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.

Nominee (2024)

Nominee (2022)

Finalist (2020)

Can you and your teammates escape from the prison because you have been wrongly accused of a crime and your cell that once belonged to a person who was murdered?

Rounded out my birthday with this room. We were doing it with people that had never done an escape room before, and so I imagine this was pretty wild for them. Teamwork was tough due to not always being able to see each other, but we made it out!

The setting was great! There was one puzzle in the beginning that was much longer than it needed to be. The athletic checks were nice additions. We over-complicated one puzzle near the end of the room, but not so much that it caused any issues. We still exited with plenty of time remaining.

The Escape Game

Prison Break

Escape room

An expedition vanished in the Himalayas while searching for a legendary jewel. All that remains is an abandoned outpost feared by locals. What happened to the explorers? What secrets does the jewel hold? Dare to uncover the Legend of the Yeti!

Abominably excellent room that may remind you of the original room that stood there Gold Rush. But this is definitely super different, and I actually like this one more. Great puzzles that were very logical and fun with good flow. Wonderful wow moments and transitions, and even a guest appearance from the big guy himself! Be warned that like all rooms at this company, there are public bookings but we lucked out and had the Yeti all to ourselves! This room was nice, ice baby!

Legend of the Yeti

You are captured by a serial killer. Tied up and left in his lair, escape is your only chance. His method of operation is much like that of the infamous Zodiac killer. Has the real Zodiac returned or is this his copycat? You have only 60 minutes to escape, or the next body in a morgue will be yours.


we did 3 straight rooms here & RAILED every one: Zodiac 33:31, The Bank 32:15, & The Prison 50:23, for an average of 38:43. all clean.

this one had a great gimmick to start us off, a little cramped for 6 people, but some cool individual tasks which is always fun.

also the GMs here are great & thoughtful. one drew us personalized postcards

Fox in a Box Chicago

Zodiac

Nominee (2025)

Nominee (2023)

Finalist (2022)

Finalist (2019)

Can you and your fellow field agents investigate an area's local market as you are about to wrap up you encounter a twist never expected?

This game did feel a lot less corporate than prison break! There were several clever moments and neat puzzles, but the gameplay was a little stilted and playing with 4 people felt like far too many, it’s more of a 2-3 player game. Overall, a good time, worth it if you’re in the area, but I wouldn’t travel for this game

Special Ops:  Mysterious Market

You are a professional and well-connected group of thieves. You have learned that the general manager of a local major bank is holding a sizable stash of diamonds in his office safe. In the dead of night, a break in the bank's electrical system has deactivated all alarms for exactly one hour, providing the opportunity to make your move. If you locate and crack the safe in time, you will be rich beyond your wildest dreams. Stumble, and you will end your career of crime behind bars.

we did 3 straight rooms here & RAILED every one: Zodiac 33:31, The Bank 32:15, & The Prison 50:23, for an average of 38:43. all clean.

this one was supposedly the hardest, but we did it the fastest. also a little cramped w/ 6 people, but lots of puzzles, and having to use flashlights the whole time was cool & on-theme.

also the GMs here are great & thoughtful. one drew us personalized postcards

The Bank

Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

The once prosperous Black Oak Gear Factory was the central point of employment for the residents of Black Oak Grove. The factory was run by a particularly cruel and tyrannical man Robert Dubois nicknamed Sledge because of his harsh ways. Robert “ Sledge” Dubois was cruel in his factory but was even worse to his wife and daughter Willow.

The hours were long and hard in the factory but no matter how hard Sledge worked his employees, it simply was not enough to keep the doors open. One desperate night in a rage Sledge tore apart the office. Within the destruction, he came across a peculiar-looking book. The book was called "Sacramentum Autem Malleus". Sledge soon discovered he could summon Malum, a Demon lord known as the Hammer of Hell. Once summoned Malum told Sledge he could make his factory more prosperous than it had ever been. Sledge was promised infinite power and riches in exchange for his mortal soul. Sledge, without hesitation, accepted the offer, and within a moment notice Malum, and the book had vanished. 

As promised the factory prospered and Sledge became the most powerful man in Black Oak Grove. But as his power grew, so did his cruelty. It seems Sledge was the only one benefiting from the factory. The Employees were still treated poorly; and most of them still couldn't make ends meet. Because of this Sledge, along with his family were hated by the town.

The hate grew to the point where his daughter Willow could no longer stand it, and fled to the forest of black oak grove. Willow had no choice but to seek refuge in a hollow tree after a storm broke out. Lying there alone, upset, and afraid she drifted into sleep. She awoke to a comforting but also frightening presence around her and cradled in her arms was the same book Sledge used to summon Malum. Unlike her father, Willow is not seeking power but revenge. Summoning Malum, he made a deal with her to stay in the mortal realm, and in exchange she would be able to have the power to punish anyone that wronged her
After the exchange was made Malum granted Willow the revenge she craved and it exploded through her and unleashed corruption upon Black Oak Grove and all of its residents. Willow's power grew stronger as her hatred raged and consumed all of those who ignored her plight.

The townsfolk and workers in the factory began to change into twisted possessed versions of their former selves. The townsfolk now follow the mark of Willow and the factory workers are forever trapped inside, forced to serve Malum.

Midnight Terror Haunted House

Factory of Malum

Haunted house

Haunt

Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

The mark of Willow is all around you as you trek through the darkness of Black Oak Grove. This year, find out exactly what evil dreams as you're trapped inside the possessed mind of Willow Dubois. Experience true fear as you walk the line between reality and a demented nightmare dream world.

Black Oak Grove

Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

In a post-apocalyptic world, You are faced with a devastating virus that has afflicted humanity, causing menacing mutations to roam free. The Hades Corporation, responsible for both the virus and its antidote, takes action to eliminate these mutants and capture the Alpha Infected. Driven by a relentless determination, You set out on a mission to uncover the truth and expose the Hades Corporation’s culpability. In a world where survival depends on revealing the truth, the pressing question remains: who will believe it and does it really matter?

13th Floor Chicago

The Deadlands

Closing November 2 - Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

Bengtson’s Farm loves all the fun parts of fall, but fall is not complete without a little scare!
To experience THRILLS and CHILLS, wander through our SCARY and completely animated HAUNTED BARN. You can find our Haunted Barn just west of the Kettle Corn building.

Bengtson's Pumpkin Farm

Haunted Barn

Reopening for 2026. Hours, dates, and admission may vary — check official site for current details.

Last verified: 8/31/2026

Scream Scene is a seasonal haunted house held every October in Skokie. Each haunting season features new characters, sets and scenes making each new year more frightening than the last.

Skokie Water Playground, abandoned for the season, becomes host to the most frightening experience in Skokie. With it's chainsaw maniacs and insane clown maze, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors since 1997.

Skokie Park District

Scream Scene

P.H.O.B.I.A. was a medical facility founded on the dream of curing its patients’ worst fears. Unfortunately, that dream became a nightmare. Deadwood PHOBIA is a new mind-twisting experience that allows you and your friends to explore your fears. Armed with a brand new arsenal of powerful weaponry, your squad will battle hordes of enemies, make life-or-death decisions, and stand up to your worst nightmares. Will your squad escape alive? Face your fears and find out.

Sandbox VR

Deadwood Phobia [VR]

Best of Morty (2025)

Finalist (2025)

Best of Morty (2024)

Step into the nostalgic world of Lockbuster Video. Remember those movies you forgot to return? The manager of this rental store certainly does! Return your overdue movies to escape the clutches of the Manager, an over achieving employee determined to enforce late fees. Can you beat the clock and avoid the ultimate penalty, or will you be stuck paying off your debt forever? Test your wits and enjoy the film in this fun and challenging escape room adventure!



Thoroughly enjoyed the experience!! The set was amazing and well designed and made! Things were high quality and nothing seemed old and broken. Very high tech room! I think there was maybe only 1-2 traditional locks in the whole room. Story was fun and interesting! The set design was AMAZING! Really wished I could see how it works but unfortunately that’s a secret 🤣 Not scary at all! Kids would love it! Puzzles weren’t too hard. I’d say Easy-Medium range? We went in as a group of 2 and finished with 17:46 to spare. Super fun experience! Would definitely recommend!

60 to Escape

Lockbuster Video

Best of Morty (2023)

Prepare for the ultimate challenge as you step into the captivating world of "Magic Heist." Calastof the Great, the world's most renowned magician, has extended an invitation to the boldest thieves, magicians, and performers from across the globe. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to uncover and steal the source of Calastof's ultimate power hidden within his mesmerizing realm... however should you fail, your vanishing will be more than an illusion.

This was our 3rd room at this location and we have loved them all. This one was very fun. Lots of puzzles to work on simultaneously for our experience group of 4. Theming is perfect as always with 60 to Escape.  Puzzles were creative and fit with the room very well.  

I recommend taking some Advil before you arrive— can be very loud.

Magic Heist

Best of Morty (2022)

Finalist (2021)

Silver - Best Use of Actors (2019)

Best Puzzle Game (2018)

As a contestant on this vintage game show set, you’ve made it to the final round and have just minutes to win the grand prize!

What a fun room! This company understands how to make good puzzles that fit thematically and make sense. Yes, we were solving puzzles, but it also felt like we were playing games as you would on a game show during that process. The live actor didn’t play a huge role, but they fit into the environment well. I really liked the beginning and felt that it was a great segue into the game. Afterwards, the game master was telling us about which changes they made to the game based on comments from players. It’s always refreshing to hear that companies take action based on feedback, and it 100% made the game better. This was probably my favorite room at this company by far (although their other rooms are great too). It’s not a difficult room and totally doable with 2 enthusiasts. It’s a little expensive but I would say it’s worth the price to play.

Escape Factor

Bonus Fun Time Game Show Challenge

A strange doll shop has appeared overnight at the edge of town. No grand opening, no announcement, and no one remembers seeing it built. The windows are dusty, the shelves are full of hand-crafted dolls, and each one looks disturbingly lifelike.

You and your team step inside to investigate, but the deeper you go, the more unsettling the truth becomes. The dolls seem to watch you. Whispers echo through the halls. Something is very wrong.

You discover the shop’s owner is a grieving father performing a dark ritual to bring back his son. The missing children from the neighborhood are part of his twisted plan.

You have one hour to uncover the secrets, stop the ritual, and escape before you join the collection.

3rd visit to Just Escape Room and The Haunted Doll Shop was a fun room. We were going to play as a pair, which would have been more appropriate for this smaller room, but having 4 also worked fine. Good variety of puzzles in the room, and I really appreciated the dry erase board in the room, as that was utilized for several puzzles to keep track of sequences. Also, I appreciated the puzzle where we got to use a bungee cord, because who doesn’t like to play with bungee cords. 

Set was solid and made you feel like you were in a spooky Doll Shop. Lighting was a little dark but appropriate for the theme and manageable. I only wish the game had 1 more room with more puzzles as it was fun, but we got through it relatively quickly. 

Jordan (owner/builder) was our GM, so we finally got to meet him. Jordan was great to speak with after about our favorite ERs and games we have played in the area. Jordan also told us about his upcoming room, Cabin Murder, which will be opening later this summer, and it sounds really fun. You can tell that Jordan puts a lot of thought and love into his games, so I cannot wait for Cabin Murder. Defintiely check out Just Escape if you are in the area. 

Ranking at Just Escape
1)Floor 66
2)Haunted Doll Shop
3)The Attic

Things to Do in Chicago: Escape Rooms, Haunted Houses and More

Top escape rooms in Chicago

Prison Break

Legend of the Yeti

Zodiac

Special Ops: Mysterious Market

The Bank

Top escape rooms for kids in Chicago

Lockbuster Video

Magic Heist

Bonus Fun Time Game Show Challenge

The Haunted Doll Shop

Legend of the Yeti

Top haunted houses near Chicago

Factory of Malum

Black Oak Grove

The Deadlands

Haunted Barn

Scream Scene

More cities

West Chicago

Milwaukee

Indianapolis

Ann Arbor

Detroit

Cincinnati

About Chicago

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