Unlock 250
ONCE A MONTH DURING 2026
Throughout 2026, I’m helping Visit Philadelphia celebrate the city’s 250th birthday by hiding prizes at historic locations—from old school spots to places making history today. Each month, a rhyming riddle clues a new location, and the first Puzzler to find the prize envelope hidden there wins! But there’s also a QR code to scan nearby—so even if you’re not first, you’ll know you solved it and can enter a bonus prize drawing. Happy 250th, Philly!
Where:
Puzzle videos are posted on TikTok and Instagram. Featured locations are within Philadelphia city limits, and prize envelopes are hidden outdoors in public areas.
When:
Once a month—look for countdown timers on my Instagram Story, or join Algorithm Bypass Club (on my IG profile) to see puzzles as soon as I post them!
Difficulty:
◉◉◎◎◎
Price:
Free!
Rules:
• You/your team may only claim one prize envelope throughout the series.
• One bonus prize drawing entry per person per puzzle. If you participate as a team, each team member may submit their own entries. You may enter the bonus prize drawing even after claiming a prize envelope.
• Do not trespass or violate any laws while searching for prizes. Be respectful of all private and public property.
• By participating in Unlock 250, you assume all associated risks and agree not to hold Eric The Puzzler or Visit Philadelphia responsible for any liability that results from your participation.
How to participate:
When an Unlock 250 video drops, solve its riddle and visit the historic location to find the prize, then send me a selfie with the envelope to claim victory. If it’s gone, make sure you scan the QR code nearby to enter the bonus prize drawing. And in general, remember that solving a riddle is about figuring out what it’s really talking about and why certain words and phrases were used.
Prizes:
Each month, the first Puzzler to reach the historic location wins three things:
a gift from Visit Philadelphia:
January: 2 Big Bus Tour tickets ($80.50 value)
February: ???
March: ???
April: ???
May: ???
June: ???
July: ???
August: ???
September: ???
October: ???
November: ???
December: ???
an exclusive one-of-one Eric The Puzzler prize card
a piece of money that celebrates our history (selected randomly):
a 1976 bicentennial half dollar with Independence Hall on the back (common)
a $2 bill with the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back (uncommon)
a 90% SILVER half dollar with Ben Franklin on the front and the Liberty Bell on the back (rare)
