Canada · Walking Tours

Vancouver Old Town Treasure Hunt: Self-Guided Walking Game

2 Hours Round trip from Vancouver Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Gastown and Vancouver Old Town through a self-guided treasure hunt
  • 02 Solve 14 puzzle-based challenges on your smartphone
  • 03 Discover landmarks including the Gastown Steam Clock and Waterfront Station
  • 04 Learn stories inspired by Vancouver’s Gold Rush history
  • 05 Admire heritage architecture such as the Marine Building and Sun Tower
  • 06 Play at your own pace with the flexibility to pause and resume

Turn Vancouver’s historic Old Town into your own puzzle-filled adventure on this self-guided walking game through Gastown. Follow a story inspired by the city’s Gold Rush past as you solve challenges, uncover clues, and explore heritage streets at your own pace using your smartphone.

Along the way, discover notable landmarks and architecture including the Marine Building, Waterfront Station, the Gastown Steam Clock, Sun Tower, and the Sam Kee Building. Ideal for independent travellers, couples, friends, and families, this experience blends sightseeing, local history, and interactive fun in one flexible 2-hour route.

Turn Vancouver’s historic Old Town into your own puzzle-filled adventure on this self-guided walking game through Gastown.

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 Vancouver
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

The Marine Building (McCarter Nairne, 1929-30), 355 Burrard Street, Vancouver, was developed and built by Toronto's short- lived Stimson Developers to house commercial shipping interests and the Vancouver Merchants' Exchange. It is Vancouver's best surviving example of the Art Deco style.

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.Construction began in 1911 and was completed in 1913. Located at the corner of Howe and Cordova Streets, this building was designed by Public Works' Chief Architect David Ewart. It was built by the federal government as a warehouse to handle federal requirements on imported goods and was used by Customs until 1958.

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.Waterfront station was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and opened on August 1, 1914. It was the Pacific terminus for the CPR's transcontinental passenger trains to Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario. The current station is the third CPR station.

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.Built in 1977, this well-known, antique-style clock is powered by steam & whistles to tell the time.

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 Dominion was built from 1908-1910 by J.S. Heyler. The building is known as one of the most colourful, charismatic heritage buildings in the city due to its Beaux-Arts style, terracotta spandrels and Corinthian columns at the front entrance.

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.Built in 1911-1912, the heritage value of the Sun Tower is found in its distinctive landmark architecture, its association with Louis D. Taylor and the Vancouver World and Sun newspapers, and as an example of the expansion of the City's business district to this eastern fringe of downtown.

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.Built in 1913, the Sam Kee Building at Pender and Carrall is celebrated for its architectural ingenuity, its cultural significance to the Chinese community and the impressive history of its namesake. It represents an important part of Vancouver's history, and the pioneering spirit of its early citizens.

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 statue is a monument to "Gassy" Jack Deighton, a Vancouver saloon owner in the 1860s. Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood is named for Deighton. Deighton's legacy has been re-evaluated in recent years, especially for his marriage to a 12-year-old Squamish girl, Quahail-ya, whose English name was Madeline Deighton.

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.Gaoler's Mews is located in the heart of Gastown. The first building on this site was built in the mid-1800s. It housed Vancouver's first jail. After it burned down in Vancouver's great fire of 1886, it was replaced by a brick fire hall.

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 building is a heritage site, which was erected over 100 years ago. It is positioned along the railyard only a short distance from Vancouver’s trade and shipping ports. All of these elements combined make for a unique and inspiring experience. The Alibi has established itself as a place for neighbours and community to share in great food, fantastic beer and culture.

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 route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Vancouver 1 city · 2 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Mobile access code to the quest
  • 14 puzzle-based challenges
  • Storyline content inspired by Vancouver’s Gold Rush history
  • Flexibility to pause and resume whenever you like

What's Not Included

  • Live Tour Guide

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
  • - Unlock your city game in the Questo app using this link:
  • - Download the Questo app using this link (it’s free):
  • - Head to the starting point and enjoy your city game!

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Vancouver, CA
Tour start
Vancouver, CA
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 2 hours finish where they began, in Vancouver.

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