NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt worth booking?
NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt is a 3-hour experience in New York, United States, from $36 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $36 per person
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
What you get
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.
What's included
Included
- 48 varied challenges
- Instructions & directions on your smartphone
Not included
- Snacks
- Internet access on your smartphone is required
What you'll see and do
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
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
20 minutes here
David Geffen Hall
Solve a challenge on the exterior colonnade - 5 minutes
5 minutes here
David H. Koch Theater
Solve a challenge about this location and learn its history and significance
5 minutes here
The Metropolitan Opera
Solve a challenge outside this theatre as you lear about its history
5 minutes here
Vivian Beaumont Theatre
Learn about the 3 theatres here and solve a challenge.
5 minutes here
Dante Park
Discover this intimate and cozy park and solve 2 challenges white you are here
10 minutes 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.
20 minutes here
Evangelical Lutheran Church Of The Holy Trinity
Learn about this church, its role in Ghostbusters, as well as a few local apartment buildings
15 minutes here
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Learn about the First Church, originally the Second, and some apartment buildings around it and solve challenges
10 minutes here
The Dakota
Learn about this historic building and solve a challenge here. You'll also learn about a few other buildings around here.
10 minutes here
Central Park
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
30 minutes here
The Ramble
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
30 minutes here
The New York Historical
Solve 3 challenges here before making your way to the next location
10 minutes here
American Museum Of Natural History
Admire the facade of this grand museum, find plaques on the exterior and solve challenges here.
10 minutes here
Beacon Theatre
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
Pass by without stopping
The Ansonia
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.
Pass by without stopping
Verdi Square
Solve a few challenges when you reach Verdi Square.
10 minutes here
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.
15 minutes here
AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13
Walk from W70th to W68th on Broadway. Solve 3 challenges along the way. 10 minutes.
Pass by without stopping
This is your final stop on this tour. Learn about the Juilliard School and solve 2 final challenges.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New York
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.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
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.
Options you can book
NYC Upper West Side self-guided walking tour scavenger hunt
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
Upper East Side Regular Hunt
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).
Upper West Side Mini tour
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.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tourist Scavenger Hunt
Know before you go
- 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
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great visit
We decided to try the 3 versions of this tour to really discover the neighborhood. There is a short, normal and long version. If you want to discover it all, do only the long one as is the the same tour with different lengths. We enjoyed going at our own pace, and solve the riddles along the way. There was a little bit of history or fun facts everywhere, but not too much. We liked it.
Response from the operator: Wow, interesting. They are basically the same, just different lengths for different people.
via Tripadvisor
Scavenger tour
Very fun idea. The scavenger hunt allowed us to go at our own pace. However some of the clues had incorrect answers. (Langham and number of white globes and a couple others). And we got a bit tired of all the cipher clues.
Response from the operator: Thanks for your feedback, we'll investigate and fix these errors
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $36 to $81
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New York.
How much does NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt cost?
+
Prices start at $36 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New York usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt take?
+
Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New York is not rushed.
Is NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New York, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt?
+
Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New York can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New York and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New York within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New York?
+
New York has more bookable experiences than any other city on Outty, and the quality spread is brutal. Observation decks are commoditised, so we score them on timed-entry reliability and sunset slots. Food tours and borough walks are where the ranking really separates operators, and the top scores in the city all come from small-group guides. On Outty we rank every New York experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Grand Canyon VIP Helicopter Tour, Half-Day Bus Tour of NYC Top Highlights, NYC Bus Tour of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens: Art, Food & Sports. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New York?
+
September to early November, and late April through June. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New York?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for NYC Upper West Side Self Guided Walking Tour Scavenger Hunt.
Pick your date
