Annapolis Murder Mystery Self-Guided Detective Game

Piece together a real crime using downtown Annapolis as your crime scene

A self-guided murder mystery game in downtown Annapolis where you become the lead investigator, collecting evidence hidden in real landmarks like St. Anne's Church, the City Dock and Main Street over 90–120 minutes. You play on your own schedule using the Questo app, which unlocks puzzles and historical facts at each stop. The game takes about 1.5 miles of walking and ends near where it starts.

The experience

Ninety to 120 minutes of walking through colonial Annapolis, solving puzzles that turn plaques, statues and building facades into clues. The case: Bella, a travel blogger, was found dead during a ghost tour, and you're the investigator. You start at State Circle with the case file and your first lead, then follow the trail through downtown past the USS Maryland Memorial Bell, the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial by the City Dock, the Banneker-Douglass Museum and other real landmarks. At each stop, you examine your surroundings to solve a puzzle that reveals a piece of evidence and unlocks the next chapter.

The Questo app handles the logic: it feeds you hints if you get stuck, unlocks instructions for the next puzzle once you solve the current one, and layers in historical facts and local legends about the places you're standing in. You can play alone or bring a group: friends, family with older kids, couples, or a team for a corporate event. The game runs every day of the year, and you choose when to start. You can pause mid-case and pick it up later, even on another day. Total walking distance is about 1.5 miles, and the route loops back near where you began, so it fits easily into the rest of your day.

The game has intermediate difficulty and 24/7 customer support if you need help. A minimum age of 14 applies, and the app is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French and two additional languages.

What’s included

• Access to the Annapolis Murder Mystery game in the Questo app.
• full flexibility to start, pause and resume at your own pace.
• built-in hints to keep you unstuck.
• historical facts and local legends about each landmark you visit.
• availability every day of the year.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Under 14: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Romanian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Questo

Is this one for you?This is a self-guided game you solve on your own using the app, so it suits anyone who enjoys puzzles and exploring at their own pace: no guide leading you through, no fixed group departure time, and no pressure to keep up with others. If you prefer someone walking alongside you explaining the history, a live guide option is available instead.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Romanian.

Can I play the Annapolis murder mystery game whenever I want, or are there set times?

You can play any day of the year at any time that suits you. Book your ticket and start whenever you're ready. The app works around your schedule, and you can pause and resume the case even on a different day.

What landmarks will I visit while solving the murder mystery?

The game takes you past St. Anne's Church, the USS Maryland Memorial Bell, Main Street, the Kunta Kinte-Alex Haley Memorial by the City Dock, the Banneker-Douglass Museum and other real downtown Annapolis sites where clues are hidden in plaques, statues and building details.

How far will I walk, and how long does the game actually take?

The total walking distance is about 1.5 miles, and the game takes roughly 90–120 minutes depending on how quickly you solve the puzzles and whether you take breaks at a cafe along the way.

What happens if I get stuck on a puzzle?

The Questo app provides built-in hints to keep you moving if you're stuck, and 24/7 customer support is available if you need additional help.

Can I play this alone, or do I need a group?

You can play solo or bring anyone with you: couples, friends, families with kids 14 and older, or a team for a work event all work equally well.