Haymarket Square — Uncover the Manifesto Conspiracy
From12€

🕒 No date to pick · Code valid 1 year · Play whenever you want

Get my code
💡City Pass from 19€All games in Chicago
Downtown Chicago, United StatesHaymarket Square — Uncover the Manifesto Conspiracy
📍 Downtown Chicago, United States·🕐 2h30 – 3h·📍 ~2.5 km
Also available as:HistoricalMysterySpy thrillerCinema

Haymarket Square — Uncover the Manifesto Conspiracy

Chicago 1886: Decipher the hidden codes in the Haymarket Manifesto and expose the conspiracy that framed the labor leaders for the deadly bombing.

📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes

Difficulty
·From age 14 years
Starting point :Haymarket Square Memorial, 175 N Desplaines St, Chicago, IL 60661

May 4, 1886, Haymarket Square, Chicago

8
stages
~2.5 km
route
2h30 – 3h
at your pace
🚶
walking

Haymarket Square — Uncover the Manifesto Conspiracy

🎭Your Mission

You are a determined investigative reporter, newly arrived in Chicago in May 1886, intent on uncovering the true story of the Haymarket bombing.

On May 4, 1886

Haymarket 1886 — The Workers' Flame

« The day will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you are throttling today. »
August Spies, before his execution, 1887

The Haymarket Tragedy and the Birth of May Day

The Haymarket Affair is a pivotal event in the history of the labor movement. On May 4, 1886, during a demonstration in Chicago for the eight-hour workday, a bomb exploded amidst the police, causing casualties on both sides. Despite a lack of direct evidence, eight anarchists were arrested, controversially tried, and four of them were executed. The event is often considered a conspiracy aimed at crushing the radical trade union movement of the time.

This tragedy, though dark, had a global impact. It galvanized international labor movements and led to the establishment of May 1st as International Workers' Day. For many, the 'Haymarket martyrs' became symbols of the struggle for social rights and justice. Their legacy continues to resonate, serving as a reminder of the persistent challenges for equity in the world of labor.

1886
The Haymarket Square bombing in Chicago.
1887
Execution of the four Haymarket martyrs.
1890
First international celebration of May Day.
Far more than an escape game

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.

🏛️
Hidden historical gems

At each stop, places ordinary guides miss — secret façades, sculpted crests, alleys steeped in history.

📜
Anecdotes & legends

Every riddle is rooted in a real historical fact or local legend. You leave with dozens of stories to tell.

🏗️
Architecture & heritage

Learn to read buildings — flamboyant Gothic, Baroque, Art Deco — like a real art historian, while having fun.

🚶‍♀️
Immersive wandering

Walk through the city like a novel's character — every alley becomes a stage, every square a theatre.

🎙️
Immersive audio narration

A voice walks with you at every step, tells the story of each place, reads clues, adds a cinematic feel.

📲
Yours forever

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?

🏛️
Outdoor escape game

Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.

📱
On your smartphone

No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Unlimited players

One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.

🎯
Augmented reality

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.

🤖
AI that helps you

Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.

🗣️
32 languages

French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.

🎟️

Want to go deeper?

Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person

Chicago History Museumoptional
For a complete immersion, visit the permanent exhibitions on Chicago's history, including detailed sections on the Haymarket Affair and the labor movement, deepening the context of Act 1.
22$
/pers.
Glessner House Museumoptional
Discover the daily life of a wealthy Chicago family in 1887. This historic house offers a striking contrast to the living conditions of workers at the time, shedding light on the social tensions mentioned in the manifesto.
17$
/pers.
Jane Addams Hull-House Museumoptional
Explore one of the first settlement houses in the United States. This museum traces the history of social reform efforts and support for immigrants and workers in Chicago, offering a unique perspective on the struggle mentioned in Act 3.
10$
/pers.
Budget if you do them all / pers.~49$

The Route

8 stages through the city

The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues

📱Search clues with your cameraRA

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.

8
original puzzles
24
min of narration
🪙 24
TripCoins granted
16
GPS waypoints

How does it work with a group?

One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).

🧍
1 phone

Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.

👥
2-3 phones

Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
4 to 10 phones

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.
🕒No date to pick · Code valid 1 year · Play whenever you want

Ready to live this adventure?

Get my code · 12€

No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.

🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation

Practical info

Starting point
Haymarket Square Memorial, 175 N Desplaines St, Chicago, IL 60661
Directions on Google Maps
🕐
Duration
2h30 – 3h
At your own pace
👥
Players
Unlimited
From age 14
📍
Distance
~2.5 km
Historic Downtown
Accessibility
Partial
Some uneven sidewalks
🌐
Languages
17 languages
Built-in translation

Why this route?

🚩

The Legacy of a Struggle

Dive into the heart of the 1886 workers' demands and explore the lasting impact of the Haymarket Affair on labor rights.

📰

The Press in Conflict

Follow the footsteps of the journalists and editors who shaped public opinion and the narrative of one of history's most famous strikes.

🕰️

Journey to 1886

Travel back in time to discover the vibrant and conflict-ridden Chicago of the late 19th century, through its streets and historic landmarks.

Workers' Justice, the Echo of a Cry

A century later, their struggle still resonates.

★ Innovation 2026

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

Q01Do I need to download an app?

No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.

Q02Does it work offline?

GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.

Q03How long does a game take?

1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.

Q04What happens if I'm stuck?

You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).

Q05What's the age range?

From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.

Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?

Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.

Q07What is augmented reality exactly?

Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.

Avis des aventuriers

Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience.

Did you play le manifeste de haymarket? Check the email you received after your game to leave a verified review.

Your turn to play

Unveil the coded messages left by the Haymarket martyrs and understand how their sacrifice shaped the world of labor. Your insight can rewrite history.

12€
1 phone
23€
2 phones
33€
3 phones
42€
4 phones
50€
5 phones
56€
6 phones
62€
7 phones
68€
8 phones
74€
9 phones
80€
10 phones

1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.

🕒No date to pick · Code valid 1 year · Play whenever you want
Get my code · 12€

No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.

🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation

🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking

Other escape games in Downtown Chicago, United States

See all games in Downtown Chicago, United States

More ideas for self-guided walking tours, scavenger hunts & city quests in the same city

Explore other cities in États-Unis

🎟️Coupe-file

Réservez vos entrées maintenant

Coupe-file disponibles pour les sites payants de votre parcours. Gagnez du temps, vivez l'aventure pleinement.

💡 Réservation optionnelle — vous pouvez aussi acheter sur place. Tous les liens ouvrent dans une nouvelle fenêtre, votre visite OddballTrip reste préservée.