Escape Room Chicago: 5 Themed Puzzle Games in River North

Lock yourself in a room and solve your way out together.

The Escape Game Chicago is a live-guide escape room experience in River North with five themed adventures (Prison Break, Mission: Mars, Special Ops, The Heist, and Legend of the Yeti), where teams of up to eight work together to find clues and solve puzzles within 60 minutes. Each game is family-friendly and non-scary, with a dedicated guide on hand to help. An adult must accompany anyone 14 and under, and the location sits steps from Michigan Avenue with restaurants and bars within walking distance for a full night out.

The experience

You arrive 15 minutes early to get briefed on your mission. A game guide walks you through the rules, then locks you in a room with your team. For the next hour, you're finding clues hidden in the space, solving puzzles that unlock the next room, and working through the logic that gets you out before time runs out. The guide watches from outside and can drop hints if you get stuck, but the solving is all on you. Communication matters more than speed. Most teams that escape do it because they talked through what they found instead of working alone in corners.

The five games run in completely different directions. Prison Break has you outwitting an evil warden. Mission: Mars puts you on the Red Planet launching a spaceship. Special Ops: Mysterious Market casts you as a secret agent uncovering a conspiracy. The Heist sends you after a stolen masterpiece. Legend of the Yeti takes you into the Himalayas. None of them are dark or scary. They're built around adventure and problem-solving, which is why they work for families with kids as young as 13 (younger players can join if an adult is in the room with them). Each game holds up to eight people, so you can book just your group or end up solving alongside strangers who booked the same time slot.

The location is right off Michigan Avenue in River North, surrounded by restaurants and bars open late. Big Bowl, Gordon Ramsay Burger, and Pizzeria Uno are all within walking distance, so a lot of groups book a game, then head out for dinner and drinks after the debrief. Public transit stops nearby if you're not driving. The whole experience (briefing, game, photos and debrief) takes about 90 minutes from the moment you walk in.

What’s included

• Admission to one themed escape room adventure.
• a live guide leading your team through the full 60-minute game.
• access to all puzzle rooms and clues in your chosen game.
• briefing before you start and debrief with photos after you finish.

Options for this experience

5 options

Mission: MarsGuide in English · 13 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 23:55Launch your spaceship within 60 minutes. Maximum group size: 8 people.

Special Ops: Mysterious MarketGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 08:20, the last at 23:00You have 60 minutes to uncover the truth. Maximum group size: 8 people.

The HeistGuide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 08:40, the last at 23:20Recover a priceless painting in 60 minutes. Maximum group size: 8 people.

See 2 more options

Prison BreakGuide in English · 11 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 23:00Complete your daring escape within 60 minutes. Maximum group size: 8 people.

Legend of the YetiGuide in English · 11 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 23:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 1h 15m, runs Monday to Thursday, 50 start times, from US$ 47.95 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Thursday50 departure times: 08:00, 08:20, 08:30, 08:40, 09:20, 09:30, 09:40, 10:00, 10:40, 11:00, 11:20, 11:30, 12:00, 12:20, 12:30, 12:40, 13:00, 13:20, 13:40, 14:00, 14:30, 14:40, 15:00, 15:20, 15:30, 16:00, 16:20, 16:40, 17:00, 17:20, 17:30, 17:40, 18:00, 18:30, 18:40, 19:00, 19:20, 20:00, 20:20, 20:30, 20:40, 21:20, 21:30, 21:40, 22:00, 22:40, 23:00, 23:20, 23:30 and 23:55Another day? ›

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by The Escape Game Chicago

Is this one for you?Book this if your group wants to solve puzzles together in a single room rather than wander a building hitting multiple locations: the locked-door format and one-hour time limit keep everyone focused on the same mission. The five different themes mean you can pick based on whether you want sci-fi (Mission: Mars), heist (The Heist), espionage (Special Ops), survival (Legend of the Yeti), or prison escape (Prison Break), so the same venue works for repeat visits with different games.

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Top questions

Can I play an escape room in Chicago if I've never done one before?

Yes. The Escape Game Chicago is designed for first-timers and experienced players alike. Your guide explains the rules before you start, stays available to offer hints if you get stuck, and the puzzles scale so that teamwork and communication matter more than prior experience. Every game is solvable.

What happens if my group doesn't escape in time?

You don't get locked in forever. The game ends at 60 minutes whether you've escaped or not. Your guide brings you out, you debrief about what you solved and what stumped you, and you get photos in the room before you leave. Many groups that don't escape still have a great time because the puzzles themselves are the fun part.

Which escape room game should I pick if I want the hardest challenge?

Prison Break is listed as the most difficult escape room The Escape Game Chicago offers. If you want something more approachable, Mission: Mars and Legend of the Yeti are good starting points. Your guide can also recommend based on your group's experience level when you arrive.

Can I bring kids under 13 to an escape room?

Children under 13 can participate, but the games are recommended for ages 13 and up because some of the puzzle content may be too difficult for younger players. An adult 18 or older must be in the room with anyone 14 and under, and that adult needs to sign the waiver.

What's included in the escape room price?

Your admission includes entry to play one of the five themed adventures, a live guide for the full 60 minutes, and access to all the rooms and puzzles in that game. Briefing, gameplay, debrief and photos are all part of the experience. Food, drinks and transportation are not included.

Is the escape room wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Escape Game Chicago is wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed. If you have specific accessibility questions about a particular game room, contact the location directly before booking.