When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
The Great Escape Room Chicago
Why The Great Escape Room Chicago is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
The Great Escape Room Chicago is an outstanding destination for groups seeking an engaging and immersive activity to enjoy together. Located in Streeterville at 160 E Grand Ave Suite 400, this venue offers nine unique escape experiences lasting about 60 minutes each, catering to groups ranging from 2 to 8 players. What makes it a great place for friends to meet up is the wide variety of thoughtfully designed scenarios, such as tackling the intense “Infirmary: Surgical Crisis” where players race against time to save a patient, or unraveling mysteries in the eerie “Haunted Hotel” centered on Harry Houdini’s secrets. Other intriguing rooms include complex challenges like “Moriarty's Gameroom: The Hunt is Afoot!” and “Poker Night at the President's Bunker,” where teams must prevent nuclear disaster. The escape rooms mix creativity with logic puzzles, physical challenges, and atmospheric settings that foster teamwork and exciting social interaction. The lobby area even features mini-puzzles to help guests get into the right mindset. Additionally, the location offers convenient parking, making visits hassle-free. Whether for a casual meet-up, celebration, or team-building event, The Great Escape Room Chicago promises a stimulating and memorable experience that encourages collaboration, fun, and friendly competition among friends.
Here's what people think of The Great Escape Room Chicago
As of recent, The Great Escape Room Chicago holds a 4.9-star rating based on 5221 reviews.
User reviews for The Great Escape Room Chicago overwhelmingly praise the establishment’s immersive and challenging experiences. With a remarkable 4.9-star rating from over 5,000 reviews, players frequently highlight the excitement and mental stimulation offered by the variety of rooms. Positive feedback often mentions the creative and well-thought-out puzzles, engaging themes, and friendly, helpful staff who enhance the overall experience with timely hints and supportive hosting. Players appreciate rooms with balanced difficulty that require logical thinking without becoming frustrating, as well as the glimpse of atmospheric detail and suspenseful vibes, especially in rooms like “Mountain Top Murders.” Several reviewers note that the included hints and the game masters’ assistance contribute to a smooth and enjoyable gameplay. On the downside, some users report occasional issues such as unclear puzzle solutions, a few technical glitches, or rooms not being properly reset between groups, which can cause some confusion or diminish immersion. A small number found certain puzzles harder to decipher due to logical leaps or insufficient storytelling context; however, these critiques remain a minority. Overall, the consensus reveals that The Great Escape Room Chicago offers consistently high-quality entertainment, thoughtful game design, and excellent customer service, making it a top choice in the competitive escape room industry.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
The Pleasure Shop
We had a group of 6 and 2 others were added. It was really fun, it made sense, and the rooms are set up very nice. Will be going back!
Kendra Sanchez
Ander and Laren were amazing!!! I came here as a tourist with my co worker and it was so so much fun!!!! I highly recommend coming to try this! We did the infirmary quest.
Jovania Terrazas
Went with a group of 6 to the great escape room and had much more fun than I thought would! It was my first time going to one of these things and figured it could be cheesy. It wasn’t at all! It kept us super engaged the entire time! I really got into it. Our hosts Tanner and August were so helpful!
James Dugan
Tanner was our host and he did an amazing job at setting the tone and giving us all the rules. Laron was our game daddy and was VERY helpful and kept us on track. We always have a ton of fun when we go to this place, thank you so much!
Tracy Lane
We had an amazing time solving the infirmary escape room. Super clever puzzles and clues — and when we asked for a hint we immediately got super relevant info that was helpful but didn’t spoil the game. I’d definitely come back and try the rest of the rooms!
How to reach The Great Escape Room Chicago
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Why The Great Escape Room Chicago may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at The Great Escape Room Chicago with your friends? If you're seeking an engaging, fun, and intellectually stimulating way to spend time with friends or family, The Great Escape Room Chicago offers an exceptional experience that brings people together. With an outstanding 4.9 rating based on over 5,200 reviews, this venue clearly resonates with visitors who enjoy immersive group activities. Escape rooms inherently foster teamwork, communication, and creative problem-solving, making them ideal for social gatherings. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, organizing a reunion, or just looking to try something different, this spot provides a unique and memorable setting for bonding. The Great Escape Room’s combination of challenging puzzles, well-constructed scenarios, and supportive staff ensure that everyone gets involved regardless of their experience level. Gathering a group here means stepping into a fun, interactive adventure that demands collaboration, quick thinking, and a shared goal—perfect qualities for bringing your friends closer while creating lasting memories.
What activities does The Great Escape Room Chicago offer for group meetups? This venue features a diverse selection of themed escape rooms designed to accommodate varied group sizes and tastes. Each room challenges participants to solve puzzles, decipher codes, and unravel mysteries within a set time limit. Popular rooms include "Infirmary: Surgical Crisis," where players must save a patient trapped in a pre-op room, mixing mechanical puzzles with tech elements and requiring efficient time management to succeed. Another popular offering is "Mountain Top Murders," which immerses groups in a tense, spooky environment filled with creepy props and mysteries to crack. These interactive rooms are purposely designed for groups ranging from four to six or more, making them ideal for friends, family, or coworkers. Players are encouraged to communicate and delegate tasks, turning the experience into a team-building exercise as well as entertainment. The games vary in difficulty and theme, providing options for those looking for light-hearted fun or more challenging, immersive gameplay.
Why is The Great Escape Room Chicago perfect for a group meetup? First, the facility emphasizes guest experience with attentive game masters who facilitate the experience by offering hints and keeping the game running smoothly. Their friendly and helpful approach means that even newcomers feel supported, helping less experienced players fully enjoy the adventure. The lobby itself is equipped with mini-puzzles to get your group's minds warmed up, building anticipation and engagement even before the escape room begins. Moreover, the rooms are creatively themed and built with quality props and puzzles that encourage both logical reasoning and creative thinking. The ability to choose from multiple rooms allows groups to pick a style and theme that best suits their interests and size, enhancing enjoyment. Additionally, the location in Chicago is convenient and accessible, making it easy to pair your escape room experience with dining or other social activities nearby. The Great Escape Room strikes a balance between exciting gameplay and reliable customer service—a combination that makes group meetups more dynamic and unforgettable.
What kind of atmosphere and difficulty can groups expect? Visitors consistently describe the atmosphere as immersive and well-designed, with many rooms cultivating tension, excitement, or even light scares without being overwhelming. Different rooms cater to different tastes; for example, "Mountain Top Murders" adds a spooky, suspenseful vibe with eerie props, while “Infirmary: Surgical Crisis” blends urgency with clever technology-driven puzzles. The difficulty of puzzles ranges from medium to challenging, encouraging groups to strategize and collaborate closely. Reviews highlight that teamwork is crucial—players must divide tasks, share clues openly, and think out of the box to progress. While some puzzles require logical leaps or multi-step solutions, onsite hosts provide timely nudges that help prevent frustration and keep the energy positive. For groups looking for an adrenaline rush or a mental workout, these rooms hit the right balance between challenge and fun, pushing participants just enough without feeling impossible. The design fosters a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie when teams escape on time—or at least get tantalizingly close.
How can The Great Escape Room Chicago enhance your social gathering beyond the game itself? The venue sets the stage for more than just puzzle-solving; it acts as a social catalyst that enriches connections among friends or family. Since the activity demands communication and cooperation, groups naturally break down social barriers and enjoy moments of shared discovery. Many reviewers mention that the experience is a refreshing alternative to typical hangouts like dinner or movies, providing a dynamic environment where everyone actively contributes. The excitement generated often lasts beyond the escape room door, with participants discussing puzzle clues and reliving moments together. The Great Escape Room Chicago also often runs deals or packages, enhancing value for groups who want to make it a full occasion. Overall, by combining entertainment with interactive mental challenges and excellent hosting, The Great Escape Room Chicago transforms a simple meetup into a memorable event filled with laughter, teamwork, and fun stories to tell later.