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New York is about to feel a little more like Fiji—minus the palm trees and plus a whole lot of subway transfers. To celebrate the milestone 50th season of Survivor, CBS has launched a nationwide scavenger hunt that’s turning all 50 states into a giant real-life game and this weekend, the challenge lands squarely in our backyard.
The “Survivor 50 Challenge” is exactly what it sounds like: a multi-week quest hiding one official immunity idol in each state, with fans racing to solve riddles, track down clues and claim bragging rights, plus a shot at some prizes.
“Survivor has always been about testing yourself,” host Jeff Probst said in a release. “This goes way beyond finding idols; it’s a chance to step into the game like never before. America has watched players outwit, outplay and outlast for decades—now it’s your turn.”
New York’s idol hunt drops this Sunday, February 22, with a riddle released at 10am via the Survivor 50 Digital Hub. The catch is that nobody knows where the idol will show up—and there’s no guarantee it will even be in Manhattan. Still, expect die-hard fans to scour parks, landmarks and maybe even that one oddly specific plaza you’ve walked past a thousand times without noticing. Whoever finds the idol must snap a photo wearing it and upload it online to qualify for the grand prize sweepstakes, which includes a potential VIP trip to the Season 50 finale in Los Angeles.
If sprinting across the city chasing clues isn’t your thing, midtown has a slightly more relaxed way to get your fix. The Paley Museum has opened “Outwit, Outplay, Outlast: Celebrating 50 Seasons of Survivor,” an immersive exhibit running through May 31 that dives deep into the show’s two-and-a-half-decade legacy. Expect original props, iconic wardrobe pieces, behind-the-scenes footage and even a chance to sit at a replica Tribal Council.
Whether you’re deciphering clues on the street or reliving classic moments inside a museum, Survivor isn’t just on TV this month—it’s officially part of New York’s weekend plans.