Cape Coral partners with Lee County to launch city-wide scavenger hunt

There is a fun new way to explore Southwest Florida’s largest city. It is called Cape Coral Quest. It is a free scavenger hunt app where you search for clues to win prizes.

From up above or down below, Cape Coral has some pretty unique places, but are you familiar with all of them?

The city, in partnership with the Lee County Visitor Convention Bureau, wants to put you to the test with a quest.

“I thought it would be really neat to create something that is Cape Coral-focused. Something that would drive people to our local businesses, or local landmarks, and even our parks,” said Sarah Newcomb, marketing specialist for Cape Coral.

After a year of development, the city found its answer in the new quest app.

Once downloaded on your phone, you’ll have 30 locations to explore.

Newcomb said she focused on places not usually noticed around the city. “I feel like even if you live here, you don’t visit everywhere and everything that we have to offer. So this is really for not just visitors, but residents here.”

The best part is there’s no age limit. There are 20 riddles that give you points once solved. Those can later be traded for prizes.

The prize for many of the locations included is the potential for more business.

“This does allow people the opportunity to come in at any time. So I hope we see a lot more people through it,” said Janel Trull, executive director of the Cape Coral Historical Museum.

It is something many businesses are ready to showcase.

“Once they discover this building, they go, oh, there’s theater, live theater. And want to find out more about it. So bringing all these people together, it’s a great opportunity,” said Mark Fleming, executive director of the Cultural Park Theater.

The city says there are lots of unknown treasures.

“People go, ‘oh, I’ve lived here for 20 years and never knew where this was. I didn’t know it was here,'” said Fleming.

Newcomb selected each of the 30 locations featured in the scavenger hunt. “I know anyone who has a small business will tell you after the hurricane, especially south Cape, they really got hit hard. And so this is a great opportunity for them to, again, get people in the door.”

Fleming said he’s been trying to do that ever since Hurricane Ian. “It’s gonna get people to move around the city. It’s gonna get people to see what we have.”

As you visit each location, all you have to do is scan the QR code to check-in. A riddle will soon follow, which, if solved, can be traded in for some cool prizes.

The best part, some locations may even offer a special deal just for participating.

“A lot of them are actually offering discounts and different coupons,” said Newcomb.

The deals help you and the small business around Cape Coral.

You don’t have to run right away to get all the spots checked off. You’ll have until November 30 to complete the scavenger hunt. If you solve all the riddles inside the app, you’ll be entered to win a two-night stay at the Westin Cape Coral.