An Escape Room: The Perfect Rainy Day Activity in Edinburgh
It’s raining in Edinburgh - unthinkable yes, but true!
And so a classic dilemma unfolds - how to stay dry while keeping your day out on track… Fight the crowds in a museum? Doze off in the cinema? Drag the kids around the shops? Or, why not try something truly different...
When the rain clouds roll in, Edinburgh's charm doesn’t have to fade. Take your day from ‘wash out’ to ‘stand out’ with an unforgettable escape room adventure, inspired by the city’s real history.
We’re pitching Escape The Past head-to-head against Edinburgh’s usual rainy-day suspects to see which delivers the most fun, the best value, and the longest lasting memories!
The Head-to-Head: Escape The Past vs. The Competition
VS. Museums & Galleries
The Museum Experience:
Step inside any of Edinburgh’s excellent museums, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by fascinating exhibits from the city’s past - and also surrounded by plenty of other people seeking shelter! You shuffle through the crowds, jostling for position and peering at artefacts secured behind glass. It’s interesting, yes, but it’s passive. You’re an observer, not an active participant.
The Escape The Past Difference:
At Escape The Past, history doesn’t sit behind a glass case. It’s alive, immersive, and interactive. Step into one of our meticulously designed escape rooms inspired by a period of Edinburgh’s real past. Every puzzle, prop, and clue pulls you deeper into an historical mystery where your actions count! You’ll handle authentic objects, solve ingenious riddles, and uncover secrets hidden in plain sight - learning more about this fascinating city all while remaining warm and dry indoors - the rain outside only adding to the atmosphere.
The Verdict:
Museums show you Edinburgh’s history. Escape The Past lets you live and experience it!
VS. Cinemas & Theatres
The Cinema Experience:
There’s comfort in a dark cinema on a soggy afternoon - tasty popcorn, soft seats, and someone else’s story playing on the big screen. But after two hours of sitting quietly, you emerge back into the drizzle having achieved… well, not much! You’ve watched a story unfold, but it wasn’t yours and it’ll likely soon be forgotten.
The Escape The Past Difference:
In our escape rooms, you are the main character. Every riddle cracked, every secret discovered, every door unlocked - it’s all down to the efforts of you and your team. This isn’t about watching an adventure; it’s about participating in one. Whether with friends or family, you’ll laugh, shout, collaborate, and celebrate together as you delve into Edinburgh’s dark past and (hopefully!) emerge victorious. It’s as cinematic as any blockbuster, but you’re the star, creating valuable memories that’ll last long after the metaphorical curtain falls.
The Verdict:
Why watch heroes on screen when you can be one for an hour?
VS. Cafés & Restaurants
The Café Experience:
A cosy café is a tempting refuge from a rainy day in Edinburgh. You order a coffee, find a seat by the window and watch the rain lash the city under moody skies. But once the caffeine kick wears off and you’re all caught up with your friends’ news, how long before you’re scrolling on your phone, checking the forecast, and wondering how to pass the rest of the day?
The Escape The Past Difference:
At Escape The Past, you won’t be clock-watching - well you might, but only because you’re racing against it! Instead of a caffeine high, experience the rush of adrenaline that comes from immersing yourself in a historical mystery that keeps your brain buzzing and your heart pumping. Working together to beat the clock is an experience that energises and connects, turning a dreary afternoon into a shared story you’ll talk about long after the skies clear.
The Verdict:
Ditch the comfy cafe and create memories that last a lot longer than your latte.
VS. Shopping Centres
The Shopping Experience:
You duck into the nearest shopping centre to escape the pounding rain, only to find yourself wandering through the same chain stores you could visit in any other city, or perhaps you branch out and opt for some ‘Scotland Shop kitch’, browsing budget kilts and replica Greyfriar’s Bobbys? Maybe you buy something you don’t need just to fill the time. It’s familiar, predictable, and hardly memorable!
The Escape The Past Difference:
An escape room is an investment in an experience, not material things. The thrill of working together, the satisfaction of solving that final puzzle, the sense of shared achievement - these are souvenirs you actually want to keep. No bags required.
The Verdict:
Forget the chain stores and tourist tatt, how about buying into a story you’ll never forget?
Escape The Past VS. Other Edinburgh Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are one of the best ways to escape the elements on a rainy day in Edinburgh, but with many to choose from, how do you decide which one to visit? Edinburgh is home to several great escape room experiences, yet Escape The Past stands apart as something truly special. Here’s what makes us different…
Discover Edinburgh’s Real History
Our experiences are more than just games - they’re windows into the city’s dark and fascinating past. Each room is grounded in rigorously researched local history, capturing the sights, sounds, and even the scents of old Edinburgh. You won’t just learn about the city’s heritage - you’ll experience it. From the flicker of candlelight to the creak of wooden floors, the authenticity of the setting makes you feel like you’ve truly travelled back in time.
Independently Owned & Operated
At Escape The Past, every puzzle, prop, and storyline has been meticulously crafted by our in-house team. Unlike chain or franchise escape rooms that often reuse generic themes, our games are completely original and could only exist in Edinburgh - designed from the ground up to reflect the city’s unique history and atmosphere. Whether you’re a tourist wanting a truly Edinburgh experience, or a local looking to learn more about their home town - nothing compares to Escape The Past.
Live Actor Storytelling
What really sets us apart is our approach to storytelling. Our Games Masters aren’t just there to explain the rules - they’re trained performers who bring your adventure vividly to life. Dressed in full costume and fully in character, they weave you into the story, guiding and reacting in real time to your actions. It’s part immersive theatre, part historical adventure, and all completely unforgettable.
Learn more about Escape The Past.
Don’t take our word for it… Why Edinburgh chooses us to Escape the Rain
“...Such great value for money and we’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for a group activity in Edinburgh. We are only sad that we can’t do it again!” GoPlaces (Trip Advisor) ★★★★★
“10 out of 10. Highly recommended. Absolutely brilliant. Best escape room we’ve done… loved that the tast was Edinburgh themed!” Family of 4 (Trip Advisor) ★★★★★
“I have done an escape room elsewhere and felt this one was definitely the best. Highly recommend for a fun day out with friends or family.” Gemma K (Trip Advisor) ★★★★★
When it comes to rainy day activities in Edinburgh, visitors consistently rank Escape The Past among the city’s best-reviewed indoor experiences. Rain or shine, our blend of storytelling, history, and adventure guarantees an unforgettable time.
Your Rainy-Day Decision Made Easy
When you break it down, the choice becomes obvious. Why settle for passive, crowded, or forgettable activities when you could have a thrilling, hands-on adventure that makes Edinburgh’s history come alive?
Next time the clouds gather and the cobbles glisten, skip the museum queues and the same old coffee shops. Choose something that transforms the weather from an inconvenience into an opportunity for discovery.
Book your indoor escape room adventure today.
Or you could just brave the rain…
As a final thought, a bit of rain never really hurt anyone! If the weekend’s a wash out, don’t let that stop you experiencing the best that Edinburgh has to offer.
Why not grab an umbrella and take to Edinburgh’s cobbled streets to experience our Outdoor City Trail in the most atmospheric way possible? An outdoor escape room that brings the city's past to life through real locations. See the city in a whole new light with a trail you complete at your own pace with time to take shelter in a cosy pub if the rain becomes torrential!
