Escape room games have taken Toronto by storm. With so many different themes, variations, and options, they've grown into a must-try experience. The best escape games stand out from the tired trapped-in-a-room-with-a-lockbox scenario by combining mysterious settings with well-written stories and difficult-but-solvable clues. When it all works, the adrenalin rush is fantastic.
Here are my picks for the top escape room games in Toronto by neighbourhood as well as a smattering of options outside of the city.
CHINATOWN
With four different rooms, Escape Zone is a solid choice if you're going with a group of friends that want to get competitive. Word to the wise, the staff gives hints if you're really stuck (but don't tell the other group!). If Escape Zone is booked, check out Mystery Room.
DANFORTH EAST
Looking Glass Adventures is a family-friendly escape room, with kid-appropriate puzzles for little ones and special child-sized prices for diaper-drained bank accounts. The fun for everyone makes summer vacation a little easier with the added benefit of not having to listen to Let It Go over and over again.
DAVENPORT VILLAGE
The Great Escape has rooms with intriguing themes that range from theatrical (The Da Vinci Code) to lifelike (The Hangover). For added excitement, TGE offers the option of playing while fully costumed with themed wear from Theatrix Costume House.
NORTH YORK
AT Escape bills itself as Toronto's most realistic escape game, which is both creepy and intriguing. They incorporate unusual aspects into the puzzles and have thoughtfully designed and well-decorated rooms. If you can't book there, Escape Games is also a solid bet, with interesting, immersive games.
QUEEN WEST
With a price break for booking online as well as the occasional listing in deal websites and a bonus for checking in on social media while there, Lost Canada is a great pick for those looking for a good deal.
SCARBOROUGH
Escape Mission incorporates technology into its games to keep the puzzles new and exciting. The five rooms include themes like dragons and Call of Duty, appealing heavily towards the teen boy in all of us.
ST. CLAIR WEST
Escape Casa Loma takes a fun storyline and adds integrated characters and the novelty of being in a historical building to make an exciting game that represents exactly what Canada's been trying to do for so many years (escape the monarchy).
WEST QUEEN WEST
The Maci Bookout of escape games, Real Escape Game was one of the first escape rooms to hit Toronto and remains one of the best. Each new game is consistently engaging, with high-quality puzzles and stories.
YONGE AND DUNDAS
Roundabout uses high-tech props and intricate sets to create a convincing, realistic vibe to complement each room's theme. It's definitely your best bet if you're looking for a full immersive experience. Another good option in the area is Captive Escape Rooms.
YONGE AND WELLESLEY
In addition to multiple escape rooms, Riddle Room has an attached cafe that offers board and video games in addition to food and drink. With free use of the games if you've already done the escape room, this is ideal if you're looking to make a full day out of competing with your loved ones.
OUTSIDE OF TORONTO
BRAMPTON
Perplexity is known for having fun puzzles, unique themes and including the use of technology in their escape rooms, making it an ideal pick if you're looking for something with more of a wow factor.
BRANTFORD
Escape Key has just two rooms, but both are well-executed ideas with exciting games. On top of that, Escape Key has a public leaderboard for escape artists who need more than just the ticking clock to motivate them to escape.
BURLINGTON
Exit Strategy has three different escape rooms, currently modelled after Wentworth Miller's best role (Prison Break) and the Brady Bunch's best episode (Tiki Curse). As a bonus, kids are welcome to join in the fun (though the puzzles tend to be more Mike Brady level than Cindy or Bobby).
MARKHAM
With eight rooms, ESC-IT is the best option if you have a huge group, like a well-attended bachelor party. They have fun, well-produced games and offer a discount if you pay in cash. If ESC-IT is full, Mr. Escape Room is another option in the area. It's not quite as slick as ESC-IT but they tend to show up in group deals if you need to escape on a budget.
MISSISSAUGA
Not only does DeCode have multiple themed rooms, but they regularly host special events (like their facility wide escape) and partner with charities (like the United Way) to give back to the community. If you can't get in there, other Mississauga picks include Escape the House, an escape experience that boasts live props, and PANI.Q, a three room venue that has discounts on Tuesdays.
OAKVILLE
Though technically just by leaving Toronto to visit this escape game you've escaped from the 6, Oakville's Escape from the 6 is known for its high-quality games and the staff offers unlimited hints if you're really stuck.
RICHMOND HILL
In addition to their five rooms with escape games ranging from 45-60 minutes, Freeing Canada has a large lounge with free board games and popcorn to decompress after the adrenaline wears off and the hunger sets in.
UNIONVILLE
Xscaper hosts a few different games with unique themes based on movies and time periods. It also rates each game as to the "fear factor" and the physical, mathematical, scientific and logic skills needed to escape, so participants can pick the game suited to their strengths.
WHITBY
Located in Whitby, Durham Escape Rooms has three games ranked from easiest to most difficult. Durham Escape Rooms tend to have deals going on through their social media, so follow them on Twitter and ask about promos before booking to score a discount.
What did I miss? Leave your picks in the comments.
Photo via Escape Casa Loma.
by Martha Stortz via blogTO
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