About this experience
Are you looking for things to do on the Upper West Side? Our self-guided walking tour/scavenger hunt will take you from the Lincoln Center to the American Natural History Museum through Central Park and much more!
Solve challenges at every step to discover your next destination and learn new things. Learn a little history as well as interesting facts about what surrounds you. See the sights.
The New York Manhattan Upper West Side Explorer Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided walking tour with challenges along the way. It should take you 3 hours to complete.
At a glance
- Duration: 3 hr–4 hr
- Private experience
What is included
- 48 varied challenges
- Instructions & directions on your smartphone
Not included
- Snacks
- Internet access on your smartphone is required
Itinerary and highlights
There are 30 indoor and outdoor facilities in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Learn much more about the history and each theatre on this tour
Solve a challenge on the exterior colonnade - 5 minutes
Solve a challenge about this location and learn its history and significance
Solve a challenge outside this theatre as you lear about its history
Learn about the 3 theatres here and solve a challenge.
Discover this intimate and cozy park and solve 2 challenges white you are here
Solve 3 challenges are you walk the city block known as Sesame Street.
You'll solve several other challenges as you see a few other sites along the way.
Learn about this church, its role in Ghostbusters, as well as a few local apartment buildings
Learn about the First Church, originally the Second, and some apartment buildings around it and solve challenges
Learn about this historic building and solve a challenge here.
You'll also learn about a few other buildings around here.
Walk through Central Park. See the John Lennon Memorial, Cherry Hill, the Bow Bridge, and Belvedere Castle. Solve 10+ challenges there.
Only 15min for the Regular Tour
Walk through the Ramble as you make your way from the Bow Bridge to Belvedere Castle.
You will solve several challenges at each point of interest.
From there, walk through Shakespeare Garden and the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre
This section is skipped on the Regular Tour
Solve 3 challenges here before making your way to the next location
Admire the facade of this grand museum, find plaques on the exterior and solve challenges here.
Walk to the Beacon Theatre. Before you reach it, you'll solve a few challenges, on Columbus Ave and at the West Side Institutional Synagogue on W 76th. This leg will take up to 20 minutes
Learn about this beautiful apartment building at Broadway and W73rd and solve a challenge.
5 minutes to get here and another 5 learning about it.
Solve a few challenges when you reach Verdi Square.
Walk from Verdi Square to Sherman Square (much smaller) and learn about this decorated military man. Solve a challenge while here - 10 minutes.
As you leave, learn about the Coronado Condominium building to the east.
Walk from W70th to W68th on Broadway. Solve 3 challenges along the way.
10 minutes.
This is your final stop on this tour. Learn about the Juilliard School and solve 2 final challenges.
Meeting and pickup information
- Once you're standing near the Lincoln Center, and have completed the transaction with our website, log in with your account (My Account / Scavenger Hunts) and click on the blue button to begin your scavenger hunt.
Languages and tickets
- English — Written
- Mobile Only
Tour operator
- Tourist Scavenger Hunt
Accessibility and practical details
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Available tour options
- Explorer Hunt Single Ticket: This option is a long self-guided walking tour with challenges at every stop, available as an individual ticket.
- Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes: This much shorter version of the Upper West Side tour takes you to 31 locations with 32 challenges, only 2.9km/1.8mi. Shorter version / easier: This shorter version of the tour takes you quickly into Central Park, much much less than do the longer tour versions. Mini Scavenger Group Option: This option is a mini self-guided walking tour with challenges at every stop, for groups of up to 6 people.
- Mini Individual tkt Option: This option is a mini self-guided walking tour with challenges at every stop, individual tickets.
- Duration: 3 hours: This version of the tour spends more time in Central Park than the regular version but follows the same itinerary. NYC Upper West Side Explorer : The Explorer version is longer than the regular one and goes further into Central Park Explorer Hunt Group Option: This option is a long self-guided walking tour with challenges at every stop, for groups of up to 6 people.
- Duration: 2 hours: This regular version of the tour follows the same itinerary except for itinerary step 12- The Ramble which is skipped. NYC Upper East Side regular: The Regular walking tour is 4km/2.5mi, it doesn't go so far into Central Park. The Explorer version (5.3km/3.5mi). Scavenger Hunt Group Option: This option is a self-guided walking tour with challenges at every stop, for groups of up to 6 people.
- Scavenger Hunt Individual Tkt: This option is a self-guided walking tour with challenges at every stop, available as an individual ticket.
Traveller reviews and photos
Traveller experiences load when you reach this section.
