Duration
1 hour
Max Group Size
7 People
Difficulty
Easy
Stroller Safe
No
Handicap Safe
No
Rating
12 Reviews
Our Most Popular Hunt
Duration
1 hour
Max Group Size
7 People
Difficulty
Easy
Stroller Safe
No
Handicap Safe
No
Rating
12 Reviews
The Search for Clarence
Mount Adams Mouse Hunt
Duration
1 ½ hrs
Max Group Size
7 People
Difficulty
Easy
Stroller Safe
Mostly
Handicap Safe
Mostly
Rating
12 Reviews
Hometown Music Legends
Think you know Cincinnati’s place in music history? Think again. Hidden among the streets of Downtown Cincinnati is the remarkable story of something that began right here in the Queen City more than a century ago—and would eventually become one of the most recognized and influential names in the entire music industry.
Your mission is to uncover what it is.
Join Professor Arthur Hunt on an exciting journey through the heart of Downtown Cincinnati as you solve clever riddles, crack puzzles, answer fascinating trivia, and put your observation skills to the test. Beginning at Fountain Square, you’ll make your way through city streets and past historic landmarks, towering architecture, and unexpected pieces of Cincinnati history hiding in plain sight.
But there’s a greater mystery behind it all. Each challenge brings you one step closer to discovering Cincinnati’s surprising connection to the world of music—a local story that grew far beyond the city where it began and ultimately helped shape the way generations of people discovered, followed, and celebrated the biggest songs and artists in America.
Can you piece together the clues and uncover the legendary name that got its start right here in Downtown Cincinnati?
Begin Your Adventure
Your Starting Point
This is where your treasure hunt begins! Find Father Quinn at your scheduled time, then click the link in your email to launch your adventure. No apps, no fuss — just curious minds, big smiles, and family fun ahead!
Begin Your Adventure
Your Starting Point
Your treasure hunt begins at the Tyler Davidson Fountain, also known as “The Genius of Water,” in Fountain Square.
Use the photos and starting point checklist provided to help you find the exact starting point. Once you’ve arrived, click the game link or scan the QR code from your launch email, and let the adventure begin!
Starting Point Checklist
• You’re standing in Fountain Square
• The Tyler Davidson Fountain is directly in front of you.
• You can see the large bronze lady figure with arms stretched atop the fountain.
• You’re close enough to the fountain to get a good look at its details.
Reviews
Area Details
To enhance your experience, we’ve included detailed information about the area surrounding your treasure hunt. This will help you get familiar with the area, navigate more easily, and immerse yourself fully in the adventure.
There are plenty of parking options throughout Downtown Cincinnati, but the one closest to your starting point is the Fountain Square North Garage, located directly beneath Fountain Square. The garage is open 24/7, with entrances on Vine Street between Fifth and Sixth Streets and on Walnut Street between Sixth and Fifth Streets.
Parking at the garage is currently $9 after 4:00 PM on weekdays and $9 on Saturdays and Sundays for up to 8 hours. Rates may vary at other times, so it's always a good idea to check the current rates before your visit.
You'll also find several other parking garages and metered spaces throughout downtown, so feel free to park wherever is most convenient for you.
Just a tip: Be sure you take your ticket with you. Don't leave it in the car as you pay at the pay station machines at the entrance, not the attendant at the exit.
Looking for a spot to enjoy a picnic before or after your adventure?
While Fountain Square doesn't offer much in the way of grassy picnic space, you'll find a couple of great options nearby.
Piatt Park is a quiet, shady green space just a few blocks away with picnic tables, fountains, benches, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a quick lunch.
For more room to spread out, head down to Smale Riverfront Park along the Ohio River. It's about a 10 minute drive. You'll find open lawns, plenty of seating, beautiful river views, and the park's popular oversized swings—a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic after exploring downtown.
Need a restroom during your adventure?
Public restrooms are available at Fountain Square, located along the west ramp leading up from Vine Street toward the parking garage.
They're generally open daily to the public from 6:00 AM–11:00 PM. On days when there isn't an evening event at Fountain Square, they may close earlier at 4:00 PM.
Restroom Attendants are also on duty inside the bathrooms during larger events.
There is 1 set of stairs and 1 escalator along the route that will probably require you unbuckle your child and carry the stroller at those points.
Unfortunately because there is no elevator near the steps section, this treasure hunt is probably not good if you have a wheel chair.
Hungry After Your Adventure?
Worked up an appetite during your adventure? Fountain Square and the surrounding blocks offer plenty of places to grab a bite, enjoy a drink, or treat yourself to something sweet after your treasure hunt.
For something quick and casual, you'll find Skyline Chili, CityBird Tenders, Potbelly, and Chipotle right around Fountain Square. And no Cincinnati adventure is complete without a little dessert—stop by Graeter's for a scoop (or two!) of their famous ice cream.
Looking to sit down, relax, and recap your adventure? Try Via Vite, one of Professor Hunt's favorite downtown spots. Though a bit higher priced, it overlooks Fountain Square and serves contemporary Italian dishes, handmade pastas, cocktails, and wine.
You'll also find plenty of other restaurants, cafés, and bars within just a few blocks, so there's no shortage of places to celebrate a successful expedition!
Forecast
The weather can make all the difference when exploring the streets, landmarks, and hidden corners of Downtown Cincinnati. Below you’ll find Cincinnati’s forecast for the next 6 days to help you choose the perfect day for your adventure. Click on the graph to see more weather information.
Bad Weather? No Problem.
If severe weather makes it unsafe or difficult to enjoy your hunt (e.g., heavy rain, lightning, extreme heat)—whether before your activity begins or during it—you’re welcome to cancel or stop at any time. If the conditions mean you can’t complete the activity in a safe or fun manner, just let us know!
Contact us at cincinnatitreasurehunts@gmail.com or call Professor Hunt’s Assistant at (859) 468-9240, and we’ll send you a 100% off code so you can reschedule at no charge.
Make It a Team Competition
Turn this treasure hunt into a fun head-to-head challenge! Divide into teams, solve riddles, complete challenges, and compete for the highest score on a shared leaderboard. It’s perfect for families, friends, birthday parties, youth groups, schools, and corporate team-building events.
Want to turn this adventure into a Team Competition? Visit our Getting Started page to learn how.
Hello! We just finished the hunt at Mount Adams. It was awesome! Even with the rain, it was so much fun. We learned so much about the Cincinnati area. I cannot wait to do for the next one!
Aaron Dorsey
I took my girlfriend on the treasure hunt at the Cincinnati Art museum because she is into that stuff. It was fantastic! The Hunt took us all around the art museum, and was a great, unique way to take in the museum in a really fun manner!
Aaron Dorsey
We had a great time! We did one hunt each. It took us about 1.5 hours. One group was on a mission! The other team meandered a bit. So fun! Great day! I will definetly be doing the other hunts when the weather warms up.
Aaron Dorsey
Hello! Just wanted to let you know that we did the OTR Treasure Hunt on Sunday and really enjoyed ourselves. Thanks for all the interesting information on a true Cincinnati Treasure!
Aaron Dorsey
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Aaron Dorsey
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur laoreet cursus volutpat. Aliquam sit amet ligula et justo tincidunt laoreet non vitae lorem. Aliquam porttitor tellus enim, eget commodo augue porta ut. Maecenas lobortis ligula vel tellus sagittis ullamcorperv vestibulum pellentesque cursutu.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur laoreet cursus volutpat. Aliquam sit amet ligula et justo tincidunt laoreet non vitae lorem. Aliquam porttitor tellus enim, eget commodo augue porta ut. Maecenas lobortis ligula vel tellus sagittis ullamcorperv vestibulum pellentesque cursutu.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur laoreet cursus volutpat. Aliquam sit amet ligula et justo tincidunt laoreet non vitae lorem. Aliquam porttitor tellus enim, eget commodo augue porta ut. Maecenas lobortis ligula vel tellus sagittis ullamcorperv vestibulum pellentesque cursutu.
Good To Know
Have More Than 7?
Have a larger group? Split into smaller teams, with each team booking separately.
Last-Minute Bookings
Booking at the last minute? Allow up to 20–30 minutes for your hunt email to arrive.
Weather & Cancellations
Plans change or bad weather rolls in? View our booking policies for more information.
Questions?
Visit our FAQs for more booking information.
Book this Treasure Hunt Today!
Begin Your Adventure
5 Tips for a Better Experience
Some of the clues telling you where to go can be quite long and have multiple steps. Listen or read to the whole thing before setting out, then take it a little at a time.
The quizzes or riddles may be too difficult for young children. However, so they aren’t overshadowed by their older brothers or sisters, you can often make up a “Little Kids” question on the spot. Ask very simple “I Spy…”, “Can you find the…?”, “What color is…?”, or “How many …… are there” type questions.
Just to pass on one important input from other parents, when they first started the hunt they remarked they couldn’t help blurt out the answers and lead the way. Just parental habit taking over. Bad parent! Relax. Let the kids take the lead – but you seriously need to keep on your toes or you’ll get lost as many of the clues can be tricky and challenging to even adults.
Make it a real outing by going some where afterwards to have lunch or dinner or just something to drink. It’s a lot fun to sit afterwards with the kids or your date and talk about your shared adventure!
The treasure at the end of our hunts is the answer to the mystery question posed at the beginning. However, you can make your own treasure by bring along candy bars or something to give out as a “prize” if you reach the end.
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