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
Ghosts of Washington D.C.: A Historical Adventure
4.67Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 121 min 4.4 km Washington D.C. App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
Explore the story of America through the eyes of the past—some of whom never truly left.
Join quirky ghost hunter Ripley Bates as you walk the National Mall, uncovering strange tales, lost voices, and key moments in U.S. history.
Each stop brings a new ghost with a real-life connection—from John Quincy Adams to Amelia Earhart—who reveal secrets, challenge your knowledge, and bring D.C.’s legacy to life.
Is this for you?
Who it's for
History lovers and families curious about D.C.'s ghost lore can walk the National Mall by day with ghost hunter Ripley Bates, meeting ghosts with real links to U.S. history, from John Quincy Adams to Amelia Earhart, between the Library of Congress and the Washington Monument. Plan on about 2.5 hours and 4.4 km on foot. Anyone after a candlelit evening tour with a live guide, or unable to walk that far, should pick something else.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
Walk through 13 iconic locations on the National Mall, including the Library of Congress, the Capitol, and the Smithsonian Museums.
Learn fascinating U.S. history through immersive storytelling and ghost-inspired characters.
Solve puzzles and challenges rooted in real facts—ideal for curious minds of all ages.
Enjoy a light, spooky theme without the jump scares—great for families, students, and travelers.
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.67 / 5
3 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
Washington D.C.
A · Start
68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, USA
B · Finish
Washington, DC 20024, USA
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
The people behind the adventure
Created by Ayana Aquila.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Ayana Aquila
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
- Route open 24/7 but better during daylight hours
- We recommend not playing at night
- Some checkpoints may contain temporary construction work
- Horror & Haunts
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is this a good ghost-themed outing for Halloween?
It is a Horror & Haunts walk along the National Mall where each stop brings a new ghost with a real-life connection to American history. You start whenever you like with no time slot to book, though the route is better in daylight and we recommend not playing at night.
Where does the quest start and finish?
It starts at the Library of Congress and finishes at the Washington Monument, so it is not a loop. Along the way you pass the Supreme Court, the Capitol, the Botanical Gardens, several Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art West Building and the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden.
How long does it take and how far is the walk?
Most players take about 2.5 hours, walking and puzzles included, over roughly 4.4 km. You can pause at any point and continue later, which helps if you want to stop for a break or step into one of the museums on the route.
Does the route pass the Supreme Court?
Yes. The US Supreme Court is the second stop, right after the Library of Congress where the quest begins, and before you continue to the US Capitol. Note that some checkpoints on the route may have temporary construction work.
Can we play as a family or group?
Yes. One ticket covers the whole group playing together on the walk. The ghosts reveal stories and challenge your knowledge of U.S. history, so it suits families curious about D.C.'s past who are happy to walk the full distance by day.
Is Ghosts of Washington D.C.: A Historical Adventure self-guided?
Yes. The Questo app guides you between locations without a tour guide or fixed departure. Start when it suits you and pause if needed.
Where does Ghosts of Washington D.C.: A Historical Adventure start and finish?
It starts at Library of Congress, 68 First St SE, Washington, DC 20004, USA and finishes at The Washington Monument, Washington, DC 20024, USA. The route is approximately 4.4 km and includes 13 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 Washington D.C.
More adventures in Washington D.C.
Washington National Mall Mystery: The Philip Reid Time Capsule
4 km | Average time: 100 min
★4.4(69)
$9.99
Washington DC: Underwood’s Heir - Reckoning
3.9 km | Average time: 66 min
★4(32)
$9.99
Murder Mystery: Crime on Date Night in DuPont Circle, Washington D.C.
2 km | Average time: 90 min
★4.4(10)
from $17.99Multiplayer
DARK STORIES OF WASHINGTON D.C.
A darker Washington D.C. walk for ghost-story and horror fans
Ghosts of Washington D.C.: A Historical Adventure turns Washington D.C. into a self-guided story walk for ghost-story and horror fans. Its story centers on ghost-story investigation.
Players move from Library of Congress to The Washington Monument on a 4.4 km route that contains 13 challenge locations. The page specifically identifies The Washington Monument and National Museum of the American Indian along the experience. Practical fit: 4.4 km route; Typical duration: 121 minutes; 13 location-based challenges; Playable in English.
This lets your group follow a dark story through clues; a guided ghost walk is the better fit for live narration and a scheduled group atmosphere. Playable languages: English.
