FAQS
Regarding the experience
What can I expect from The Great Gotham Challenge
The Great Gotham Challenge is an immersive puzzle adventure that combines mind-bending puzzles, food, live theater, history, and embedded technology to create unforgettable team experiences.
As the clock ticks, competing teams race to find and decode a series of interactive clues that engage the rich culture and history of the world around us. These 8-10 codes, clues, and puzzles are located at historical waypoints or venues throughout the city.
Using our state-of-the-art web app, visual, auditory, and tactile clues prompt challengers to race between secret locations and perform interactive tasks in order to advance to the next clue. This might mean tasting a dessert to find the puzzle hidden within, retrieving a burner phone from under a park bench, receiving a keyword on a napkin in a speakeasy, or striking up a conversation with a seeming passer-by. Once they’ve solved all the clues, teams join each other again at the finish line to share food, drink, and tales of their experiences.
Does everyone on my team need a ticket?
No, every ticket sold allows one team of two to four to participate.
Can I have more than four people on a team?
No, please break into two teams.
Can I have a team of one?
To successfully solve the puzzles in this event, every team needs at least two people on it.
Can I use a bike / taxi / subway / bus / private car / electric scooter to get from one place to the next?
You will be in central park, where these are not generally available, and due to stairs are usually not faster than simply a brisk walk.
How should I prepare for this experience?
Comfortable clothing and athletic shoes, with hydration and fully-charged mobile device.
Do I need a smartphone? Do I need to download anything beforehand?
Yes, all clues and hints are delivered via a web app, so anyone who wants to participate is advised to have a fully-charged mobile device. External battery packs are often used. You do not need to download anything beforehand.
Is this experience challenging?
It’s about as challenging as an easy to moderate escape room. You will be on your feet for 90-120 minutes, and walk 1+ miles in the summer. You will be solving puzzles that may be challenging for some. These puzzles use all sorts of skills and trivia, so you don’t need to be a math whiz or anything, but do need to excel in clever, out-of-the box thinking, historical trivia, cultural knowledge, etc.
Where is the experience located?
In Central Park.
Does the experience take place in an indoor or outdoor venue?
The course is outside in Central Park.
How long does the experience last?
Good puzzlers may be able to complete the experience in about 1 hour. A normal team may take around 1.5 hours, and inexperienced teams regularly take over 2 hours.
Is it COVID secure and safe?
It’s just as safe as walking around New York City.
Is there air conditioning?
It is on the streets of New York, so no.
Is the experience accessible for deaf people?
Our challenge puzzles are designed to reward and utilize different people’s different skills, and encourage teamwork. Many of the puzzles are text-based, so most will be accessible for deaf people, although at some points they will need to rely on hearing teammates.
What accessibility options do we have for someone visually impaired?
Most of the puzzles and historical riddles are delivered via an app, so those with a screen reader will be able to participate, especially if they are able to navigate the city under normal circumstances. However, they will definitely need to rely on teammates who are not visually impaired for some portions.
Will there be strobe lights?
No
Will food and beverage be available on site for purchase?
The “site” of this adventure is Central Park of New York, so you are always welcome to flag down a park hot dog or ice cream vendor.
If you purchase a picnic option for the end, your food will be waiting at the finish line. You are not able to purchase food the day-of the experience.
Can I take photos or record the experience?
Yes
Are there chairs available? Can I be seated during the experience/exhibition?
No. If you cannot stand for 2+ hours, this is not the right event for you. It will involve 1+ mile of walking.
Will restrooms be available on site?
The “site” of this adventure is Central Park, so you are always welcome to find a nearby store that you can duck into to use restrooms.
What about weather cancelations?
We run all of our challenges rain or shine. Unless you have heard from us and there is an incredible and unusual weather event, assume the challenge is running. We will bring disposable ponchos on rainy days!
Are there vegan or gluten free options available? What is in the picnic lunch?
The food for purchase is picnic packs consisting of:
2 Locally produced cheese
2 Cured meats from Salumeria Biellese
1 Fresh baked baguette
Marinated olives
Black Tea and fig jam
2 Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 Bottles of Spring water
It is not vegan, but if you’re gluten-free, dairy free, or vegetarian, you should have options enough to eat, so long as the entire team does not have the same dietary restrictions. The elements are packed separately to avoid cross-contamination.
Regarding the access to the event
Do I need to wear a mask?
No
Do I need to arrive at the start of my scheduled session?
Yes - at least one person from your team needs to be at the starting line, on-time.
What happens if I arrive late?
If we have already started and you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to begin. If at all possible a cluemaster will start you when you arrive, but cluemasters usually leave the starting line 10-15 minutes after starting all teams.
Can I bring animals?
Yes
Are service dogs allowed?
Yes
Is there an age requirement?
The event is appropriate for intelligent and sharp teenagers who are ready to engage and focus for the duration of the event.
How Difficult is this?
The puzzles are medium difficulty. It's about the difficulty of a mild escape room, but set outdoors in the park.
How physically demanding is this?
You will be walking 2+ miles over the course of 4 hours in NYC in the summer. We recommend participants be in good physical condition.
Is the venue ADA compliant?
You are moving through Central Park, where there are stairs and uneven ground. Only those with mobility issues who also regularly navigate through New York City are advised to attend.
Is there parking available?
You should walk to the starting line given it is in Central Park.
What if the weather is bad?
We will run the event, rain or shine.
What are the prohibited items at the experience?
Anything that you couldn’t take into central park.
Are wheelchairs available to rent?
No
Regarding the tickets
Can I purchase a ticket at the event?
No
Where can I get tickets?
- On the Fever App, available on Google Play and Apple Store
- On the Fever website
Are refunds allowed? What is the exchange policy?
Tickets are generally non-refundable. Ticket non-refund terms and conditions are agreed to before purchase. However, under special circumstances, you can contact us and our user support team will process your request. Make sure to include your ticket order number.
If you would like to exchange your ticket without food, and upgrade to the ticket with food, this is fine.
Is there a Military discount?
No
Do I need to print my ticket?
No, your contactless tickets will be validated directly in the Fever App.
Can I transfer my tickets to another person?
Yes, you can transfer your tickets to anyone for free. It is as easy as clicking "Transfer Tickets" on your ticket on the Fever App. Please contact us for additional help. Make sure to include your ticket order number.
Can I reschedule my tickets to another date/time, or upgrade/downgrade my ticket?
We may be able to help reschedule or exchange your ticket for another date, time or ticket type that has not already sold out. Please contact us for more information. Make sure to include your ticket order number.
What are the official sellers for this experience?
Official tickets for The Great Gotham Challenge can only be purchased on Fever. Tickets are not available on any other website or ticketing platform.
Can I make a Group Booking?
No, we are only selling individual team tickets for The Great Gotham Challenge Central Park Sprint. We also host private and bespoke experiences for groups, which you can read about here.
I can't find my ticket. What can I do?
You can find your ticket with the QR code in the Fever app, within the Tickets section. If you don't have it installed, you can download it from the Apple Store or Google Play. Remember to log in using the same account that you used when buying the tickets. If you still cannot find your ticket, please contact us.