Lincoln Scavenger Hunt by Zombie Scavengers

The fun idea here is simple: you turn Lincoln into a zombie-survival game board. Starting at Lincoln Tower Square, you use an app to find survival items in any order, complete silly challenges, and collect points before the clock runs out.

I like the low group price and the freedom to choose your own route. I also like having a remote host in the chat, since you get a little guidance without being tied to a traditional walking tour. The main drawback is clear: the game is not built around Lincoln’s history or landmarks, so it may feel much the same in another city.

Key points at a glance

• One hour at Lincoln Tower Square: The activity starts and ends at 1300 P St., keeping the logistics simple.
• Private play for up to 10 people: Your group competes together rather than joining strangers.
• Any-order exploration: The app lets you seek survival items around the city in the order you choose.
• Zombie-themed challenges: Expect tasks designed for laughs, photos, and points rather than a serious history lesson.
• Remote host support: A survival guide stays in contact through the app’s chat during the game.
• Low shared cost: At $20 per group, the price works especially well for families or friends splitting the fee.

A zombie game instead of a standard Lincoln tour

Most city tours ask you to follow a guide from one sight to the next. This one gives you a phone, a list of survival items, and a reason to move around. The goal is to gather enough points to improve your chances of surviving a fictional zombie apocalypse.

That change in format matters. You are not expected to stand quietly while someone gives a long talk. You and your group decide where to go, what to search for, and which challenges to attempt. The app supplies the rules and scoring, while Lincoln supplies the streets and public places where you play.

The activity begins at Lincoln Tower Square, at 1300 P St. The game ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a ride from a distant finish. The supplied schedule lists Tuesday through Sunday availability from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the experience lasting about one hour.

This is best understood as a self-guided walking activity with a live remote element. You are on your own in the city, but a remote host communicates with you by chat during the game. That gives the experience more structure than simply downloading a list of things to find.

How the one-hour game works

After meeting at Lincoln Tower Square, your group uses the app to see the survival list and available challenges. The items can be found anywhere in the city and in any order, so there is no fixed route to follow.

That flexibility is useful if your group already knows part of downtown or wants to avoid unnecessary backtracking. It also means the exact experience depends on how creatively you interpret the tasks and how far you choose to walk within the hour.

Each completed item or challenge earns points. The app lets you compare your score with other survival teams across the country, adding a competitive layer to what might otherwise be a casual walk. You are not simply checking off a list. You are trying to make tactical choices about which tasks are worth your time.

The zombie theme gives the hunt its personality. The challenges are meant to be playful and sometimes silly, with an emphasis on group participation and amusing moments. One family session became a source of funny photos and shared memories, which tells you what kind of mood works best here: relaxed, willing to play along, and not too concerned about looking dignified.

The remote host can help keep the game moving. You can chat during the activity rather than trying to work out every rule by yourself. The host is not physically walking beside you, so this is not a replacement for a local guide, but the contact adds a useful human touch.

What you will and will not learn about Lincoln

Here is the key distinction. This activity helps you move through Lincoln, but it is not designed to explain Lincoln.

The survival list and challenges are not tied closely to local stories, architecture, or specific historic events. One important practical observation is that the same style of game could be used in another city. If you want a tour built around Nebraska’s government, local history, or the city’s notable sights, you should choose a traditional guided walk instead.

That limitation may not matter if your main goal is to get outside and give your group something to do. The game creates a reason to look around, change direction, and notice your surroundings. You may pass places you would otherwise ignore, but the app does not promise to explain why those places matter.

I would treat the activity as a city-based game with some sightseeing on the side, not as a cultural introduction to Lincoln. That honest expectation is important. Families with younger children, groups of friends, and visitors who enjoy light competition may get more from it than history-focused sightseers.

Teenagers are a less certain match. Some will enjoy the app, the scoring, and the chance to complete comic challenges. Others may find the tasks too silly, especially if they expect a polished city tour or a strongly local theme. If your teenagers like taking pictures, competing, and making their own choices, the format has a fair chance. If they want detailed information about Lincoln, this is not the right pick.

Why the private group format helps

The $20 charge covers a group of up to 10 people, not each individual. That is the strongest value point.

For a full group, the cost works out to about $2 per person before any other spending. Even with only four people, it remains a modest way to fill an hour. You also avoid paying for private transportation, since the activity is self-guided and begins and ends at the same downtown meeting point.

The private format lets your group set its own tone. You do not need to worry about keeping strangers interested or holding back if your friends want to attempt an especially goofy challenge. Parents can also keep the group together and decide how much walking suits everyone.

There is a tradeoff. A private game means the energy comes from your own group. If only one or two people are enthusiastic, the activity may feel flat. With a lively family or a competitive circle of friends, the same format can produce plenty of laughs.

The app also shows scores from other survival teams across the country. That feature gives you an outside benchmark, though it will appeal most to people who enjoy points and rankings. If you prefer a quiet, unhurried walk, the competitive element may feel unnecessary.

The remote host and the app

You need to provide your own smartphone. The activity does not supply a device, so make sure the person handling the app has a charged phone and is comfortable using it while walking.

The remote survival guide communicates through chat for the one-hour session. This is helpful for questions, encouragement, and keeping your group connected to the game. It also means the experience is not completely automated.

Still, keep the role in perspective. A remote host cannot point out a building beside you, adjust the route in person, or offer the spontaneous local conversation you get from a guide walking at your side. The host supports the game rather than interpreting Lincoln.

One guide named Kelsey was involved in a family session that produced plenty of funny photos. That gives you a sense of how the human side can work, but you should not assume Kelsey will host your particular booking. The supplied details do not promise a specific guide.

The mobile ticket is convenient, and confirmation is provided at booking. Since the game depends on the phone, I would handle the practical basics before you begin: charge the device, make sure the booking information is available, and keep the app accessible.

Choosing your group and your pace

This works best with people who agree that the point is to play. You do not need specialist fitness or detailed local knowledge. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

The one-hour limit gives the activity a useful boundary. You are unlikely to lose an entire afternoon, and the game can fit before lunch, after another downtown stop, or between larger plans. At the same time, one hour is short enough that your group should avoid overthinking every task.

Because the route is not fixed, your walking distance can vary. The game is self-guided, and the information provided does not specify a set mileage or a list of required landmarks. You should expect to make your own decisions about how far to go and how quickly to move.

Public transportation is nearby, which helps if you are already getting around Lincoln without a car. Private transportation is not included, and none is needed as part of the activity itself. You simply arrive at the meeting point, play, and return there at the end.

The listed operating days are Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The supplied date range runs from May 17, 2020, through December 7, 2026. Check the available time when booking, since the activity is not listed for Mondays.

The best and weakest parts of the experience

The best part is the freedom. You are not locked into a prescribed order, and your group can make quick choices based on energy, interest, and the score. That makes the activity feel more like a shared mission than a standard tour.

The second strength is the price. A $20 group fee is hard to criticize if you simply want a structured hour with family or friends. The remote host and app give you more direction than a homemade scavenger hunt, while the private format keeps the group together.

The biggest weakness is the lack of a strong Lincoln identity. If you removed the city name, much of the game could operate elsewhere. The local setting gives you streets to explore, but the content itself is not a careful introduction to Nebraska’s capital.

The other question is your group’s sense of humor. The zombie theme is intentionally light. You may be asked to perform or photograph silly challenges, and the experience works best when everyone is willing to join in. A serious or reluctant group may spend the hour watching one person operate the phone.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the activity is generally booked about five days ahead. That is not an absolute planning rule, but booking several days in advance is sensible if you need a specific time.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start. Cancel within 24 hours, and the payment is not refunded. Changes made inside that same 24-hour window are not accepted, with cut-off times based on Lincoln’s local time.

The experience is offered in English. Goods and Services Tax is included, as are the game activities, self-guided walking format, and one hour with the remote interactive survival guide.

Should you book Lincoln Scavenger Hunt?

Book it if you want a cheap, private, playful hour with family or friends and you like the idea of exploring at your own pace. It is a particularly practical choice for a group of up to 10, since the $20 price is shared rather than charged per person.

Choose another activity if your main goal is learning about Lincoln. This game gives you a reason to walk and look around, but it does not offer a focused local story or a fixed set of important sights.

My call: book it for the social game, not for the city education. Bring a charged phone, choose companions who will play along, and expect a flexible zombie challenge with Lincoln as the setting.

FAQ

Where does the Lincoln Scavenger Hunt start?

It starts at Lincoln Tower Square, 1300 P St., Lincoln, Nebraska 68508.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point.

How long does the scavenger hunt last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour.

How much does the activity cost?

The price is $20 per group, with up to 10 people in the group.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Do I need to bring a smartphone?

Yes. The activity does not provide an activity-owned smartphone, so you need to use your own device.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.