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
Washington National Mall Mystery: The Philip Reid Time Capsule
4.45Player rating
A DIFFERENT WAY TO SEE THE CITY
Play at your pace · usually 100 min 4 km Washington D.C. App-guided
Play in
English
The experience
About this quest
A Yale historian arrives in Washington with a single lead: a mysterious email pointing to a time capsule hidden somewhere on the Capitol grounds.
The trail follows Philip Reid, an enslaved man who helped raise the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol dome in 1863, and then disappeared from the historical record entirely.
Walk through the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, the Botanic Garden, and a dozen landmarks woven into the history of American democracy and the people it failed. The answer you find at the end will be more personal than you expected.
Is this for you?
Who it's for
History-minded couples and families trace the story of Philip Reid, the enslaved man who helped raise the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol dome in 1863, past the Botanic Garden, Library of Congress and Supreme Court. Expect about 4 km and 1.5 to 2 hours of walking and puzzles. If you want a guide to question, or a lighter story than one rooted in slavery, choose another walk.
What makes this quest special
Highlights
- Stand where Philip Reid stood when the Statue of Freedom was raised above the Capitol dome
- Walk through the Japanese American Memorial and learn what two communities' histories share
- Discover what a court document from 1860 reveals about the man you have been chasing
- Find out why a Washington Post journalist is waiting for you at the Peace Monument
From people who played this quest
Good times. In their words.
4.45 / 5
69 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
Washington, DC 20002, United States
B · Finish
New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.
Along the way
Landmarks & Hidden Gems Included
The people behind the adventure
Created by Street Art and Museum Tours.
A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.
Made by Street Art and Museum Tours
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 for couples
- Recommended activity for families
A little clarity before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is this quest about the Washington Monument time capsule?
No. The Washington Monument is not on this route. The story centres on a time capsule said to be hidden somewhere on the Capitol grounds. A Yale historian follows a mysterious email and the trail of Philip Reid around Capitol Hill to find it.
Does the walk go past the Supreme Court?
Yes. The Supreme Court of the United States is one of the stops on this Capitol Hill route. You reach it after the Library of Congress and before the U.S. Capitol, so you see all three of these landmarks within a short stretch of the walk.
Where does it start and how long does it take?
The walk starts and finishes at Columbus Circle, so you end where you began. The loop is about 4 km and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours with the puzzles. You can pause at any point and continue later.
Is it suitable for children?
It is recommended for families and suits school-age children who can walk about 4 km and enjoy a history mystery with puzzles at each stop. The story deals with slavery and the building of the Capitol, so parents of younger children may want to talk it through along the way.
Do we need to book a time, and can we play as a group?
There is no time slot to book. Start whenever you like, with no guide or group tour to join. One ticket covers your whole group, and you play on your phones as you walk between the stops around Capitol Hill.
Is Washington National Mall Mystery: The Philip Reid Time Capsule 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 Washington National Mall Mystery: The Philip Reid Time Capsule start and finish?
It starts at Columbus Circle, Washington, DC 20002, United States and finishes at Robert A. Taft Memorial and Carillon, New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States. The route is approximately 4 km and includes 12 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.
Philip Reid context
The enslaved craftsman connected with the Capitol’s Statue of Freedom
Philip Reid was an enslaved foundry worker whose skill helped separate and cast the Statue of Freedom for the U.S. Capitol dome. He gained freedom in 1862 before the statue was placed on the dome in 1863. The time capsule is fictional; the route can open a more truthful conversation about skilled enslaved labor and the building of national symbols. Playable languages: English.
