Summer of staycation: Let’s Roam if you want to
(Let's Roam)
It’s easy to overlook your hometown since, well, you live here. When it comes to history to outdoor adventure and architecture, that’s what we normally explore in other cities when we go on vacation.
Well, in the summer of staycation, perhaps it’s time to check out the Let’s Roam app, which enables folks to explore their own communities with ease. There is no need for a tour guide with Let’s Roam. It’s geo-located, so if you’re in Spokane or Coeur d’Alene, you can explore – and it’s self-guided.
“We think of ourselves as an adventure company, which crafts experiences for families and friends,” Let’s Roam public relations director Kelly Diehr said while calling from her Miami office. “We can help you enjoy a city with a fun, guided tour.”
Some of the places you’ll experience on the Spokane tour are the Fox Theater, City Hall and Steam Plant Square. The app provides questions, riddles, clues and challenges, so the trip, which typically lasts two hours, is educational but breezy. There are video challenges that earn points. The same goes for physical acts to win the game such as who can hold the longest handstand by a certain landmark.
If you need to take a break during the game, that’s fine, but finish the segment you started so the clues don’t lapse. The tour is unpredictable and reminiscent of the line from the “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’ song: “If you’re not careful, you might learn something.”
Three Spokane residents give the Let’s Roam tour the thumbs up via testimonials.
“This was so much fun,” Carol Hild wrote. “My husband and I had a great time exploring. A great way to spend a day. Highly recommended!”
“Awesome way to learn more about our beautiful city,” Laura Taylor wrote. “Great date night!”
“It was good family fun,” Joanne C. wrote. “Great that you can pause to have lunch. It was fairly easy, but I didn’t realize clues had time limits. Would definitely do another elsewhere.”
More than 500 cities in North America are part of Let’s Roam, which started five years ago. The price for an urban scavenger hunt is $12.99 per person. You also can play Let’s Roam from home, which has been ideal during the coronavirus pandemic.
Let’s Roam founder Charlie Harding looks smart for adding the roam concept so you can enjoy the game in the comfort of your own house. How can you roam at home? The Let’s Roam team will send puzzles, craft ideas and games to your app.
The activities start for children age 3. The breakdown is for those 3-9 and 10 and older. The categories are math masters, science scavengers, global geographers, all about animals and writing wizards. There also are party packs and specialty hunts.
“There’s something for everyone who wants to play Let’s Roam at home,” Diehr said. “You pick your theme and see how things go. See if you can answer the trivia, and you can play charades. You can learn a lot, and the best part is that you can stay home.
“The cool thing about our app is that if you want to get out there and see your city and any city, you can do it with Let’s Roam. If you’re into playing it safe and don’t want to leave your house, you can have your adventure at home.”
It’s $19.99 for a family for Let’s Roam at home, which allows a brood to play games for a month.
“Families can stay with us as a subscription service,” Diehr said. “If they enjoy the interactive experience, they can stay with us month after month. We’re all about being an entertaining and educational alternative.”