Magician’s Secret

In the Magician’s Secret, it’s the Golden Age of Magic. Howard Thurston is scouting for new magician's assistants for the world’s largest traveling magic show, and this is your official audition. You must solve the clues he’s left behind to puzzle your way through trick props and magic puzzles to prove you're worthy of the stage.

The Magician’s Secret is the best Columbus escape room you’ve not heard about. It’s a fun, immersive, one-of-a-kind, custom-built adventure inspired by real magician, Howard Thurston. The game is not about escaping a room but escaping to a time of magic!

After your mission, you can grab a BOGO pizza deal at Aracri Pizzeria, just steps away!

LENGTH OF GAME: up to 50 minutes

# OF PLAYERS: 2-6

DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate dependent upon skill level of players.
BEST TIME: View the Magician’s Secret Leaderboard

CLASS: Multiple rooms, Gen 3, private escape room. Family-friendly. Slight spook, but not scary. Read our mission briefing on why we prioritize story-driven play.

COST: Varies by number of participants. 2 people (12 and older): $38/pp; 3-4 people: $35/pp; 5-6 people: $32/pp (tax not included). Children 8-11: $20/pp
ALL GAMES PRIVATE: Just your group plays together!

NOTE: A fun game with surprises that consists of searching for clues, making connections, solving puzzles, and performing fun tasks. This is your second interview. Can you pass his test? Yes!

A COLUMBUS ESCAPE ROOM THEME WITH HISTORY BEHIND IT

Howard Thurston, the forgotten magician, was born in Columbus, Ohio and was the world’s greatest magician of his day. Delighting audiences, Thurston was beloved, performing for royal families, celebrities, and presidents. Eight train cars were used to move his massive, magic show from city to city! Of note, he also developed, improved, and patented many of his stage tricks and was collaborative with other magicians of the time. Upon his death in 1936, Howard Thurston was returned to our city and entombed at Green Lawn Abbey. Today, he is still a huge influence to practitioners of stage magic.

"The Passing of the Wand"

"The greatest of all magicians is introducing HOWARD THURSTON as his successor..."

Every legend has a beginning. On May 9, 1908, at Ford's Opera House, Harry Kellar officially handed over his magic wand—and his legacy—to Howard Thurston.

In our room, The Magician's Secret, you aren't just playing a game; you are stepping into this exact lineage of mystery. The puzzles you'll face aren't just riddles—they are the logical puzzling challenges left behind by a man who was handed the keys to the kingdom of magic.

Will you find the secret Thurston was protecting? Or will the curtain drop before you uncover the truth?

📍 Gay Street | Downtown Columbus 🔒 100% Private Adventures

Looking for a Columbus escape room for a special occasion or unique group? Contact us with questions if you would like to add an additional person, hide a gift, or just need more details about your visit with us!