Acropolis Treasure Hunt

Ever since Danny and Amy were kids, we’ve loved playing games together. Family Game Night was a longstanding tradition where we would play board games while feasting on “pu pu platter” (a Hawaiian name for an assortment of appetizers). During COVID, Family Game Night was re-established as a weekly FaceTime with a session of online gaming. Nowadays, Danny’s girlfriend Mei joins us, too. Last year, we tried an escape room together, and it was a hit! So the Acropolis Treasure Hunt sounded like the perfect activity for our family in Athens.

Our guide, Charis (pronounced “Harris”) divided us into two teams (we decided on Girls vs Guys) and gave each team a tote bag filled with props. Then she led us around the base and slopes of the Acropolis. At each stop, we were given a challenge, and the team that solved it first won a gold “coin.” The spirit of friendly competition added to the fun.

We hunted for clues at the Odeon of Herodes, did jigsaw puzzles at the Sanctary of Asclepius, and decoded a secret message at the Prison of Socrates. Charis spotted an ancient pottery shard on the path, and explained that it was called an ostracon, used by ancient Athenians to cast votes on who should be exiled from the city. Soon afterward, we were challenged to find a special ostracon near the path.

It was lovely walking through the park, with the Parthenon on its lofty perch. Charis pointed out other historic sites we had not yet visited, like the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus, telling us stories from Greek mythology and Athens history all the way.

We finished our treasure hunt with two final challenges near the Roman Agora. Inside the treasure box were golden laurels for the victors. The guys may have had one more point than the girls, but we all felt like winners!