The Questo App; New York City Challenges, Created by Local StoryTellers
Every city is full of history, architecture, and personal tales tucked away, hidden behind closed doors. Some people who have lived their whole lives in a city may be unaware of the fascinating history right outside their front door. Yet, the best tours of any city are those told by its residents. There are those exceptional guides that have the innate talent to translate the personality of a destination. They can tell a tale with delight and intrigue and literally transport their group to another time and place. Those are wonderful tours, but sometimes you just want to go at your own pace and tour on your own time. Questo is a city exploration game that allows you to tour a city on your terms, with a group of friends, or on your own.
The Questo App.
Questo is available in over 200 cities worldwide and each is a unique experience created by a local storyteller. Each challenge puts you in a time of history that coincides with the sites you will be exploring. You’ll be taken on an inside journey exploring the smells, and sounds of some of your favorite destinations. You may even find a challenge close to home unaware of all the wonderful history in your own backyard.
The Questo app is simple to use. Available to download on the App Store and Google Play. Search your city and choose your challenge.
Get to the starting point and begin unlocking the clues to advance to the next point on the map.
As you unlock each clue you get another chapter to the story and the history behind each location. The challenges vary in length, the minimum is 10 and usually will take you at least 75 minutes to complete. As you complete a challenge you are rewarded with diamonds and you can track your progress against other Questo explorers.
This is why the Questo app was created. Questo is a city exploration app. The challenges in each city are designed and told by creators from the destination.
There is a charge for each challenge but nothing that will break your budget and you only purchase the challenges you want to experience.
The Experience and Reward.
The first Questo challenge I completed was The New York Soho District Highlights. The storyline was set in the 1960s and I was a journalist trying to track down a long-awaited interview with a rock star. I was with a close friend, we meandered through the neighborhoods of Soho, walked through Washington Square, had a delicious lunch at a cafe, and drank in the history as we unlocked each challenge. It was a great afternoon. We loved every minute. As it turned out, in my early 20s, I had spent a lot of time in Soho at some of the venues included in the challenge. I was completely unaware of their historical importance. We talked about the storyline, the buildings, and the history. It was memorable, educational, and fun.
The Edge Observatory Hudson Yards
The Vessel Hudson Yards
28th Street Flower District
On another day, we completed the Iconic Architecture New York: Secrets of the Skyline Questo challenge. This time from Hudson Yards to the Flatiron District. We gazed in awe at the ingenuity of some of the most iconic structures of our time. But, my favorite part was walking down 28th Street. I had no idea this was the Flower District of Manhattan. Dozens of plant and flower shops. The greenery lined the street and the smell of freshly cut flowers filled the air. This was during the summer months so everything was in full bloom. I plan on getting back there soon. We ended the tour in Union Square with a delicious lunch at the famed Eataly Cafe.
The Creators.
In the summer of 2020, I had the opportunity to create two Questo challenges. I live in the New York City area and was delighted to create these tours. There is so much history in New York City. Behind every building around every corner, there’s a tale to tell. What are now towering skyscrapers once stood shops and homes, whole neighborhoods that have been reimagined, places where historical figures met to decide the future of America. There are intriguing tales of mafia betrayal and murder, hidden bars where only the elite and promiscuous entertained themselves during prohibition. But you wouldn’t know it unless someone took you there and showed you these unique neighborhoods of Manhattan.
Taking notes while creating a challenge.
Alexander Hamilton's New York: Walk in His Footsteps. As a creator, I wanted to showcase what I found to be an interesting part of New York City’s past. This challenge begins at the famed Charging Bull in Downtown Manhattan. It begins with the final days of the Revolutionary War and the mass exodus of the British Army from the New York Harbour. From there you will walk through the amazing accomplishments of Alexander Hamilton, from his early start as a young lawyer to his imminent demise with his long-time acquaintance Aaron Burr. Step back in time before the towering skyscrapers of Manhattan when America was just starting out, a new country, with newfound freedom and no longer under the control of Great Britain. Alexander Hamilton played a pivotal role in the development of the Treasury and our nation's banking system. You’ll see an archeological site, and visit the oldest tavern in New York. Stand on the steps of the court where he and Aaron Burr represented the defendant in one of our nation's first recorded murder trials. The best part is you can do this at your own pace, any time of day or night, any day of the year, with as many people as you like, or on your own. The choice is yours.
Midtown New York: Mob Hits & Hangouts The second exploration challenge is in Midtown this is an in-depth history of the American Mafia from the days of prohibition to the 1980s. See for yourself the locations as the challenge recreates the vivid details and gruesome end to some of the Mafia’s most infamous members. You’ll begin at Columbus Circle. You can almost hear the screams of women and children as they ran in fear when shots rang out and Joseph Columbo took his final breath at the Italian American Civil Rights Rally in 1971. From there you will venture towards midtown stopping along the way at famous speakeasies from the 1920s to modern-day bars that are tucked away in hidden venues reminiscent of an era gone by. Feel free to stop for a drink or bite to eat along the way and really immerse yourself into the storyline.
Questo - Alexander Hamilton challenge
Questo - Alexander Hamilton
Questo - Mob Hits & Hangouts
Questo NYC - Mob Hits & Hangouts
New York City Questo Challenges.
At the time of this article, there were a total of 20 New York City Questo challenges. I know you’ll love these challenges, try one and you’ll be hooked. You may want to compete with your mates to see who can collect the most diamonds. There’s nothing like friendly competition amongst friends.
These challenges are perfect if you’re a local New Yorker and want to get to know your city on a personal basis. They are great if you have friends and family visiting from out of town. What a great way to show them your city. Questo is a great way to entertain and show them the real New York. It will impress them to no end.
If you’re planning a European trip Questo has you covered, continue to rack up your points in every city. You can even meet up with other Questo fans and share your experiences.
(if the challenge is in Test Mode you may be able to take the tour free as long as you provide feedback).
New York Central Park: Famous Movie and TV Spots
Nikola Tesla’s New York
New York: Theatrical Gems Of Broadway (Testing Mode)
Traveling Through Time, the Flatiron District, New York
Iconic Architecture New York: Secrets of the Skyline
New York Highlights: Fort Washington to Fort Tryon Park
Romantic Christmas: Mystery of a Lost Lover, New York
Historic Downtown New York: A Pirate’s Ghost Story
The Forgotten Past of Maspeth, New York (Queens, NY)
5th Avenue New York: A Tale of Love
New York SoHo District Highlights
Street Art Brooklyn, New York: Graffiti Land
Superheroes of New York
Highlights Midtown Manhattan: Secret Societies Hunt, New York
New York Lower East Side Hidden Gems
New York East Village Iconic Movie Locations
Highlights of the Upper West Side, New York
Art of Manhattan, New York: Follow Dylan & Streisand
To keep up to date with the latest Questo events and new challenges follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn.
If you are a creator and want to attempt your own Questo challenge, especially in the US where they’re just getting started, visit the Questo Creators Room to apply. I’m sure they'd love to hear some of your ideas.
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Sustainability.
Walking tours are a wonderful way to travel sustainably. They explore local culture and support small businesses.
