A Family Friendly Outing to Magic Escape Rooms

Did you know Columbus, Ohio is home to the talented magician Howard Thurston, known for his captivating illusions and masterful sleight of hand. Born in Columbus in 1869, Thurston was a fixture in Columbus’s vibrant entertainment scene by amazing audiences with his unique blend of classic magic and modern performance artistry.

Now, Magic Escape Rooms, the Columbus Ohio escape room, has opened a magic-themed escape room inspired by Howard Thurston. This escape room transports participants back to the golden age of illusion, where deception and wonder intertwine. To set the scene, players find themselves backstage at one of Thurston’s grand performances, surrounded by vintage props, hidden compartments, and puzzles drawn from his legendary tricks, that require both logic and sleight of hand to solve. Mysterious letters, cryptic instructions, and theatrical misdirection guides players through challenges, paying homage to Thurston’s mastery of showmanship and surprise.

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking the family to check out the Magic Escape Rooms premiere experience, “The Magician’s Secret.” Located on the 5th floor of the historic Commerce Building on Gay Street in Downtown Columbus, the scene was set for us immediately upon arrival. After taking the elevator up, we were greeted and then asked to join the quest to find Howard Thurston’s journal. The game begins in Howard Thurston’s storage closet and as puzzles are completed, doors then open to begin revealing the multi-room setup.  Each room was rich with historical references and intricate puzzles that challenged our group’s problem-solving skills. Illusions transpired throughout the game, which created a mesmerizing and deceptive atmosphere that kept us alert.

 

“The Magician’s Secret” is ideal for groups of 2 to 6 players, which makes for the perfect family, friend, or coworker outing. The game is family friendly and recommended for players ages 8+. My 9-year-old daughter was a critical player for us and completed puzzles and identified details that otherwise would have been missed. At the beginning of the game, the room is small and dark, but as the game progresses and doors open, so does the space and the light. Sleight of hand and illusions can be surprising at times, so be ready to jump when you least expect it.

Located at 35 E Gay Street, Magic Escape Rooms is conveniently situated near a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and hotels, making it easy to plan an entire outing around the escape room experience. Parking is available around the Commerce Building via on street, surface lot, and parking garage options. For those interested in booking, reservations can be made online here.

“The Magician’s Secret is the best Columbus escape room you’ve not heard about. It’s a fun, immersive, one-of-a-kind, custom-built adventure inspired by real magician, Howard Thurston. The game is not about escaping a room but escaping to a time of magic!”