Elizabethton Escape - Escape Room

Elizabethton Escape - Escape Room

Reviews Summary

The consensus from reviews highlights an exceptional escape room experience with creative, well-designed rooms and engaging storylines. Staff and owners are consistently praised for their friendliness, professionalism, and personal touch. The added bonus of a retro arcade enhances the fun, making it a hit for families, groups, and first-timers alike. Many reviewers note the rooms as challenging yet enjoyable, with some ranking among their top escape room experiences. The affordable pricing and private room options are additional perks. Overall, guests highly recommend the venue for its unique atmosphere, memorable parties, and repeat-worthy adventures.

About This Listing

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

What to Expect from Retro Games in Arcades

Step into the glow of retro arcade games and expect a nostalgic rush! Classics like Galaga, Donkey Kong, or Mortal Kombat await, housed in vibrant cabinets with joysticks, buttons, or trackballs. You’ll dodge enemies, chase high scores, or battle opponents in fast-paced, pixel-perfect gameplay. Modern restorations include sharp CRT or LED screens and authentic controls, preserving the 80s/90s vibe. Games are easy to learn but tough to master, offering quick sessions or deep challenges. With leaderboards and arcade crowds cheering, retro games deliver timeless fun in 2025.

Features

Has Retro Games
Has Arcade Cabinets
Good for kids
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

429 E Elk Ave

Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643

Hours

Monday 2:30-8PM
Tuesday 2:30-8PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 2:30-8PM
Friday 2:30-9PM
Saturday 11:30AM-10PM
Sunday 1:30-8PM

Customer Reviews

The owners were awesome. Very charismatic and answered questions with a smile. Just a great time. I cannot recommend it enough. The arcade was very extensive and set up nicely. Go there for a birthday party or fun with friends

Being a girl dad of 3 we have had birthday parties literally just about everywhere. This was our first time at this venue. We were 100 percent pleased with this experience. The staff/owners were extremely friendly and informative from the moment we called all the way throughout the completion of our party. I would highly recommend reaching out to Elizabethton Escape for your next event. Thank you Elizabethton Escape for a great and memorable birthday party. We will definitely be back soon!

My daughter and I celebrated her 23 birthday here and had a great time. We did the Yellowstone room and we finished in time but it was challenging too and not too easy. Just right! The retro games were awesome and we are already planning our next visit with more of the family.

If you're looking for a place of entertainment on the weekend or even during the week, I would highly recommend this venue. The owners are super nice and accommodating. The rooms are challenging and they even throw in the arcade visit for free if you do the room. There is a plethora of old school games throughout the arcade and even a spot that transports you right back to childhood (if you're my age that is lol). I will definitely be back to book a future experience.

I planned a date night for my boyfriend and I here. We were both a bit nervous because we have never done an escape room before. As soon as we walked in, the owners were so kind and welcoming!! We had SO much fun doing this!! We choose to do the ?Patient Number 9? escape room and we loved it! it was an incredible story! We had a blast! we will most definitely be coming back to try the other rooms as well!!

My son and I had our very first escape room experience here today, and we had so much fun! It's definitely a challenge, but such a good experience.

This was our first time doing an escape room. We did the Yellowstone room. It was a wonderful experience. The staff is friendly and helpful. We will be back!

By far one of our best experiences in an escape room. My wife and I enjoy trying different escape rooms when we travel and we were in town for a wedding. We found this one and decided to give it a go. The 80?s room was a blast and the owner was an amazing host. We finished with just 32 seconds left. Had an opportunity for arcade play after and got to play mortal kombat. Overall a great experience.

This place was amazing! It was my first time trying an escape room, and this place was perfect! The man who helped and explained it all to us was very kind and enthusiastic about his job/business. We only tried one room, but it's very likely we would return for another try at a different one. The arcade was also quite fun. There were a lot of older arcade cabinets as well as older consoles that you could play. Had loads of fun and definitely recommend!

Our daughter and her friends had a blast in the patient no. 9 escape room and arcade. It was a birthday party she won't soon forget. The owners and staff were so friendly and accommodating. We felt right at home. Can't wait to come hang out again!

Great family or frien activity. The room was interesting and difficult enough to keep your attention. The vintage arcade was a nice bonus. Being downtown parking is interesting. Well worth the price.

Loved it. The people that worked there was great and it was supper fun. Plenty of old school arcade games as well.

We arrived early, and they had 80s arcade games you could play for free until it was our turn. The escape room was 80s theme and very nicely done. Would have been nice if the room had a roof as the noise from the arcade was slightly a disturbance. All in all in I would do this again. They are currently working on another room, which will be ready fairly soon. PS... we escaped with 48 seconds to go!!

We did the Awesome 80?s room and had a great time. The room was well designed and our game master Taylor was tremendous. We have done over 70 escape rooms and this is definitely one of our top 10.

Every time I go I always have a blast, and the staff are really friendly and make you feel like at home.

Did yellow stone escape last week it was great just didn't seen hard enough tho

My son loves this retro arcade! Such a great addition for our area. They host birthday parties, too! Great prices, friendly staff. Just overall wonderful.

Absolutely WONDERFUL experience! Incredibly kind and fun staff. Scott makes the escape room experience so fun, and adds a personal touch that instantly made us loyal customers. We will be back for more!

I 100% say come here and try their escape rooms. Not only did me and my husband have a blast on date night, we also felt very welcome. You can very much feel the welcoming environment when you walk in. The prices are very good. I will be going back! Thank you to the owners for making this experience an amazing one!

Excellent place to go! Real 80s arcade. NES on a floor model TV! Escape rooms very cool, challenging and fun. Highly recommend coming here!

I've done probably 30 escape rooms and have been looking for a new one after moving up from Florida, Patient 9 was an awesome room and a great value (you get to play all the arcade games too!!) I appreciate the thought put into the puzzles which were challenging, diverse, and absolutely fun! We really liked our game master too, who put us all in roles and committed to his, with clues that helped without but still let us solve the puzzles. I hope we get to come back soon. Thank you all!

We did the redneck rampage escape room last night by far one of the best escape rooms we have ever done! The hospitality was amazing the owner made sure that my husband and I were smiling and having a wonderful time! One of the most creative and well thought out escape rooms ever!! And the retro arcade was like a cherry on top!! Can't wait until we are back in town to do another one soon!!! Thank you so much for all the fun!!!

Fantastic experience with Scott and Kristy. Genuinely kind, fun people. The escape room was interesting and tricky without being too hard. Well done. Will defbe back for more!!!

Had a blast!! would recommend this to anyone. Loved the challenge and the video games that we could play while waiting to go in.

Great family fun! Not your typical cookie cutter escape room. The thought and planning put into the rooms for a unique experience is above and beyond. The owners are very personable and have great personalities. Can not wait to come back and do another.

We had an amazing experience at this escape room!! The ?80s room was very well thought out and our game master was awesome! We will definitely be back to play the other rooms!

Excellent experience. Staff was amazing. Really enjoyed the hillbilly escape room. The 80's retro vibe and games were so fun and nostalgic. Will definitely be back to do other rooms. Thanks!

My wife and I had a great time here today. It was the first one ever we were a little nervous but they walked us through it even seen we were struggling a few times and helped us along the way. If you're on the fence about doing escape room I say go for it. It was fun bonding memories with my wife there were even some very comical moments. Can't wait to try rooms that they have in the future. The small arcade was nice too gave you something to do to kill time either while you're waiting or when you're done.

We did an escape game last (patient number nine) and and we also did one a few years ago (Hillbilly Rampage) and loved both! We also like that we got to play the old arcade games when we were finished with the room. Definitely recommend for a date night or a family night out.

My husband and I did the number 9 escape room and played the arcade. It was a blast!Amazing deal for how much stuff we got to do. The owners were so kind. This place is a definite gem, so glad we found it!

Staff was friendly and retro games were good. Did hillbilly shootout and theming was very low. Lots of pad locks and not much scenery along with a lot of big orange tape to tell you not to touch things. Overall if retro games are not available the escape would not be worth it

We really enjoyed Redneck Rampage at Elizabethton Escape. It was really cute and a good challenge for our family. The owner was super friendly and helpful and wanted to ensure that we had a good time. He is also very fair about pricing. The included retro arcade is a great bonus! If in the area again, we will definitely be back.

My 7-year-old son and I did the Redneck Rampage, and it was so fun!! The staff gave us lots of clues and help when we needed it, And the FREE retro arcade in the lobby is such a great touch as well?? Highly recommend!

My group did the escape room "Redneck Rampage" and it was awesome. Lots of little clues all over the place that was just hard enough to feel rewarding. But the owner was in my opinion the best part. He was so involved in the escape room and played as his ol' redneck cousin. There is a retro arcade as well that is included in the price of the escape room. The only negative I can think of is the room was too easy with a group of 9, but most people I doubt max out the players.

My husband and I did the dino themed one. The puzzles were challenging and engaging. We had so much fun! Already planning to go back to do the Hillbilly one. Lots of arcade games to choose from and also old game systems to play! Great way to have some fun with friends and family. I honestly liked this escape better than one I did in Pigeon Forge!

The room was well thought out and so much fun and the host made it that much better! He went above and beyond to make sure we were having fun and the arcade was a wonderful bonus! Would definitely recommend to anyone in the area.

Absolutely phenomenal from start to finish. Ive play really expensive games with less character. We did the dinosaur escape and the puzzles were very well thought out. My family and i were both challenged and exhilarated. The free game pass for the arcade at the end was icing on the cake. We will definitely be going back soon and often. If you haven't checked this place out yet, you dont know what you're missing.

This is such a family-friendly and fun place! The owners are wonderful and make this an awesome experience. We have done both of their escape rooms and are eagerly awaiting the completion of a new room.

Great rooms and creative story lines. May not have all the technical gear of higher priced escape rooms but cheaper admission. They have done a great job with both stories. Swamp Fever is the easier of the two and great for first timers. Countdown is a more challenging and more technical. Good place to go if you want to pass an hour of time quickly. Staff was very polite and helpful. Would definitely recommend to a friend.

SO fun! I've been to a lot of escape rooms and this one was by far one of the most unique. You can tell a lot of effort was put into making the rooms both challenging and fun. The owners are such warm people who are truly passionate about what they do. Also, you get a private room which is a huge bonus. I dislike sharing the game with people I don't know, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found out you Have privacy as long as you have at least two people. Truly a gem that I wish more people knew about!

We escaped from Patient #9 with 7 minutes to go! 3 adults + 6 kids. This place is bright & cheery, the owners are sweet & helpful, and everyone had a great time--even the 7 year old, who was dubious that "getting locked in a room" could be fun.

Had a blast!! Great atmosphere, great staff!! Will definitely be back, had so much fun, endless gameplay on retro gaming is a total plus!! ????

Our family of 4 adults really enjoyed the Redneck Rampage Escape room! The Hillbilly Fellar who guided us to get started was a hoot! My first experience with an escape room and I'm hooked. It was challenging but not frustrating. We highly recommend it and plan to go back for the Jurassic Island :)

Phenomenal time! While on vacation, we decided to check the place out. Great prices, super fun owner, wicked creative. I've done a few escape rooms but never an interactive one! That's what you get with Redneck Rampage. We didn't stop laughing, such a blast! And then an arcade room! With Sega, Atari, Nintendo (including duck hunt!), Ms Pac Man, Frogger...just to name a few HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Loved the rooms here! Very hands on and extremely detailed rooms with fun puzzles.I've done close to 50 escape rooms in several states, and this place is up there with my favorites! Drove 2 hours to try it, well worth the drive, i can't wait til they open new rooms. Exceptional staff/owners and gamemaster was fun and friendly .. highly recommend

My niece (10 yr old) nephew (9 yr old) and I had a great time, especially for their first experience with an Escape Room! It was a challenge, but manageable (especially with a few helpful clues :-) we will definitely try it again! The staff was very friendly and helpful throughout the process!

The owners are so nice and also brilliant!!! Their escape rooms are not only challenging but completely original! Better than any escape room I've been to.

We have done MANY escape rooms and all of the hosts have been wonderful but this owner takes the cake. He was so engaging and we had so much fun. We will be back to do Jurassic!!

I have been to this escape room twice. I enjoyed it both times i have went. The guy that runs Elizabethton escape, is friendly. He writes his stories for his rooms. It is AMAZING! He also has a arcade in the back. When you finish the escape room, you can go back and play the arcade games. He has a few snacks you can buy as well. I will be returning. ?????

Absolutely best atmosphere! Wonderful escape games and retro arcade! Owners are great and very friendly! Clean and welcoming! 10 out of 10!!

We're from out of state and were looking for something fun to do while on vactation. We found this place and we LOVED it. My very first time and now I'm addicted, we did both rooms within 2 days! Not only was it fun but the owner was just great and very welcoming and told a great story. Would highly recommend going here and checking it out 100%!!

Considering it is cheaper than most other escape rooms and doing an escape room grants you access to the arcade for the rest of the day, this is certainly a good place to visit. Rooms only require 2 people (and are certainly doable at the minimum requirement).

This place was more than expected. The room was challenging and fun and the reward of a ton of vintage video games at the end was awesome! I highly recommend it and will be keeping my eye out for new rooms from them in the future!

My son had his birthday party at Elizabethton escape and they all had a blast!!! The owners and staff were super nice and helpful, and they made us feel like family!! Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting a great time and top notch service ?

We celebrated my sons birthday here and all of the kids had a blast! The staff were amazing and enjoyed making the kids smile! Highly recommend!!!

Where should I begin with this... we have been wanting to do this for a good while. So we noticed that they are doing a memorial day sale. 15%off for memorial day. Visit their site for the code. So we did the swamp fever. This game was an extreme amount of fun. The two room games are brain racking and will push you to think! I suggest EVERYONE support this LOCAL business and give them a shot they will NOT disappoint!

My husband and I did this with our 10 year old granddaughter! We had never done anything like this before so we were slow on the start but really enjoyed it. I would highly recommend this activity for anyone looking for something different to do. The owners here did a great job of coaching us to get started and have a great experience.

This place was AMAZING for our group we had 11 people and many escape rooms won't take that many we did patient #9 there were sooo many puzzles that every one could be working at once to solve them and the person running it was awesome he made it more fun we will be back!

After our softball tournament was cancelled, some of our team went and had such a great time!

Had a blast!! Everyone is so friendly, the games and rooms are awesome. I would recommend to everyone looking for great family entertainment.

The escape room was very creative and the staff made it lots of fun!! They were very friendly and even included all their arcade games complimentary with your escape room cost!

The escape room was so fun we loved it me the grandkids and their cousins loved it don't even get me started on the retro arcade it was so so so awesome the staff was so funny and kind overall a great place to take the kids.

We have been to several escape/game rooms and none have compared to Elizabethton Escape! The imagination and detail was amazing. The owner and staff were awesome, very friendly and accommodating. If you haven't checked them out... do it!??

My fianc? and I stopped in here and it was amazing! We have done plenty of escape games across the Tri Cities and this was by far the most cost effective and unique room we've done! Brandon was very professional and a great game guide. I wish I could give more than 5 stars!

We had the best time ever! The Jurassic escape room was awesome and then our family played their arcade and video games. We will definitely be back!!

Great time at Elizabethton Escape! Didn't get out but that's because we were too stubborn to use all our clues! Great price and Countdown is a real challenge. Will definitely go back for Swamp Fever.

This place is absolutely amazing! We had so much fun and laughed our butts off. The kids and us enjoyed the arcade afterwards!

If you want something different, fun, and full of laughter this is the place to go! My wife and I went for the first time we are definitely going back. I highly recommend going here for a fun adventure!

This was excellent. Hosted well. Very creative with lots of quirky aspects. We had a group of seven (3 kids) and had a blast.

I had a great time. I would definitely recommend this place. It was so much fun, and the host Scott made the whole experience even better. I'm looking forward to going again

Excellent staff one of the best escape rooms I've been in staff is real cool and laid back, and the tornado foose table is awesome by itself much less all the other games they have !!

First time & we had a blast! Patient #9 was full of mystery & challenge while still being incredibly fun! We will be back!

Went with my family and had a blast. First time ever doing one and I will be back again for another! Was a great time and tons of fun puzzles to solve.

It was great. We had an amazing time. First visit to an escape room and cannot wait to visit again. Would recommend to anyone.

Incredible experience! Well thought out rooms, as well as a super fun arcade area! Brandon the attendant was phenomenal! Definitely recommend!

Grandkids had a blast for their birthday so glad somebody finally put something in Elizabethton for the kids today and arcade and they have an escape room and the arcades only $5 per hour doesn't hurt to pocket and friendly friendly owners

First time experiencing an escape room. Had a great time with a group from church. Owner has a passion for providing a wonderful experience.

Had a great time! The puzzles were hard and the people were nice. Definitely going back to try their other rooms.

We went to the ?the hunt for patient #9? escape room and had so much fun! Definitely recommend!

Anyone looking for a fun time needs to go! The owner is great guy, and the workers are great too. I did the dead time story escape tonight, and I would highly recommend going!

We had a birthday party here and the kids had a blast in Redneck Rampage and the retro arcade. Great pricing too. Highly recommend it!!!

I've been to many escape rooms, this this one has to be my favorite! We've done all the rooms and can't wait for the others to come out!

We had a fantastic time doing Redneck Rampage and spending a few minutes after playing classic video games. We'll definitely be back in the near future!

We had so much fun! The guy in charge was super nice and so entertaining. We will be back!

Loads of fun today. A great activity for old and young alike . Can't wait until they are in the new building to come and play again.

The staff was very friendly and the room was very fun. They had unique challenges that no other rooms have that we have played.

First time in any escape room. It was fun. And the complementary arcade was a nice nostalgic addition.

Amazing! We had so much fun! We are so excited to go back! We are already planning our next visit!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Are retro games in arcades still good in this modern age?

Absolutely, retro games in arcades remain a thrilling draw in 2025! Classics like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Street Fighter II offer simple yet addictive gameplay, blending nostalgia with timeless challenge. Modern arcade cabinets often feature crisp displays and restored controls, enhancing the experience. These games thrive on quick reflexes and strategy, with vibrant pixel art and iconic soundtracks that spark joy. Arcades host tournaments and leaderboards, fostering a lively community. While modern games dominate, retro titles provide a unique, accessible thrill that keeps arcades buzzing.