Gettysburg — Orphanage of Shadows
Uncover the dark secrets of Rosa Carmichael's haunted orphanage. Decode clues from tortured spirits across Gettysburg's haunted landmarks to free the captive souls before their curse claims you.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In the blood-soaked streets of Gettysburg, where 51,000 souls perished in the Civil War's deadliest battle, a deeper horror lurks
Gettysburg — Orphanage of Shadows
You are Rosa J.
Carmichael, the former director of the National Soldiers' Orphanage, returning to Gettysburg in the somber autumn of 1863. Your mission leads you back to 7
Delve into the lingering shadows of Gettysburg, a town where every street whispers the poignant tales of the Civil War and orphaned souls.
The story that haunts this land
Your journey begins at the National Soldiers' Orphanage Homestead, located at 777 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, PA. This building, erected in 1859 as a private residence, served as General Oliver O. Howard's headquarters during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, and later as a field hospital. In 1869, it was transformed into an orphanage for about a hundred orphaned Union soldiers' children, managed until 1941. It was here that Rosa J. Carmichael directed the institution from 1872 to 1894, a period marred by rumors of abuse. This American Battlefield Trust site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, is the first step in your investigation into the history of Gettysburg.
Approximately 0.6 km on foot, heading down Baltimore Street, you reach Lincoln Square, formerly Diamonds Square. This central square of Gettysburg was a nerve center during the battle of July 1863, witnessing civilian gatherings during the Confederate occupation. Surrounded by buildings dating from the 1800s, it offers a glimpse into the urban setting where Abraham Lincoln finalized the Gettysburg Address. From there, you head towards the David Wills House, a 19th-century building located at 34 Lincoln Square, where the president spent the night of November 18, 1863. David Wills, commissioner of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, organized the cemetery's dedication there the following day.
The Soldiers' National Cemetery, with its entrance about 1 km from the starting point, was the scene of Abraham Lincoln's famous address in 1863. This 8-hectare site, managed by the National Park Service since 1933, holds the graves of over 6,000 Union soldiers who died at Gettysburg. As you explore this place of remembrance, you face the scale of human sacrifice. It is a key point in your visit to Gettysburg, a reminder of the Civil War heritage and its lasting impact on Pennsylvania.
Your path then leads you to East Cemetery Hill, in the immediate vicinity of the National Soldiers' Orphanage Homestead. This site witnessed intense fighting on July 1 and 2, 1863, serving as a key artillery position for the Union defense during the Battle of Gettysburg. Part of the Gettysburg National Military Park, designated in 1895, this hill offers a strategic perspective on the events of the time. The tension and brutality of the clashes are palpable, reinforcing your immersion in this Civil War heritage.
Your journey concludes at the Soldiers' National Monument, the central monument of the cemetery, dedicated on November 19, 1863, and located 1.2 km from the starting point via the military park. This 13.7-meter-high monument, sculpted by Randolph Rogers, is dedicated to the 51,000 soldiers killed or wounded at Gettysburg. By completing your thematic circuit, you will have not only explored the historic sites but also felt the weight of Gettysburg's history. This augmented reality GPS scavenger hunt will have allowed you to discover Pennsylvania's heritage, understand the stakes of the Civil War, and connect with the individual stories that shaped this town.
A game, a guided tour and a heritage guide — all in one
You're not just buying an escape game. You're carrying a living guide — historical anecdotes, forgotten legends, key monuments, hidden architecture — unfolding as you go.
At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.
Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.
Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.
Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.
A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.
Keep access to the guide & game for 1 year. Come back any time, share it with friends.
« You will not leave this city the way you entered it. »
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
The game downloads to your phone on start. Once the "✓ Downloaded" indicator appears, everything works without data — narration, AR, GPS and puzzles. Perfect abroad without a data plan.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
8 stages through the city
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 15€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
Spectral Encounters
Interact with the tormented spirits of children and the shadow of Rosa J. Carmichael, who still haunt the premises.
Secrets of the Dungeon
Delve into the macabre depths of the "dungeon" where children were chained, revealing chilling truths.
Quest for Justice
Your journey is a mission to bring justice to forgotten souls and soothe their eternal rest.
The past is never really dead. It's not even past.
William Faulkner
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Is this an outdoor escape game in Historic Center of Gettysburg, United States or a classic scavenger hunt?
Both at once: it's an outdoor escape game — team puzzles, narration, clues, final code — but in the streets of Historic Center of Gettysburg, United States, at your pace. The classic scavenger hunt mechanic plus augmented reality through the camera.
Q02How long does it take to finish Gettysburg — Orphanage of Shadows?
Plan 1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. Some finish in 1 h 10, others take 3 h in slow-mode. No pressure: the clock only counts for the leaderboard, you play at your tempo.
Q03Is Gettysburg — Orphanage of Shadows good for a hen / stag party?
Great fit: no costume required, the team really collaborates (it's not a linear path), and the final code earns you a souvenir photo. Pick a calm time slot — early afternoon usually.
Q04Best season to explore Historic Center of Gettysburg, United States like this?
Spring and autumn are the best seasons: mild temperatures, fewer tourists, gorgeous light. Summer is also great but go for early morning before 11 or late afternoon. Winter is perfectly playable, especially in southern cities — Historic Center of Gettysburg, United States often feels more authentic then.
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Delve into the lingering shadows of Gettysburg, a town where every street whispers the poignant tales of the Civil War and orphaned souls.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
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