City Editor Jordan here — I love puzzles. Maybe it's the fact that I grew up playing The Legend of Zelda, or that I spend my free time designing puzzles for Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. I just really enjoy being given a big, conceptual knot and untangling it.

Escape rooms are right in my wheel house, naturally. They are fun, interactive adventures where you and your friends are tasked with solving a series of puzzles under a time limit (usually 60 minutes) in order to "escape." (Note: the doors are never really locked, so no need to worry about getting stuck if the thought of that gives you anxiety.)

Each escape room typically has a handful of adventures of varying difficulties, depending on your experience level. Here are some of my favorite escape rooms around the area, with specific challenge offerings that I have personally completed.

Red Door Escape Room, 12401 Folsom Blvd., Ste. 115, Rancho Cordova
Challenge: Prison Break
Difficulty: Medium
Use the clues left behind to escape from your cell while you tackle innovative puzzles that make use of the entire space.

Enchambered, 2230 Arden Way, Ste. C, Sacramento
Challenge: Containment Breach
Difficulty: Easy
Discover the secrets of Dr. Rosenberg's "teleportation machine" in this multi-room science fiction-themed adventure.

NEO Escape Room, 1124 Second St., Sacramento
Challenge: Haunted Train
Difficulty: Hard
This challenge drips with atmosphere in its attempts to frighten and challenge you. One portion will have you and your crew on the edge of your seats — literally.

Way of Escape, 311 E. Bidwell St., Folsom
Challenge: The Hiding Place
Difficulty: Medium
Gather your ration cards and avoid Nazis at this World War II-inspired escape room that's based on a true story.