#1 – Escape Capers

Calgary SE

There’s a reason this is a top choice in Calgary—this totally polished escape room also prides itself on being one of the first hosted escape games in the city. Hosted means there’s a live actor, in character, in the room with you who will give you hints to ensure your group stays on track. These rooms are narrative-driven and feature non-linear puzzles, which means you’ll be solving multiple puzzles at the same time. Best for large groups so you can divide and conquer!

Go here for: hosted escape rooms

#2 – Level 1 Escape

Calgary NE

Some escape rooms excel at room design and narrative, where playing the game feels like being in another world. Level 1 Escape is one of those rooms. Known for their excellent game design and immersion, Level 1 Escape also makes use of multi-room games and linear puzzles, so they’re good for first-time escapers. Bonus, they even have special light and sound effects that inform you on your progress through the game.

Go here for: immersive escape rooms

#3 – The Locked Room

Calgary NE & Calgary SE

The Locked Room was the first escape room to open in Calgary and now they have three locations across the city: Calgary Northeast, Southland Drive and Calgary Southeast. The Locked Room has some of the most creative themes, from the classic heist– and prison break–style games to more unique ones like Hipster Hangover and Game Over. Best of all, their rooms are comprised of different types of puzzles, from logic-heavy ones to physical puzzles and puzzles that require searching, so you can easily pick the room that suits your skill set.

Go here for: unique escape rooms

#4 – Breakout Calgary

Calgary NE

Breakout Calgary is known for its meticulously designed rooms, difficult puzzles, and high-tech flourishes. Sometimes pressing a button on a seemingly everyday object will set the mechanical puzzles in motion, and that’s when the entire room comes to life. Many of these puzzles require a few different perspectives, so work closely together and think out loud. They break down the type of puzzles in each room, as well as the percentage of high-tech locks, so you can pick the exact room that will fit your group. Pro tip: their rooms are a bit on the small size, so this can be a good option for a date night or a small group of friends.

Go here for: high-tech escape rooms

#5 – Escape Hour

Calgary NE

They take their stories pretty seriously at Escape Hour. Each game begins with an introductory video to lay out the story and initiate you into the game. These rooms all have fun themes that allow you to step into another world, from The Lost Jewel of Zanzibar, an African Safari–style room set in the 1930s; The Lucky Duck, set in a 1925 speakeasy; and Cyberspace, which jettisons you and your friends into outer space. There are awesome props, mechanical antiques, and lots of memorabilia so you can almost feel the history inside the room. These puzzles are nonlinear and players will do okay as long as they share their discoveries and cooperate.

Go here for: well-designed escape rooms

#6 – Confined Escape Rooms

Calgary NE

Confined Escape Rooms are one of the newest escape rooms in Calgary and they pride themselves in having beautifully designed rooms with innovative and immersive gameplay. Their three rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art props, impressive visuals, and professional décor—but players actually come here for the outside-the-box puzzles. Generally complex, these puzzles require creative thinking. The best way to crack them is to gather a mixed group of players, and someone who’s curious enough to test the crazy logic.

Go here for: puzzle-heavy escape rooms

#7 – SmartyPantz

Calgary SW

SmartyPantz is a Canadian-based escape room franchise known for great customer service and super friendly staff. Your experience with them will start with an in-costume actor who will initiate you into the story. Good thing too because the rooms here are so fun with such interesting themes, from a spy-themed room set in 1946 to a paranormal room in an abandoned house and a classic cannibal killer–themed room. But don’t worry, each room has its own “scare factor” so you’ll know just how frightened it’s going to make you before you get locked in. Pro tip, Spies & Lies is the least scary.

Go here for: narrative-driven escape rooms

#8 – Exit

Calgary SW

Exit is another well-known Canadian escape room franchise with locations in British Columbia and Alberta. There are five different rooms at Exit, each with a unique and immersive story. There are a lot of classic puzzles here, and while they may seem pretty straightforward they also might surprise you in the end. Don’t hesitate to combine few puzzles and turn over everything that can be touched! With nice decor and friendly staff this is a great place to take someone who has never been to an escape room before.

Go here for: classic escape room experience

#9 – Arcadia Adventures

Calgary SW

As if escaping the room alone is not enough, there are game modes that challenge the basic concept of escape rooms to give you an experience that goes above and beyond. Arcadia Adventures assigns you different roles when you play, so you might end up with a group of zombies competing against the scientists trying to vanquish you. In other rooms, you’ll need to do something besides escaping to win the game, like stealing a priceless artifact (it’s a golden llama, in case you’re interested). This is a great option for those who like to get competitive and who enjoy the intensity of a players vs. player race.

Go here for: player vs. player escape rooms

About Hijinks

Hijinks is the online marketplace that makes it easy to discover and book life experiences to enjoy with friends, family, and co-workers. Whether it’s an escape room visit, cooking class, or team building activity, we provide comprehensive listings, customer ratings and reviews, and easy browse and search functionality to help you book with confidence. For more information check us out here!

The post Top Escape Rooms in Calgary appeared first on Hijinks.

#1 – ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen

Calgary SW

The ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen is a professional cooking school with a casual and fun atmosphere. Their bright and spacious cooking studio has a professional feel while also being super welcoming and cozy. They offer hands-on evening and weekend classes as well as weekday lunch ‘n’ learn demonstrations. The menus cover a huge variety of tastes, from mighty sandwiches to extra crusty pies and Spanish specialties, Italian gourmet, and holiday cooking.

Go here for: everyday cooking classes

Average cooking class costs: $75/person

#2 – SAIT Culinary Campus

Calgary SW

This downtown cooking school offers a variety of courses taught by professional chefs from intro to cooking classes to specialty dishes and even date night classes. We’re especially keen on their Tour of the World offerings where you can learn, hands-on, how to prepare specialties from all around the world. Given that this spot is super fancy and that food top notch, this is a great spot to have a cooking class date night.

Go here for: professional cooking classes

Average cooking class costs: $100/person

#3 – Cookbook Co. Cooks

Calgary SW

Cookbook Co. Cooks is more than just a bookstore and cooking school, it’s a culinary community. Cookbook Co. Cooks has been teaching Calgarians how to cook healthy and delicious food since the mid-80s and they continue to do so today. Offering classes everyday (sometimes more than once a day) this is a great go-to spot for casual learning—and you might even run into your favorite celebrity chef here! They regularly host celebrity chef workshops and book launches. Try Italian, French, vegetarian, cooking with beer, and more.

Go here for: casual cooking classes

Average cooking class costs: $90/person

#4 – Sunterra Market

Calgary SE

Sunterra Market has some of the most affordable cooking classes in Calgary. If you think you want to try a cooking class but are on the fence, Sunterra is a good option for you. Not only do they have a huge variety of options, from $16 lunch ‘n’ learns to $50 social kitchens and kids cooking classes, they also offer a wide variety of flavors. Try Hawaiian or Latin American food, learn to perfect your Sangria, or make five different types of soup all in one night. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked. Why wouldn’t you want to spend an evening socializing over good food?

Go here for: social cooking classes

Average cooking class costs: $30

#5 – Cuisine et Chateau

Calgary NW

If you’re a fan of international cuisine you’ll be love Cuisine et Chateau. Offering classes daily—and often several times a day—Cuisine et chateau is your go-to place for professional international cuisine. Enjoy their intro to bread class, try your hand at Thai, take a three-hour workshop on Spanish Tapas, or check out their twist on a classic sushi course. This is an excellent choice for those who like to indulge in fine food. The menus are fresh, bright, and tasty and they will help you to discover new flavors and textures that you can use at home anytime.

Go here for: fine dining cooking classes

Average class costs: $119

#6 – Poppy Innovations

De Winton

Located about thirty minutes south of Calgary in De Winton, Poppy Innovations is well worth the trip if you’re into healthy organic cooking. With their focus on healthy, sustainable meals, Poppy Innovations offers Gate to Plate workshops that teach you how to grow, harvest, and preserve amazing produce. Despite what you might think, the menus here are fresh and completely delicious, and no one is going to force feed you kale. For a different date night check out their couples cooking classes, which combine an hour at the shooting range with a cooking workshop.

Go here for: healthy organic cooking classes

Average cooking class costs: $80

#7 – The Spice Chica

Calgary NW

If you like strong flavors and even stronger attitudes, then The Spice Chica is for you. They promote simple eating, laidback cooking, and the importance of not taking yourself (or others) too seriously. These classes are fun and social, and the menus range from Spanish to Argentinean, Mexican, and Italian with an emphasis on cooking from scratch with only a few ingredients. Here you’ll find out more about spice blends and how to use them, and can even purchase some of their homemade mixes at their shop.

Go here for: flavorful cooking classes

Average cooking class costs: $75

#8 – Lambert Academy of Sugar Craft

Woodbine

Sugar, spice, and everything nice! If you are the type who likes to make birthday cakes, anniversary cakes, and just-because cakes, then a cake decorating workshop might interest you. At Lambert Academy of Sugar Craft, you can choose from several cake decorating workshops and learn about frosting, cake design, and edible elements.

Go here for: sweet cooking classes

Average cooking class costs: $100

About Hijinks

Hijinks is the online marketplace that makes it easy to discover and book life experiences to enjoy with friends, family, and co-workers. Whether it’s an escape room visit, cooking class, or team building activity, we provide comprehensive listings, customer ratings and reviews, and easy browse and search functionality to help you book with confidence. For more information check us out here!

The post Best Cooking Classes And Studios In Calgary appeared first on Hijinks.