Turn Vancouver, BC Into a Game

Questo turns Vancouver into a self-guided outdoor escape game you play on your phone, following clues and solving puzzles at your own pace across the city's downtown core and waterfront. No guide, no fixed start time, just you and a story that unfolds as you walk.

The city gives you plenty to work with. Gastown is the historic heart, where the Gastown Steam Clock whistles the Westminster chime on the quarter hour and Maple Tree Square marks the spot where the city began. From there it is a short walk to the seawall, the galleries, and the food halls of Granville Island, with landmarks like the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Orpheum, and the Vancouver Public Library all close by.

Questo's Vancouver quests run from a Gastown treasure hunt for hidden gold to a downtown spy adventure and a record-store mystery on Granville Island, so you can pick the tone that suits your group. Each one mixes real sightseeing with a puzzle to crack, so you actually look at the city instead of just passing through it.

A few local notes worth the detour. Lee's Donuts has sold its honey-dip donut at the Granville Island Public Market since 1979, and it is still the one to get. Downtown, JapaDog has been serving Japanese-style hot dogs like the teriyaki-and-seaweed Terimayo from its street carts since 2005, a quick bite between puzzles. They work for couples after a different kind of date, families with restless kids, friends, or anyone exploring solo. Pick a route and start whenever you are ready.