Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
Outdoor escape game
The Haunting File: Philadelphia — Old City Business
4Player rating
A QUESTO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Play at your pace · usually 90 min 2.8 km Philadelphia App-guided
Play in
English
The adventure
About this quest
The city feels older tonight. Heavier. Like something has been waiting a very long time for someone to come asking.
You've been recruited by the Bureau of Otherworldly Observation, and Agent Howl is handing you your first case: a district full of the dead, and a file nobody has ever managed to close.
Thirteen stops. Thirteen things this city would rather you didn't look at too closely. Some of them are waiting for you.
The dead here were real people, and they remember what the plaques leave out. Ask the right questions and they'll tell you. Ask the wrong ones and you'll find out why the file is still open.
Keep your phone torch handy. You'll want it. 🕯️
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Couples, friends and small groups of adults who like ghost stories and dark history can spend about two hours walking Old City of an evening, from Christ Church Burial Ground past Elfreth's Alley to Washington Square, solving a puzzle at each of 13 stops. If you would rather have a live guide to question, or are bringing children who frighten easily, pick a lighter walk.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
👻 Thirteen Stops – Let's hope thirteen isn't unlucky.
🔍 Clues Hidden in Plain Sight – Everything you need is out there in the streets, if you're brave enough to look closely.
🎭 Get Your Crew Together – Bring someone to grab onto.
🌙 Better After Dark – Much better. Keep your phone torch ready, in case something moves.
📖 The Real History Underneath – Uncover the stories behind the streets you thought you knew.
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.00 / 5
1 player ratings
Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.
Most relevant starts with detailed five-star reviews. All ratings remain available.
From your phone to the streets
A walk that turns into an adventure.
- 1
Open the app. You’re on your way.
Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.
- 2
Get outside. Follow your curiosity.
Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.
- 3
Crack a clue. Share a little victory.
Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.
CHOOSE YOUR PASS
How many are playing?
Get this questNo booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP
One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.
A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.
Everyone for themselves
One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.
Can a team share one phone?
Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.
The real-world playing space
Philadelphia
A · Start
340 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
B · Finish
600 S Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Setting
- This quest
- An outdoor route through the city
- Escape room
- An indoor setting designed for the game
2 / 4
Playing together
- This quest
- Use your own phones to team up or compete
- Escape room
- Solve challenges together in the room
3 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Check this quest’s playing modes and access hours
- Escape room
- Usually a booked session with a time limit
4 / 4
Price
- This quest
- Choose device access above to see your total
- Escape room
- Prices and group sizes vary by venue
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is there a ghost walk in Old City Philadelphia I can do on my own?
Yes. This is a self-guided ghost walk played on your phone. As a recruit of the Bureau of Otherworldly Observation, you follow Agent Howl's case file through 13 stops, hearing the stories of the dead and solving a puzzle at each place. There is no guide and no group to join.
Can we play it in the evening in Philadelphia?
Yes. There is no set start time, so you can begin whenever suits you, and the story is written for a walk after dark. The route passes burial grounds, old churches, Elfreth's Alley and historic houses, with each puzzle based on what is in front of you.
Where does the quest start and finish?
It starts at Christ Church Burial Ground and finishes at Washington Square, so it is not a loop. Along the way you pass Arch Street Meeting House, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth's Alley, Franklin Court, Carpenters' Hall, St. Peter's Church and Old Saint Mary's Churchyard, among others.
How long does it take and how far is the walk?
Most players take just under two hours, including walking and puzzles. The route covers about 2.8 km across 13 stops in Old City. You can pause along the way and continue later if you want a break.
Can we play as a group, and do we need to book a time?
Yes, one ticket covers the whole group playing together, so friends can follow the case side by side. There is no time slot to book: start whenever you are ready, and pause and pick up again later if needed.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsKeep exploring Philadelphia
More adventures in Philadelphia
Halloween 2026 in Philadelphia
Plan a self-guided Halloween outing with ghost stories, haunted walks or a fictional horror game. Compare the available quests before choosing.
Check the starting point, duration, available languages, recommended age and access details on the quest page. These are app-guided games, not tickets to a scheduled Halloween event.
