We’ve done so many ancient Egypt rooms that we might be ready to join a real archaeological dig. It’s easy to see why the theme is so popular: a hidden tomb or dig site is the perfect excuse to lock a group in and send them hunting for long-buried secrets. The best ones swap shiny combination locks for puzzles that fit the theme, with props, lighting and audio that make the whole space feel like an expedition.
This list covers every Egyptian and tomb room we’ve played, wherever we found it, from Quebec City to Regina, Saskatchewan, with a couple of stops in Ontario along the way. It’s ranked by our review scores and only includes rooms that are still open.
1. Le Secret Des Dunes (Quebec City)
Our score: 8.8/10 · A Double Tour
A renowned Egyptologist’s dig in the Valley of the Kings was mysteriously cut short, and it’s up to you to pick up the torch. This room had us saying “no way!” and “wow!”, thanks to detailed props, great ambience and staff who stay in character from start to finish. You can play it entirely in English or French, but you’ll need to be a little nimble in tight spaces, and the wrap-up could use more flair.
Read our review of Le Secret Des Dunes
2. Tomb Raiders (Milton)
Our score: 8.5/10 · Mission Possible
Dr. Jones has hired your team to search the Tomb of Nerual for the secret of eternal life. The story runs through the whole room, with great sounds, amazing visuals and a unique feature we hadn’t seen anywhere else. Expect lots of locks and lots of moving between rooms. We’d make the lighting dimmer with flickering torches, and having staff walk in to give hints broke the immersion for us.
Read our review of Tomb Raiders
3. Dr. Jones and the Tomb of Life (Regina)
Our score: 8.3/10 · Escape Club
A hidden tomb at the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut has been kept secret for nearly a century, until now. This room is exactly what an Egyptian tomb should be, with nothing out of play, hints delivered in character, and not a single shiny combination lock in the place. It’s big, though: 6 to 10 people would be comfortable, and we foolishly tried it with two.
Read our review of Dr. Jones and the Tomb of Life
4. Below the Sphinx (Guelph)
Our score: 7.3/10 · Trapped
Rumour has it there’s a hidden Hall of Records under the Sphinx’s paws, and it holds the only way out. It’s a well-designed room with great props, good audio and lighting, and a choice of difficulty levels (we played the hard version). Some areas could use more paint, and we’d love to see smoke, a painted floor and better hidden electronics. The location is licensed, so you can grab a drink before or after.
