a fantastic way to engage kids (and adults!) in learning about the area in a fun, interactive way.

Tour Experience

Q: How long do the tours typically take? A: We offer three main tour durations: * 5-Hours: Designed to be completed in approximately 5 hours, focusing on highlights. * 8-Hours: A more extensive tour, typically taking around 8 hours, allowing for more leisurely breaks and deeper exploration. * "The Ultimate Tour": This is our most comprehensive tour, intended to fill a full day (often 8+ hours), offering the maximum amount of discovery and challenge. You aren’t time-limited, and we will try to get you through all planned destinations if reasonable. These tours typically have a dinner portion near the end, so we do try to align with the open hours of local restaurants. * Please note: These are estimates. Your actual time will depend on your pace, how quickly you solve clues, and how many stops you make for breaks, food, or sightseeing.

Q: What if we can't solve a clue? A: Don't worry! We provide hints or nudges for every clue. Our helpers are available at all times to give any hints towards your destination. If you're truly stuck, we can give you the answer to get back on track, though we encourage you to try solving it first for the full experience!

Q: Can we take breaks during the tour? A: Yes, absolutely! Since the tours are self-guided, you can pause for lunch, coffee, shopping, or just to rest whenever you like. The clock is on your time!

Q: Do I need internet access during the tour? A: Yes, stable internet access (either via cellular data or Wi-Fi, where available) is crucial for getting text messages for clues and navigating. We recommend ensuring your phone has a good data plan.

Q: What language are the tours in? A: Currently, all our tours are available in English. We hope to offer more languages in the future!

Logistics

Q: Where do the tours start? A: Your starting location will be given to you as the first clue during the start of of your appointment time. It's usually a publicly accessible and easy-to-find spot within the area's central area. If needed, we also offer an option to make the first location closer to your hotel or airbnb. Although, there is a limit to how far we can start from the desired location itself (i.e. We will not provide a starting location 50 miles away from New York City even if you are staying that far from the city).

Q: How much walking is involved? A: Our tours involve a significant amount of walking, as they are designed to cover various parts of the city. Although, we will gather information from you on any preferences. We try to make destinations more easily accessible through public transportation if possible. But walking will always be an option!

Q: Do I need a car or public transportation? A: Most of our tours are designed to be completed entirely on foot, taking advantage of the walkable nature of environments. In some cases, for longer tours or specific routes, we might suggest optional public transportation segments, which will be clearly indicated. However, this is usually optional and not required to complete the tour.

Q: What should I bring with me? A: We recommend bringing: * A fully charged smartphone (and a portable power bank!) * Comfortable walking shoes * Water bottle * Sunscreen/hat (weather permitting) * Rain gear (weather permitting) * Snacks * And a camera to capture your adventure! There are also options to enjoy the more “sophisticated“ parts of an area like restaraunts, speak-easys, theatres, etc. In these scenarios, we also recommend a change of clothes that fit a proper dress code. But don’t worry, we will organize your day to make sure you have an oppurtunity and time to get back to your hotel in order to change and get ready. We also will also place these destinations in a strategic part of the tour so that you can avoid inconviences.

Q: Are there restrooms available along the route? A: While our tours don't specifically highlight restrooms, they pass through areas with publicly accessible facilities, such as parks, museums, libraries, and various establishments (e.g., cafes, restaurants) where you can usually find one.

Safety & Accessibility

Q: Are your tours safe? A: Yes, your safety is our priority. Our routes are designed to navigate public spaces, sidewalks, and designated crosswalks. We advise all participants to be aware of their surroundings, follow local traffic laws, and use common sense, just as they would during any exploration.

Q: Are the tours wheelchair accessible? A: While we strive to make our tours as accessible as possible, some routes may involve stairs, uneven pavement, or areas that are challenging for wheelchairs or strollers. Please contact us directly if you have specific accessibility concerns, and we can help you book a tour better for your needs!

Q: Can I do the tour alone? A: Yes, you can! Our tours are designed to be enjoyable for solo adventurers as well.

Troubleshooting & Support

Q: What if a helper does not respond to me in a timely manner? A: Our helpers are very reliable, but we do not rely on any one person in case unexpected issues arise. You will be given a “master” contact number that is connected to our group of staff on hand to help with any issues or emergencies. In case of any medical emergency, we always recommend calling 911 first.

Pricing & Payments

Q: How much does a tour cost? A: Pricing varies based on the tour duration. Please visit our "Services" page on the website for current pricing details for the different tour types. These costs do not cover any potential food, drinks, or activities you decide to take part in.

Q: Are there any hidden fees? A: No, the price you see when booking is the total price for the tour. Any optional suggestions for public transport or paid attractions along the route are clearly noted and are not included in the tour price. If you want to do a race tour between multiple groups, this will incur additional fees per group involved.

Weather & Cancellations

Q: What happens if there's bad weather? A: Our tours run rain or shine! Please come prepared for any weather conditions. In the event of extreme and dangerous weather (e.g., severe thunderstorms, blizzards), we may offer the option to reschedule your tour. We will also adjust your tour accordingly, which is why it is better to schedule the tour way ahead of time to give our team time to assess the situation. If it’s going to rain a lot that day, we will try to maximize your indoor locations.

Q: Can I cancel or reschedule my tour? A: We understand plans can change. We offer a full refund for cancellations made within 48 hours of booking. After that, we offer half refunds for cancellations made 24 hours before the start of your appointment time.