Mark and I in front of the Hollywood Wax Museum.
The Murder at the Getty Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, July 11, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
A murdered curator has left behind a cryptic trail of clues connected with secrets in works at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. As your team gathers answers about the art, you begin to piece together a sordid tale about greed, lust, pride, revenge and treachery, all revolving around the museum’s planned multi-million-dollar purchase of a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The murder victim knew too much—and now it’s your turn to learn what drove one of four suspects to commit murder. To find out, you’ll have to crack a secret code left in the victim’s appointment calendar. Can you figure out who dunnit? Be prepared for one of our most challenging hunts. Price: $20 per person (does not include the museum parking fee).
The Haunted Hollywood Scavenger Hunt (this is the one I went on!)
The N*ked at the Getty Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by LA Weekly, UrbanDaddy.com, The Rundown and Los Angeles Nomad
Saturday, August 15, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Go on a humorous, mind-tingling search for n*dity at the amazing Getty Center. You don’t need to know anything about art or the museum—or n*dity—to solve our tricky questions. Highlights include a sultry dog whisperer, slapstick with a lemon, an ancient game of Wife Swap, Toulouse-Lautrec’s “moodel,” Mischief’s bear hide, a Cupid who pulls a Mike Tyson move, a god who enjoys children (preferably with a bit of mustard) and more. After the hunt, linger in the mountaintop gardens for a great view of the sunset. This hunt is rated PG-13. Price: $20 per person (does not include the museum parking fee).
Mark and I went to the Haunted Hollywood Scavenger Hunt by Watson Adventures on Saturday June 13, 2009. We bought discount tickets thru Goldstar.com. It was our first scavenger hunt with Watson Adventures but it looked like it would be lots of fun. And it was.
I am up for doing another one. Even at full price. They have some really interesting hunts coming up. If you are looking for a crazy thing to do some weekend, you may want to go too. Please let me know if you will be there!
If you would like to benefit from my experience, here are my handy tips:
- Wear athletic shoes. There is a lot of fast walking on uneven surfaces. Ladies, you do not want to be tottering around in heels.
- Wear something bright. You want your teammates to be able to pick you out from the crowd. And it was very crowded, especially in front of Grauman's Chinese. You need to stick together or you will be disqualified.
- Bring a pen or pencil. You will each get pages of riddles. You may need to make notes. Or write down a math problem to make sure you get it right. (More on that later.) One of you will have to fill in the answer sheet. They do supply one pencil per team. Use pencil, not pen. You may learn something later in the hunt that might change the answer of an earlier question.
- Eat, drink and go to the restroom before the hunt. You will not have time during it. We got back barely in time and we rushed. Some teams wound up running. You lose a point for every minute you are late!
- This is more fun if you are mentally acute. You don't need to know any trivia, but you will need to solve riddles and search for clues. (Warning: one clue results in a very bad pun!) The hunt rewards excellent observational and problem solving skills. You can leave your blackberry or iphone at home, it won't help you. And neither will a glass of wine before the hunt. Reward yourself after.
- Fill out the solution page and make sure you put down all the information. Incomplete answers only get 1/2 a point. And have someone check your math. We lost by 1/2 a point because I can't do math in my head, and nobody noticed I made a mistake. Ouch.
- Don't get bogged down too long on one puzzle. If you are not getting it, move on. The solution may come to you a bit later and if you have time, you can backtrack.
- Team up. You can compete as a couple, but having input from more team members is better. Just let the guy know what you want and he will match you up.
- If you want to be competitive, leave the little ones at home. Older kids might do okay as long as you keep them right with you all the time. The area is crowded and seedy, and though it has improved a lot, it is not Disneyland. I left my purse at home too.
- Team names win by which one gets the loudest cheers. Be a cheerleader to get that extra point. You may need it. We got 18 out of 20 and lost. Winners get a pass to another hunt!
Here is a list of upcoming events in the Los Angeles area:
The Murder at the Natural History Museum Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, June 27, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Someone, or something, has been bumping off museum staffers involved in acquiring a sacred Aztec relic. Is it the dreaded god Itlkilyu? Or is a serial killer on the loose? Your team of sleuths will have to crack a hieroglyphic code and uncover the museum’s secrets to stop the killings. Price, which includes museum admission: $28 per person.
Saturday, June 27, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Someone, or something, has been bumping off museum staffers involved in acquiring a sacred Aztec relic. Is it the dreaded god Itlkilyu? Or is a serial killer on the loose? Your team of sleuths will have to crack a hieroglyphic code and uncover the museum’s secrets to stop the killings. Price, which includes museum admission: $28 per person.
The Murder at the Getty Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, July 11, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
A murdered curator has left behind a cryptic trail of clues connected with secrets in works at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. As your team gathers answers about the art, you begin to piece together a sordid tale about greed, lust, pride, revenge and treachery, all revolving around the museum’s planned multi-million-dollar purchase of a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The murder victim knew too much—and now it’s your turn to learn what drove one of four suspects to commit murder. To find out, you’ll have to crack a secret code left in the victim’s appointment calendar. Can you figure out who dunnit? Be prepared for one of our most challenging hunts. Price: $20 per person (does not include the museum parking fee).
The Haunted Hollywood Scavenger Hunt (this is the one I went on!)
Visit ghost-plagued buildings and haunted spots on Hollywood’s famous strip while learning stories about the restless souls you might disturb. Learn about the celebrity ghost who plays a bugle in room 928 at a hotel, check out a movie-themed bookshop whose owner stuck his head in an oven and see if you feel the spirit of a man with a cape and top hat at the famously haunted Hollywood Wax Museum. You’ll also discover the haunting secret of the Hollywood sign, why the pool at Hollywood High is a dangerous place, where a blonde bombshell’s ghost gets wet, and whose ghost likes to pace in front of the Chinese Theater. Price: $20 per person.
Saturday, July 18, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
The Santa Monica Pier Pressure Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, August 1, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
You may think you know the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade, but on this hunt you’ll uncover secrets and quirks you never suspected. Highlights include Palisades Park, a massive storm, the 1916 carousel featured in The Sting, a shoot-out in a not-OK corral, hungry Big Bertha, a 19th-century tavern and weapon of massive destruction, a little bit of Britain, a robot invasion, spectacular views, oddball art and a 500-pound giant shark. Price: $20 per person.
Saturday, August 1, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
You may think you know the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade, but on this hunt you’ll uncover secrets and quirks you never suspected. Highlights include Palisades Park, a massive storm, the 1916 carousel featured in The Sting, a shoot-out in a not-OK corral, hungry Big Bertha, a 19th-century tavern and weapon of massive destruction, a little bit of Britain, a robot invasion, spectacular views, oddball art and a 500-pound giant shark. Price: $20 per person.
The N*ked at the Getty Scavenger Hunt
Recommended by LA Weekly, UrbanDaddy.com, The Rundown and Los Angeles Nomad
Saturday, August 15, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Go on a humorous, mind-tingling search for n*dity at the amazing Getty Center. You don’t need to know anything about art or the museum—or n*dity—to solve our tricky questions. Highlights include a sultry dog whisperer, slapstick with a lemon, an ancient game of Wife Swap, Toulouse-Lautrec’s “moodel,” Mischief’s bear hide, a Cupid who pulls a Mike Tyson move, a god who enjoys children (preferably with a bit of mustard) and more. After the hunt, linger in the mountaintop gardens for a great view of the sunset. This hunt is rated PG-13. Price: $20 per person (does not include the museum parking fee).
Watsons Adventures originated in New York, so if you live near there or are visiting, you can do one in the Big Apple! They are also in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington D.C. More at http://watsonadventures.com/
I wrote a review for our adventure in Hollywood at goldstar.com. Goldstar is a great way to get discounts for all kinds of events. Usually I get theatre tickets, but they have lots of stuff, and in lots of other areas too, including Vegas shows! If you sign up, please tell them I referred you and I will get a discount on my next purchase.
See my review at:
http://www.goldstar.com/events/hollywood-ca/watson-adventures-haunted-hollywood-scavenger-hunt.html#review_418647?page_by_id=418647
We called our team "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." They give an extra point for the most clever team name. We did not win. Considering we were on Hollywood Blvd., maybe we should have been "The Four Ho's of the Apocalypse."
