Unusual New York City Scavenger Hunt Ideas
NYC is the city of dreams, and with all of the glitz and glamour you might forget about its lesser-known charms. There is more to downtown NYC than its skyscrapers and luxury shopping, and this hunt will take you off the beaten track to uncover hidden gems and unique neighborhoods. Whether it’s a puzzle to solve or a clue to follow, your participants will experience the city in a whole new way.
We've chosen a few of our favorite and most unusual NYC missions for this NYC scavenger hunt and broken them down into categories: Art, History, NYC Classics, and, of course, Food! This fun scavenger hunt will allow participants to explore New York's landmarks, from Grand Central Terminal to Radio City Music Hall, while learning teamwork and problem-solving skills.
If you're running your game on Goosechase, click the button below to add these Missions directly to your game. This secret city scavenger and treasure hunt is perfect for team-building activities and corporate teams looking to play in a treasure-hunt style.
➡ Boston Scavenger Hunt Ideas
➡ Toronto Scavenger Hunt Ideas
➡ Chicago Scavenger Hunt Ideas
Art Adventures in NYC Scavenger Hunts
Eye for Talent (PHOTO) – Find the elusive Banksy’s Hammer Boy graffiti artwork or explore works of art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA, uncovering hidden gems across the city.
See Spot Run (PHOTO) – Snap a pic of you with Clifford’s long-lost brother at 424 E 34th S, if you can find him
The Hive (GPS) – Visit one of the most popular art installations of New York, The Vessel, made entirely of stairs.
Walk the Line (PHOTO) – Take a stroll down the High Line and snap your favorite public art installations. This city scavenger hunt encourages creativity and teamwork.
Cityscape (PHOTO) – It’s iconic for a reason! Use your best photography skills to snap a pic of the city skyline in all its glory.
History & Mystery in New York City
Down Under (GPS) – In stark contrast to the busy subway tracks we’re used to; we’re taking you to an abandoned station. Visit the City Hall subway station that is no longer in use, but has been preserved since 1945.
Ancient Real Estate (GPS) – Venture down cobblestone streets to find the oldest house in Manhattan: The Morris-Jumel Mansion
Time Turner (GPS) – Visit the Tenement Museum to experience NYC in a different era and learn all about the immigrant experience from the 1860s to the 1930s.
Cup o’ Joe (PHOTO) - Find the famous Greek coffee cups that have been in NY since the 1960s, seen in The Sopranos, Law & Order, Mad Men, Brooklyn 99 and many more! Hint: Look for them in bodegas and food carts. Hunt for the famous Greek coffee cups in neighbourhoods around NYC and snap a memorable photo.
NYC Classics – Iconic Landmarks and Fun
Pizza Rat (PHOTO) – In honor of the infamous Pizza Rat, we want you to catch a pic of a city rat. Bonus points if it’s eating a slice of pizza! Snap a pic of a city rat near famous statues or landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building.
Caught in the Act (PHOTO) – Head to SOHO to get a picture of an influencer staging a photoshoot
Run the Rail (TEXT) – Which is the longest subway line in NY? Discover the longest subway line in NYC and explore Grand Central Terminal, integrating teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Off-Broadway (VIDEO) – NYC is brimming with talented people, and sometimes you don’t need to look further than a subway cart. Get a video of a subway performer putting on a show, and get bonus points for leaving a tip!
Get Down in KTown (VIDEO) – Koreatown is famous for its karaoke. Visit any one of the many karaoke bars and belt out your favorite tune.
Food & Local Gems in New York City
Love You A-Latte (PHOTO) – Coffee is an NYC staple and fuels the city that never sleeps. Visit Remi Coffee for a pick-me-up and take a photo of their famous coffee/tea art.
Eat with Your Eyes (PHOTO) – Scour the streets of NYC to find a pizza slice the size of your head. Hunt for a pizza slice the size of your head at Chelsea Market, a true treasure trove of hidden gems.
Taste the Rainbow (PHOTO) - Love it or hate it, the rainbow bagel has taken NY by storm. If you can locate a rainbow bagel, upload a pic and enjoy one of NY’s most divisive foods.
Old School (GPS) - Visit Fraunces Tavern, a landmark restaurant and tourist attraction site from 1762, and include it in your wall street scavenger hunt adventure. Explore the oldest restaurant in NYC, Fraunces Tavern, which dates back to 1762!
Piled High (TEXT) - Katz’s Deli is a famous NYC food stop and has been around since 1888. What type of meat are they famous for incorporating into their sandwiches?
Check out the Goosechase blog for additional New York City scavenger hunt ideas, team building activities, and city scavenger hunt adventures. Whether your team is exploring Wall Street, Battery Park, Grand Central, Radio City Music Hall, the Zoo, or Bethesda Fountain, this fun scavenger hunt offers a memorable adventure through NYC’s landmarks, hidden gems, and iconic statues. Visit the Goosechase how-it-works page to learn more about the platform and try creating your first game for free!
What is Goosechase?
Goosechase is an online platform that helps organizers create and run digital scavenger hunt experiences for team building, learning, public engagement, or a variety of other events. Sign up and try creating a free recreational game, or contact us to learn more about our enterprise solutions!
