Recently, my friend Dave and I tackled a wildly popular “American Revolution”-themed escape room, rumored to be extremely challenging. Dave’s a history buff, so I figured he was the perfect partner. We booked a Tuesday evening slot a week in advance and walked in full of enthusiasm.
Stepping into the Room: Like Traveling Back to 1776
The moment we stepped inside, it felt like we’d time-traveled to 18th-century America. The room featured cobblestone-style flooring and walls plastered with revolutionary propaganda posters. The most eye-catching element was a massive wooden chest adorned with five distinct locks, appearing virtually impenetrable. Dave immediately started tugging at them like an excited child, while I scanned the room and discovered a small envelope tucked beneath a table.Inside were scraps of parchment covered in jumbled letters that left me utterly baffled.
Unlocking the First Lock: The Secret of the Boston Tea Party
We stared at the fragments for over twenty minutes before slowly piecing together the complete message: December 16, 1773—the date of the famous Boston Tea Party.We entered the date as a code into the lock mechanism—D-E-C-1-6-1-7-7-3—and the first lock clicked open! Though it was just the first step, we were already feeling a little excited.
The Map Puzzle: The Hidden Secret of the Candlestick
Inside the wooden box was a large map of Boston, randomly marked with red Xs.Dave excitedly pointed and gestured like he was hunting for treasure. That’s when I noticed the wax drips on the candlestick seemed unusual. Upon closer inspection, it was a hidden template. Placing the template over the map, the red Xs precisely aligned with three locations: Old North Church, Paul Revere’s Home, and Bunker Hill Battlefield.
Next, we found three brass keys hanging beside a lantern, each bearing a small Roman numeral beneath. Using the number of red flags on the map, we successfully matched the keys to their corresponding locations. Inserting the correct key into the lock marked “Paul Revere’s House” opened the second mechanism. Dave was so excited he looked like he’d just single-handedly won the Revolutionary War.
Code Wheel Challenge: A Bizarre Encryption Game
The third clue lay hidden behind a fake brick, bearing a hint about the “Sons of Liberty” and a string of numbers. I discovered a dusty wooden code wheel behind George Washington’s portrait. Turning the wheel revealed the code “SIFP XS QEBZOB”—which required shifting letters three positions left to decode. The solution was “Fire the Cannons.”.
When we shouted “Fire the cannons,” a hidden drawer beside the fireplace slid open silently. I have to admit, Dave took three tries to say “Cannon” correctly, which was pretty hilarious.
Final Puzzle: Piecing Together the Declaration of Independence
The drawer contained several torn pieces of the Declaration of Independence and a complex button mechanism. To solve this puzzle, we needed to match each signer’s name with their respective colony. We were completely stumped until I noticed the abbreviations for each colony engraved on the base of the Liberty Bell replica nearby.
Solving Process:
- First, arrange the names in chronological order of signing
- Then match the colonial abbreviations with the Liberty Bell
- Finally, press the buttons in geographical order from north to south
When the final lock clicked open, we received the ultimate clue: a scroll reading “The Redcoats are coming! Run!” We sprinted toward the exit with only two minutes left on the timer.Stepping out of the room, we felt like heroes from history.
Challenge Summary & Tips
The entire escape room took 53 minutes—a close call. We wasted time midway, especially with Dave always trying to force locks (lol). Still, it was thrilling and fun.
Tips for aspiring challengers:
- Check every detail: Under tables, candle bases, behind picture frames—clues could be hidden anywhere.
- Pay attention to the Redcoat symbols: Those little soldier models in red uniforms aren’t just decorations; they often hold important hints.
- Teamwork is key: Some excel at observation, others at decoding—communication is essential.
- Historical knowledge helps: A basic understanding of the American Revolutionary War makes deciphering clues much easier.
This escape room isn’t just a game—it’s a vivid history lesson. Solving puzzles while immersing yourself in the atmosphere of 1776 truly transports you back in time. If you love challenges and history, the “American Revolution Escape Room” is absolutely worth trying.
