Archie MontroseIf you’re up for a fun challenge in Vancouver, escape rooms are the way to go! I’ve had the chance to try out quite a few, and while some of them really had me scratching my head, they certainly provided an exciting and immersive experience.
We loved the variety of themes and puzzles that kept us engaged and we were so sure that we would be able to escape in time. The adrenaline rush of racing against the clock made it a thrilling adventure that we can’t wait to try again.
In this guide, I’ll share some of the best spots in the city to test your wits and have an unforgettable experience!
Immerse Yourself in Mystery at Find and Seek
Media credit: gofindandseek
Book here
Website: http://www.gofindandseek.com/
Difficulty: Intermediate
Pricing: $$
Address: 88 W Pender St #2075, Second floor, BC V6B 6N9
Contact details: +1 778-379-7727
Operating hours:
- Monday and Tuesday: 12pm to 8pm
- Thursday to Sunday: 12pm to 8pm
Find and Seek offers two mystery-themed escape rooms that require groups of 8 to 10 people. Both rooms are priced at $35.20 plus tax, but each presents unique challenges.
The Mystery at the Majestic Theatre tasks you with recovering a relic hidden within the theatre, while The Curse of Madam Zita’s Curiosities challenges you to uncover the secret behind a curse.
The puzzles vary in difficulty, with some allowing your group to split up for efficiency. Teamwork is essential, as many tasks involve collaboration, such as one person reading instructions while others solve puzzles.
All of the weighted and magnetic devices work flawlessly, so you won’t encounter any technical issues.
They also offer a hint system with “free clues” to help you stay on track, along with sounds to confirm when you’ve solved a puzzle correctly. Each puzzle is straightforward and ties into the overall story.
Although the rooms are referred to as chapters, they don’t need to be completed in any specific order. Think of each chapter as a standalone adventure that contributes to the central narrative.
Pro tip:
There are secure lockers available for storing your belongings during the game. However, there are no restrooms inside; you’ll need to use the ones in the food court.
Challenge Your Wits at I-Exit
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Website: https://i-exit.com/
Difficulty: Intermediate
Pricing: $$
Address: 1129 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M1, Canada
Contact details: +1 778-379-8828
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 1:40pm to 8pm
- Friday: 1:40pm to 9:20pm
- Saturday: 11am to 9:20pm
- Sunday: 11am to 8pm
i-Exit on Granville Street offers four themed escape rooms, each filled with clever and unique puzzles that are incredibly fun to solve.
The rooms feature a variety of themes: Pirates on the Rocks, Doomed to Win in Vegas, Party at the Studio, and The Matrix. None of these themes are scary; instead, they focus on providing a fun, creative, and mentally challenging experience.
The difficulty of the rooms is progressive, so if you’re planning multiple visits, it’s a good idea to start with the first one and work your way through.
The room designs are also impressive, with puzzles that often require abstract thinking, though they are not impossible to solve.
Also, instead of having a staff member enter the room to offer hints, i-Exit uses walkie-talkies, which helps maintain the immersive atmosphere. The hints provided are subtle enough to keep the challenge intact.
Pro tip:
It’s difficult to figure out the next step without hints, so you’ll likely need to tap your game master throughout the entire game.
Uncover Secrets at Exit Gastown
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Website: https://e-exit.ca/gastown/
Difficulty: Intermediate
Pricing: $$
Address: 289 Abbott St, Vancouver, BC V6B 2K7, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-264-1041
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 1pm to 9:30pm
- Friday: 1pm to 11:30pm
- Saturday: 11am to 11:30pm
- Sunday: 11am to 10pm
Exit Gastown is all about high-stakes scenarios. Each of their seven rooms presents a unique challenge, whether it’s escaping from a madman, stealing a coveted necklace, or activating an emergency backup power and returning to Earth.
For newcomers, Lost in Space is a great starting point. It introduces you to the types of challenges and puzzles you’ll face in their other rooms. If you’re up for a more intense experience, Nightmare on the 49th Street offers an exhilarating adrenaline rush.
The rooms are meticulously detailed, creating an immersive experience with well-crafted music and ambiance. The puzzles are challenging enough to keep things engaging but remain solvable, ensuring that the escape is always within reach.
Pro tip:
Although they accept walk-ins, using their online booking system is the best way to ensure a game will be available.
Test Your Bravery at Bamboozled
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Website: http://bamboozledeg.ca/
Difficulty: Easy
Pricing: $$$
Address: 4429 Kingsway #17, Burnaby, BC V5H 2A1, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-431-6788
Operating hours:
- Monday: 12pm to 10pm
- Tuesday and Wednesday: 3pm to 10pm
- Thursday: 12pm to 10pm
- Friday: 3pm to 10pm
- Saturday: 12pm to 11pm
- Sunday: 12pm to 9pm
At Bamboozled, escape rooms here are packed with dynamic boss battle scenarios that keep you on your toes. Inside, it’s highly-immersive and there are hidden clues.
One of the standout rooms is The Legend of Dragons, which combines a cutting-edge, high-tech setup with a captivating storyline. If you’re bringing kids or just want something family-friendly, the pirate-themed room is a hit, offering plenty of interactive activities and an engaging narrative.
For those who prefer a classic escape room vibe, the rainforest room is your go-to. It’s all about the puzzles here, with a more traditional approach that still delivers a satisfying challenge.
Across the board, the experience is top-notch. The attention to detail with the props, plus the clever use of sound and lighting, really draws you in.
They’ve even integrated advanced tech like sensors and RFID chips, which adds a bit of magic to the whole experience.
The rooms are designed to keep you engaged, with unlimited hints and puzzles that are both logical and hands-on.
You’ll need to work together to crack the codes, and the interactive elements make teamwork a must. To help you along the way, there’s a helpful narrated voice and TV guide that keeps you on track without giving too much away.
Pro tip:
They offer free 90 minute parking on-site!
Solve Intricate Puzzles at Evolve Virtual Reality
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Website: http://www.evolvevr.ca/
Difficulty: Easy and Intermediate
Pricing: $$
Address: 411 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1R4, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-829-2486
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12pm to 10pm
- Friday: 12pm to 12am
- Saturday: 10am to 12am
- Sunday: 10am to 10pm
Evolution Virtual Reality immerses you in 11 different worlds. Each session gives you 50 minutes to solve puzzles and explore these unique virtual environments.
The difficulty level varies widely across the games. For a real challenge, Alice and Cyberpunk are top picks. These games feature vast, intricate worlds where you’ll need to solve complex puzzles and navigate through multiple layers to advance.
If you’re new to VR escape rooms, don’t worry—Christmas and Jungle Quest offer a more beginner-friendly experience. They’re filled with engaging puzzles that are fun without being too difficult.
For horror fans, Sanctum is a must-try. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, it takes you into a dark, eerie world filled with suspense and thrills.
The visuals in all of the games are stunning, with surreal graphics that make the experience incredibly immersive.
On top of that, Evolution VR also features a collection of classic arcade games, giving you a nostalgic blast from the past that’s both fun and hard to find these days.
Pro tip:
It’s a good idea to book in advance if you’re planning to go on a weekend, ideally 2 weeks before. On weekdays (Monday to Thursday), students can enjoy a 15% discount.
Dive into Adventure at Pandora’s Locks
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Website: https://www.pandoraslocks.ca/
Difficulty: Hard
Pricing: $$
Address: 405 Columbia St, New Westminster, BC V3L 1A9, Canada
Contact details: +1 778-891-1993
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 3pm to 8:45pm
- Saturday: 1:15pm to 10:30pm
- Sunday: 3pm to 8:45pm
Pandora’s Locks’ escape rooms uses RFID, keyboards, video playback, and lighting controls, but it leans more towards traditional tech rather than augmented reality. It’s all about clever design and creativity, rather than flashy gimmicks.
For the best experience, it’s recommended to visit with a group of four, as this setup works perfectly for the style of puzzles.
Vault 405 is the most challenging of the rooms, offering a bonus puzzle for those who finish ahead of time.
The Wonderland-themed room is another standout, with whimsical puzzles that cleverly use RFID technology hidden in objects to trigger different effects as you interact with them.
Then there’s Murder at Sea, where you’re thrown into a classic whodunit on a ship. Your mission is to solve the murder by piecing together clues and working through puzzles to identify the culprit.
Pro tip:
We don’t want to spoil anything but the best analogy we can think of is figuring out how to “use the key” despite having the “key.”
Experience Cinematic Thrills at Escape! Whistler
Book here
Website: https://escapewhistler.com/
Difficulty: Easy
Pricing: $$
Address: 4293 Mountain Square #122, Whistler, BC V8E 1B8, Canada
Contact details: +1 604-962-1117
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 12:30pm to 9:30pm
Escape! Whistler, founded in 1998 by locals Karen and Kori, provides a unique indoor adventure option in the heart of Whistler’s outdoor paradise.
The facility features six different escape rooms—Pirate Ship, Yukon Gold, Buried Cabin, Pinball Machine, Underwater Lair, and Rabbit Hole—each with its own style, difficulty level, and objectives.
Whether you’re an escape room veteran or a newbie, there’s something for everyone. For those new to the experience, starting with the Pirate Ship is a good bet, as it’s designed to be more beginner-friendly.
Each room is thoughtfully crafted with a variety of puzzles that appeal to different problem-solving approaches. The set designs are intricate, and the special effects create a fully immersive experience, with vibrant decor and interactive elements that make the adventure feel alive.
Pro tip:
We highly recommend making a reservation at least a day or two in advance, as they often book up the day before or the morning of, especially during Winter and Summer months.
