Questions before your mission? We’ve got answers.

Fox in a Box Chicago is a live escape room venue in downtown Chicago. Your group signs up for a mission (a live, themed experience), is placed in a room and has 60 minutes to find clues, solve a series of puzzles and complete the mission.

There are four rooms to choose from: The Bank, Zodiac, The Prison and The Bunker. It’s a night out for friends and families and one of Chicago’s favourite team building activities.

No, never. Every room is 100% private: when you book a game, the room is yours alone and is never shared with another group. That makes it a good fit for people who’d rather not share the experience with strangers.

No. The room door is closed but unlocked for the whole 60-minute game, and our missions go beyond a simple escape: teams complete a themed mission with the guidance of our game masters, who play a big part in the experience.

• In The Prison you start in a cell with a panic button that unlocks it if claustrophobia or another emergency comes up. Pressing it ends that game.
• Need an unexpected restroom break? You can step out and come back in most games. The exception is unlocking your cell early in The Prison.

Every room is about having fun, so expect dramatic tension, surprise sound effects and ominous music. Very sensitive players, young children especially, may find parts of it scary. Room by room:

• Zodiac (18+ only): there will be blood, periods of group separation and some darkness.
• The Prison and Zodiac: the room door stays unlocked, but you start the game confined (in a cell in The Prison, tied up in Zodiac), with a “panic” button that lets you completely out.
• The Bunker: you’re saving the world from nuclear annihilation. Exciting, but kids tend to handle it just fine.
• The Bank: the guards aren’t armed, and the worst (or best) that can happen is being sent to The Prison (extra charges and pre-arrangement required).

More in Are escape rooms scary?

Yes. All of our rooms are designed by the Fox in a Box franchise, based in Hungary. Unless you’ve played at a Fox in a Box (or at Room Escape Los Angeles, by Fox in a Box), you haven’t played our rooms.

Why we mention it: many escape rooms buy designs from vendors and rename them, so experienced players can end up paying for the same room twice under a different name. That doesn’t happen here.

Our press kit has photos and background, and you can send us a message with any questions.

Prices are per person and the same for every room: from $39.95 per person on weekdays and $43 on weekends for groups of 6 or more.

• Prices don’t include Chicago’s 9% amusement tax.
• Friday counts as a weekend day, and holidays are priced by the day of the week they fall on.
• The booking calendar shows your exact total before you pay.
• Team building and corporate events are quoted for your group; see team building.
• We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.

Prices as of November 2026.

Booking ahead is best. Walk-ins are welcome when a room is free, but booking ahead or calling us is the best way to get a room: walking in only works if no other game is booked at that time. Book online, or call or text us at (312) 291-1127. Last-minute additions can’t be made online, so call us for those too.

Change of plans? We’ve got you. Move your game to a new date or time any time up to 72 hours before it starts.

• Rescheduling: easy up to 72 hours before your game. After that, your time slot is locked in.
• Cancellations: bookings are final once confirmed, so we can’t offer cancellations or refunds. Rescheduling early is the way to go.

Need a hand with your booking? Call or text (312) 291-1127 and we’ll sort it out together.

• Join our waiting list and we’ll let you know if there’s a cancellation.
• Weekday availability generally opens up a few weeks before game time.
• Online booking opens up to 8 weeks ahead. To book further out, call (312) 291-1127 to set up a corporate booking.

Standard bookings are for one hour. Determined to finish with no hints and no clock? Book back-to-back sessions of the same room (for example, two Bunker sessions in a row) and we’ll let you stay until your reservation runs out or you escape. This has to be booked in advance so other guests aren’t affected.

Yes! A Fox in a Box gift certificate is a great present for birthdays, holidays or just because (they’ll thank you even if they don’t escape). Buy one online; gift certificates are valid for up to 5 years from purchase.

Each room takes 2 to 7 players, depending on the room:

• Zodiac2–5 players, 18+
• The Bank2–6 players
• The Prison2–6 players
• The Bunker2–7 players

The ideal group is 3 to 5 players. Two people can play (it’s much harder, but you’ll have a great time regardless); see just the two of you?

Bigger group? All four rooms run at the same time, The Final Exam (below) can run alongside them, and with staggered start times and custom team games we have an option for a group of any size: tell us your headcount and we’ll find the best fit. Splitting across rooms means everyone gets to play. If your group of up to 15 really doesn’t want to split up, ask us about The Final Exam: a head-to-head game for up to 15 players at our location, by special arrangement. It isn’t as immersive as our regular rooms, but it’s a lot of fun for a larger group that wants some competition.

Escape rooms are fun at any age. Our rules:

• Ages 10 and up are recommended, though younger players have come in and had a great time.
• Under 14: a parent or another adult, such as a teacher or chaperone, in the room with them. One adult per room is enough, and that adult counts as one of the room’s players.
• 14 to 17: can play on their own, with a parent, guardian, teacher or chaperone on site for the whole game (not in the room).
• Waivers for players under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian; a teacher or chaperone can’t sign for them.
• Zodiac is 18+ for every player, without exception: its themes aren’t suitable for children.

Child-friendly mode: The Prison and The Bunker have an easier version designed for ages 10 to 14 (players under 14 still need an adult in the room). Contact us to request it for your game. More in child and teen friendly escape rooms, birthday parties and school & youth groups.

No, we don’t offer discounts by age. The games are designed to be played by adults and young adults who can fully focus on the mission, so we don’t recommend bringing very young children.

We’d love to! We recommend the child-friendly version of The Bunker or The Prison for ages 10 to 14. Kids under 14 play with an adult inside the room (one adult per room is enough, and that adult counts as one of the room’s players); teens aged 14 to 17 can play on their own while a parent or guardian waits on site. Waivers for players under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian. Every booking is private, and all four rooms can run at once for bigger parties (Zodiac is 18+ only).

We don’t have a party room for food, drinks and presents, but there are plenty of great restaurants nearby that host party groups. Rooms by age, group sizes and how to book: birthday parties; more ideas in birthday party ideas in Chicago.

Yes, Fox in a Box is a favourite for corporate and school team building: all four rooms run at once, The Final Exam can run alongside them, and with staggered start times and custom team games (off site or outdoors) we can host a group of any size. Teams have to work together and use logic, creativity and communication to succeed (why escape rooms are good for teams).

• As a paid option, your HR manager can sit with our game master and watch the game for insight into team dynamics.
• For corporate events, food and drinks packages in partnership with Half Sour, before or after your games.
• The Final Exam: one head-to-head game for up to 15 players, at our location.

See team building, school & youth groups or send us a message.

We’re open every day, 10 am to 11 pm. Pick a start time in the booking calendar, or call or text us and we’ll find one for you.

Please arrive at your booked time. We build in a little leeway, but if you arrive more than 5 minutes late you risk losing part or all of your game, because each room runs on a 90-minute cycle and we can’t delay the teams after you.

1. Check inA few minutes, plus any last restroom breaks
2. Briefing5 minutes on your mission and the rules
3. The gameUp to 60 minutes (less if you escape early)
4. Team photoAnd a chat about how it went

All in, plan on 80 to 90 minutes.

Everything you need is provided. A few tips:

• Dress comfortably. You’ll be moving around and getting excited; stilettos, haute couture and heavy perfume won’t help.
• No tools needed. We’ll store your electronics safely, and weapons aren’t allowed.
• Come clear-headed. It’s all about thinking and communicating. Playing under the influence is strongly discouraged, and anyone who is too far under will be asked to leave.
• Sign the waiver before you arrive: sign it online. Only a parent or guardian can sign for players under 18.
• Masks are welcome but not required.

First time? Read 12 things to know, or watch Escape Rooms 101 by Scott Nicholson.

• Accessibility varies by room. Players who use a wheelchair or walker can fully enjoy some of our rooms; see wheelchair access.
• Every room involves some handling of small objects.
• Seats are available in the rooms if anyone needs a rest.
• Some rooms use flashing lights and smoke effects.
• There’s no real fear factor, and every room is private, so the games suit people who scare easily or would rather not play with strangers.

You won’t be challenged physically, but you will be mentally. If you have any concerns, send us a message before booking and we’ll help you choose.

We’re inside the historic Dearborn Station in Printers Row, just south of Congress Parkway: 47 W Polk Street, Suite L5, Chicago, IL 60605. Enter through the doorway under the large clock tower, then follow our sign downstairs. Get directions.

• Red LineHarrison, south exit: you come out on W Polk Street
• Blue LineLaSalle, then 2 blocks south
• Orange & GreenRoosevelt, then 2 blocks north
• Brown, Pink, Purple Exp.Harold Washington Library, then 3 blocks south
• BusRoutes 6, 22, 24, 29, 62 and 146 stop within a few blocks
• DivvyStation at Polk & Dearborn, right next door
• CarMetered street parking ($4/hour, up to 3 hours) or all-day stack parking behind the building (price varies). ParkWhiz shows nearby garages with prices.

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