This summer, beat the heat at one of these NoVA escape rooms. These puzzles range in difficulty and age. Families can work together to escape a pirate ship or navigate a candy-themed adventure. Thrill-seekers can explore haunted rooms and traverse gravesites.
Solving an escape room won’t just test your mind. It can teach you valuable lessons in teamwork and communication. Check out these eight rooms to see which best fits your puzzle-solving craving.
Bond’s Escape Room
With 15 escape rooms in two locations, Bond’s Escape Room features plenty of riddles and mysteries. If you’re up for a scare, try the Fairfax location’s Molly’s Horror Room or the Frightful Feast. The Arlington location includes fairy-tale–themed rooms like the Enchanted Castle and Elven Forest. 3949 University Dr., Fairfax; 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Ste. 910, Arlington, $90 for three tickets, $30 for each additional person
Escape Room Herndon
From a pirate ship to a magician’s workshop, these escape rooms let you immerse yourself in another world. This location offers four different rooms for all ages. Younger players can enjoy leading a rebellion in Maritime Mutiny and older players can try their hand at solving the Graverobber’s Dilemma. 406 Elden St., Herndon, $32–$44
Escape Room Live
Puzzle the day away, right in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Travel to a wizard’s apothecary or investigate Edgar Allen Poe’s chambers. Whatever historic period you fancy, there is something for you in these escape rooms. This location offers 45-minute and 60-minute games. 814 King St., Alexandria, $32.99–$35.99
Escape Room LoCo
At this escape room, there’s no shortage of ways to put your brain to the test. The LoCo Cocoa Factory is perfect for kids, and Alien Agents is great for those who are seeking a challenge. Alien Agents only has a 32 percent success rate. Participate in the Summer Speed Runs challenge to refine your skills. Until August 15, you can play a room as many times as you want in order to get the fastest time, and the winner for each room will receive a grand prize.
If you want to join in on the fun but can’t make it to the physical location, Escape Room LoCo will come to you. The Crate from El Dorado is a portable escape game that can come to your party or event. You can try a virtual escape room, where you will play in a physical room via Zoom. 201 Royal St. SE, Ste. F, Leesburg, starting at $39
Escapology
Decode secret messages and work together to unlock one of Escapology’s five rooms. You can team up with up to seven people to escape the Mansion Murder or Cuban Crisis. Escapology also offers Kids Mode, which is only for players 7–14. Regular rooms are converted into kid-friendly versions, allowing for your children to lead the solving and learn valuable teamwork skills. 4211 Fairfax Corner Ave. E., Ste. 230, Fairfax, $34.99–$39.99
Family Escape Rooms
This Stafford escape room specializes in virtual reality rooms. Instead of being in a physical room, you and your group will wear headsets to solve the puzzle. Some of the virtual reality rooms include Survival, where you are stranded on an uninhabited island, and Alice, where you must defeat the Queen of Hearts and save Wonderland. For escape room purists, Family Escape Rooms still offers a traditional room. 2781 Richmond Hwy., Ste. 111, Stafford, $25
Rush Hour Live Escape Games
As the only escape room in Fredericksburg, this location is a must-visit for puzzlers. Check out one of six rooms for an hour of fun. Go on a treasure hunt in the Lost Jewel of Zanzibar and take down a mob boss in the Lucky Duck Speakeasy. Let the kids try to escape from a pirate ship in Blackbeards Brig. The games take four to six players. 1 Towne Centre Blvd., Ste. 3100, Fredericksburg, starting at $128 for four players
The Great Xcape
This Manassas escape room has four different rooms that can amuse science fanatics and 1980s enthusiasts alike. The Great Xcape also offers Murder Mystery Meals, a party for up to 10 people. But this isn’t an ordinary meal. You’ll have to work together to solve the murder and find the culprit. There are over 40 themes, including Mardis Gras and the Roaring 20’s. You’ll also get your choice of breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or tea party, and a choice of cuisine. 8314 Browns Ln., Ste. 201, Manassas, starting at $30
Feature image courtesy Escapology
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