Looking for an activity in the AC?
Since this heat is pretty much unbearable, why not enjoy the indoors and try out a local Escape Room? Been living under a rock? Escape Rooms are interactive group activities centered around puzzles and mysteries, usually taking place within a closed space and set amount of time. With seemingly endless installations appearing all over Austin, we figured it was time to show you what all the hype is about.
Contributed by Will Conant
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Photo via The Escape Game
405 Red River Street
The Escape Game is located downtown, right in the middle of Austin’s famous nightlife scene. But before you rush off to 6th street, make sure to check out The Escape Game’s unique, immersive experiences. Boasting 8 different themed escape rooms spanning a variety of difficulty levels, The Escape Game is sure to have something for everyone in your group, making it a top pick on our list.
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1700 South Lamar #327
PanIQ Escape Room will be sure to test out your analytical thinking skills and ingenuity with its wacky room themes. Your invitation to an ancient council of wizards is waiting right around the corner at Wizard Trials, a room perfectly designed for families. Rolling with a bit of an older crowd? We suggest testing your wits in the Insane Asylum Room, which is meant for experts.
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Photo via Austin Panic Room
1205 Rio Grande Street
Don’t panic… ‘panic room’ is just another name for an escape room, and is not some especially designed torture dungeon. Austin Panic Room is a strong addition to our list for families especially, but they have a few scenario options for adults wanting to test their logic skills. We suggest their Oval Office room, where you’ll try to save the United States from impending doom. And don’t worry - if things get too stressful, all of Austin Panic Room’s games are equipped with an exit button for a quick escape.
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Photo via Yelp
2113 Wells Branch Pkwy #4300
Escape Hour’s commitment to adventure and immersion results in some of the most unique escape room experiences in all of Austin. Escape Hour’s puzzles are thoroughly thought out and not too abstract, ideal for hands-on types of people. Their 8 rooms include Baker Street Mystery, The Crypt, Dead Man's Cove, Call of the Ancient, Lab Rats, and more. Escape Hour covers a wide range of scenarios, and all of them are truly a blast.
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Photo via Mindspark
2632 Ridgepoint Drive
Located in the same complex as Austin’s annual Halloween horror, House of Torment, Mindspark Escape Games is for our readers who are seeking out a good scare. Mindspark only offers 2 different escape room scenarios, but here at Do512 we believe in quality over quantity. Mindspark’s Zombie room is less difficult than the Houdini room, but decidedly more scary and intense. If you aren’t interested in either, Mindspark also offers axe-throwing as a fun alternative.
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Photo via Escapology
2000 S. IH-35
Though technically in Round Rock, Escapology’s expertly crafted and creatively executed designs deserve a spot on our list of the best escape rooms around town. With 8 different games to offer potential participants, Escapology’s style is a bit darker and less family-oriented. For instance, their room's themes are Mansion Murder, 7 Deadly Sins, A Pirate's Curse, Lost City, Budapest Express, Arizona Shootout, Antidote, and Under Pressure. If you are like us, that is right up your alley!
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Photo via Groupon
13729 Research Blvd
While Pinballz Arcade, an Austin staple, has 2 escape rooms for prospective clients, it is sure to not disappoint those who go. Clocking in at just 30-45 minutes, Pinballz Arcade’s Space Odyssey and Da Vinci Code rooms are shorter alternatives to the standard hour-long sessions offered by our other contenders. The best part about Pinballz Arcade’s escape rooms is that the fun doesn’t have to stop after you complete the puzzle, as Pinballz is one of the most well-stocked arcades in all of Austin.
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EVEN MORE ESCAPE ROOMS IN AUSTIN:
7950 Anderson Square #108
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Did we miss your favorite escape room?
