An outdoor escape room swaps the locked room for the streets of downtown Indianapolis. Instead of being shut in a room, your group walks around the Mile Square following clues and solving puzzles, using your own phone to guide the game, so the city itself becomes the puzzle. The adventure lasts about two hours and you set your own pace, starting when your group is ready, which makes it more flexible than a fixed-time tour. It is rated 4.6 from 17 reviews, and is priced per group rather than per person, from about $75, which makes it good value for a family or a party of friends. The clues lead you past landmarks and public spaces in the heart of downtown, so you see the city in a different way while competing against the clock and each other. It works well for first-time visitors who like a little challenge with their sightseeing, for families with older children and for groups looking for something more active than a museum. It is not a guided history tour, so do not expect narration about each building.
Price and format
The game is priced from about $75 per group, so the cost goes down per head as the group grows. It lasts about two hours, and you play using a smartphone, so make sure at least one phone is charged and has data. Check the booking details for the group size limits, and note that gameplay happens outdoors, so you need to be happy walking around downtown for a couple of hours in whatever the weather brings.
Planning
Choose a dry day, as it is an outdoor activity, and wear comfortable shoes. Because it is self-paced, you can fit it in on arrival day, on a quiet Sunday morning or before dinner. Stay in groups and keep to pavements and crossings in the usual way, since you are concentrating on clues. In cold weather, dress warmly and take a break in a cafe if you need to.
Making the most of it
It combines well with a guided history walk if you want the stories behind the buildings, since the game is about the puzzle rather than the commentary. Competitive families and friends do best. Afterwards, the Circle, Mass Ave and the Canal Walk all offer places to eat and compare answers.
What to expect
The experience
A self-paced outdoor puzzle game played on your own phone as you walk around downtown.
Best time
A dry day, on arrival day or a quiet morning.
How long
About two hours.
Tips
Charge your phone, wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Groups of friends and families who enjoy puzzles.
- Families
- Works for older children who can follow clues and walk for two hours.
- Couples
- A playful way to see downtown together.
- Pair with
- A guided history walk, or lunch near the Circle.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
How long is the Indianapolis outdoor escape room?+
The game lasts about two hours, played at your own pace.
How much does the outdoor escape room cost?+
It is priced per group from about $75, so larger groups pay less per person.
Do I need a smartphone for the outdoor escape room?+
Yes, the game is played on your phone, so bring one that is charged with data.
Where is the outdoor escape room played?+
It is played on the streets of downtown Indianapolis, in the Mile Square.
Is the outdoor escape room a guided tour?+
No, it is a self-guided puzzle game rather than a narrated history tour.
