The 22 best escape rooms in New York City
The vibrant tapestry of New York offers some of the very best escape rooms anywhere in the US. Here are the best in the city.
The Escape Game
Very Positive
1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“A really strong room that does well with the sometimes questionable concept of a sub game. Every type of puzzle you can imagine is represented, and all puzzles flow quickly but also have strong aha! moments of synergy and a finale that was incredibly fun. Nay was an awesome game host as well and gave perfect clues that alleviated the enthusiast blind eye. Absolutely recommended.”
JackTheFlop
36 games played
The Escape Game
Very Positive
1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Impeccably designed room! Clearly very well thought through and very fun overall. Would be great for a mid-sized group. I'm a sucker for atmosphere and this room delivers well on that. Puzzles were certainly manageable and good for a group of varying experience levels.”
stephie
54 games played
The Escape Game
Very Positive
1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Love the immersion of starting in separate rooms. Did this as a birthday escape and it was so fun for the whole group even those who don’t normally do escape rooms with us! 10 out of 10 would recommend.”
nst3v3ns11
110 games played
The Escape Game
Overwhelmingly Positive
1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“I love the theme. Great sense of childhood whimsy. A few really fun physical elements to the gameplay. One physical puzzle was a joy with two people and really made me feel like a kid again. Lots of things to do in parallel, so a pretty good challenge for small teams. 5/5”
o
oddball
114 games played
The Escape Game
Very Positive
1 American Dream Wy, East Rutherford, NJ 07073, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“One of the best “The Escape Game” rooms. Good use of tech and unique story. Much nicer-looking than their other rooms, probably due to it being newer and less worn-out. The ending is pretty memorable/unique. 5/5.”
o
oddball
114 games played
The Escape Game
Very Positive
Lefcourt Colonial Building, 295 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“This room was totally amazing! I can see why we've been told it's a staple at many locations of this company!!! The theming was really well done, I appreciated the fact that it was a multi-level room where you go up and down. It really felt like we were moving from scenario to scenario as opposed to just going from one closet to another. I thought that there were a lot of really unique puzzles, some that require more interaction than you normally get in rooms corporate locations. This is a big plus for anybody who has played more than a couple of games anywhere and is looking for something slightly more challenging. I know that it's touted as a lower difficulty level, but I'd argue that it was more challenging than several of the other games we've played at The Escape Game. Or at least the puzzles were better, so it felt more difficult than games that reuse the same sort of puzzles over and over. 10/10 would recommend!!!”
B
Bubbas
38 games played
The Escape Game
Overwhelmingly Positive
Lefcourt Colonial Building, 295 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“8.2/10 Sometimes, an escape room doesn’t need to be intense or deeply mysterious to deliver a great time. It just needs to be fun, and that’s exactly what Playground accomplishes. What stood out the most was just how genuinely fun it was from start to finish. The puzzles were clever, varied, and encouraged both mental and physical engagement. From interactive challenges to tactile surprises, there was a childlike joy in progressing through each “subject,” and we couldn’t help but smile the whole time. Even though we were paired with two random teammates, the experience still flowed really well. The room is non-linear, so there’s plenty to work on at once, which helped keep everyone involved and active. The report-card-style progress tracker was a great touch, helping us stay organized while adding to the classroom immersion. Playground might not be the most complex or atmospheric room out there, but it delivers exactly what it promises, a good time!”
LockedandLoaded
104 games played
The Escape Game
Very Positive
Lefcourt Colonial Building, 295 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“This is the best implementation of a Prison Break style room I’ve seen. Like every The Escape Game room, the theming, narrative and puzzle design is absolutely top notch. It can reasonably be beaten by two people as long as you are comfortable yelling to communicate.”
d
drayner
71 games played
The Escape Game
Very Positive
Lefcourt Colonial Building, 295 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
The Escape Game
Very Positive
Lefcourt Colonial Building, 295 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10017, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Enjoyed the overall production quality of each room. Even if the puzzles weren’t too hard, I really enjoyed the look and feel of each room. Did feel technologically futuristic as it should be in a Time Machine!”
LexiconPenguino
99 games played
Beat the Bomb
Very Positive
255 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
- Other
“I’ve played Beat the Bomb twice, and ended up covered in paint twice. It’s more frantic than a regular escape room, and I definitely recommend stretching beforehand, particularly if you are like me and your limbo game is weak.”
d
drayner
71 games played
“I really loved this escape room for the nostalgia, interactiveness, and storyline. Compared to other escape rooms I’ve done, this one feels more immersive, and has a child like feel. Since I’ve done 70 escape rooms at this point, every puzzle felt similar to previous puzzles that I’ve done in the past, but for more novice players it will likely feel more unique/challenging. This room is also nice if you want to do it with a larger group. There’s a lot of room to move and it’s non-linear.”
blochros
76 games played
“This was the final escape room at MyssTic that I hadn’t done and like the previous two, the set was absolutely incredible. Fully immersive room, with lots of opportunities to be surprised and delighted by the puzzles. There were a few puzzles that I enjoyed quite a bit less than others, but this room is really an excellent one so I have to give it a heart and a glowing review.”
escapereb
25 games played
“Great room - my first in New York City (Brooklyn). Has the vibe of the Man from Beyond (in Houston), but obviously isn’t that room (consistently ranked the #1 room in the US). However, it is a very immersive room - starting in the lobby and continuing into the room. Very impressed with the set design and effects. This is a room you should definitely visit!”
mrease02
78 games played
“As expected from mysstic, quite a strong room. A few really great magical moments. Great for small teams. There were a few frustrating/confusing moments, but these didn’t detract too much from the experience 4/5”
o
oddball
114 games played
Unreal Escapes
Overwhelmingly Positive
2571 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10309, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“This room is AMAZING. the story, special effects, production value, set design, prop design, puzzle creativity, story, and pretty much everything is seriously top notch. This room is definitely my 2nd fav room I've ever done. Also, the staff are amazing. I got engaged here and the owners were absolute amazing humans with helping me make it a super special moment . Do this room, you won't regret it.”
D
Danielfiorica
43 games played
Unreal Escapes
Very Positive
2571 Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island, NY 10309, USA
- Escape room
- IRL
“Disco 54 is straight up fun! It’s basically a club and escape room all in one! So if there’s anyone in the group who doesn’t want to solve puzzles for some reason, they can just dance the night away to music on the full disco ball lit dance floor! The escape room itself is filled with what I consider logical puzzles, or tasks that feel natural to accomplish if you were the DJ or bartender at the club. The last part is not as impressive as the full club floor, but that 1st room is so phenomenal that I didn’t mind too much. The real life story that this club is based on was interesting too, and the real photos hanging on the wall give this room history and personality! Highly recommended so get down and hit the dance floor!”
Panda
530 games played
The Depths
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“A really strong room that does well with the sometimes questionable concept of a sub game. Every type of puzzle you can imagine is represented, and all puzzles flow quickly but also have strong aha! moments of synergy and a finale that was incredibly fun. Nay was an awesome game host as well and gave perfect clues that alleviated the enthusiast blind eye. Absolutely recommended.”
JackTheFlop
36 games played
Gold Rush
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Impeccably designed room! Clearly very well thought through and very fun overall. Would be great for a mid-sized group. I'm a sucker for atmosphere and this room delivers well on that. Puzzles were certainly manageable and good for a group of varying experience levels.”
stephie
54 games played
Prison Break
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Love the immersion of starting in separate rooms. Did this as a birthday escape and it was so fun for the whole group even those who don’t normally do escape rooms with us! 10 out of 10 would recommend.”
nst3v3ns11
110 games played
Playground
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“I love the theme. Great sense of childhood whimsy. A few really fun physical elements to the gameplay. One physical puzzle was a joy with two people and really made me feel like a kid again. Lots of things to do in parallel, so a pretty good challenge for small teams. 5/5”
o
oddball
114 games played
Cosmic Crisis
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“One of the best “The Escape Game” rooms. Good use of tech and unique story. Much nicer-looking than their other rooms, probably due to it being newer and less worn-out. The ending is pretty memorable/unique. 5/5.”
o
oddball
114 games played
Gold Rush
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“This room was totally amazing! I can see why we've been told it's a staple at many locations of this company!!! The theming was really well done, I appreciated the fact that it was a multi-level room where you go up and down. It really felt like we were moving from scenario to scenario as opposed to just going from one closet to another. I thought that there were a lot of really unique puzzles, some that require more interaction than you normally get in rooms corporate locations. This is a big plus for anybody who has played more than a couple of games anywhere and is looking for something slightly more challenging. I know that it's touted as a lower difficulty level, but I'd argue that it was more challenging than several of the other games we've played at The Escape Game. Or at least the puzzles were better, so it felt more difficult than games that reuse the same sort of puzzles over and over. 10/10 would recommend!!!”
B
Bubbas
38 games played
Playground
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“8.2/10 Sometimes, an escape room doesn’t need to be intense or deeply mysterious to deliver a great time. It just needs to be fun, and that’s exactly what Playground accomplishes. What stood out the most was just how genuinely fun it was from start to finish. The puzzles were clever, varied, and encouraged both mental and physical engagement. From interactive challenges to tactile surprises, there was a childlike joy in progressing through each “subject,” and we couldn’t help but smile the whole time. Even though we were paired with two random teammates, the experience still flowed really well. The room is non-linear, so there’s plenty to work on at once, which helped keep everyone involved and active. The report-card-style progress tracker was a great touch, helping us stay organized while adding to the classroom immersion. Playground might not be the most complex or atmospheric room out there, but it delivers exactly what it promises, a good time!”
LockedandLoaded
104 games played
Prison Break
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“This is the best implementation of a Prison Break style room I’ve seen. Like every The Escape Game room, the theming, narrative and puzzle design is absolutely top notch. It can reasonably be beaten by two people as long as you are comfortable yelling to communicate.”
d
drayner
71 games played
The Depths
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
Timeliner: Train Through Time
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“Enjoyed the overall production quality of each room. Even if the puzzles weren’t too hard, I really enjoyed the look and feel of each room. Did feel technologically futuristic as it should be in a Time Machine!”
LexiconPenguino
99 games played
Paint Bomb Mission
Beat the Bomb
- Escape room
- IRL
- Other
“I’ve played Beat the Bomb twice, and ended up covered in paint twice. It’s more frantic than a regular escape room, and I definitely recommend stretching beforehand, particularly if you are like me and your limbo game is weak.”
d
drayner
71 games played
Gold Rush
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
Playground
The Escape Game
- Escape room
- IRL
“I really loved this escape room for the nostalgia, interactiveness, and storyline. Compared to other escape rooms I’ve done, this one feels more immersive, and has a child like feel. Since I’ve done 70 escape rooms at this point, every puzzle felt similar to previous puzzles that I’ve done in the past, but for more novice players it will likely feel more unique/challenging. This room is also nice if you want to do it with a larger group. There’s a lot of room to move and it’s non-linear.”
blochros
76 games played
Montauk Project
MyssTic Rooms
- Escape room
- IRL
“This was the final escape room at MyssTic that I hadn’t done and like the previous two, the set was absolutely incredible. Fully immersive room, with lots of opportunities to be surprised and delighted by the puzzles. There were a few puzzles that I enjoyed quite a bit less than others, but this room is really an excellent one so I have to give it a heart and a glowing review.”
escapereb
25 games played
Ghost Light
MyssTic Rooms
- Escape room
- IRL
“Great room - my first in New York City (Brooklyn). Has the vibe of the Man from Beyond (in Houston), but obviously isn’t that room (consistently ranked the #1 room in the US). However, it is a very immersive room - starting in the lobby and continuing into the room. Very impressed with the set design and effects. This is a room you should definitely visit!”
mrease02
78 games played
Battleship
Unreal Escapes
- Escape room
- IRL
“This room is AMAZING. the story, special effects, production value, set design, prop design, puzzle creativity, story, and pretty much everything is seriously top notch. This room is definitely my 2nd fav room I've ever done. Also, the staff are amazing. I got engaged here and the owners were absolute amazing humans with helping me make it a super special moment . Do this room, you won't regret it.”
D
Danielfiorica
43 games played
Disco 54 NYC
Unreal Escapes
- Escape room
- IRL
“Disco 54 is straight up fun! It’s basically a club and escape room all in one! So if there’s anyone in the group who doesn’t want to solve puzzles for some reason, they can just dance the night away to music on the full disco ball lit dance floor! The escape room itself is filled with what I consider logical puzzles, or tasks that feel natural to accomplish if you were the DJ or bartender at the club. The last part is not as impressive as the full club floor, but that 1st room is so phenomenal that I didn’t mind too much. The real life story that this club is based on was interesting too, and the real photos hanging on the wall give this room history and personality! Highly recommended so get down and hit the dance floor!”
Panda
530 games played
More Escape Rooms
Learn More About New York City Escape Rooms
Just like with almost everything, the capital of escape rooms is probably New York City. Since the first escape rooms arrived in here in 2016, the culture capital of the World hasn’t stopped crafting these immersive puzzle experiences. In fact, New York City is home to nearly 50 different escape room venues and Manhattan offers a particularly exciting array of escape room experiences that are suitable for all tastes. 60 Out’s Gold Rush has been a fan favorite for years, and was voted the 4th best escape room in Manhattan. Clue Chases’s Houdini’s Workshop is another hit that is known for its beautiful set and immersive story. With over 100 escape games in the entire area, the possibilities are nearly endless — you’ll find games with themes of horror, adventure, crime, espionage, and plenty you may not expect.
How Do Escape Rooms Work?
Remember those point-and-click adventure games where you’re locked in a room and have to solve puzzles to find the key and escape? Those online games were the original inspiration for the live escape rooms you’ll find all across the world today. An escape room is an immersive experience where you (and your team of 2 or more people) are locked in a room with a series of puzzles for 60 minutes. To escape and win the game, you have to look for clues, solve the puzzles, and find the key. While most escape rooms only give you 60 minutes to complete the challenge, others may have shorter or longer time limits. Many venues are private rooms where you and your team are the only players. However, some places may pair you with other groups who booked a slot at the same time. And don’t worry about getting stuck, asking for hints on a difficult puzzle is totally normal. While the original escape room (created by SCRAP in 2007) had a fairly simple aesthetic, today’s escape games often take you into a different world. Artistic set designs, secret doors, and unique interactive elements are all part of the fun. It’s like an adventure game that you can interact with in real life. But if you’re hoping to preview any rooms before you book a game somewhere, detailed images and videos can be hard to find. To keep the puzzles a secret and preserve the experience of seeing the room for the first time, most venues only offer a few photos or a short trailer about the room’s theme or narrative. The only way to know what it’s like is to go and try it for yourself!
Find the Best New York City Escape Rooms with Morty
There are plenty of awesome escape rooms to choose from in New York City. The goal of Morty is to make escape rooms more accessible for everyone to find and play. With Morty, you can: - Browse escape rooms anywhere in the country - Read reviews and ratings from other community members - Book a room together with your friends Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned escape room enthusiast, our aim is to help you play more escape rooms and visit more immersive attractions.
Frequently asked questions
How Do I Book an Escape Room in New York City?
Most escape room venues don’t accept walk-ins, and time slots for popular games may fill up fast. Besides that, not every escape room is the same — some have varying difficulties, and you don’t want to get stuck playing a room that’s beyond your experience level. That’s why the best way to book an escape room in New York City is through the Morty app. You can get updates on new games, read reviews, compare details (including difficulty, theme, runtime) and plan an outing with friends, all on the same platform. You can even coordinate games with your friends collaboratively. Download the Morty app and book your adventure today!