Crack the code; solve the murder; avert the alien invasion. These are just some of the challenges set forth by area escape rooms. No matter what impossible situation you have to fight your way out of, you and your nearest and dearest can put your gray matter to the test and see if you have what it takes to beat the clock. 

Westwood Plaza, 28199 S 125th St., Omaha

mindmeldescaperooms.com  

“Somewhat challenging,” “fairly hard,” and “hardest” are just some of the descriptors of the rooms waiting for escape enthusiasts in Westwood Plaza. Think you and yours have what it takes to defeat a rogue wrestler and defuse a bomb? Can you find an ancient artifact on a remote island before a greedy captain loses his patience? The clock is ticking! Open: Thursday—Friday 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday—Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Aksarben Village, 6315 Center St., Omaha

Puzzle lovers have four games to choose from with themes like undercover spy, extraterrestrials, mysterious crime scenes, and murderous mad scientists. All experiences are private, and teams of up to seven people have one hour to “unlock” the room. Forget trying to solve anything on your own; you have to work together to crack the clues. Expect plenty of high-energy, raucous screaming as the seconds tick down. Open: Wednesday—Thursday 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday—Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

7905 L St., Ralston

With only 60 minutes to win, every second counts when trying to crack cryptic clues. Whether stranded at an abandoned, vampire-infested castle, trying to pull off the perfect heist, investigating missing person cases, or attending a co-worker’s party at their mansion, you’ll be challenged, mystified, and sometimes bewildered by these enigmatic rooms. Open: Monday—Tuesday 4 to 9 p.m.; Wednesday—Thursday 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday 12—10:30 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

501 S 13th St., Omaha

The current records for some of this escape room’s challenges stand at between 30 to 38 minutes. Think you can beat those numbers? Try your luck escaping from an enemy bunker, restoring a ruined reputation to save a beloved casino, averting an internet blackout, or escaping a villain in a hotel. Getting out is the ultimate goal in this downtown Omaha escape room. Open: Wednesday 3 to 10 p.m.; Thursday 3 to 10 p.m.; Friday 2 to 11 p.m.; Saturday 12 to 11 p.m.; Sunday 12 to 8 p.m.

Westroads Mall, 10000 California St., Omaha

The Cafe de Pandora provides a unique approach to this genre of entertainment, and the business claims to boast the largest escape room in the country. More abstract, high-tech puzzles provide a true challenge for the clever and the curious, who must work through multiple rooms as well as a large game area to beat the clock. Requests for hints are almost always necessary, so don’t feel shy about asking for help. Open: Monday—Friday 4 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday—Sunday 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

2564 Leavenworth St., Omaha

houseofconundrum.com 

Push yourself to the limits of reason and and test your skills at deduction at the escape room that offers eight different puzzles—some of which have room completion rates of only 1% without hints. Room themes run the gamut from Star Trek and Batman to medieval knights and Sherlock Holmes. Open: Monday—Thursday 12 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday 12 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 to 9:30 p.m.