Awesome Scavenger Hunt: Annapolis Red Bricks & Blue Views

Annapolis gives this self-guided scavenger hunt a fine setting: its clues send you to the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, James Brice House, and Maryland State House. Rather than follow a guide’s script, you use the Let’s Roam app to solve questions tied to things you can see around you.

I like two things in particular: the hunt turns a walk into a shared challenge, and its photo tasks give everyone in your group a role. It also lets you start at a time that suits you, within the stated daily hours.

The catch is the app. Some participants have had trouble redeeming tickets or getting the app to recognize their location, and confusing instructions have sent people in circles. Allow time to get set up, and keep the customer-support contact handy.

• Three named Annapolis stops: The route includes the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, James Brice House, and Maryland State House.
• A game for your group: Solve trivia and in-person clues, then try photo challenges and activities together.
• About two hours on foot: The hunt typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours, and calls for moderate physical fitness.
• Your schedule, within posted hours: It is self-guided, with listed operating hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• One practical weak spot: App setup and check-ins may be confusing, so start with a charged phone and a little patience.

Start at State Circle, then let the clues set the pace

The hunt begins at 100 State Circle, Annapolis, and returns to the same meeting point. The format is private, so only your own group takes part. That suits friends, couples, families, and colleagues who would rather share a challenge than join a larger guided group.

You do not have to meet a guide at a fixed departure time. The activity is app-led, and you can start when it works for you during the stated hours, Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The route usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours, though your group’s pace and time spent on the challenges will affect the total.

The app guides you through the hunt and tells you what to do at each stage. Some answers are meant to be found in person, on plaques, statues, art, and other things you encounter along the way. That gives the activity a useful purpose beyond walking from one landmark to another: you have a reason to look closely.

The exact distance and route details are not specified, so do not plan around a precise mileage estimate. You should expect to walk between stops and stand while you work through clues. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are sensible, and the activity recommends a moderate level of physical fitness.

The Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial: a clue with a human subject

The first named stop is the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial. A memorial is a fitting place for an in-person hunt: it gives your group something specific to look at, rather than asking you to answer trivia from memory alone. The challenge may draw your attention to details you could otherwise pass by while moving through downtown.

The supplied details do not spell out the exact question or explain which feature you will need to find. Treat that uncertainty as part of the game, not as a promise of a particular historical lesson. The hunt is designed to send you to visible information, so take time to read what is on site before tapping through the app.

This stop also helps set the tone for the activity. The point is not simply to reach a landmark, but to notice it and work together to answer a question. If your group likes a bit of friendly competition, you can compare scores on the app’s leaderboard. If you prefer a more relaxed outing, there is no need to turn every clue into a race.

James Brice House: a change of focus on the route

The James Brice House is the next named stop. Its presence adds a second kind of place to the hunt after the memorial, and the app’s challenges give you a prompt to pay attention to what is in front of you. The route is built around Annapolis sights, not an indoor tour or a scheduled talk.

No admission ticket is included, and the activity does not promise entry to the house. Plan on encountering it as a stop on the walk, rather than budgeting on the assumption that you will go inside. Any paid attraction or activity is an extra cost, as are food, drinks, parking, and personal expenses.

That distinction matters if you are comparing this hunt with a conventional house tour. You are paying for the app access and the game, not for admission or a live guide. If you want an in-depth account of the building, this activity may not provide it. If you want a playful way to notice landmarks while moving through town, the format is a better match.

Maryland State House: the final named landmark

The Maryland State House is the third listed stop. Starting at State Circle places the hunt in the same area as this landmark, and the route ends back at the original meeting point. The supplied route information does not say how long you spend at each stop, so expect the app to set the sequence and let your group decide how quickly to move.

As with the James Brice House, admission is not included. The scavenger hunt should not be treated as a ticket for entry to a building. If you decide to visit any attraction that charges admission, you will need to arrange and pay for that separately.

The State House stop also gives the hunt a clear endpoint before you return to the start. That can make the two-hour format easy to fit into a day in Annapolis, especially if you want an activity with a beginning and finish but no guide-led timetable. Just keep enough time free for the walk back and for any questions or photo tasks that hold your group’s attention.

Trivia, teamwork, and photo challenges

The app combines trivia and problem-solving with photo challenges and group activities. Each participant receives an interactive role and texted photo prompts, and the group can earn points for photos. That structure can help keep everyone involved, rather than leaving one person to read clues while the rest trail behind.

The style of fun depends on your group. You might compete against one another, compare your score with other teams on the leaderboard, or simply solve the clues together. The experience is likely to suit people who enjoy a little structure and friendly rivalry. It may feel less rewarding if you want a quiet, uninterrupted sightseeing walk or detailed commentary from a guide.

The photo tasks are a practical plus for groups who enjoy making memories together, but they are not a substitute for a full photography tour. The details do not promise professional instruction or a particular set of photo locations. Think of them as playful prompts that add variety to the walk.

The app is both the guide and the main risk

The Let’s Roam app provides access to the hunt, the directions, and the challenges. You purchase tickets through the provider’s website, then download the app, register, and redeem your tickets there. Confirmation and instructions are sent at booking. In principle, that lets you begin without a tour guide or a separate reservation for a departure time.

In practice, the technology deserves some preparation. Participants have described ticket numbers being rejected during setup, location check-ins failing to register, and ground instructions that were hard to follow. One person had to use a manual check-in option repeatedly; another group abandoned the hunt after trouble redeeming its ticket. These are not minor annoyances when the phone is also your map and activity guide.

There is a positive note on support: a participant who found the on-site instructions confusing praised the office support staff. Still, do not count on needing help only after you reach the first stop. Download the app, register, and redeem the ticket before you are pressed for time. Charge your phone fully, and bring a power bank if you expect your battery to run low. If the app gives you trouble, contact customer service rather than spending the whole outing trying the same step again.

Is $14.99 a fair price for two hours?

At $14.99 per person, the main value is a planned activity for your group, not a bundle of admissions or services. The price includes access to the Let’s Roam app. It does not include parking, transportation, food and drinks, entrance tickets, personal expenses, or paid attractions.

For a group that enjoys puzzles, photos, and light competition, that is a modest cost for roughly two hours of shared activity. The private format is useful too: you are not being placed into a group with strangers, and you can set your own pace. If the app works smoothly, the hunt can give a walk through central Annapolis a clear purpose.

The value is less certain if you mainly want a guide to explain the city’s history. No guide is included, and the activity’s structure centers on challenges rather than a narrated tour. The current rating is 3.6 out of 5 from 17 ratings, a middling score that fits the mixed experience: the idea appeals, but app usability can make or break the outing.

Plan for weather, walking, and extras

The activity recommends comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the forecast. It does not list a minimum age, and service animals are allowed. The stated fitness level is moderate, so make sure your group is comfortable with a walk and with spending time outdoors.

Parking fees are not included, and neither are transportation costs. Public transportation is nearby, but the exact route and stop are not specified. If you are arriving by car, factor in parking before you set your start time.

The activity is listed as operating daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can start at a time of your choosing within that window, rather than booking a fixed guided departure. Bookings average about eight days ahead, but the format itself is self-guided. If your plans change, you can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time; cancellations inside that period are not refunded.

Should you book the Annapolis scavenger hunt?

Book it if your group wants an easy-to-schedule, game-based walk and is happy to use a phone as its guide. The three named stops give the activity a clear focus, while the trivia, photo prompts, and leaderboard can make it more social than a standard stroll. At $14.99 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the shared challenge more than a live guide or building admission.

Skip it if app frustration would sour the day, or if you want a detailed historical tour with a person leading the way. To give the hunt its best chance, redeem your tickets before you head out, charge your phone, and allow a little flexibility for check-ins. With that small bit of planning, you can spend more time noticing Annapolis and less time wrestling with your screen.

FAQ

How long does the scavenger hunt take?

The hunt usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Your pace and the time you spend on challenges can affect the total.

Where does the hunt start and end?

It starts at 100 State Circle, Annapolis, Maryland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What stops are included?

The named stops are the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial, James Brice House, and Maryland State House.

Do I need to join a scheduled group?

No. It is a self-guided private activity, so only your group participates and you can start at a time of your choosing within the stated operating hours.

What is included in the price?

The $14.99 per-person price includes access to the Let’s Roam app. Parking, admission tickets, food and drinks, transportation, personal expenses, and additional paid activities are not included.

Is there a minimum age?

No minimum age is listed.

What should I bring?

Bring a fully charged smartphone for the app. A power bank may help, and comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.