Ever wanted to try an escape room, but didn’t know where to start looking for one, or what it really means? What if you’ve researched what escape rooms are, but don’t know how to start the process of finding a game and then solving the puzzles to get out?

Luckily for you, Brittnee is here! I will explain to you from start to finish how to get the most out of your Escape Room experience!

Step 1: read this article

It’s a prank

Step 1: Google and Yelp are your best friends

Google “Escape Room * YOUR CITY NAME *” and see what appears. Dig deeper and check the map so you can find one closest to you. Once you’ve found some great prospects, head over to Yelp and see how they stack up to other rooms. Read some of the reviews, you may even find that one is too scary for what you are interested in … or that it does not do well with children.

Step 2: check their social networks for promo codes

You have found the escape room that you think you would like to visit, amazing. You can Google and yell like it’s nobody’s business. Now you will want to see if they offer special codes on their social media pages. We always have the best deals on our Facebook and Instagram in my escape room. Sometimes you will be able to find $ 5 off promo codes that wouldn’t be mentioned anywhere else.

Step 3: go to your website

Now that you have the discount on your smarty pants, you will want to know when the place has availability and what rooms they have. Most of the venues you will see will have multiple rooms with different themes. Also, most escape rooms make you book in advance and some can be quite busy. Check out their reservation page and see what they have open. Then book it before anyone else!

* Be careful when reserving a partial room. If there are 6 spaces available and you have only reserved 4 players, 2 more players could join your game; however if you call the company they can help and block it for you

Step 4: Be on time!

Your Game Master will love you for it and being on his good side can’t be bad. A game master is the one who offers you hints or clues if you are fighting after all.

Step 5: Listen to the rules / introduction

They are there for a reason! Not only do we hate when guests break things, but we’ll generally tell you how to avoid things that will only waste your time. Remember that we want you to have fun and go out! We won’t tell you not to get on something as a trick. Plus, some rooms have informative introductions that may even include a few additional tips, so listen up!

Step 6: Don’t make lollipops

Well now you are in this gloriously decorated room and all you want to do is look at all the nice details for the next 5 minutes. No do not do that. Most rooms give you 60 minutes, so you’ll have to rush. Take 10 seconds to appreciate the work they put into the aesthetic and then start to tear it apart. (Okay, not literally, that would suck, just start moving things around and looking everywhere)

Sometimes you will have to find hidden objects around the room to help you with other puzzles … sometimes you will have to find the riddles … so start searching and gathering everything you find!

Step 7: divide

Some rooms are more difficult than others or have more puzzles than others, but there is nothing wrong with dividing up. Some rooms have multiple linear and non-linear puzzles (linear means that you will solve a puzzle that leads to the next puzzle and so on). Therefore, you will benefit from breaking up into a couple of teams and tackling multiple puzzles at once.

Step 8: contact your group

There is nothing worse than spending 10 minutes looking for a key that your teammate found when he first walked in and forgot he had put it in his pocket. Don’t be that person. When you find something, tell everyone, maybe they need it right away or sometime in the room.

Also, if you are struggling with a puzzle, let the others know. Everyone sees things differently, so they may get something you don’t. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, I’m sure you can do the same for them later in the game.

Step 9: Ask for help!

Don’t be afraid to make the game master do his job! It’s what they are there for and have probably been eager to help you for the past 30 minutes as well. Don’t wait until it’s too late to ask for a hint. Some rooms have limits, others don’t. Make sure you know when you enter the room.

Always try to solve the puzzle on your own or ask a team member for help first, but if it’s really affecting your ability to succeed, ask for a little push and get to the end!

Step 10: always take a group photo

Even if you didn’t go out, I bet you really had fun. Don’t let the memories fade away. Get the group photo and share it on social media. Tag also the escape room, they will love it.

Optional Additional Step 11: Check the Escape Room

They will really appreciate it and it will significantly help their business. Remember how you searched for them on Yelp, others will too. If you liked the room and want them to add more for you to play with, they will need to grow as a company. So check and tell your friends which is the best compliment.