Team vs team
Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.
City exploration game
Old Town Montreal: The Culture Tsunami
3.98Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 96 min 5.6 km Montreal App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
Welcome to hypertime! Every step and minute counts as you speed through 500 years of Montreal history.
From the first person to have mapped the shores of the mighty Saint-Lawrence River and given Canada its name, to the very source of present-day Montreal’s cultural divide – by walking through Old Montreal you will learn what makes this city what it is! Tighten your shoelaces, let’s go.
From the first person to have mapped the shores of the mighty Saint-Lawrence River and given Canada its name, to the very source of present-day Montreal’s cultural divide – by walking through Old Montreal you will learn what makes this city what it is! Tighten your shoelaces, let’s go.
Is this for you?
Who it's for
Couples and families with older children new to Old Montreal get the main sights and 500 years of history in one walk, from the Nelson Monument past Bonsecours Market and Notre-Dame Basilica to King Edward at the Old Port, solving puzzles at their own pace. If 5.6 km over about two and a half hours is too much, or you want a live guide to ask, look elsewhere.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
At least 3 great women in History are celebrated in Old Montreal.
Find out which Canadian bank built a greater and mightier headquarters
Discover if an abandoned building can truly be Montreal’s industrial pride
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
3.98 / 5
50 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.
Your walk, at a glance
Montreal
A · Start
Pl. Jacques-Cartier, Montréal, QC H2Y, Canada
B · Finish
2 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal, QC H2Y 4B2, Canada
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
The people behind the adventure
Created by Duncan McDowall.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Duncan McDowall
WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT
Your adventure, with a playful twist.
1 / 4
Experience
- This quest
- Discover places through stories and clues in the app
- Guided walking tour
- Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4
Pace
- This quest
- Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
- Guided walking tour
- Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4
Company
- This quest
- Explore with your own people or on your own
- Guided walking tour
- Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4
Guidance
- This quest
- Directions and challenges in the Questo app
- Guided walking tour
- Live interpretation from a guide
Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.
Good to know before you play
- Best during the day
- Best for couples
- Recommended activity for families
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
What is the Montreal culture tsunami walk about?
It is a self-guided walk through Old Montreal that races through 500 years of the city's history. You go from the first person to map the shores of the Saint-Lawrence River and give Canada its name to the roots of Montreal's present-day cultural divide, with a story and a puzzle at each stop.
Is this a good thing to do in Old Montreal and the Old Port?
Yes, if you want the main sights with their history. The route takes in Champ-de-Mars, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Bonsecours Market, the Bank of Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica and Maison de Mère d'Youville, then heads to the waterfront past Bota-Bota and the Montreal Science Centre.
How many km is the walk and how long does it take?
The route covers about 5.6 km. Most players take around two and a half hours, including the walking and the puzzles. You can pause and continue later, so you can stop for a coffee or a meal along the way. It works best during the day.
Where does it start and finish?
The quest starts at the Nelson Monument and finishes at King Edward by the Old Port. It is not a loop, so plan to make your own way onward from the finish. You can start any time, with no group to join and no fixed slot.
Can we play as a family or a group?
Yes. One ticket covers the whole group playing together on the walk. It is recommended for families, and with the length of the route and the history-based puzzles it suits older children best rather than very young ones.
Is Old Town Montreal: The Culture Tsunami self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. You can start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does Old Town Montreal: The Culture Tsunami start and finish?
It starts at Nelson Monument, Pl. Jacques-Cartier, Montréal, QC H2Y, Canada and finishes at King Edward, 2 Rue de la Commune E, Montréal, QC H2Y 4B2, Canada. The route is approximately 5.6 km and includes 11 location-based puzzles.
How many accesses does our group need?
This classic quest sells access per device and player. Each person who wants to solve clues on their own phone needs their own access.
Keep exploring
Every quest. One year.
Explore the annual passGive them a story
A day out, gifted.
Explore Questo giftsKeep exploring Montreal
More adventures in Montreal
Montréal cultural context
French, British and Indigenous layers in the old city
Old Montréal reflects several cultural and political eras: Indigenous presence on the island, French colonial Ville-Marie, British rule and the growth of a bilingual commercial city. Architecture, street names and institutions preserve parts of each layer. This quest turns those contrasts into a playful “culture tsunami” story while the places encountered on the route provide the real historical setting. Playable languages: English.
