School's out. Visitors are in town. Your team is looking for something to do at the next offsite. A downtown scavenger hunt checks all three boxes, and it takes about an hour to complete. Here's how to build one that people actually talk about.

How It Works in Proxi

You build a scavenger hunt by adding locations to a map and attaching a clue or hint to each one. Participants get the map on their phone, read the clue, and try to figure out where to go. When they arrive at the right spot, they check in using their phone's geolocation or by scanning a QR code you've placed at the location. If they get stuck, they can unlock a hint.

No app download required. No complicated setup. You manage everything from your Proxi dashboard, and participants just follow the map. Most groups finish in about an hour, which is the sweet spot for keeping people engaged without losing them halfway through.

Three Audiences Who Love This

Families with kids out of school. Summer is the obvious time to launch. A scavenger hunt gives parents something structured and fun to do with kids downtown. When the clues lead them past a bakery, a toy shop, or an ice cream spot, those businesses get foot traffic they didn't have to earn with advertising.

Visitors and tourists. There's no better way to orient someone to a new place than a well-crafted hunt. Instead of a walking tour where someone talks at you, participants are solving clues, exploring on their own terms, and actually remembering what they found. Tourism boards use this format to introduce visitors to neighborhoods, landmarks, and local businesses in a way that sticks.

Corporate teams and offsites. Scavenger hunts are one of the most popular team-building formats for a reason. Proxi's team leaderboard lets groups track who's in the lead in real time, which adds just enough friendly competition to keep energy high. Companies increasingly use city-based hunts for onboarding, retreats, and annual meetings.

Hunt Ideas With Real Clue Examples

The best hunts are built around what makes your district unique. Here are four themes that work well:

The Mural Hunt. If your downtown has public art, this one builds itself. Clue example: This mural stretches nearly 40 feet along a brick wall and celebrates the founders of this neighborhood. Find it and look for the year painted in the bottom corner. Scranton, Pennsylvania runs an annual downtown scavenger hunt that sends participants to 20 local businesses and seven downtown murals in 90 minutes.

The Historic Neighborhood Hunt. Great for history-rich downtowns and DMOs who want visitors to understand the layers of a place. Clue example: This building has housed a pharmacy, a post office, and a jazz club. It's still standing on the corner of Main and First. What does it say above the front door today?

The Shop Local Hunt. Each clue points to a specific business. Clue example: This spot has been serving the neighborhood since 1974 and is famous for one thing. Walk in, find out what it is, and check in at the front counter. McKinney, Texas ran a version of this during Tourism Week to drive visitors into local shops and restaurants.

The Visitor Orientation Hunt. Built for people new to your area. This format introduces key landmarks, parks, and neighborhoods in a single walkable loop. Families traveling with kids find it especially useful because the kids stay engaged the whole time. Clue example: You can hear this fountain before you see it. It's in the heart of the district and has been a meeting spot for locals for decades. Find it.

The Team Leaderboard

Proxi's scavenger hunts include a team leaderboard so groups can see how they rank against others in real time. This is especially popular for team-building events. You can post leaderboard screenshots to social media throughout the day to build buzz and keep energy going even for participants who have already finished.

A Few Things That Make a Hunt Great

Write clues that require observation, not just navigation. The best clues make people look at something they would have walked past. Count the number of windows on the east facade is more engaging than go to the old bank building.

Always include hints. A stuck participant is a frustrated one. In Proxi, hints are optional to unlock, so people who want the challenge can skip them while others stay in the game.

Keep the loop walkable. Six to twelve stops within a 10 to 15 minute walking radius works well. Any larger and you start losing families with young kids or visitors who didn't plan to be on their feet for two hours.

If you're a tourism board, Main Street organization, or DMO looking for a high-engagement way to get more people exploring your district, a scavenger hunt is one of the best tools you have. Proxi makes it easy to build, update, and run without starting from scratch each time.