Puzzle rooms—also commonly called escape rooms and adventure rooms—have become a phenomenon in Austin, with nearly a dozen such businesses opening in recent years. Learn more about what choices are available in Austin using this non-comprehensive guide.
Critical thinking and communication are required to solve team-building challenges.[/caption]
11th Hour Escape
Critical thinking and communication are required to solve team-building challenges. 2600 McHale Court, Ste. 151 512-838-1601 www.11thhourescape.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 2-10 p.m., Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun. 2-8 p.m. Cost: $23/person • 2-10 people/group (age 10 and older) Reservations: online, same-day What makes us different: “11th Hour Escape offers a choice of difficulty levels: easy for those new to escape rooms, medium for those with some escape room experience and difficult for those who are expert escape-roomers.” News/announcements: Two new rooms, “Anti-Gravity” and “Submarine Scheme,” are currently in beta testing mode.
Technical and theatrical elements as well as custom electronics and gadgets are used to add depth to storylines.[/caption]
15 Locks
Technical and theatrical elements as well as custom electronics and gadgets are used to add depth to storylines. 2113 Wells Branch Parkway, Ste. 4300 512-669-5370 www.15locks.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 4-10 p.m., Fri. 4 p.m.-midnight, Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 2-10 p.m. Cost: $25/person • 2-14 people/group (age 10 and older*) Reservations: online, phone, same-day What makes us different?: “[We] incorporate things like surround sound, video characters and hint systems into all of our rooms.” News/announcements: A sci-fi-themed room is scheduled to open in the spring, giving 15 Locks four rooms total.
Guests are locked in a room and must use their deduction skills and clues they find to escape within 60 minutes.[/caption]
Austin Panic Room
Guests are locked in a room and must use their deduction skills and clues they find to escape within 60 minutes. 1205 Rio Grande St. 512-920-2845 www.texaspanicroom.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-midnight Cost: $20/person • 8-10 people/group (age 10 and younger*) Reservations: online What makes us different?: “We are the first and original escape game in Austin and in Texas. Our rooms, changed every six to eight months, are interactive, fun and great for all ages.” News/announcements: More than 100,000 visitors have visited the three Texas locations since the company was established in September 2014.
An interactive and immersive show helps participants solve puzzles and meet objectives.[/caption]
Great Room Escape Austin
An interactive and immersive show helps participants solve puzzles and meet objectives. 2632 Ridgepoint Drive 512-213-4222 www.greatroomescape.com Hours: Fri. 6-10 p.m., Sat. 1-10 p.m., Sun. 1-6 p.m. Cost: $39.95/person • 2-12 people/group (age 12 and older*) Reservations: online, same-day What makes us different?: “The production value in each room is meant to stand out. … And don’t be surprised if you run into some interesting characters along the way.” News/announcements: Great Room Escape Austin relocated from the House of Torment location and will reopen in March with four escape rooms.
Participants must solve a series of puzzles to either disarm a bomb or clean out an underground casino.[/caption]
Lockdown Austin
Participants must solve a series of puzzles to either disarm a bomb or clean out an underground casino. 1101 Music Lane, Ste. 342 512-808-0851 www.lockdownaustin.com Hours: Tue.-Thu. 6-10 p.m., Fri. 4-11 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun. noon-9 p.m. Cost: $25/person • 2-8 people/group (age 16 and older*) Reservations: online, phone, same-day What makes us different?: “Lockdown Austin offers a variety of corporate team-building packages. … We are also unique in our location, located in the heart of Austin’s entertainment district.” News/announcements: The “Casino Heist” room opened Dec. 18.
Solve puzzles, explore clues and escape the room within 60 minutes in this team-building experience.[/caption]
Maze Rooms Austin
Solve puzzles, explore clues and escape the room within 60 minutes in this team-building experience. 5555 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. K110 512-541-1640 http://austin.mazerooms.com Hours: Mon.-Thu. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Cost: $120-$160/hour • 2-6 people/group (age 10 and older*) Reservations: online, phone What makes us different?: “We specialize in full-set design and high-tech gadgets, so we are very high-tech for an escape room. When you walk into our room, it feels like a movie set. I compare the gadgets to Indiana Jones or James Bond.” News/announcements: The L.A.-based franchise was actually created in Russia, where one location has more than 600 games.
Escape or solve the mystery at this family-friendly attraction made up of two types of themed rooms.[/caption]
Mystery Room
Escape or solve the mystery at this family-friendly attraction made up of two types of themed rooms. 3220 Feathergrass Court, Ste. 128 512-264-9229 www.mysteryroom.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m. Cost: $18-$20/person • 2-10 people/group (age 14 and older*) Reservations: online, phone, same-day What makes us different?: “I feel like our rooms are much more simple, yet you can still have one of the best times here.” News/announcements: The other four Mystery Room locations are based in the eastern United States. The first opened in Atlanta.
Described as an immersive, real-life puzzle challenge, participants work as a team to accomplish missions and uncover the mystery.[/caption]
Perplexium
Described as an immersive, real-life puzzle challenge, participants work as a team to accomplish missions and uncover the mystery. 8868 Research Blvd., Ste. 704 512-640-6330 www.perplexiumlive.com Hours: Mon.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Cost: $28/person, $230/10-person group • 2-10 people/group (age 13 and older) Reservations: online, phone, same-day What makes us different?: “All of our puzzles are designed to fit the scenario—no padlocks or combination locks. ... We also pride ourselves on our custom-built, high-tech room elements.” News/announcements: In addition to the “The Spy” room, “Rogue A.I.” opens in January.
Find clues and solve puzzles in two rooms: “Super Villain’s Hideout” and “Wizard School Exams.”[/caption]
Puzzle Room Austin
Find clues and solve puzzles in two rooms: “Super Villain’s Hideout” and “Wizard School Exams.” 111 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. E320 512-461-2332 www.puzzleroomaustin.com Hours: Thu. 6-8 p.m., Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. noon-10 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m. Cost: $20/person • 2-10 people/group (age 13 and older) Reservations: online, same-day What makes us different?: “Each game has a facilitator, which lowers the frustration level for new players and allows us to have puzzles with more depth. We’ve been in business for a year now, ... however, we did this as a hobby prior to opening.” News/announcements: A third puzzle room, “Wild West Riddle Round Up,” will open at the end of January.
The Escape Game was one of the first three escape games in the United States.[/caption]
The Escape Game
The Escape Game was one of the first three escape games in the United States. 405 Red River St. 512-643-0043 www.theescapegame.com/austin Hours: Mon.-Sun. 1-10 p.m. Cost: $31.99/person • 2-7 people/group; 2-8 people/group (age 12 and older*) Reservations: online What makes us different?: “Our highest priority is providing each customer with an amazing interactive experience. Our game team designs fully immersive and elaborate rooms with intricate storylines.” News/announcements: This is The Escape Game’s fifth location nationwide but first in Texas.
Escape, choose your own adventure or solve real-life puzzles in this interactive, theatrical experience.[/caption]
The Seventh Room
Escape, choose your own adventure or solve real-life puzzles in this interactive, theatrical experience. 911 W. Anderson Lane, Ste. 116 512-643-3945 www.theseventhroom.com Hours: Tue. 9-10 p.m., Wed.-Fri. 5-10 p.m., Sat.-Sun. noon-10 p.m. Cost: $22/person • 2-8 people/group (age 13 and older) Reservations: online What makes us different?: “You are never actually ‘trapped’ in one room. Our players visit a number of different rooms in every visit and try to complete all given tasks within each.” News/announcements: The puzzle master can change missions at any time, enabling returning participants to take on new tasks each visit.
