Let's Turn Burlington Into a Playground: Introducing The Queen City Puzzle Hunt Club

If you're reading this, chances are you love Burlington. You love the way the light hits the lake at sunset, the familiar chatter on Church Street, the quiet charm of a South End side street. You feel like you know this city. But what if I told you there’s a whole other layer to it, hiding in plain sight?

For a while now, I’ve had the privilege of curating a newsletter that celebrates this city. I gather up city council notes, live music schedules, restaurant deals, and community events. But along the way, I realized something: this information isn't only a list of things to do…. it can also sort-of act as a map! The name of a band, the price of a beer special, the address of a volunteer meet-up; they are all potential clues.

That’s the spark that ignited The Queen City Puzzle Hunt Club, an idea to transform our collective experience of Burlington by turning the newsletter you already read into a key that unlocks a city-wide adventure.

How It All Works: Your Guide to the Club

This isn't just your average trivia game. It’s actually a structured experience designed to be accessible to everyone while rewarding engagement. Here’s the breakdown:

• The Two-Part Puzzle: Every puzzle has two independent parts.

  • Part 1: The Puzzle(20 Points): This is your at-home mission. Using only the content in the newsletter, you’ll solve a riddle, decipher a code, or connect disparate pieces of information to find the answer. It’s a test of wit and careful reading.

  • Part 2: The Field Bonus (10 Points): This is where the game spills out into the streets. We’ll give you a location (a park, a landmark, a mural) and a task. Maybe you’re counting the windows on a historic building, finding a name on a plaque, or solving a riddle etched into the environment itself. This part is completely optional, but it’s where the real-world fun happens.

• The Points and the Leaderboard: We’ll keep a running tally of points for every player on a public leaderboard. At the end of each month, we'll crown a champion. It’s all about friendly competition and bragging rights.

• The Prizes: What’s a game without prizes? Your points directly translate into entries for our monthly drawing. For every 10 points you earn, you get one ticket in a raffle for gift cards and goodies from the very same Burlington businesses we all love.

A Love Letter to Burlington (and its Businesses)

More than anything, this is a project born from a deep appreciation for our city. It’s an excuse to finally stop and read the historical markers you walk past every day. It's a reason to look up and notice the unique architecture you’ve always taken for granted.

It's also a way to actively support our local economy. When a puzzle leads you to a local landmark or business, it creates a connection. Soon we'll be partnering with businesses to make them part of the fun (always with a "no purchase necessary" rule), driving curious new faces through their doors.

The Future Vision: This is Just the Beginning

Right now, we're starting with puzzles in each newsletter. But the vision is so much bigger.

I imagine a future with a massive, live-action "Grand Race" each season. An event where teams spend a Saturday afternoon racing across Burlington, solving a chain of complex clues in a battle of wits and speed. I envision partnerships with local arts organizations, historical societies, and businesses to create even more immersive experiences.

Imagine a puzzle hunt themed around the South End Art Hop, or a historical mystery that takes you through the city's oldest neighborhoods. The possibilities are endless.

The Queen City Puzzle Club is a ongoing weekly game, and it's also a framework for exploration and a platform for community. It’s a chance for all of us to fall in love with Burlington all over again. And if you have any suggestions or thoughts of puzzles to include of your own, I’m all ears! My email is [email protected].

So, are you in?

Your first puzzle will be in Thursday’s newsletter. Let the games begin!