Harlem has now become the destination for a unique escape room experience. Hoodwinked Escape is an exciting new attraction offering an entertaining evening of mystery and puzzles. Participants or “clue finders” are given a brief backstory before being locked in a themed room with 1 hour to solve the puzzles that will open the door. There are currently four rooms to choose from Asylum, Military Mission, Hangover Room 2 and The Spirit of Harlem. Each room’s decor provides a realistic backdrop for the backstory as well as a hiding place for the clues. Players are given a walkie-talkie with access to the “Game Master” who can provide them with up to five clues to use throughout the course of the game. Though the gameplay may be intense at times participants are perfectly safe. Each room is monitored during gameplay via overhead cameras. A panic button is also available should anyone feel the need to leave the room before the mystery is officially solved.
As lovers of mysteries and crime scene investigations, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Hoodwinked gave us the opportunity to finally use all of those brilliant detective skills we’ve been cultivating from our couch. For our adventure, we chose the Hangover 2 room and found ourselves reliving dorm life sifting through the remnants of a wild party for clues. The room is designed to resemble a typical dorm room after a frat party. Litter, textbooks and a strange assortment of objects littered the floor. We hardly knew where to begin but a quick call to the game master and our first clue helped pave the way for an exciting evening. Once the game was underway we really got into it. We were no longer people locked in a room we were detectives on a hot case. It is easy to get absolutely lost in the gameplay. Once we started solving puzzles the game went from fun to gratifying, leaving us with a true feeling of accomplishment. The clues were challenging and thought-provoking. The puzzles covered several different categories from history to pop culture keeping us intrigued from start to finish.
Escape rooms are popular in various cities across Europe and Asia, with varying degrees of difficulty and fanciful themes. Michele Ware, a Harlem native and entrepreneur, has introduced the phenomenon to her hometown. With Hoodwinked Escape, Ware has created an imaginative adventure for young and old to enjoy. Her passion for the project is evident in the personal details she has added to each room, for example, the Military Mission room is filled with family heirlooms and memorabilia from her uncle’s days in service. The Spirit of Harlem room is a personal dedication to the colorful history of the city she loves. Since its opening Hoodwinked Escape has hosted several teams building events, birthday celebrations and bridal parties with rousing success. In keeping with the demands of her Neighborhood, the escapes are reasonably priced at $28 per person. Hoodwinked Escape has also partnered with a few local eateries who have agreed to offer discounts to anyone who reserves a table through the Hoodwinked offices. To find out more about these discounts and to schedule your visit at Hoodwinked Escape, visit HoodwinkedEscape.com. For an up close and personal introduction, you can also drop by their location at 151 W 116th St, New York, NY 10026
Asylum
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