Escape rooms are great for group dates or, if you have older kids, you can go as a family. An escape room consists of being locked in a room (or series of rooms) and the only way to get out is by solving a series of puzzles and riddles. The room you are locked in will usually be “themed” and there will be an overarching story that the riddles will follow.
Escape rooms will usually list their difficulty level, as well as the minimum and maximum amount of people allowed in the room. Some places let you book a private room while others allow people to join your group before you start.
You usually will leave your cell phones in a box by the door as the riddles and puzzles are designed to be solved without the assistance of technology. Clues for how to solve the puzzles are found in the escape room, and often involve out-of-the-box thinking. There is a time limit, although you could escape early.
While you are “locked” in a room, there is always a way to get out in case of an emergency. You are video monitored the whole time, and an employee can give you hints from time to time if you get stuck. Escape rooms are usually one-and-done experiences because once you solve the puzzle it’s not as fun doing it again. Because of that, most escape room establishments will change their rooms every few years.
Escape rooms can be pricy, so some of the best ways to save are by using Groupon, signing up for an email list, or checking the company websites for discounts (the names listed below are hyperlinked). That being said, here are five places in Columbia where you can go to try out escape rooms:
Escape Plan
Address: 151 Riverchase Way, Lexington, SC 29072
Rooms offered: 5
Price: $28 per person
Time limit: 60 minutes
Minimum age requirement: 7 years old
Bonus – Best room for families: The Wizard
Escapology
Address: 717 Lady Street, Suite D, Columbia, SC 29201
Rooms offered: 6
Price: $29.99 per person
Time limit: 60 minutes
Minimum age requirement: None, although children under 14 have to be accompanied by an adult
The Final Door
Address: 930 Knox Abbott Dr, Columbia, SC 29033
Rooms offered: 4
Price: $25-28 per person
Time limit: 60 minutes
Minimum age requirement: None, although children have to be accompanied by an adult
Bonus – Best room for families: Down the Rabbit Hole
Great Escape
Address: 264 Graces Way, Columbia, SC 29229
Rooms offered: 3
Price: $25 per person
Time limit: 60 minutes
Minimum age requirement: 12 years old
Adrenaline Entertainment Center
Address: 7451 Garner’s Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209
Rooms offered: 4
Price: $18-23 per person
Time limit: 45-60 minutes
Minimum age requirement: None, although children have to be accompanied by an adult
Bonus – Best room for families: Western Escape Room
