The 30 best escape rooms in New York City (2026)

Celebrate the Phantom’s return through October 26 only.

“Absolutely amazing, I don't say that about many experiences. Loved the immersion, live singing, small actor interactions, set/lighting/tech/props. The experience is guided by ushers so that you don't have to deal with chasing people or fighting crowds for a good spot like in Sleep No More or Life&Trust, they make sure everyone has a good experience throughout, if you are in the back in one room you’ll get to be in the front later on. I am not even a huge fan of musicals or Phantom but I had a wonderful time due to how immersive everything was. I plan visiting again next time I’m in NYC.”

BTRoku

376 escape rooms

The de Lille family owned the Bird Apothecary for generations. Well-known for their magic and crafting talents, visitors came from afar to seek advice and magical remedies for all ailments. The apothecary was named after the family’s cherished bird, which they had miraculously kept alive for generations using their magic. In fact, the entire village thrived on the apothecary’s success and reputation—until the bird tragically passed away. Johann de Lille, the family’s youngest descendant and a brilliant alchemist, had been working on an elixir of rebirth—but he failed to finish it in time to save the bird. The de Lille family has since moved on, but it appears some magic still lingers in the abandoned pharmacy. Could this lingering magic be harnessed one final time? Maybe all hope is not yet lost.

“This was a beautiful experience. I absolutely loved how the gameplay and set interacted, especially with how the designers blended analog and tech perfectly. It’s honestly almost comparable to The Alchemist in the way it manages such a beautiful way of capturing the dual nature of mechanical and magical. It’s a challenging game, and the space is small, but if you have a cooperative team or if you can solve well this will be doable. MyssTic is absolutely a company that you must visit, and The Bird is their finest experience.”

TheEnigmaCode

687 escape rooms

YOUR MISSION: Keeping the spirits happy only works if you manage to turn on the light. ..Good luck!

“Ghost Light was another elegant, almost literary game with a wonderful use of light. It was truly magical how they used various light sources as cluing, from large to small, obvious and subtle. In general, it was an excellent puzzle game - everything flowed so smoothly! If you’re seeking the perfect execution of a classic escape room with some added magic, play Ghost Light!”

TheEnigmaCode

687 escape rooms

YOUR MISSION: Infiltrate the area, locate the source of the mysterious incidents and bring back hard evidence.

“I’ve played a few stranger things themed rooms, but none of them blended the quality of gameplay and story on display in Montauk Project. It played well, too - the flow was traditional but every puzzle was clever and tactile. When tasks were contributing to our quest, however, they were especially engaging, coupled with a finale that was a true wow moment. If you’re in the area, stop by and play Montauk Project - especially if you’re a stranger things fan. Nothing else is quite as good at capturing the feeling of the show.”

TheEnigmaCode

687 escape rooms

Can you and your teammates ace the ultimate group project that you had taken up in this summer for your school? Can you complete it in time?

“As a teacher, this room had an additional level of connection. Of all the rooms, this one was the most fun. There was also a LOT of stuff to do. It is also the only room where I think you absolutely need to have 4 people minimum. I also like that you need to work as a team to solve some of the puzzles, which makes the escape room experience better.”

jaelyn7

61 escape rooms

A MILLION WAYS IN, ONE WAY OUT 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?

“Fun time. It starts by breaking the group into two teams, so more fun with 4+ people. Good flow, good puzzles, stellar atmosphere as TEGs are known for. There is one area with crawling, but as long as a single member of the team can crawl, the rest of the team doesn't have to. Our game master gave us a few hints when we hadn't asked -- we suspect TEG wants everyone to escape -- but I think you could express your preferences re: hints at the beginning and they would be honored.”

DrPefesspein

51 escape rooms

Can you find the gold before the mob which Clyde Hamilton had hid who was a greedy gold prospector who was missing? Make it out in 60 minutes.

Are you brave enough to dive into the depths of the ocean to investigate an abandoned laboratory? Well, you’ll have to be in this escape room! The brilliant researcher, Dr. Humphreys, has gone missing and there have been rumors of mysterious experiments since his disappearance. It’s up to you to navigate your submarine to the lab, decipher Humphreys’ research, and discover what he’s been hiding deep in the ocean. Just be careful…you’re not alone in these waters…

SEE YOU ON THE PLAYGROUND Summer is here! Well, almost… If you and your friends are going to leave for summer vacation, you’ll need your final report card. Here’s the problem, you haven’t finished your work and these assignments are unlike anything you’ve encountered in a classroom before. Luckily, you’ve got a great squad and everyone brings something different to the table. Band together to ace the ultimate group project. Pass or fail, you’re in this together!

“I love the theme. Great sense of childhood whimsy. A few really fun physical elements to the gameplay. One physical puzzle was a joy with two people and really made me feel like a kid again. Lots of things to do in parallel, so a pretty good challenge for small teams. 5/5”

oddball

176 escape rooms

A MILLION WAYS IN, ONE WAY OUT 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?

“Love the immersion of starting in separate rooms. Did this as a birthday escape and it was so fun for the whole group even those who don’t normally do escape rooms with us! 10 out of 10 would recommend.”

nst3v3ns11

155 escape rooms

Clyde Hamilton has bitten the dust! The eccentric and reclusive prospector has gone to the big bowl of peaches in the sky, leaving the heir to his immense golden fortune a mystery. As a distant relative, you’ve been gathered to view his final will and testament. After some colorful insight, Clyde proposes a final game from beyond the grave – find the gold and claim your inheritance before news reaches the nearby town! Y’all better hurry. Time’s a-tickin’!

“Impeccably designed room! Clearly very well thought through and very fun overall. Would be great for a mid-sized group. I'm a sucker for atmosphere and this room delivers well on that. Puzzles were certainly manageable and good for a group of varying experience levels.”

stephie

69 escape rooms

Destroy the black hole! Your humble spaceship is blindsided by a ferocious and hungry black hole. If it’s not stopped within the hour, the entire solar system will be consumed! Your only hope is a nearby space station harboring antimatter to blow the black hole (and everything around it) to smithereens! Feed the antimatter to the black hole to end its rampage and save the solar system!

“Having done a number of reputable space-themed rooms, this one actually surprised us with the amount of tech integration and its usage within novel puzzles. The premise sets the objective almost like a "break everything" room, each with flashy visuals, only a few traditional locks and a ton of sci-fi themed components. A lot of the tools given to the players make you question whether you're even allowed to use them in an escape room, which adds to the immersion of the spaceship environment. As a group of two, we completed this one without any real struggles, though some of the puzzles would be less tedious with at least four players. These puzzles did not take away from the fun though, and given the high-quality setting and puzzles (assumedly as a newer room for the franchise), we definitely recommend this one.”

Buddy0816

34 escape rooms

Mysterious videos from a rumored undersea laboratory surface, detailing some strange and troubling experiments. Led by the excitable Dr. Leah, you embark into the depths of the ocean to uncover what really happened down there. But be warned, dark turns await! You’re not alone in these waters…

“A really strong room that does well with the sometimes questionable concept of a sub game. Every type of puzzle you can imagine is represented, and all puzzles flow quickly but also have strong aha! moments of synergy and a finale that was incredibly fun. Nay was an awesome game host as well and gave perfect clues that alleviated the enthusiast blind eye. Absolutely recommended.”

JackTheFlop

68 escape rooms

Pass Your Class 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. Playground was designed for up to 12 players and is an epic team building experience.

The mission for you and your team is to destroy the enemy and save our country from the invading forces. Disposal of a battleship is huge, beware of the risk.

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!

“Another really great game by The Escape Game. This is our favorite franchise for many reasons. The set quality is superb, and the puzzles here were great fun. The 2 of us did get out with about 20 minutes to spare, with no hints, so it was on the easier side for us. Every staff member we interacted with was a delight.”

Onaroll

168 escape rooms

Can you make an impossible escape to freedom? You didn’t commit the crime, but unfortunately, you’re paying the time at Iron Gate, an iron-barred, 1950s-era prison. This joint is run by a nefarious warden who enjoys playing twisted chess games with the inmate pawns (aka YOU!). Today, he’s dangling a chance at freedom in your face. One hour to break free. You must decipher clues, navigate secret passages, and outwit the warden at his own game to finally get outta here!

“This room lives up to its reputation as the most difficult room from this company. The fact that our group was separated in the beginning really adds to the difficulty but also the novelty of this room, requiring even more close group collaboration and made for some funny moments. As usual from this company, puzzles were creative, flowed well, and were well-thought out. The only weak point of this room I feel is the plot, which I felt could have been a little more creative”

araizada

29 escape rooms

Hack Attack (Room 1 of 5) A multi-screen communication game where the players must pass complex information and instructions across computer terminals around the rooms. Lazer Maze (Room 2 of 5) A hi-tech evasion game to get across as many laser patterns as possible in 10 minutes. Players must watch out, since patterns change every level, and even begin to move! Echo Chamber (Room 3 of 5) A listening game to recreate fun sound patterns using RFID readers distributed around the rooms. Floor Grid (Room 4 of 5) A movement game where players tracked by motion sensors must stand on assigned symbols on a grid while dodging obstacles like fireballs. Cyberbot (Room 5 of 5) Paint Bomb Mission room game, players must drive a virtual bomb robot through a complex maze to capture the 10-digit code to deactivate the Paint Bomb.

Deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest lies an ancient temple, shrouded in mystery and guarded by an age-old curse. It holds the secrets of a long-forgotten tribal chief whose spirit still lingers within its walls. Explorers have long been drawn to the temple through the years, but none have succeeded in lifting the curse. The latest to attempt this daunting task was the renowned archaeologist, Sir Jonas Grey. Sir Grey's expedition drew attention worldwide as he searched for the elusive Amulet of the Sun, said to hold the key to breaking the curse. Despite his experience, Sir Grey's efforts concluded in failure, leaving the temple's secrets, and the dreaded curse, unresolved. Now, it's up to a new group of explorers to unravel the mysteries of the temple and succeed where all others have faltered. Will you be the one to lead the final expedition and, finally, lift the curse?

“What a clean and extraordinarily well choreographed game. Great set, clean puzzle flow and brilliant sound and lighting. This game was an absolute pleasure from beginning to end. I can't wait to see their next game. They only keep getting better and better!”

Wheaties

619 escape rooms

For years you watched as your grandfather grew his candy shoppe into the most popular scene in town. From jawbreakers to fudge squares Grandpa sold it all. Many delicacies you would find on the shelves were the brand names you’ve always known and loved. However, what made the candy shoppe so popular wasn’t the Whirly Pops, it was the chocolate! Grandpa was always careful not to leave his famous chocolate recipe lying around for just any eyes to see, for this treasured family heirloom was hidden with care. With retirement growing near, Grandpa has left it to you to continue his legacy. Becoming the newest owners of the shoppe won’t be easy but it will be sweet! Enter Grandpa’s candy shoppe to explore the magic, secrets and puzzles that will test your wit and lead you to the coveted chocolate recipe!

“What a fun time! A very well put together room that’s perfect for all ages. If you’re newer to escape rooms and have kids, this room is absolutely perfect. The puzzles flowed nicely and the set design was awesome. The theme was also very nicely incorporated throughout the room. Super fun. Totally go check these guys out! The owners are so passionate about what they do, and it totally shows with their rooms.”

tpaul37

94 escape rooms

Twas’ the night before Christmas and… OH NO! It seems as though Jack Frost and his ice gremlins have broken into Santa’s toy shop and have left the factory floor Frozen In Time! Being that you are some of Santa’s top elves you’ve shown up an hour early to your shift on December 24th. You know just how important it is to ensure a smooth toy delivery to all the good girls and boys tonight! Now what? The toy shop is frozen over and there is not a minute to waste. It’s time to pull out your biggest, fanciest elf hats with the shiniest jingle bells and get the factory back in working order. Santa and the rest of the elves will be on their way to the office real soon. Time to get nut-cracking! Gather your elf squad and get ready to save Christmas for families all around the world!

“This is the PERFECT Christmas room. We played this game 2 months after Christmas and still felt in the spirit. So much joy in this room. The puzzles were super fun, and well themed. Also some super unique puzzles! The prop and set design was stellar as well. As much as this room is so perfect for the Christmas season, it’s also a fantastic room overall. Go check out PuzzleConnect! Their rooms are truly wonderful and the owners are so incredibly kind.”

tpaul37

94 escape rooms

Time is running out at RYCO’s Island, a prison surrounded by water along the East River of New York. Tomorrow you will be executed after being wrongly convicted of murder in the first-degree. For some time now, you have been planning an escape of massive proportions. Many have tried to escape RYCO’s Island but none have succeeded. Learning from their mistakes, you have crafted the perfect escape plan or so you think. You have just been given your last supper. You have exactly one hour to “eat” before the warden returns. Use your time wisely.

On the evening of April 15th, 1912 you and your team of mechanics are in the engine room of the Titanic, marveling at the engines powering the largest ship of its time. All of a sudden, an earth raddling thud shakes the entire room, followed by the disarray of sounds from various mechanical failures. Water has begun spurting into the engine room and is filling up fast. The Titanic has hit an iceberg! Work with you team of mechanics to keep the ship afloat for as long as possible. The captain needs an hour to load all the available lifeboats to save as many people as possible! Save the passengers, and then save yourselves!

“Very elaborate, high-tech set. Sticks to the theme well. Puzzles make sense in the context of the story. Some neat physical elements to the set. I’m surprised this company isn’t more popular — it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the nyc area 5/5”

oddball

176 escape rooms

New York State has hired you and your demolition team to destroy the last standing building in the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. It is the famous building 93, that was run by world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Sheehan, who mysteriously disappeared over a decade ago. Your crew has set the charges on an hour long timer, and you have to do one last sweep of the building before it can be knocked down. You clamor in to the elevator to check the final floor (Dr. Sheehan's old office). On your way up, much to your surprise, you find that you are not alone... ​Expose what's been going on in the "abandoned" asylum, and escape before your team's charges go off!

Your parents have finally entrusted you to babysit your younger sister, Olivia. You do a fantastic job, and send Olivia to bed early. Your parents give you a call to tell you that they will be leaving the restaurant soon, and that they will be home in one hour. As you hang up, you hear Olivia scream MONSTER at the top of her lungs. You burst through the door to find Olivia in tears saying that a monster has taken her favorite toy. She won’t stop crying and threatens to tell your parents that you did a terrible job. Where could it be? You can’t find it anywhere, and she never left the room. Your parents are going to kill you if Olivia is still awake when they get home! Find her favorite toy before they return or risk losing your parents trust for good!

“Ryco knows how to make a room! The game play was very linear, I just think that it requires support because there’s just a lot of tasks to do some of which are time-consuming and physically necessary as opposed to mentally challenging. That design was beautiful and everything in the room is useful. There’s a point where you need to get back into the bed that the entry room is set into but you also previously stepped with your feet on so I didn’t love that but oh my goodness was the room cool. There is a slight creepiness in two of the rooms but no jump scares. Behind some of the doors you have a clown in a clown car, dolls on a shelf, and teddy bears plastered on the walls.”

lizyakusheva

49 escape rooms

The Sheriff is assembling a special crimes division and you have been hand selected to lead it. This division will investigate the current wave of disappearances in the area. Your investigation leads you to a secluded house on Clinton Road. You and your team have 60 minutes to get inside the mind of a serial killer & see if you have what it takes to end the reign of terror.

“Absolutely enjoyed this one. Solid, fairly easy, logically flowing puzzles that make you feel smart…all equaling to a good time. 😂 Still needed a facepalm hint or two to finish but really enjoyable. Fully recommend. Fairfield Escape Room- and upper tier Escape room venue in Nj. The “puzzle connect” of North Jersey.”

s2escape

100 escape rooms

Congratulations on surviving the apocalypse! You and your team have stumbled across an abandoned bunker that has been left run down, damaged, and unable to operate. It’s your job to get it back up and running to use for your survival… Time is of the essence, and you only have an hour until the next wave of the apocalypse hits again.

“Wow, what a challenge! Lots of unique puzzles and beautiful set design! We took on the challenge and WON A FREE GAME, which was awesome. The team over there was absolutely incredible, even with some technical difficulties the Fairfield team was fun and helped us through it! HIGHLY recommend this room!”

Ryguy15

94 escape rooms

For unknown reasons, Charles Lockwood named you as an heir – not only to his estate, but to his entire fortune. It’s up to you to find the old man’s last will and testament, gain his riches, discover the truth about what really happened here, and perhaps you’d be good enough to release the trapped souls longing for the great beyond? But beware... if you linger too long... you too may find your soul trapped within the walls of... the Haunted Manor.

“Some puzzles seemed like logical leaps but overall very cute and charming room. Some puzzles that were very clever and I haven’t seen yet. Supposed to be 4/5 difficulty but I would place it more like 3/5 difficulty. Fully recommend regardless.”

s2escape

100 escape rooms

You are the swashbuckling archaeologist, Ohio Smith. When an ambiguous government agency contacts you about an ancient ceremonial dagger stolen from a Mayan Temple deep within the Amazon, you suspect your unscrupulous rival, Pilote, is behind it. “If this artifact were to fall into the wrong hands, the implications would be…apocalyptic” the shadowy agent warns. “I need you to retrieve the dagger at all costs and bring it to me…for God and country”. Despite your suspicions that this enigmatic Gman has ulterior designs, your penchant for adventure overrides your hesitation. Pilote’s notorious greed is always auctioned to the highest Black Market bidder. You assemble a trusted team to trace his movements. You and your team must locate this mysterious relic. With all these competing interests, the only certainty you know is this: It belongs in a museum!

“A big reason I love Escape Much so, well, MUCH, is the owners! They are escape room lovers through and through just like us, and the experiences are very lovingly crafted and thought out. The strongest aspect of their rooms, in my opinion, are their non-linearity. These rooms are very conducive to diving and conquering. Many puzzles can be solved in tandem, which really aids all players into feeling useful to the group. Personally, I find the Lost Artifact more challenging than Emily’s Garden. But that also depends on what kinds of puzzles you vibe with. Lost Artifact is perhaps less visual observation, and more analytical deduction. One of the final puzzles is especially difficult, but not unfairly. And the final, final puzzle is really great at bringing everything in the room together The GMs here are also all top notch, and often it’s the owner(s). I hope they make more rooms in the future!”

BaronAsInRed

69 escape rooms

You are about to enter Emily’s Garden, home to fabled goddesses who protect all who are welcomed to these peaceful grounds. The Lanywarfs, the sworn enemies of the goddesses, have terrorized the forests that surround the garden for centuries. Today, they invaded the garden and captured the goddesses. Before Emily was taken prisoner, she implored me to assemble a team to defeat the Lanywarfs and restore peace in the garden. Don’t let the garden fall under their sorcery Time is of the essence. Your team is Emily’s only hope.

“A big reason I love Escape Much so, well, MUCH, is the owners! They are escape room lovers through and through just like us, and the experiences are very lovingly crafted and thought out. The strongest aspect of their rooms, in my opinion, are their non-linearity. These rooms are very conducive to diving and conquering. Many puzzles can be solved in tandem, which really aids all players into feeling useful to the group. Emily’s Garden in particular is deceptively tricky. Devious, if you will. The puzzles are a lot of visual information and riddles — akin to the sort of puzzles you’d find in a puzzle book. The GMs here are also all top notch, and often it’s the owner(s). I hope they make more rooms in the future!”

BaronAsInRed

69 escape rooms