When it comes to recreational activities, there are few experiences you’d willingly pay to be trapped. But in the case of escape rooms, which have really taken off in the past decade, that is quite literally the name of the game. These immersive adventure games offer the same escapist-itch as a video game in which players are placed in a room, usually involving a theme, and have to collect clues, solve puzzles and ultimately escape before the clock runs out. In an era dominated by digital communication, escape rooms breathe interactive life back into a night out with friends, coworkers, the curious and the adventurous.
“We find that customers love escape rooms because it mixes fun real-world activity with a story or mystery that requires thinking and problem solving,” says Michael McDonald, owner of Escape 101 (esc101.com) in Brookfield, which has provided the community an “escape” from your typical indoor entertainment since 2016. “It really is a different activity than just about anything else you can do – a bit like being in a live version of a movie scene maybe.”
With many ways to play, multiple themed rooms to choose from and difficulty and fright levels for all ages and comfortability, Escape 101 has the added bonus of being centrally located in one of Fairfield County’s most well-traveled footholds. “We are located on one of the busiest shopping districts in the area and it’s a great place to get both loyal returning customers as well as attract attention from new customers driving past. With all of the stores and restaurants in the area, the attention and advertising value of being right on a major road is enormous,” says McDonald.
There are not many places where you can survive a sinister haunted house, travel back in time, and even stop Earth from imminent disaster, but at Escape 101, the possibilities are endless. Visitors can take a stab at escaping in small groups, or large groups up to 12 in designated rooms of play. No matter which room you choose, you must use your clues and collective cunning to solve before time runs out. Stumped? Not to worry, dear Watson. “Ask for clues!” says McDonald. “We will always help if you are stuck and not sure where to go or what to do when you get to a particular point.”
As for his top piece of advice: the writing’s on the wall. “So many people facing the ticking clock to escape don’t take the time to read the hints and puzzles and clues in the room. If there are written words in the room, they are there for a reason and it definitely pays to read and think and ignore the clock for a minute rather than just racing around searching.”
Escape or no escape, half the fun is in trying something new. But for McDonald and his staff, they are continuously being surprised by the things that happen behind closed doors. “We have had several people get engaged in our escape rooms – someone will come to us in advance and tell us they want to get engaged and ask us to hide the ring at the end of the room in the final box or door and then they work through the room to solve the puzzles together as a couple (or small group supporting the couple). An escape room is a great way to demonstrate the kind of teamwork and collaboration that a marriage requires.”
