Considered the spookiest month of the year, October is a time where people search for frightful escapades. Horror movies commonly vitalize the Halloween spirit — the feeling of being trapped in a sinister situation and trying to escape creates the eerie mood that Halloween is known for.
For those wanting to emulate that thrill, escape rooms can provide the adrenaline while being in a controlled, safe environment. There are many escape rooms accessible to UMass Boston students in the Boston area. This Halloween season, solve puzzles and mysteries with a group of friends in an escape room and feel the gratification of making it out with wits and observation.
Located in downtown Boston, Boxaroo offers three immersive escape adventures. Each room features unique technology and seamless storylines that allow visitors to easily immerse themselves in the experience. Guests can expect different types of puzzles within the rooms that are both physically engaging and mentally stimulating.
Those newer to escape rooms can try their hands at “The Storyteller’s Secret” or “Mystery of the Magician’s Study.” Explore the cabin of Emily Carter, who is well-known for her bestselling adventure novels, or investigate the magical study of Viltore Madom, a once-legendary magician. Groups seeking more of a challenge may like “Conundrum Museum” — after being framed for art theft, visitors must rescue the art and clear their name.
Tickets range from $37 to $50 per person depending on the amount of people in a group. At least two people must be in a group, with up to five people allowed for “The Storyteller’s Secret” and up to 10 for the other rooms. All bookings are made through reservation and are private.
Boxaroo is open Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday can only be booked by special request.
Trapology Boston is an essential escape room experience for anyone in the downtown Boston area. Designed by a creative team of locals, there are six escape games that groups can enjoy, with tricky clues and fun puzzles that keep guests on their toes throughout the one-hour block.
“Witching Hour” is the ideal Halloween experience. Groups aim to free their friend’s soul from a malevolent witch’s control before time runs out. With beautiful scenery and challenging puzzles, this experience is certain to be positively spooky. For a beginner-friendly yet still scary adventure, visitors can uncover the truth of Camp Alive and Well in “The Retreat.” There is slight gore and use of strobe lights, however the lights can be turned off upon request.
As all the games are set to be shared with others, two groups may share an experience with one another. Shared games are $39.99 per person. Guests can also book private room experiences for $100 per game and $27 per person. A minimum of two people must be in a group, with the maximum number dependent on the game.
Trapology Boston is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday bookings are available by appointment only.
While there are plenty of excellent escape room experiences within the Boston area, Boda Borg Boston is memorable and unique for not being an escape room at all — at least in a traditional sense. Found in the gaming district of Malden, Boda Borg offers 24 different Quests. Rather than hosting long one-room escape games, these Quests are much more fast-paced, and all have two to four levels.
There are three levels of physical activity for Quests. Green Quests have the least physical activity, catering towards brains and dexterity, whereas Black Quests are extremely physical and require considerable exertion to conquer obstacles. Red Quests are the middle ground between both.
Indulge in countless scenarios that challenge both body and mind, such as embarking through a creepy haunted house in “Spook House” or preparing a grand escape from the prison of “Alcatraz.” For those looking to test their physical limits, “Superbanan” is known as the toughest Quest, demanding significant strength and fortitude.
While the building is shared among multiple groups, only one group can enter a specific Quest at a time. All Quests support three to five people, so larger groups must split up to accommodate. For two hours of Questing, it is $28 per person, while four hours of Questing costs $40 per person.
Boda Borg Boston is open Monday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. On holiday Mondays, it is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Boston boasts an extensive collection of escape room experiences within and outside of the city, and all have their own distinctive charm and ability to enthrall people. So make sure to enjoy a fun, mentally-strenuous puzzle adventure before the month is over — who knows what awaits this spooky time of year.
This article appeared in print on Page 7 of Vol. LVIII Issue V, published Oct. 21, 2024.
