Columbus, Ohio is a beauty! From the towering Statehouse that sits in the center of Capitol Square to the numerous green-spaces and parks from across town, beauty radiates throughout this bustling urban center. Of course beauty isn't enough to make a city great though. Thankfully, Columbus also delivers when it comes to things to do and see. From world-class museums and galleries, to sports teams representing both college and professional sports leagues and attractions such as COSI – North America's largest science museum – there truly is something for everyone here. On top of all that, you can't beat the temperate weather Columbus enjoys during most months of the year! All these reasons help explain why Columbus continues to be one of America's greatest cities.

Best of Morty (2025)

Nominee (2025)

Nominee (2024)

Best of Morty (2023)

Nominee (2023)

Best of Morty (2022)

In 1882, Dr. Faustus disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Scout his parlor and find out what happened to him and play a part with what will happen to him now.

Great 3rd generation room. The lighting effects were impressive, with smooth, cinematic transitions throughout the experience. There was a strong variety of puzzles, the gameplay was nonlinear, and there were very few traditional locks.

The game master was terrific. All of the game masters here are very thorough with their pre-game instructions and consistently take the time to clearly explain the story, which really enhances the overall experience.

Captivating Worlds

The Sins of Doctor Faustus

Escape room

Best of Morty (2024)

When a scientist turns mad anarchist, he flees to Europe, taunting authorities back home in Ohio about his fiendish plans.  You’ve been assigned by the Department of Homeland Security to search the ruin of his nearby cabin to find clues of those plans.  But what you stumble upon is an adventure that you sure didn’t expect to find.

this is a great room, up there as one of the best rooms at captivating worlds and in the columbus area. all puzzles were logically sound and made sense. it was doable with 2 people, but more people would make this room easier, as there were many things that can be done all at once. communication is key within your group, and observation (don’t forget things that you noticed early in the game!) this is by far the most difficult room at this location, i would not recommend attempting this room until you have successfully escaped their other 3 rooms. escaping is very rewarding, there are some puzzles that we have never seen before and there was a big surprise 75% through the game that we have never played before. a must play game if you are at an adequate skill level

Welcome to the Machine

On an exclusive tour of the abandoned mines at the Cavern Coal Mining Company, you prepare yourself to descend 300 feet in the mine’s rickety elevator. Your tour goes unexpectedly off track and you are faced with one obstacle after another. If you take care of some unfinished mine business, you may get some unexpected help in getting back to the surface.

This was such a fun room from start to finish. The elements were interesting and they have a unique mechanic where there is a chime and info when you unlock or find something. I realize that isn’t always needed, but I love not having to search around to figure out what we just triggered.

Deep Underground

Finalist (2025)

Finalist (2024)

Finalist (2023)

Finalist (2022)

Finalist (2021)

Finalist (2020)

Light-hearted, nostalgic, and playful, Playground is a favorite of both first-timers and enthusiasts. Your game will start in a classroom where you’ll have to finish all of your assignments before the end of the day, or you can forget about summer break. And these assignments are unlike anything you actually encountered in school.

My husband and I wanted to try this room while we were in Ohio for a friend’s wedding over the weekend and had some spare time. I saw that Playground was a TERPECA finalist and nominee numerous times and we were set on completing it. Getting to have such a blast and reminiscing of fun puzzles and activities in school as a 4th grader was amazing! Best room we have ever done!

The Escape Game

Playground

Things are utterly disastrous! Abducted to a mysterious planet run by cows. Fix the ship and get off their planet before they take you to their BBQ festival. You won't like what their serving!!!

This is likely the best escape room I have ever done. Very well laid out, good tech and interesting elements I have not seen used before, did not need any hints to complete the puzzles but they did require some thinking to solve. Overall very well done.

Team Escape Rooms

Cows in Space

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

Last verified: 8/31/2026

We set out to stand out
Dead Acres is a full sensory assault.
Taking you by the throat and dragging you down the rabbit hole and into the realm of a heart pounding in your face horror show..
Performed nightly right before your very eyes.

Dead Acres

Haunted Hoochie

Haunted house

Haunt

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

Last verified: 8/31/2026

You dare to enter? There is a tale of an ancient voodoo priestess that plagued the swamp full of cursed creatures lurking in the dark to steal your soul.

Carnage Haunted House

The Bayou

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

Last verified: 8/31/2026

As you travel into an abandoned hospital, wrecked with CARNAGE and darkness, you begin to see the dark entity as it spreads through the building and those that occupy it.

The Entity

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

Last verified: 8/31/2026

Come visit our Field of Fright!!  Our haunted path is open at dark.

The Maize at Little Darby Creek

Field of Fright

Maze

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

Last verified: 8/31/2026

The Pataskala Haunted Forest is a story of "The Murdock Family" and how the head of the family... Jebidiah Murdock had instructed his family to kill and mutilate anyone that trespasses on their land. To this day, strange things continue to happen in this wooded area that is now the home of the Pataskala Haunted Forest.

The "Murdock" Family grave marker still remains in the forest where it was originally placed, only a handful of trusted forest employees know its exact location as no one wants it to be disturbed as they don't want any more strange things happening on the Old Murdock Land.

Pataskala Haunted Forest

Haunted trail

You are a member of the Blackbeard's crew aboard the legendary ship Queen Anne's Revenge. As you sail with Blackbeard, you realize that his ship conceals the secret to his dark powers. While Blackbeard is onshore, you decide to search his cabin for the secret to his powers. Unfortunately, you are caught and thrown in the brig to await Blackbeard's return. Can you uncover the secrets of Queen Anne's Revenge and escape Blackbeard's wrath?

great room that i would recommend to anyone. set design was cool and felt like a real pirate ship. all of the puzzles made logical sense and were well themed to fit the room. many cool surprises in the room. one of the only rooms that i wouldn’t change anything about any of the puzzles

Epic Escapes

Queen Anne's Revenge

Nominee (2022)

The year is 1955. You’ve been wrongfully accused of a crime, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Your new “home” is a cell that once belonged to an inmate who disappeared without a trace…or did he? Some claim he escaped. Others swear he was murdered by the infamously cruel warden. But no one actually knows… can you escape before you suffer the same fate?

Very good room.  We have done all the other rooms at this location and this one, splitting your group into two cells to start the experience, is very unique.  Communications is important.  We were split up for over 20 minutes to start the experience but it was very cool.  We liked the room but for the most part, Playground was the consensus favorite room we have done there among my group.

Prison Break

Your team of psychic investigators are tasked to helping out a young boy with his night terrors!

Not just any regular nightmares but ones that will scar him for life if you can't relieve him of his misery!

75 minutes is all you have until you are lost in his nightmares forever!

The reviews are spot on.  We have done over 50 rooms and this is one of the very best we have experienced.  Challenging but not impossible.  The flow is good, the atmosphere is great, and there were plenty of tasks to keep our experienced group of 5 busy.  This room is not for beginners.  They have a couple other rooms better suited for those with limited experience.  I would suggest a minimum of 10 escapes rooms under your belt before doing this room.  Team Escape is a wonderful facility overall and we would highly recommend all 5 of their hour+ game experiences.

Nightmare in Pink

You and your team have been personally chosen by Sir Ripple Sugarton himself along with 5 other teams to compete in his new wacky competition!

Teams will need to finish a series of challenges throughout Sugarton’s Candy Factory, but be warned, he’s not only looking for teams that can make great candy, but can also think quick on their feet when something goes wrong.

If you can beat out the other teams in these challenges within 1 hour you’ll win the ultimate prize, a Surgarton’s Candy Factory of your own in sunny Honolulu, Hawaii.

This is such a cute theme. I game with my wife and 3 daughters and this was just fun. It had some elements that us adults had to do and some the kids could do. This is just an amazing room with fantastic game masters.

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

Top escape rooms in Columbus

The Sins of Doctor Faustus

Welcome to the Machine

Deep Underground

Playground

Cows in Space

Top escape rooms for kids in Columbus

Playground

Queen Anne's Revenge

Prison Break

Nightmare in Pink

Candy Factory Challenge

Top haunted houses near Columbus

Haunted Hoochie

The Bayou

The Entity

Field of Fright

Pataskala Haunted Forest

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