The 14 best escape rooms in Chicago
Over the past decade, the windy city has introduced a typhoon of amazing escape rooms. Find out where to play the best ones here in Chicago.
The Quandary Escape Rooms
Very Positive
3205 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Some of the most fun I’ve had in an escape room! I’ll admit I’m extremely biased towards this room themed around 2 sisters’ bedrooms in the 90s, but can you blame me for having such vivid nostalgia?! I appreciated every reference, and I loved specific parts involving video games! The hint system was genius and inherently fun and filled with personality from the excellent GM! The room can be overwhelming with the literal dozens of references and unclear start points, but all locks are explicitly marked, and we never had a real issue once we got going. Most importantly, it felt in theme and was enjoyable throughout. I recommend this specifically for anyone with fond memories of growing up in the 90s!”
Panda
231 games played
Escape Artistry
Very Positive
1342 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Rating: 4/5 This is a great room, probably my favorite prison/jail escape so far. The prison set feels so real, everything looks so dirty and weathered (in a good way). I like the aspect of splitting up into two different cells and having to work together to escape. The progression of the room was also pretty good. I'd recommend 4-5 players. I've updated this review in 2024 after playing almost all of TEG's rooms at several locations, here is my personal ranking from best to least favorite: 1. Cosmic Crisis 2. Ruins: Forbidden Treasure 3. Playground 4. Timeliner: Train Through Time 5. Prison Break 6. The Depths 7. Special Ops: Mysterious Market 8. Gold Rush 9. The Heist 10. Mission Mars”
BTRoku
88 games played
“Some of the mechanics of this room definitely surprised us and led to some unique gameplay. The staff at this location unanimously agreed that this was their favorite and I can see why. The game masters are always so helpful and really understand how to guide you along when you need it.”
cupofjoe18
78 games played
“This was another good room from the escape game. I was a bit disappointed that some elements weren’t operational at this location but the game still flowed and worked. Good high tech room and great atmosphere and story line. Lots of excellent puzzles. After playing any several other locations in different states with this company the Chicago location needs some TLC. Some puzzles and locks were broken or worn out.”
srcobra427
54 games played
“Loved the theming of this room. There was one part that set us back a few minutes but the rest of the of the puzzles were pretty straightforward for us once we got going. Not too difficult for a group of two.”
cupofjoe18
78 games played
The Great Escape Room
Mostly Positive
160 E Grand Ave Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“I really enjoyed this room. Even though the hiding aspect was kind of silly, it led to a lot of fun within my group. There were a few unique puzzles, and I think my group found the overall experience to be very entertaining.”
RG9400
92 games played
“This is one of the most immersive escape rooms I’ve ever experienced. This room really makes use of cooperation between players in fun ways! Towards the end, the puzzles were a little hard to figure out for our small group, but this is one of those rooms where it’s totally worth it for the experience alone!”
Panda
231 games played
Fox in a Box Chicago
Mostly Positive
47 W Polk St # M11, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“From 2016: Everything made sense and locked together nicely and in order…the few places we were stuck, the clues made sense in terms of pointing out things we missed. It was in some ways easier than Zombie Lab (which is done by the same group), but not so easy as to be unsatisfying.”
CurtClark
50 games played
“Very well-themed room and the immersion at the very beginning is fun. The puzzles are unique and some of them are relatively tricky, though most of the room isn’t too difficult. Fun personalized aspects are added too”
christhechro
48 games played
Escape The 90's
The Quandary Escape Rooms
- Escape room
- IRL
“Some of the most fun I’ve had in an escape room! I’ll admit I’m extremely biased towards this room themed around 2 sisters’ bedrooms in the 90s, but can you blame me for having such vivid nostalgia?! I appreciated every reference, and I loved specific parts involving video games! The hint system was genius and inherently fun and filled with personality from the excellent GM! The room can be overwhelming with the literal dozens of references and unclear start points, but all locks are explicitly marked, and we never had a real issue once we got going. Most importantly, it felt in theme and was enjoyable throughout. I recommend this specifically for anyone with fond memories of growing up in the 90s!”
Panda
231 games played
Operation G.R.A.N.I.E.
Escape Artistry
- Escape room
- IRL
Prison Break
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Rating: 4/5 This is a great room, probably my favorite prison/jail escape so far. The prison set feels so real, everything looks so dirty and weathered (in a good way). I like the aspect of splitting up into two different cells and having to work together to escape. The progression of the room was also pretty good. I'd recommend 4-5 players. I've updated this review in 2024 after playing almost all of TEG's rooms at several locations, here is my personal ranking from best to least favorite: 1. Cosmic Crisis 2. Ruins: Forbidden Treasure 3. Playground 4. Timeliner: Train Through Time 5. Prison Break 6. The Depths 7. Special Ops: Mysterious Market 8. Gold Rush 9. The Heist 10. Mission Mars”
BTRoku
88 games played
The Heist
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Some of the mechanics of this room definitely surprised us and led to some unique gameplay. The staff at this location unanimously agreed that this was their favorite and I can see why. The game masters are always so helpful and really understand how to guide you along when you need it.”
cupofjoe18
78 games played
Mission: Mars
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“This was another good room from the escape game. I was a bit disappointed that some elements weren’t operational at this location but the game still flowed and worked. Good high tech room and great atmosphere and story line. Lots of excellent puzzles. After playing any several other locations in different states with this company the Chicago location needs some TLC. Some puzzles and locks were broken or worn out.”
srcobra427
54 games played
Gold Rush
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Loved the theming of this room. There was one part that set us back a few minutes but the rest of the of the puzzles were pretty straightforward for us once we got going. Not too difficult for a group of two.”
cupofjoe18
78 games played
Special Ops
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
Mountain Top Murders
The Great Escape Room
- Escape room
- IRL
The Mob
PanIQ Escape Room
- Escape room
- IRL
Voodoo Spirits
PanIQ Escape Room
- Escape room
- IRL
The Prison
Fox in a Box Chicago
- Escape room
- IRL
“This is one of the most immersive escape rooms I’ve ever experienced. This room really makes use of cooperation between players in fun ways! Towards the end, the puzzles were a little hard to figure out for our small group, but this is one of those rooms where it’s totally worth it for the experience alone!”
Panda
231 games played
The Bunker
Fox in a Box Chicago
- Escape room
- IRL
“From 2016: Everything made sense and locked together nicely and in order…the few places we were stuck, the clues made sense in terms of pointing out things we missed. It was in some ways easier than Zombie Lab (which is done by the same group), but not so easy as to be unsatisfying.”
CurtClark
50 games played
Zodiac
Fox in a Box Chicago
- Escape room
- IRL
“Very well-themed room and the immersion at the very beginning is fun. The puzzles are unique and some of them are relatively tricky, though most of the room isn’t too difficult. Fun personalized aspects are added too”
christhechro
48 games played
More Escape Rooms
About Chicago
Many people view The Loop as the heart of Chicago, owing to it being the home many of the city’s most recognizable high rises and exciting destinations. Among the most famous of these would be Millennium Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Willis Tower, which are each more than worth a visit. If The Loop is the heart of Chicago, then Lincoln Park might just be its soul. This part of the city is full of life and culture, and some of the best cuisine in the Midwest, including Alinea, a 3-Michelin Star restaurant famous for its avant garde dining experience. On top of it all, both areas have numerous amazing escape rooms to experience no matter your taste.
Learn More About Chicago Park Escape Rooms
Chicago is the capital of the midwest when it comes to amazing escape room experiences. Since the first escape rooms arrived in Chicago in 2016, the great city on Lake Michigan hasn’t stopped crafting these immersive puzzle experiences. In fact, greater Chicago is home to nearly 30 different escape room venues and The Loop and Lincoln Park have emerged as the inarguable dual hearts of the Chicago escape room scene. Wizard Trials at PanIQ Room Logan Square is a popular game for all ages. The Railcar at Escape Artistry is an artistic experience that really draws you in. And Team Vs. Time’s Save the Queen takes you on a journey through a regal mystery. With over 100 escape games in the area, the possibilities are nearly endless — you’ll find games with themes of horror, adventure, crime, espionage, and plenty you may not expect.
How Do Escape Rooms Work?
Remember those point-and-click adventure games where you’re locked in a room and have to solve puzzles to find the key and escape? Those online games were the original inspiration for the live escape rooms you’ll find all across the world today. An escape room is an immersive experience where you (and your team of 2 or more people) are locked in a room with a series of puzzles for 60 minutes. To escape and win the game, you have to look for clues, solve the puzzles, and find the key. While most escape rooms only give you 60 minutes to complete the challenge, others may have shorter or longer time limits. Many venues are private rooms where you and your team are the only players. However, some places may pair you with other groups who booked a slot at the same time. And don’t worry about getting stuck, asking for hints on a difficult puzzle is totally normal. While the original escape room (created by SCRAP in 2007) had a fairly simple aesthetic, today’s escape games often take you into a different world. Artistic set designs, secret doors, and unique interactive elements are all part of the fun. It’s like an adventure game that you can interact with in real life. But if you’re hoping to preview any rooms before you book a game somewhere, detailed images and videos can be hard to find. To keep the puzzles a secret and preserve the experience of seeing the room for the first time, most venues only offer a few photos or a short trailer about the room’s theme or narrative. The only way to know what it’s like is to go and try it for yourself!
Find the best Chicago Escape Rooms with Morty
There are plenty of awesome escape rooms to choose from in Downtown Chicago. The goal of Morty is to make escape rooms more accessible for everyone to find and play. With Morty, you can: - Browse escape rooms anywhere in the country - Read reviews and ratings from other community members - Book a room together with your friends Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned escape room enthusiast, our aim is to help you play more escape rooms and visit more immersive attractions.
Frequently asked questions
How Do I Book an Escape Room in Chicago?
Most escape room venues don’t accept walk-ins, and time slots for popular games may fill up fast. Besides that, not every escape room is the same — some have varying difficulties, and you don’t want to get stuck playing a room that’s beyond your experience level. That’s why the best way to book an escape room in Downtown Chicago is through the Morty app. You can get updates on new games, read reviews, compare details (including difficulty, theme, runtime) and plan an outing with friends, all on the same platform. You can even coordinate games with your friends collaboratively. Download the Morty app and book your adventure today!