Think you’re ready to escape from an Egyptian tomb, crack a high-tech security vault, or face your deepest fears in a haunted mansion? The types of escape rooms in Colorado are as varied as the challenges they offer—packed with surprises, twists, and plenty of puzzles to keep your heart racing and your brain buzzing. From eerie haunted adventures to tech-savvy puzzles, there’s always a fresh challenge. Read on to discover which escape room adventure is perfect for you and your group.
Linear vs. Non-linear Escape Rooms
Let’s talk about structure first. There are two main types of escape room setups: linear and non-linear. A linear escape room requires participants to solve puzzles in a specific order. You can’t move forward until you’ve cracked the current puzzle. It’s straightforward, but that ticking clock sure adds the pressure.
Non-linear escape rooms, on the other hand, let your group tackle multiple puzzles at once. Everyone can work on different clues, and you don’t necessarily need to complete one puzzle before jumping into the next. It’s great for groups where everyone wants to contribute. There are also mixed non-linear and linear escape rooms that blend both styles, so you might all solve several clues independently before coming together for a final puzzle. It’s like a chaotic but exciting mashup of teamwork.
Spooky and Red Herring Escape Rooms
If spine-chilling tension and creepy atmospheres are your thing, Colorado has plenty of spooky-themed escape rooms. Imagine haunted houses, eerie mansions, and mysterious crypts. These escape rooms thrive on fear, atmospheric soundtracks, and unexpected jump scares. They often involve hidden object puzzles, making you dig through old books or lift spooky props. Just be careful not to get caught by a red herring—a misleading clue that’s only there to waste your time and add a bit of frustration.
Red Herring escape rooms take this concept to the next level. They’re filled with clues that lead you down the wrong path, making the final reveal even more rewarding. It’s all about figuring out what’s genuine and what’s just there to mess with your head. A good sense of humor is often required, especially if you’re the one who gets stuck on a red herring for too long.
Adventure and Historical Escape Rooms
For those who prefer a bit of time travel, adventure and historical-themed escape rooms are some of the best options. Colorado offers everything from wild west bank heists to adventures in ancient Egypt. Picture this: you’re stuck in an old cowboy saloon and need to solve puzzles involving dusty safes and old-timey props. Combination puzzles and math puzzles often play a big role in these rooms, where you might have to add up clues or crack a combination to open a vault.
Historical escape rooms are usually packed with rich storytelling and immersive set designs. These rooms might have you looking for buried treasure or trying to decipher hieroglyphics. They’re perfect for those who love role-playing and want to indulge in a bit of historical fantasy. You’ll be using everything from logic puzzles to word puzzles as you and your group race against the clock.
High-tech Escape Rooms
Do gadgets make you giddy? High-tech escape rooms are designed to impress those who love technology. In these rooms, forget about finding rusty keys. Instead, you’ll be triggering laser sensors, playing with touchscreen panels, and solving riddles that involve augmented reality. It’s like stepping into a sci-fi film where you need to hack your way through high-tech doors.
These high-tech rooms often have a mix of linear and non-linear puzzles, and they keep you on your toes with surprises at every corner. You might have to rewire circuits, match digital patterns, or figure out how to unlock a high-security vault using the latest tech. These puzzles are packed with flashing lights, interactive gadgets, and tasks that require more than just brainpower—sometimes, you’ll need a bit of finesse to get things done. It’s the ideal escape room for those who can’t resist a little sci-fi flair and love seeing how far technology can push the boundaries of the experience.
Scavenger Hunt and Hidden Object Escape Rooms
Scavenger hunt escape rooms are another fantastic type of experience available in Colorado. These escape rooms are less about logic or high-tech gadgets and more about digging through the space to find hidden items. Think of it like a treasure hunt, where each hidden object helps you move forward.
These rooms often require teamwork, as some objects can be tucked away in places you wouldn’t expect. Every team member gets to feel like a sleuth, whether they’re flipping through dusty books or feeling around inside cabinets. Sometimes, there are even physical puzzles that need multiple people to activate, which can make for some fun group dynamics.
Heist and Crime-themed Escape Rooms
For those who have always dreamed of being a master thief (without actually going to jail), heist-themed escape rooms are the perfect fit. Imagine trying to crack a vault in a bank or steal a priceless painting. These rooms often require combination puzzles, logic puzzles, and even a bit of agility as you “dodge” security systems.
The thrill of a heist-themed escape room comes from working under pressure and trying to beat the clock while solving math puzzles or using clues to avoid an alarm. There’s something incredibly satisfying about pretending you’re an expert thief, even if you’d probably be terrible at it in real life. At least you won’t have to worry about police sirens for real.
Family-friendly Escape Rooms
Not every escape room is about crime or jump scares. Colorado offers plenty of family-friendly escape rooms designed to be fun for all ages. These rooms usually feature bright, cheerful themes like enchanted forests or magical castles. They’re less about fear and more about whimsy, filled with riddles, word puzzles, and simple hidden object puzzles.
Family-friendly rooms also tend to have easier challenges, allowing younger players to join in without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a great bonding activity, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing a kid’s face light up when they find a hidden key or solve a riddle. If you want to keep things wholesome, these are the rooms to pick.
Mixed Non-linear and Linear Escape Rooms
For those who like a bit of everything, mixed non-linear and linear escape rooms bring a hybrid approach. You might start with multiple puzzles you can solve in any order, but then need to work together to solve the final, linear challenge. It gives everyone a chance to shine before the whole group has to focus as one.
This type keeps the experience fresh and varied, with different stages that challenge different skills. You might start by working independently, finding hidden object puzzles, or solving logic puzzles, and then bring all those pieces together for one last collaborative effort. It’s like a build-up to a grand finale where every small success leads to the final victory.
Horror Escape Rooms
Horror escape rooms deserve a special mention for those thrill-seekers who love being scared out of their minds. These rooms are not for the faint of heart—you might have to evade a crazed killer, escape from a mad scientist’s lab, or make it out of a haunted asylum. The fear factor keeps everyone on edge, and the puzzles are tough because it’s hard to think straight when you’re scared.
Expect red herrings galore, along with intense riddles, creepy sound effects, and sometimes even live actors. There’s something about horror that makes each puzzle even more challenging—after all, it’s difficult to focus on a math puzzle when you’re afraid something might jump out at you. The payoff, though, is that incredible feeling of relief when you finally make it out—hopefully with everyone still in one piece.
Competitive Escape Rooms
Some escape rooms in Colorado are built with competition in mind. These rooms are perfect for larger groups that want to split into teams and see who escapes first. Often, the room is mirrored so both teams work on identical puzzles simultaneously, racing against the clock and each other.
Competitive escape rooms are full of logic puzzles, math puzzles, and quick-thinking challenges. It’s not just about beating the room but also about outsmarting your friends. Plus, bragging rights are always on the line, and nothing makes victory sweeter than knowing you outdid your pals. Just try not to rub it in too much… or maybe do. That’s part of the fun, right?
Exciting Escape Room Themes for Every Group – Book Your Adventure
The types of escape rooms in Colorado are as varied as the groups who play them. Located in the heart of Denver at 1529 Champa St., EscapeWorks Denver offers an unforgettable escape room adventure. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends, a unique date night, or an engaging family activity, we have thrilling rooms for groups of 2 to 12 players.
Choose from a variety of immersive themes like Blackbeard’s Brig or The Speakeasy, and see if you can make your escape in 60 minutes. Come test your wits, laugh a lot, and maybe even discover some hidden talents. Book your adventure now or give us a call at (303) 945-6521.
