Escape rooms are everywhere in Chicagoland, and it’s a no-brainer why they’ve become so popular. The main idea is to work together as a team by solving puzzles in order to “escape” from a room you’re trapped in.
To make it even better, these local escape rooms have designed special themes perfect for your tweens and teens, or even specifically for your little ones.
Art of the Escape Room
- Address: 162 W. Grand Ave. LL, Chicago
This location does not mix you in with strangers. You will have the option of choosing between “Casino Heist”, “Kingdom of Night” or “Recording Studio.” All rooms give you 60 minutes to break out to win.
CluedIn Escape Rooms
- Address: 440 Roosevelt Road, Glen Ellyn
Experience “The Asylum,” “Game Master” or “Double Agents” at this location. The games are built for adults, but children are welcome. Players must be 13 years old or older to play by themselves. Guests under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required.
Combat Chicago – Tactical Laser Tag + Escape Rooms
- Address: 5520 W. 111th St. #1, Oak Lawn
It’s a combat veteran-owned entertainment venue. Choose between “Toxic Rush,” “Lilly’s House” and the newly renovated “Crazy Carl’s Bunker” for their escape rooms. Also, axe throwing and laser tag.
Elmhurst Escape Room
- Address: 152 N. York St., Elmhurst
Their family-friendly escape rooms are great for children ages 8 and up. The rooms are “Captain’s Quarters,” “Summer Beach Party” and “Save Sherlock!” Walk-ins are welcome.
Escape Artistry – The Railcar
- Address: 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave. #350, Chicago
Located in the Flatiron Arts Building, their particular escape rooms take you into the future in 2055 or in the past in 1908, 1934 or 1982. They also have one called “Operation G.R.A.N.I.E.,” which also takes place in the future. Must show proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID test within the past 24 hours. Must wear a mask in all shared spaces for guests 2-plus.
Escape Artistry – Time Gallery
Their particular escape rooms either take place in the future (“Operation G.R.A.N.I.E.”) or in the past in the year 1908, 1934, 1954 or 1982. Anyone under 18 years old must have a release waiver signed by their parent or guardian in advance – make sure to ask when booking your time. Must show proof of vaccination or recent negative COVID test within the past 24 hours. Must wear a mask in all shared spaces for guests 2-plus.
Escape Factor
- Address: 7228 Madison St., Forest Park
Minority-owned and locally-owned business. This escape room location is great for the whole family – parents, grandparents, teens and young children. Only private rooms here. Choose between “Timekeepers Trapped!,” “Bonus Fun Time Game Show Challenge,” “The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks” and “Ghost in the Graveyard.” Recommended for ages 6 and older.
Escape hOUR Room
Choose between the escape rooms, “Holiday Hunt,” “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” and “High Noon.” Recommended for ages 8 and up. Adult supervision is required for children below the age of 15.
Escape the Room Chicago
- Address: 60 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook
Make your escape in 60 minutes or less from “The Submarine,” “The Dig,” “Meltdown, The Theater,” “The Clock Tower,” “Jurassic Escape,” “The Agency” and “South Park: Cartman’s Escape Room.” Great for all ages. All rooms are private so you only have your group with you.
Escapology Orland Park
- Address: 15830 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park
You have plenty of games to choose from at this escape room franchise including “Antidote,” “Lost City,” “Under Pressure,” “Mansion Murder,” “7 Deadly Sins,” “Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure,” “Murder on the Orient Express” and “Star Trek: Quantum Filament.” All rooms are wheelchair accessible. Must crack it within 60 minutes.
Focus Time Escape Rooms
- Address: 9856 Derby Lane, Westchester
All rooms are private and reservations are required. Check out their rooms which include “Area 5” and “Serial Killers Basement.” You must escape in 60 minutes or less to win.
Fox In A Box Escape Room Chicago
Participants can select an escape room in one of these rooms, “The Bank,” “The Prison,” “The Bunker” or “Zodiac.” Their rooms are designed for 3-6 people and give you 60 minutes to crack it. “Zodiac” is the only room that is for ages 18-plus. The other three rooms do not have an age limit, but children (recommend 7-plus) should be able to contribute to tasks by finding clues. Make sure to reserve in advance.
Fuzzy Logic Escape Room
- Address: 130 Ogden Ave., Downers Grove
Their escape rooms are “Playground,” “Vet Office,” “Temple Raiders,” “Villains” and “Superheroes.” You will have 60 minutes to crack the code and get out of the room. Great for all ages.
Hidden Key Escapes Rooms of Naperville
- Address: 24W500 Maple Ave. #108, Naperville
Their escape rooms are, “The Victorian Room,” “H@CK3R$,” “Museum Heist” and “The Hideaway.” Their rooms are recommended for ages 8 and older because of the difficulty of the puzzles. Adult supervision is required for children under 15.
Just Escape Room
Choose between a 20-minute or a 60-minute game. Their 20-minute escape room is called “The Closet.” The others are “Split Personality,” “The Attic” and “The Secret.” Their rooms are recommended for ages 8 and odlder because of the difficulty of the puzzles. Adult supervision is required for children under 15.
Legendary Escape Rooms & Axe Throwing
- Locations: 44 W. New York St., Aurora and 15115 Des Plaines St., Plainfield
Each location has different themed escape rooms and axe throwing private party rooms. Children under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult and children participating should be old enough to understand the purpose of the game. Advanced booking online is required.
Lock Chicago Escape Rooms
- Address: 2510 Green Bay Road, Evanston
Book “Matsuri,” “Malfunction” or “Icarus” at this location. They also have scavenger hunts, too. They claim to be different from other escape rooms because they don’t lock you into a room, instead you will be given alternate end goals for your challenge room adventure. Recommended for ages 12 and older. All experiences are private and must have a minimum of four tickets.
Mastermind Escape Games Schaumburg
Choose from “Sorcerer’s Secret,” “The Shed,” “Bank Heist” or “Outbreak: Find the Cure” for this 60-minute-long experience. All escape games are private, so you will not be playing with someone you don’t know. Players with physical restrictions or sensitivities should call prior to booking so they can assist you with choosing the right room experience. Games are designed for adults, but children are welcome. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult and children under 18 must have a signed waiver from their parent or guardian saying it’s okay to play. Children ages 5 and under are free. Reservations are required.
No Escape Room
Try your skills in the escape rooms, “The Police Station,” “The Law Breakers” and “School of Magic.” They have many virtual reality rooms such as “Dragon Tower,” “Space Station,” “Laser Bots” and more. For ages 10 and older. Adult supervision is required for players under 16.
Odyssey Escape Game Schaumburg
Experience the “Titanic – The Final Hour,” “Towering Inferno: Race the Flames,” “The Nuketown Diner,” “Jack the Ripper – Solve the Mystery” and “Prison Break: Walk the Mile” at this location. You will have to search for clues, solve the puzzles and find the keys to escape. Reservations are required. All ages are welcome, but ages 12 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.
Panic Escape Room Games
- Locations: 221 E. Lake St., Addison, 990 Grand Canyon Pkwy., Hoffman Estates and 1000 W. Spring St., South Elgin
The Addison location features “Pirates of the Carribean “Dead Island,”” “Black Mirror” and “Insidious” (coming soon). The Hoffman Estates location features “Arkham Asylum: Riddlers Escape,” “Cold Case Files: Amnesia,” “The Lost Arcade,” “Conjuring Experience,” “The Book of Saw,” “Uncut Gems” and “Escape the Matrix.” South Elgin location features “We are Anonymous 2.0,” “Forever Purge,” “Night at the Museum,” “Unsolved Mysteries: Institution Secrets” and “Alice in Wonderland.” Reservations are strongly recommended.
PanIQ Escape Room Chicago
- Locations: 1200 W. Lake St., Chicago and 3061 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago
All of their games are private so you do not have contact with anyone else other than the group you bring. Each room gives you 45 or 60 minutes to escape. Each location (Logan Square and Fulton Market) have different themed rooms and are recommended for a certain number of players. The escape rooms are recommended for ages 10 and older.
Psych Escape Room
- Address: 18058 Wolf Road, Orland Park
Their escape rooms include “The Starlight Diner,” “CSI: Orland Park,” “Sherlock’s Secret,” “The Lakehouse” and “Al Capone’s Den.” You will have 60 minutes to complete. For ages 10 and up.
Redline VR
- Address: 4702 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago
Redline VR offers virtual reality escape rooms. They’re great for kids and adults alike. You purchase the use of two headsets and must collaborate to complete the escape in 60 minutes or less. Great for all ages, although they are 21-plus after 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They have rooms at all levels and are their headsets are recommended for ages 9-plus.
South Side Escape Rooms
- Address: 4903 95th St., Oak Lawn
Solve puzzles, clues and riddles to unlock your way out of their Clue-themed escape rooms. Recommended for ages 15 and older, however anyone is invited to play. If you’re bringing younger children, make sure they have assistance and supervision in the room.
The Escape Game Chicago
- Address: 42 E. Ontario St., Chicago
They offer five escape rooms for all skill levels. The rooms are “Prison Break,” “The Heist,” “Special Ops: Mysterious Market,” “Gold Rush” and “Mission: Mars.” Every family-friendly game can hold up to eight players. You can book your game by calling or booking on their website.
The Great Escape Room Chicago
Test your code breaking skills in their escape rooms that have a time limit of 60 minutes or 120 minutes. They also have scavenger hunt rooms that are great for all ages. For the scavenger hunts, your personal game monitor will join you in the room. Also, available for a portable escape experience that comes to you.
The Quandary Escape Rooms
- Address: 3205 N. Clark St. #100, Chicago
You will have your choice to test your skills in “Escape the 90s,” “Lab of the Lost” or “Left at Home.” Recommended for ages 10-plus. Adult supervision is recommended for ages 17 and under. Advanced booking is required. All rooms are private and you will not be put with anyone other than your party.
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