Latest update: February 3, 2023
The escape room scene in Chicago is sparse yet creative.
During our most recent visit in March 2022, we enjoyed a handful of rooms around Chicago — yet our favorite experiences were all day trips out from Chicago proper.
Given this, in the Market Standouts below, we’ve also listed the standout games in 2 areas that don’t have their own recommendation guides: northeastern Illinois (about 45 minutes north of Chicago, en route to Milwaukee) and Champaign-Urbana (2 hours south of Chicago, but well worth the trek to visit CU Adventures in Time & Space!). These standout games would all also fit in the Set & Scenery Driven and Puzzle Centric categories below.
If you’re in the area, check out our guide to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Market Standouts
- Bonus Fun Time Game Show, Escape Factor
- The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks, Escape Factor
- Special Ops at The Escape Game (or just about anything at The Escape Game)
On the way up to Milwaukee:
In Champaign-Urbana:
- Game Night, CU Adventures in Time & Space 🔒
- Revenge of the Cabin, CU Adventures in Time & Space
- The Wizard’s Curse, CU Adventures in Time & Space
- Calling All Villains, CU Adventures in Time & Space
Set & Scenery Driven
- Bonus Fun Time Game Show, Escape Factor
- Duck & Cover Classroom, Escape Artistry
- Ghost in the Graveyard, Escape Factor
- Roaring Dan’s Pirate Dungeon, Escape Artistry
- The Escape Game (multiple games)
- The Railcar, Escape Artistry
- The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks, Escape Factor
Puzzle Centric
- Bonus Fun Time Game Show, Escape Factor
- Ghost in the Graveyard, Escape Factor
- The Escape Game (multiple games)
- The Railcar, Escape Artistry
- The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks, Escape Factor
- The Timekeeper’s Trapped, Escape Factor
Newbie Friendly
- Roaring Dan’s Pirate Dungeon, Escape Artistry
- The Escape Game (multiple games)
🔒 Golden Lock award-winning experience
