The Oz Experience in Chicago: Escape the Wicked Glitch!

An outdoor escape-room-style outing across Chicago, starting at the Chicago History Museum, in which players solve puzzles and follow clues through a story based on L. Frank Baum's Oz novel.

The Oz Experience is played on foot around the city, where the streets gradually become the Land of Oz. Players take on the role of a hero, following musical clues and uncovering hidden stories while working to outwit the witch before time runs out. The storyline draws on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, and the songs were written specifically for the game.

Each ticket unlocks the game on one smartphone, so the outing requires a phone with an internet connection. Participants can go alone or team up with friends, and a leaderboard tracks progress, with special rewards for players who rank well. A three-day pass to play other games is also among the unlockable rewards, and a costume contest gives players a chance to show off their outfits.

The outing suits groups of friends, fans of the Oz stories and visitors who want to see parts of Chicago in a new way. Play begins at the Chicago History Museum, and the route itself takes place on public streets rather than inside buildings.