Discover the Best Escape Rooms in Las Vegas

Escape rooms are the latest entertainment craze, and if you’re looking for something to do in Las Vegas that’s a little out of the ordinary, a live escape game might be just the thing.

If you’re an escape room first-timer, be ready for an experience completely unlike any other Las Vegas attraction.

What’s an Escape Room?

Imagine you could climb into a movie and become part of the story.

Now, add in a treasure hunt, a puzzle box, and a ticking timer.

That’s what an escape room is like.

Each room has a different theme and backstory, and it’s up to you to find clues, solve puzzles, and escape before time runs out.

You might have to find keys to unlock vaults or boxes, or you may need to decipher a secret code that leads you to a hidden doorway into a separate room.

Solving each piece of the puzzle brings you closer to achieving the ultimate goal, which is usually to unlock the door to the room or to find the secret exit, though some games are won by finding an item or passphrase.

Different companies offer different experiences and technologies, including elements like magnetic locks, writing that only appears under blacklight, computers to hack, and ciphers that help you decode hidden messages.

They’re creative, clever, and fun.

Tips and Tricks for Escape Room Success

Part of the fun of escape rooms is escaping – proving your wit and resourcefulness to beat the game.

Good escape games are a challenge. You won’t get out easily.

Here are some tips to help you rise to the occasion and beat the clock:

Not every clue is a clue.

Some escape rooms plant things that seem like clues, but don’t actually factor into the ultimate solution.

Figuring out which pieces matter and which ones don’t is part of the game.

You might find a cryptic note taped to the underside of a desk, but just because it’s hidden there doesn’t mean it’s actually important.

So, if you’re struggling to figure out where something fits, it’s usually a better use of your limited time to move on to another puzzle and come back to it later if you need to.

Divide your efforts.

While your friends try to figure out how to get into that safe in the corner, get moving!

Rather than standing around watching them try codes, you should be sweeping the room for more clues, trying out those keys you found, or working on another puzzle.

Play to your strengths.

Escape rooms are designed to be conquered by teams, so play them like a team.

Write stuff down.

If your escape room comes with a notepad or a dry erase board, use it.

Often, the puzzles you’ll be solving have several layers of complexity – you might find a code, which unlocks a box, which contains a math problem, which gives you part of a computer password. The other half of the computer password comes from another clue, and then yet another clue tells you how to put them together.

Remembering all of those little bits by yourself is quite the task.

Use all of the tools that are available, and your chance of escape will be much higher.

Don’t have rigid expectations.

It’s impossible to make sweeping generalizations about your escape room experience because every room escape game is different.

Rather than going in with a certain set of expectations, it’s smarter to ask questions about rules, room layouts, tips, and goals directly to the staff on hand.

Make no assumptions.

Even if you’re an escape room addict, every new game is unique.

Ask for hints when you’re stuck.

Live escape room games are supposed to be difficult enough to present a challenge, but not impossible.

Don’t frustrate yourself by refusing to ask for help.

Most escape room companies have a specific number of hints you’re allowed to request, and they’ll either have a camera, a phone, or an intercom that you can use to summon a staff member.

Ask about their hint policy when you start, and when you reach an impasse, take advantage of the hints!

It’s far more fun to swallow your pride, ask for help, and actually finish the room.

Where to Find Escape Rooms in Las Vegas

There are no escape rooms directly on the Las Vegas strip, but there are several nearby:

Escapology is one of the best-rated escape room games in Las Vegas and is situated near the north end of the strip.

Countdown Live Escape is also conveniently situated near the strip. The picture at the top of this post is from their Sherlock room.

Rush to Escape is a little south of the strip, about 10 minutes away by car.

There are about a dozen total escape rooms in Las Vegas, so for locals or tourists with convenient transportation, it’s easy to find one nearby.

Be warned, though:

Escape rooms might just become your new addiction.