The day has arrived!
The Uncharted Lancaster Downtown Lancaster Treasure Hunt takes place today, Saturday, May 2, 2026, as part of the Community Block Party for History during the Stevens & Smith Center Grand Opening Weekend. This one-day adventure is free to play and features $1,000 in cash prizes for the top five teams.
If you’re planning to play, here’s what you need to know.
The treasure hunt begins at the Uncharted Lancaster booth at the Community Block Party for History in the vicinity of 13–15 East Vine Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. To get started, simply ask for the join code at the booth. The hunt officially starts at 12:00 PM, and all scoring locks at 5:00 PM, so be sure to leave yourself enough time to complete the course before the deadline.
This year’s hunt sends teams on a 1.6-mile walking adventure through downtown Lancaster, with most groups taking about 90 minutes to finish. Along the way, players will solve clues, track down landmarks, and test both their observation skills and local history knowledge in a fast-paced downtown challenge.
One important change from some past treasure hunts is that this is not simply a race to be first. Teams are judged on both speed and accuracy, so careful solving matters just as much as moving quickly. In the event of a tie, the team with the fastest overall completion time will place higher.
The top five teams will split $1,000 in prize money, with payouts of $400 for first place, $250 for second, $175 for third, $100 for fourth, and $75 for fifth. Teams finishing in 6th through 10th place will receive a signed copy of one of my Uncharted Lancaster books, and all players who complete the hunt will receive an Uncharted Lancaster button while supplies last.
A few quick tips before you head out: make sure your phone has Location Services enabled, since many challenges use geofencing and only unlock when you are physically near the correct site. It is also wise to begin with a full battery, and bringing a portable charger is not a bad idea. A pen or pencil may come in handy as well.
The hunt is designed to be completed from public spaces, so there is no need to enter buildings (unless explicitly directed to do so in the instructions) or step into unsafe areas. Stay alert, use crosswalks, and remember that being observant often works better than rushing.
A maximum of 400 teams can participate, so if you want to play, stop by the booth and get your join code before heading out into downtown Lancaster.
I’ll be at the Uncharted Lancaster booth to kick things off. If you’re joining the hunt, come find me, grab the join code, and get ready for a great afternoon of history, puzzles, and adventure.
More information with full FAQs is available here: It’s Back: The Uncharted Lancaster Treasure Hunt Returns May 2.
Never Miss a New Article
Never miss a new article by signing up for email updates below. Be sure to follow Uncharted Lancaster on Facebook or Instagram for exclusive content.
Discover more from Uncharted Lancaster
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.