United States of America · Storytelling Tours

Seattle Gold Rush Quest: Race to the S.S. Portland

2 Hours Round trip from Seattle Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Self-guided mystery quest through historic Seattle
  • 02 Follow clues from Pioneer Square toward the waterfront
  • 03 Discover stories tied to the 1897 Klondike Gold Rush
  • 04 See landmarks including Smith Tower and Pike Place Market
  • 05 Solve puzzles at key heritage sites around the city
  • 06 Play at your own pace with flexible start time
  • 07 Pause anytime to explore or grab coffee
  • 08 Story-driven experience with a twist ending

Step into Seattle’s past on a self-guided mystery quest inspired by the Klondike Gold Rush. Beginning in Pioneer Square and unfolding through some of the city’s most historic streets, this interactive experience combines storytelling, puzzles, and real local history as you make your way toward the waterfront and the story of the S.S. Portland.

Along the route, you’ll explore places such as the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Smith Tower, Pike Place Market, and Victor Steinbrueck Park. Play at your own pace, pause whenever you like, and enjoy a flexible city adventure that blends heritage, discovery, and a twist-filled narrative.

Step into Seattle’s past on a self-guided mystery quest inspired by the Klondike Gold Rush.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
City Seattle
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a national historical park operated by the National Park Service that seeks to commemorate the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.The park's totem poles and woodcarvings are by Duane Pasco (1970s). They were donated by art gallery owner Richard White and installed in the 1980's. "The tallest totem, Sun and Raven, tells the story of Raven's theft of the moon and was created for the 1974 Spokane World's Fair. The nearby Man Riding on Tail of Whale was carved in 1971. The westernmost of the two facing figures is Tsonoqua, a mythological giantess and 'nightmare bringer' invoked by exasperated North Coast mothers to frighten their children into obedience.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.Art galleries, coffee shops and trendy bars fill Pioneer Square’s late-1800s Romanesque Revival buildings. Tourists explore subterranean streets on the guided Underground Tour, and learn about Seattle’s roots at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Office workers unwind in secluded Waterfall Garden Park or grab lunch from food trucks at Occidental Square, a plaza with bistro tables and bocce courts.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.Smith Tower is a skyscraper in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, United States. Completed in 1914, the 38-story, 484 ft tower is the oldest skyscraper in the city and was among the tallest skyscrapers outside New York City at the time of its completion.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.Constructed in 1933, the Seattle Federal Office Building (FOB) was the first building in Seattle specifically designed for offices of the federal government. The designer of record was James A. Wetmore, the Department of the Treasury's Supervising Architect. Among its first tenants were 52 federal agencies, the largest of which was the Department of the Treasury.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.Eye care professionals specialize in understanding how the human eye really works, as well as diseases and conditions that affect your vision – many of which do not have obvious symptoms. The Eyes on You medical center has a professional team and a history you will want to know.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.SAM traces its origins to the Seattle Fine Arts Society (organized 1905) and the Washington Arts Association (organized 1906), which merged in 1917, keeping the Fine Arts Society name. In 1931 the group renamed itself as the Art Institute of Seattle. The Art Institute housed its collection in Henry House, the former home, on Capitol Hill, of the collector and founder of the Henry Art Gallery, Horace C. Henry (1844–1928).

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.Pike Place Market is a special community within the heart of Seattle’s downtown. More than the city’s beloved public market, Pike Place Market is a vibrant neighborhood comprised of hundreds of farmers, craftspeople, small businesses and residents. Each group is an important and vital makeup of the Pike Place Neighborhood.

In addition to preserving and protecting the historic buildings and character of the nine-acre historic district and serving as an incubator and supporter of farmers, artisans and small businesses, the Pike Place Market was chartered by the City of Seattle to provide services for low-income individuals.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.Victor Steinbrueck Park is located at the north end of Pike Place Market. On a summer afternoon, the park bustles with a lively combination of neighborhood residents, visitors, tourists, and people who work in the area - all enjoying picnics, sunbathing, playing and relaxing on the park's lawn, benches, and tables.

Here you will have to look around to find the answer to our challenge to advance to the new location and learn the story of this place.Beneath the Streets focuses on factual, historical information that details the birth of our city, 1890’s architecture, and several other stories including the Klondike Gold Rush, Skid Row, and the Coast Salish Peoples that first inhabited the area.

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Self-guided mystery quest through Seattle's historic waterfront
  • Puzzles at Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Smith Tower, and the Gold Rush sites
  • The real history of Seattle's 1897 Klondike Gold Rush woven into every stop
  • A story with a twist ending — something strange is happening, and you'll find out what
  • Flexible scheduling — start anytime, play at your own pace
  • Freedom to pause anytime, explore Pike Place Market, or grab coffee
  • Play as a team (up to 3 per device) or solo

What's Not Included

  • Live tour guide (self-guided via the app)

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • ANIMALS OR PETS ALLOWED
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • To play the game, go to and add your booking number and e-mail address to unlock the game. Then, download the Questo app and create a new account.
  • For help, please reach out at

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Seattle, US
Tour start
Seattle, US
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 2 hours finish where they began, in Seattle.

Watch the tourHQ film Watch the film

Create your own adventure

Can't find the perfect tour? Tailor your dream trip.

  • Tell us your destination, dates and group size.
  • Our travel experts and local guides design a tailored itinerary, just for you.
  • Enjoy your trip with peace of mind, knowing everything is taken care of.
Plan my holiday

Say goodbye to travel stress.