The Poe AdventureThe Secret Chambers - ArlingtonEscape roomIRLWe tackled this room with just the two of us and had a great time overall. It packs in a lot of puzzles, so there was always something to work on, and we appreciated the variety. There are some fun tech elements mixed in throughout, and fans of Edgar Allan Poe will enjoy the references sprinkled around the room. Even if you're not familiar with his stories, don't let that discourage you. The room is still completely solvable and enjoyable. The hint system was a bit of a mixed bag. You're provided with an iPad containing puzzle solutions, which felt a little immersion-breaking. We tried to avoid using it, but with only two players and the clock winding down, we found ourselves relying on it more than we wanted. There is also an in-character hint system, which we actually preferred in concept, but it was difficult to hear and understand what was being said, so it wasn't as helpful as it could have been. That said, we completed the final puzzle within seconds and I know the staff gave us a bit more time to experience the finale which was appreciated. I think this room really shines with three or four players. It's absolutely doable with two experienced players, but because of the number of puzzles, having an extra person or two would make the experience flow much better. Our biggest disappointment wasn't the room itself but the presentation. The host seemed very matter-of-fact from the moment we arrived, almost like, "Your room is ready, go ahead." We don't expect over-the-top acting, but a little enthusiasm goes a long way in building anticipation before an escape room. The same feeling carried through at the end—we were simply told goodbye, and we actually had to ask if we could take a photo. It wasn't unfriendly, just very routine, and it made the experience feel less memorable than it could have been. That said, the room itself is fun, puzzle-heavy, and worth playing, especially if you enjoy solving a lot of different challenges. With a few updates to the hint system, some improvements to the audio, and a little more energy from the staff, this could easily become an even stronger experience.
Squid Game: Survive the TrialsNetflix House - DallasEscape roomOther My wife and I had a lot of fun with this experience. It does a great job of capturing the atmosphere and excitement of the show while turning it into an hour of lighthearted entertainment. If you are expecting the intensity of the series, don't worry. The games are completely harmless and family friendly, but they are still inspired by the challenges from the show and are a lot of fun to compete in. We actually started in the losing bracket but worked our way back through the competition, which made the experience even more satisfying. The final challenge comes down to a little bit of luck, and my wife ended up taking the overall win for our session. I would consider this a great one time attraction if you are in the area and looking for something different to do for an hour. It is especially worthwhile if you are already planning to visit Netflix House. Beyond the competition itself, Netflix House has some really cool photo opportunities, and merchandise featuring many of Netflix's most popular shows. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon, especially for Netflix fans.
The Winery InfiltrationSurf City EscapesEscape roomIRLThis room isn't overly difficult, but it packs in plenty of puzzles that kept our fam of 4 engaged from start to finish. The overall objectives are straightforward, but figuring out how to accomplish each task takes teamwork and some clever puzzle solving, which made the experience really satisfying. The room includes a few live actor moments that occur every now and then, but it's handled in a fun, comedic way rather than being scary. My son gets a little nervous whenever live actors are involved, but this one had us laughing more than anything as we made our way through the mission. There's a feeling of sneaking around and dealing with some playful sabotage, which adds to the charm of the experience. If you're looking for a lighthearted escape room with solid puzzles, fun interactions, and plenty of laughs, Winery Infiltration is definitely worth checking out.
Prison BreakMaui Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLA typical prison escape room with not much to the story but try to get out. The split start is the highlight of the room, so communication between both groups is absolutely essential if you want to make progress. The puzzles were well designed, with a nice mix of straightforward solves and a few that made us stop and think without becoming overly frustrating. Overall, I'd say it's a good room for a wide range of experience levels. The price is definitely on the higher side, but that's pretty much expected for activities in Maui. While we enjoyed the experience, there wasn't anything that really stood out as unique or memorable compared to some other escape rooms we've played. Still, if you're looking for a fun indoor activity on the island, this is probably one of the good ones out here.
Specter InspectorsSurf City EscapesEscape roomIRLWe chose the spooky version and it was the perfect level of spooky. It was fun and atmospheric without taking away from the puzzle solving. Think more spooky Haunted Mansion or my son said, "Luigi's Mansion" than scary. The room is very non-linear, which we loved. There are plenty of puzzles and tasks happening at the same time, making it easy for everyone to split up and contribute. Our group of four stayed busy throughout, and a few of the challenges definitely made us think. There are some fun surprises along the way and a very enjoyable finale. This place has only been open a short time, but it's already shaping up to be a great addition to the Orange County escape room scene. Definitely worth adding to your list.
House Of Eternal Return [Immersive Art]Meow WolfEscape roomOther We finally checked out the original Meow Wolf, and it definitely lived up to the hype. It's big but not as big as some of the other locations. However, it definitely has some charm about it. It's a fun blend of exploration, mystery, and interactive storytelling. As you wander through what starts as an ordinary family home, you'll uncover hidden passages, strange dreamlike worlds, and plenty of fun surprises while slowly piecing together the mystery. We were here for almost 3 hours so I think we got our money's worth. Whether you're trying to solve the story or just exploring every corner, there was always something new to discover. Plan to take your time, stay curious and open every door. Oh and make sure you open up the dryer and the fridge! A truly unique experience and well worth a visit if you're in Santa Fe.
Radio Tave [Immersive Art]Meow WolfEscape roomOther Having visited several Meow Wolf locations, it was fun to see Houston put its own unique spin on the experience. The theme gives this one a different vibe, with plenty of colorful spaces to explore, hidden passages, interactive art, and lots of fun surprises around every corner. You can even hang out at a unique dive bar in here. We enjoyed wandering through the different environments, taking in the details, and uncovering things at our own pace. Like every Meow Wolf, you can spend as much time exploring as you want, and there's always something new to notice. If you're a Meow Wolf fan, this is definitely worth a visit. It has its own personality while still capturing the creativity, mystery, and sense of discovery that makes these exhibits so much fun.
Super SecretNew Mexico Escape Room - McLeod LocationEscape roomIRLWe played this on a recent trip to New Mexico and had a great time. The comic book theme really shines and makes you feel like you're exploring a superhero's secret lair. The puzzles fit the theme well, and there are some clever tech elements along with a few fun, lighthearted moments throughout. As escape room enthusiasts, we completed it as a team of two, but I'd say 3–4 players is probably the sweet spot. The space is used very well, with a good variety of puzzles that kept us engaged from start to finish. Overall, this is a fun, family-friendly room with a unique theme, solid puzzle design, and plenty of charm. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Albuquerque area.
Dragon RealmMile High Escape OpsEscape roomIRLThis was an absolute blast and one of those rooms that just puts a smile on your face the entire time. The puzzle flow was excellent and we stayed in a great rhythm throughout the game. There were even a few genuinely funny moments during puzzle solving that had our group laughing, which made the experience even more memorable. You can tell a lot of thought and care was baked into this room because everything felt intentional. The tech and magic elements were integrated really well and added to the experience without feeling gimmicky. The ending was especially fun and gave us one of those satisfying team moments where everyone was smiling afterward. Big shoutout to our GM who was also the owner. She was incredibly personable and friendly, and we ended up hanging around talking escape rooms afterward and swapping recommendations for rooms in CA when her fam comes out our way and for the next time we are back in CO. You can tell they genuinely love what they do. It was a BLAZING good time and definitely a room we'd recommend.
The Tears of FreyaMystic Escape Room - DenverEscape roomIRLThis ended up being our favorite room at this location. We really enjoyed this one from start to finish. The The theme pulled us in right away and the atmosphere did a great job making the world feel immersive. The puzzles were a huge highlight. We had several moments where we ran into things we genuinely hadn’t experienced before, which is always exciting after doing a lot of escape rooms. The tech was really well integrated too and I loved that there were no traditional keys or locks. Everything felt modern, intentional, and fit naturally into the experience. We stayed in a great rhythm through most of the room and always felt like we were uncovering something new. This was one of those rooms where the theme, puzzles, and tech all clicked together really well. Only bummer was after such an awesome experience, we never got a team photo sent over for our memories. Small thing, but after a room this good we definitely would’ve loved having that keepsake.
Convergence Station [Immersive Art]Meow WolfEscape roomOther Not an escape room but definitely an escape from reality. Love the Meow Wolf locations and this didn’t disappoint. Lots of unique and crazy places to explore and learn the lore deep within this place. Family had a blast and easily breezed by almost 3 hours in here. My son even found a few secrets that were fun to discover. Put this on the list when in Denver!
Nikola Tesla - The Last ExperimentMystic Escape Room - DenverEscape roomIRLIt was a really fun and challenging room with a great invention/technical theme throughout. There was always something for our family of four to work on, and we stayed in a good rhythm most of the game. We did need a couple small nudges at one point, but the puzzles were clever, satisfying, and very well designed overall. Big shoutout to the game master too. Super personable, encouraging, and great to talk with after the game. Definitely looking forward to trying their other room.
Atlantis: The Forgotten CityHypnotic Escape RoomsEscape roomIRLAtlantis is a big, high-production room that really delivers on immersion. We had 5 people and it felt like the right number because there’s a lot going on in a good way. No traditional locks, which keeps the flow smooth and everything feels integrated into the environment. We needed a couple hints, but it felt fair with how much content is packed in. You definitely get your money’s worth here. Great GM too, super friendly and took time to chat after. Highly recommend.
Frost Base ZRabbit Hole Recreation ServicesEscape roomIRLThis is one of those rare rooms where we didn’t escape… and I still have no problem giving it high marks. Right from the start, the immersion is strong. The arctic base setting feels detailed and believable, and it pulls you in immediately. From there, it doesn’t let up. This is a tough room with layered puzzles and a lot to keep track of. There’s a heavy focus on searching and connecting multiple things at once, which can get overwhelming fast. We ran it as a team of two and definitely felt outmatched. We’ve done a lot of rooms together and usually hold our own, but this one really pushed us. There’s just so much going on that having more people to split up tasks and think through puzzles would make a big difference. That said, the puzzles we did get through were really well designed and satisfying to solve. You can tell a lot of thought went into how everything ties together. We didn’t make it out in time, but the experience still felt worth it. Huge credit to the GM Conner for walking us through the remaining puzzles and letting us see how it all ends. That made a big difference and gave us some closure instead of just walking out wondering what we missed.
The Book Of SoulsMystic Escape Room - LittletonEscape roomIRLThe space is compact, yet it’s packed with a solid number of puzzles that keep you engaged the entire time. Nothing felt wasted, every element had a purpose, and the flow kept us moving. The atmosphere is where this room really stands out. The monastery setting is detailed and immersive, and it does a great job pulling you into the story of lifting the century-old curse. It feels cohesive from start to finish, not just a collection of puzzles. That said, there were a couple of hiccups near the end. One of the final puzzles was a bit finicky to trigger. We knew exactly what needed to be done, but getting it to actually activate took longer than it should have, which broke the momentum a bit. On top of that, the finale didn’t trigger for us at all, so we weren’t even sure we had completed the room until the game master came in to confirm. Those issues aside, the overall experience is still strong. It’s a well-designed room with good puzzle variety and a satisfying level of challenge. We completed it with two people and just one hint, which felt like a great balance. 3 people would be good. 4 or more may feel a bit crowded. The ending could use a bit of rework to match the quality of the rest of the experience, but it’s absolutely still worth playing. Don’t let that discourage you, this is a good room and a solid pick if you’re in Denver.
Ruins of the Mystic TempleRabbit Hole Recreation ServicesEscape roomIRLA set design that immediately gives off strong Indiana Jones vibes. The environment feels immersive and well thought out, and it pulls you into the adventure right away. There’s a solid number of puzzles throughout, enough to keep things engaging without feeling overwhelming. We ended up using one hint for a unique puzzle we never experienced before, but overall the challenge felt fair and satisfying. One moment in particular actually startled me, but in a fun way that added to the experience rather than taking away from it. The ending is a highlight. It wraps things up in a way that feels exciting and memorable, which isn’t always the case with escape rooms. This is a great pick for a couple or a small group.
Witch's CauldronQuest TavernEscape roomIRLWe did this as a family of four and had a good time, but overall it felt just okay. The story sounded cool going in, but it didn’t really come through while playing. It felt more like we were just solving puzzles than being in a witch themed room. It’s pretty lock heavy and very puzzle focused. If that’s your thing, you’ll probably enjoy it, but a couple puzzles felt like they could use a little more polish. We got out with about five minutes left using one or two hints, so it flowed pretty well. One puzzle I did not enjoy and could use an update to be more accurate. And when solved it didn’t make much sense. 👃🏽 This place has some really great rooms, and honestly we’d recommend trying those first. This one isn’t bad, just not super memorable.
The Sherlock HomeSolve The Sherlock HomeEscape roomOther From the moment we walked in, we were fully transported into the world of Sherlock Holmes. The atmosphere and decor were absolutely on point and really set the tone for the entire experience. The puzzles were exactly what you’d hope for in a Sherlock themed experience. Nothing felt basic. Everything required real thought, observation, and teamwork. We had a late start to our one night stay there but we were determined to finish everything before check out, and we did! It felt super satisfying. Thanks to our hosts, Tammy and Ken. They were super welcoming and thoughtful. If you’re into escape rooms, this is absolutely a must do. Especially if you’re in Texas, this needs to be on your list.
The Man From BeyondStrange Bird ImmersiveEscape roomIRLThis was such a fun and unique experience. The whole séance storyline around trying to contact Harry Houdini really pulls you in right away, and the acting was honestly really good. It didn’t feel like a typical escape room at all, more like you’re part of a live story. We did get stuck on one puzzle that ate up way more time than we wanted, but we were still able to figure it out and finish. But what makes this stand out is how immersive it is. You’re not just solving puzzles, you’re actually part of what’s going on, and the story takes some really cool turns along the way. I can definitely see why it’s so popular. Overall, super fun experience and definitely worth checking out.
The NemesisMission Escape GamesEscape roomIRLWe played this for my son’s birthday and it definitely did not disappoint. Our game master was very welcoming and did a great job keeping us entertained before the game started, which set the tone for a fun experience right away. The room leans toward the harder side in terms of difficulty, but our family of four happened to be really in sync this time. There are a lot of puzzles packed into the experience and everyone always had something to work on. We were able to split up and divide and conquer throughout the game, which helped a lot. Despite the difficulty, we escaped with about 15 minutes to spare and did it with no hints, which felt great. One thing we loved was that there were no traditional locks or keys. Everything relies on cool mechanisms and tech that fit perfectly with the spaceship theme. The set design is excellent and really makes you feel like you’re aboard a malfunctioning spacecraft. Communication is absolutely key here. The room starts a bit linear but quickly branches out, and teamwork becomes essential. Luckily our group was firing on all cylinders and everything clicked. Overall, this is a really exciting, puzzle-packed room with great theming and satisfying tech. We left very happy with the experience and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging escape room.
![House Of Eternal Return [Immersive Art]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/4a312213-1c60-46f5-8cf2-2ca200261566.webp)
![Radio Tave [Immersive Art]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/2408b899-4a49-4c0f-a638-0a60da564fca.png)
![Convergence Station [Immersive Art]](https://images.morty.app/mortyapp/image/upload/c_limit,w_260/f_auto/v1/store/s/1d9e9010-f23a-4e40-a38d-ef265c713b71.jpg)
