Question 1

General Information: How do we get started?

Accepted Answer

Head to Ropes Mansion to begin the tour. After reading the introduction, turn the page to begin. The Map and Location Index are located on the last two pages of the booklet.

Question 2

General Information:  We're lost...

Accepted Answer

While we’ve provided a map at the back of your booklet, you are more than welcome to also use your phone to navigate your way to your next location! Consult the “Where should we be?” in each section below if you need additional help.

Question 3

General Information: We know we're in the right place, but we don't know what to do...

Accepted Answer

The “What should we look at?” under each section below should help get you started on each puzzle.

Question 4

General Information: Just give us the answer(s)!

Accepted Answer

No need to ask us twice! Use the “Check Answer” link in the appropriate section below to check your answer in a spoiler-free way where possible. If you aren’t worried about spoilers or for any reason you just want the answer(s), scroll to the bottom of this page and use the Section Answers dropdowns at your own discretion.

Question 5

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Ropes Mansion is located at 318 Essex St. You do not need to enter the building.

Question 6

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Stand in front of the Ropes Mansion and examine the street-facing side of the house. Compare what you see to your booklet.

Question 7

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: We need a hint...

Accepted Answer

Pay close attention to the windows right above the front door.

Question 8

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: Check our answer!

Accepted Answer

Tip: Your answer is a number, but you must enter your answer as a word to check it (ONE, TWO, etc.)
click here to open the answer-checker

Question 9

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Hawthorne Hotel is located at the corner of Essex St and Hawthorne Blvd. You should be on the Hawthorne Blvd side of the building.

Question 10

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

You should compare the front of the building with the cipher wheels. You may have an easier time looking at it from the sidewalk on the other side of Hawthorne Blvd.

Question 11

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: Which shapes on the cipher are part of this puzzle?

Accepted Answer

These shapes on the cipher (there are multiples of both) are relevant to this puzzle:

Question 12

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: We’ve done what the cipher instructed, now what?

Accepted Answer

Check the back of all the cipher wheels. If your wheels are still attached to each other upon removing them, separate them from each other now.

Question 13

Section 5: What are we supposed to do?

Accepted Answer

Hold the circle you removed up to a light and see what is revealed within.

Question 14

Section 7: Witch Trials Memorial: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Witch Trials Memorial is located at the Charter St. Cemetery.

Question 15

Section 7: Witch Trials Memorial: What should we do here?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the gravity of the history enshrined in this place. When you are ready to continue the tour, follow the instructions to remove the envelope completely from the booklet.

Question 16

Section 7: Witch Trials Memorial: We removed the envelope, now what?

Accepted Answer

Check the back of the envelope for a tarot card.

Question 17

Section 8: The Witch House: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Witch House is located at 310 Essex St. You do not need to enter the building.

Question 18

Section 8: The Witch House: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Stand on the Essex St sidewalk and look at the street-facing side of the house.

Question 19

Section 8: The Witch House: We need a hint...

Accepted Answer

Pay attention to the rooflines in each part of the image and compare them to the rooflines around each window on the actual building. One of the top floor windows is your answer.

Question 20

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Alexander Graham Bell plaque is attached to the YMCA building located on the corner of Essex St and Sewall St. You do not need to enter the building.

Question 21

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

The plaque is on the Essex St side of the YMCA building. Compare the details of the plaque to your booklet.

Question 22

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: We found and removed the correct piece, now what do we do?

Accepted Answer

Align the paper versions of the rosettes with the matching rosettes on the plaque at about eye-level with the text-side of the ribbon facing yourself. Does the ribbon highlight a specific letter?

Question 23

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: What do we do with the loose piece now that we’ve solved the puzzle?

Accepted Answer

You won’t need the ribbon again, you can stuff it back in the book, throw it away in the next trash can you see, wear it as a stylish choker, or anything else you like (just don’t litter, please!)

Question 24

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: Check our answer!

Accepted Answer

Tip: Enter your answer as a capital letter (A-Z)!
click here to open the answer-checker

Question 25

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The garden is located behind Ropes Mansion at 318 Essex St. If there is daylight and the garden gate is open, you should proceed into the garden. Otherwise, turn to Section 8 in the booklet and proceed from there.

Question 26

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Follow the path to the center of the garden, see your booklet for further instructions.

Question 27

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: We think we’ve followed the instructions, but we’re not sure…

Accepted Answer

The point at which your view matches the image in the book should be next to the trellis that 12 o’clock on the sundial points to, or this spot on your garden map:

Question 28

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: Check our answer!

Accepted Answer

Tip: Enter your answer as a capital letter (A-Z)!
click here to open the answer-checker

Question 29

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The East India Square Fountain is on Essex street next to the Witch City Mall entrance. If the fountain is inaccessible due to snow or other reasons, proceed to Section 17 instead.

Question 30

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Search the real fountain to find what’s missing from your booklet’s depiction of the fountain. You are allowed (and encouraged!) to walk on the dry surfaces within the fountain itself.

Question 31

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: We need a hint...

Accepted Answer

The thing you're looking for is on the deepest layer of the fountain. If you're playing in the summer, it may be under the water. It will be easiest to spot if you walk into the fountain, or look from the long side between the fountain and the mall.

Question 32

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: We found what’s missing, now what?

Accepted Answer

Accurately place your tiny version of the circle (printed on the transparent piece you were instructed to bring with you) within the booklet, it will highlight your answer.

Question 33

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: Check our answer!

Accepted Answer

Tip: Enter your answer as a capital letter (A-Z)!
click here to open the answer-checker

Question 34

Section 13: What do we do with the Tarot card?

Accepted Answer

The tarot card can be placed within the dotted lines on the Halloween flyer.

Question 35

Section 13: Show us what to do with the Tarot card

Question 36

Section 13: What are we looking for?

Accepted Answer

Once you’ve placed the tarot card, does the design on the back of the card point towards anything on the flyer? Does a message form? 
If not, check that the word on the card itself is oriented the same way as the text on the page.

Question 37

Section 13: What is the Tarot card showing us?

Question 38

Section 13: We think we have the answer… now what?

Accepted Answer

Remember to check the index! See if what you’ve found matches any names found there.

Question 39

Section 14: Artists’ Row: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

Artists’ Row is across Front St. from Old Town Hall. It’s a walkway lined with stalls and shops.

Question 40

Section 14: Artists' Row: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Look for symbols on the ground and compare them to your booklet.

Question 41

Section 14: Artists' Row: There's snow (or mud, or tables, or witches) in the way of the shapes...

Accepted Answer

Here's a riddle to get you through it:

The first missing shape has no shortage of love,
and the second missing shape might be at home in a salad bowl.
The third missing shape is a comma, or it's an apostrophe,
and the last missing shape looks like the eye of a bull.

Question 42

Section 14: Artists' Row: We need a hint...

Accepted Answer

Identify the missing symbols (represented by question marks) and use the key to translate them into letters. Do the letters spell a word?

Question 43

Section 14: Artists' Row: Check our answer!

Accepted Answer

Tip: Enter your answer in ALL CAPS. Your answer should be four letters.
click here to open the answer-checker

Question 44

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Bewitched statue is located at Lapin park at the crossroads of Essex St and Washington St.

Question 45

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Look for shapes that are found both on the statue and on the spinning cipher wheels. Align the shapes on the cipher as they appear on the statue (from top to bottom).

Question 46

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: Which shapes on the cipher are part of this puzzle?

Accepted Answer

These are the shapes on the cipher that are relevant to this puzzle:

The puzzle can be solved with or without the cloud, but your answer may be more clear if you do include the cloud.

Question 47

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: We’re looking at the statue and we don’t see these shapes, help!

Accepted Answer

Look at Samantha’s ring, her locket, what she’s sitting on, what the statue is mounted to, and the shapes embedded into the pavement beneath her.

Question 48

Section 17: Armory Park Plaques: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Armory Plaques are located on the pavement adjoining the National Parks Visitor Center.

Question 49

Section 17: Armory Park Plaques: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Certain plaques can be found on the ground and on the cipher at the front of your booklet. Align them left to right as they appear on the ground. For this puzzle, disregard the shape at the center of the cipher.

Question 50

Section 17: Armory Park Plaques: Which shapes on the cipher are part of this puzzle?

Accepted Answer

These shapes on the cipher are relevant to this puzzle:

Question 51

Section 18: Axelrod Walkway: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Axelrod Walkway is at the end of the Peabody Essex Museum, connecting Charter St and Essex St.

Question 52

Section 18: Axelrod Walkway: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

At the Essex St end of the walkway, there’s a sign.

Question 53

Section 18: Axelrod Walkway: We found what the booklet was describing, now what?

Accepted Answer

Use the mirror on the back of the tarot card to see what’s on the underside of the sign.

Question 54

Section 19: Old Town Hall: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

Old Town Hall is located at 32 Derby Square, between Front St and the pedestrian section of Essex St. It can be accessed from either street.

Question 55

Section 19: Old Town Hall: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

After removing the inner lining of the envelope at the back of your booklet, you should see a tarot card. There is nothing you need to do here before turning to Section 21 (but we do recommend checking out the vendors if one of the farmers’ or artists’ markets is going on while you’re there!)

Question 56

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: Where should we be?

Accepted Answer

The Common is the large park located next to the Hawthorne Hotel. The bandstand is the domed, grey structure near the middle of the park.

Question 57

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: What should we be looking at?

Accepted Answer

Compare your view from inside the bandstand to your booklet. See if you can align the shapes correctly.

Question 58

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: The bandstand isn't accessible, what should we do?

Accepted Answer

Congratulations! You’ve gotten the hard mode for this puzzle. Pay attention to the orientation of the stairs in the drawing of the bandstand. By walking around the bandstand and looking away from it, you should be able to solve the puzzle as though you were inside the bandstand looking out.

Question 59

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: We solved the puzzle, but the instructions we received don’t make sense…

Accepted Answer

There is a sculptural shape of a certain fruit on top of the bandstand. Somewhere in the booklet is an image of the same fruit, which you should find and scratch off now. Hint: you’ve probably checked this page a lot in the last hour.
If you're having trouble getting a good look at the top of the bandstand:

Question 60

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: We did what the solution said to do, and then followed the instructions there. Now what?

Accepted Answer

The piece of the booklet you’ve just removed opens to reveal the end of the game :)

Question 61

Section 21: What do we do with the Tarot card?

Accepted Answer

The tarot card’s corners can be aligned within the jagged lines in a few different positions.

Question 62

Section 21: Show us what to do with the Tarot card

Question 63

Section 21: What are we looking for?

Accepted Answer

When you’ve aligned the tarot card’s corners correctly, the design on the back of the tarot card will create an unbroken path from one letter to another.

Question 64

Section 21: We need a hint...

Accepted Answer

Look at the back of the card and find the vine that connects from one edge to the opposite edge. Line the card up in the appropriate position to connect one end of this vine with the letter representing the location where you received the Tarot card (you’re probably still at this location).

spoiler alert

General Information: How do we get started?

General Information: We're lost...

General Information: We know we're in the right place, but we don't know what to do...

General Information: Just give us the answer(s)!

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: Where should we be?

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: What should we be looking at?

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: We need a hint...

Section 1: Ropes Mansion: Check our answer!

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: Where should we be?

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: What should we be looking at?

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: Which shapes on the cipher are part of this puzzle?

Section 4: The Hawthorne Hotel: We’ve done what the cipher instructed, now what?

Section 5: What are we supposed to do?

Section 7: Witch Trials Memorial: Where should we be?

Section 7: Witch Trials Memorial: What should we do here?

Section 7: Witch Trials Memorial: We removed the envelope, now what?

Section 8: The Witch House: Where should we be?

Section 8: The Witch House: What should we be looking at?

Section 8: The Witch House: We need a hint...

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: Where should we be?

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: What should we be looking at?

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: We found and removed the correct piece, now what do we do?

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: What do we do with the loose piece now that we’ve solved the puzzle?

Section 9: Alexander Graham Bell Plaque: Check our answer!

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: Where should we be?

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: What should we be looking at?

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: We think we’ve followed the instructions, but we’re not sure…

Section 11: Ropes Mansion Garden: Check our answer!

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: Where should we be?

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: What should we be looking at?

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: We need a hint...

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: We found what’s missing, now what?

Section 12: East India Square Fountain: Check our answer!

Section 13: What do we do with the Tarot card?

Section 13: Show us what to do with the Tarot card

Section 13: What are we looking for?

Section 13: What is the Tarot card showing us?

Section 13: We think we have the answer… now what?

Section 14: Artists’ Row: Where should we be?

Section 14: Artists' Row: What should we be looking at?

Section 14: Artists' Row: There's snow (or mud, or tables, or witches) in the way of the shapes...

Section 14: Artists' Row: We need a hint...

Section 14: Artists' Row: Check our answer!

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: Where should we be?

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: What should we be looking at?

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: Which shapes on the cipher are part of this puzzle?

Section 15: Bewitched Statue: We’re looking at the statue and we don’t see these shapes, help!

Section 17: Armory Park Plaques: Where should we be?

Section 17: Armory Park Plaques: What should we be looking at?

Section 17: Armory Park Plaques: Which shapes on the cipher are part of this puzzle?

Section 18: Axelrod Walkway: Where should we be?

Section 18: Axelrod Walkway: What should we be looking at?

Section 18: Axelrod Walkway: We found what the booklet was describing, now what?

Section 19: Old Town Hall: Where should we be?

Section 19: Old Town Hall: What should we be looking at?

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: Where should we be?

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: What should we be looking at?

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: The bandstand isn't accessible, what should we do?

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: We solved the puzzle, but the instructions we received don’t make sense…

Section 20: Bandstand on the Common: We did what the solution said to do, and then followed the instructions there. Now what?

Section 21: What do we do with the Tarot card?

Section 21: Show us what to do with the Tarot card

Section 21: What are we looking for?

Section 21: We need a hint...

Section 21: Check our answer!

SPOILER: Section 1 Answers

SPOILER: Section 4 Answer

SPOILER: Section 5 Answer

SPOILER: Section 7 Answer

SPOILER: Section 8 Answer

SPOILER: Section 9 Answer

SPOILER: Section 11 Answer

SPOILER: Section 12 Answer

SPOILER: Section 13 Answer

SPOILER: Section 14 Answer

SPOILER: Section 15 Answer

SPOILER: Section 18 Answer

SPOILER: Section 20 Answer

SPOILER: Section 21 Answer