Searching for an "Escape Room Near Me"? Here's How to Choose One
Typing “escape room near me” into a search engine has become a commonplace way to plan an exciting group outing. Within moments, a multitude of options will appear, and each will advertise the most thrilling escapade. Choices abound. Adventure? Detective? Prison break? Fantasy? Horror? Mysteries? The selection is seemingly endless.
How to Make the Right Choice
The best escape room is not always the nearest escape room, nor is it the most inexpensive. The best escape room has an enjoyable theme, engaging puzzles, an immersive atmosphere, and exceptional customer service. The best escape room is memorable from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave.
If you are booking your first escape room, or you are trying to find a better escape room than the last, here are a couple of things to consider.
Consider Your Group
Before you start evaluating escape rooms, consider the members of the group that will be escaping.
Will the group be:
Friends
Family
Co-workers
Party guests
A date
There are many options to consider. Some groups may appreciate a challenge while others are there for the entertainment, and team building may be the focus of yet another group. Reflecting upon the group’s preferences will be a tremendous help in choosing the correct escape room.
Choose a Theme Everyone Will Enjoy
Escape rooms offer plenty of options with unique and exciting themes. A gripping story is sometimes the best part of the experience.
Some popular themes include:
Detective mysteries
Ancient temples
Prison escapes
Secret laboratories
Treasure hunts
Spy missions
Adventure quests
Fantasy worlds
With a well-written theme, everyone can engage and work together to solve the room. Families prefer adventure and treasure hunts, while groups of friends may enjoy mysteries and crimes.
Check the Difficulty Level
Some escape rooms can be quite difficult compared to others.
Many are specially designed for beginners, and some are meant for expert players seeking an escape room challenge.
If it’s your first time in an escape room, you may want to avoid the most difficult room. A beginner-friendly room can show you how an escape room can be exciting and still limit the challenge.
Difficulty ratings are shown on most escape room signs.
Read Customer Reviews Carefully
Reviews can be really helpful in deciding which escape room to book.
Instead of just looking at the number of stars, take a few minutes to read what customers have said and consider what they have said about the:
Puzzles
Story
Staff and the room
Experience and how easy it is to book a room
Lots of good reviews mean that they have a great escape room. Lots of negative reviews mean that the puzzles may be confusing, the room is in disrepair, and the staff may not be as helpful. You may want a different room.
Look for Immersive Room Design
A great escape room should feel like you’ve entered a different world.
Attention to detail with the:
Decorations
Props
Lighting
Sound
Story
Create adventures that allow you to be part of the story, not just a person solving a riddle.
The experience is unforgettable when you feel immersed.
Consider the Size of Your Group
Escape rooms each have a recommended number of players.
Some are made for 2 or 3 players, while others are made for big groups.
Having the appropriate size escape room means that everyone can be a part of the experience, and you do not have to worry about being cramped or having added players.
If you are getting a birthday or work party, look to see if the place you are booking has the capacity to do big groups, or has multiple rooms to do at once.
Variety of Puzzles Makes a Difference
A great escape room has a variety of puzzles.
The best escape rooms have a good mix of:
Logic puzzles
Riddles
Pattern challenges
Observation puzzles/riddles
Collaborative puzzles
Code puzzles
Having a variety of puzzles keeps the room interesting and helps everyone on your team to play a part in the room using their best asset.
Good Customer Service Adds to the Experience
The escape room experience starts before you even enter your escape room.
Beginning your experience with a friendly staff that explains the rules and welcomes you creates a positive beginning to your experience.
Throughout the activity, hosts should deliver clues at strategic times rather than giving major portions of the answer.
The presence of staff members makes new visitors less tense while keeping the activity fun for veterans.
Safety Matters Too
Modern escape rooms are built with safety in mind.
Professional escape rooms will provide instructions for safety prior to the activity and will continue monitoring players throughout the game.
You may also want to see if emergency exits are made known and if staff will assist if an emergency arises.
Knowing safety plans are in effect makes players feel at ease so they can enjoy the game.
Keep the Convenience in Mind
When searching for an "escape room near me", convenience along with proximity is key.
You may want to consider the:
Availability of parking
Access to public transportation
Places to eat or grab a snack
Access to activities or shopping nearby
Finding a good location is important, especially if you want to go out to eat.
Room Selection for All Ages
It is important to remember the entire family when selecting the escape room.
There are escape rooms aimed specifically for adults, while some target the youth with more friendly puzzles and themes.
Looking at the suggested age range for each escape room ensures your whole party has fun.
Are There New Themes to Discover?
Most escape rooms have several rooms with different themes.
After you master the puzzles in one room, you can come back and discover a new story in the next room themed differently.
Having a variety of rooms makes the escape room the perfect venue for birthdays, work events or a fun outing any time of the year.
Easy Tickets, Happy Customers
Professional escape rooms have easy-to-navigate ticketing systems.
You should be able to find the best time for your party and learn the cost for the room and how many guests the room holds.
You should be able to find the room themes and the difficulty of each, as well as how to contact them.
An easy-to-follow website is a good sign the escape room is organized.
What Makes Escape Rooms a Hit?
There is no shortage of group activities, but escape rooms are different in that you are not a passive audience member.
You solve the clues and puzzles, and you win or lose as a team.
Escape rooms are not only suitable for casual adult gameplay, but also for families and first-time players.
Final Thoughts
Searching for the best escape room has a lot to do with the skill level and interests of your escape room group. In addition to all these factors, you can also choose an escape room based on their themes and the variety of puzzles, customer reviews, convenience to you, safety and customer service, and the overall cost versus the reward the escape room offers.
At The Hidden Hour, we offer you escape rooms designed to offer your group a story-based puzzle challenge that requires teamwork and engagement to solve. Whether you are new to escape rooms or are a frequent participant, the right escape room venue helps elicit lasting memories with the valued individuals you bring along.
