Room Escape Artist

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

1. Bonus Fun Time Game Show, Escape Factor
2. The Treehouse Raid at Fort Knocks, Escape Factor
3. Special Ops at The Escape Game (or just about anything at The Escape Game)

On the way up to Milwaukee:

1. Mystery Manor, 60 to Escape
2. Hidden Temple, 60 to Escape
3. The Passage, Twisted Limits Escape Rooms

In Champaign-Urbana:

1. Game Night, CU Adventures in Time & Space 🔒
2. Revenge of the Cabin, CU Adventures in Time & Space
3. The Wizard’s Curse, CU Adventures in Time & Space
4. 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

If you enjoyed the games at CU Adventures, check out this interview with Anne and Chris Lukeman on REPOD!