THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Transform downtown Ames into a live crime scene with a 2.5-hour audio detective game. Follow a walking or driving map to 10 stops, collect clues from professional voice actors, and test your deduction skills with a built-in scoring system.
Transform downtown Ames into a live crime scene with a 2.5-hour audio detective game. Follow a walking or driving map to 10 stops, collect clues from professional voice actors, and test your deduction skills with a built-in scoring system.
A cool November wind tugs at your collar as the first audio cue drops: a commander’s clipped voice, a suspect’s nervous laugh, and a city map that suddenly feels like a crime scene. In Ames, sidewalks, parks and storefronts become set pieces—each of the 10 mapped stops asks players to park, listen, and assemble evidence. The route moves through downtown blocks and can be swapped for a driving map that pushes into the city's quieter outskirts.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Hearo · Ames, Iowa
A cool November wind tugs at your collar as the first audio cue drops: a commander’s clipped voice, a suspect’s nervous laugh, and a city map that suddenly feels like a crime scene. In Ames, sidewalks, parks and storefronts become set pieces—each of the 10 mapped stops asks players to park, listen, and assemble evidence. The route moves through downtown blocks and can be swapped for a driving map that pushes into the city's quieter outskirts.
Ames grew up around the railroad and Iowa State University; the grid of streets and brick storefronts still echo that late-19th-century growth. Geology here is flat to gently rolling—prairie soils beneath city pavement—so the experience emphasizes story and observation rather than elevation or terrain. Local culture leans civic and collegiate: small businesses, campus landmarks and public art punctuate the stops, and actors voice characters with Midwestern cadence.
Practical guidance is straightforward. Expect roughly 2.5 hours to complete the game on Normal Mode; playtime varies with pauses and detours. Bring earbuds and a charged phone to hear layered dialogue and clues; signal is reliable downtown but patchier on the outskirts. The driving map asks that one participant manage navigation while others listen—safety first. The app includes live GPS and a scoring system that ranks deduction skills; teams can compete or collaborate.
This is a low-impact urban outdoor activity—respect private property, keep noise to a minimum, and follow local traffic laws. For detectives who like puzzles and pacing, Ames offers an accessible, story-driven way to push observational skills outside the living room.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels; walking version involves short city blocks, driving version minimizes exertion.
One device can serve up to two players comfortably; buy additional tickets if you want simultaneous devices or to compete in teams.
Yes—once booked the audio experience is available at your convenience, though daytime play is recommended for safety and visibility.
Families can play but the content contains mature language and themes; use judgment for younger listeners.
Download and open the app before you start to reduce reliance on streaming; carry a power bank and pause the game if needed.
Ames expanded with the railroad and Iowa State University in the late 19th century; downtown architecture reflects that growth and civic investment.
Stay on sidewalks and public paths to reduce wear on green spaces; avoid leaving litter at stops and support local shops encountered during the route.
Hearo operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cool November wind tugs at your collar as the first audio cue drops: a commander’s clipped voice, a suspect’s nervous laugh, and a city map that suddenly feels like a crime scene. In Ames, sidewalks, parks and storefronts become set pieces—each of the 10 mapped stops asks players to park, listen, and assemble evidence. The route moves through downtown blocks and can be swapped for a driving map that pushes into the city's quieter outskirts.
A cool November wind tugs at your collar as the first audio cue drops: a commander’s clipped voice, a suspect’s nervous laugh, and a city map that suddenly feels like a crime scene. In Ames, sidewalks, parks and storefronts become set pieces—each of the 10 mapped stops asks players to park, listen, and assemble evidence. The route moves through downtown blocks and can be swapped for a driving map that pushes into the city's quieter outskirts.
Ames grew up around the railroad and Iowa State University; the grid of streets and brick storefronts still echo that late-19th-century growth. Geology here is flat to gently rolling—prairie soils beneath city pavement—so the experience emphasizes story and observation rather than elevation or terrain. Local culture leans civic and collegiate: small businesses, campus landmarks and public art punctuate the stops, and actors voice characters with Midwestern cadence.
Practical guidance is straightforward. Expect roughly 2.5 hours to complete the game on Normal Mode; playtime varies with pauses and detours. Bring earbuds and a charged phone to hear layered dialogue and clues; signal is reliable downtown but patchier on the outskirts. The driving map asks that one participant manage navigation while others listen—safety first. The app includes live GPS and a scoring system that ranks deduction skills; teams can compete or collaborate.
This is a low-impact urban outdoor activity—respect private property, keep noise to a minimum, and follow local traffic laws. For detectives who like puzzles and pacing, Ames offers an accessible, story-driven way to push observational skills outside the living room.