The
Escape
Goat
BY STEPHEN SCARBOROUGH
Winter Garden is a magical place, no more so than when it
resembles its namesake. Just like a garden that grows in the
traditional idea of winter, there are hidden wonders and tiny
miracles that are in the least expected places.
The Escape Goat is one of those amazing Winter Garden hidden
treasures – a taste of something that you usually only find in a big
city, but tucked away in a strip mall on East Plant Street. From the
outside, you would never know the cool and unique place that lay
within.
You may not know what an “escape room” is, but you should.
It’s an experience where you feel tested, where you and a small
group solve puzzles, work together, experience wonder, and
bond. I was reminded of the great run of the play “Mousetrap” by
Agatha Christie that has run continuously since 1952 and hinges
on surprises and, most importantly, on a request to audiences
to not spoil it for others. Escape Goat should not be spoiled, but
experienced. There are so few things in life where you can test
yourself and bond with others all in the course of one hour – but
The Escape Goat gives you that in three distinct and different rooms.
I have experienced the Sherlock room, and the Area 51 rooms, and
both were very different in tone, the puzzles, the challenges, and
the sensibilities. What they shared were two things – the sense of
play, and the very different magical feels about them. The Sherlock
room made me put myself in a place where I had to really bring
my “A” Brain Game. I did that room by myself – something that
I wanted to experience. And I’m glad I did that. But the Area 51
room (perfect for the spooky season) I did with others, and we
had a ball. It works best with a group of 4-6. The family that runs
Escape Goat are very accommodating and answered my myriad of
questions.
Come to The Escape Goat. Whether it’s a cool date, a break from
the normal thing you would do with friends, a unique place for a
gathering or party, or a place where you can literally escape from
the world and for an hour, see what you are made out of, Escape
Goat is a slice of a sweet fruit waiting for you in our Winter Garden.
You can visit The Escape Goat in Suite 2 at 1165 East Plant Street.
Their hours of operation are: Thursdays, 5-10pm; Fridays, 11:30am11pm; Saturdays, 11:30am-11pm; and Sundays, 12:30-6pm. For
more information, visit their website at www.escapegoatroom.com.
OCTOBER 2016
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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31