OCALA, FL (352today.com) – There are plenty of ways to spend an afternoon or evening in North Central Florida. You can grab dinner, catch a movie, head outdoors or simply settle in at home.
But every once in a while, it’s worth doing something that gets everyone off their phones, into the same room and completely involved in the experience.
That’s the idea behind Huddy’s Escape, the locally owned, family-run entertainment business with locations in Ocala and Gainesville. What started with a simple goal—create something genuinely fun and different for the community—has grown into an immersive destination that has welcomed more than 75,000 players and earned Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice recognition two years in a row.
And while the escape rooms are certainly the main attraction, the bigger story behind Huddy’s is what makes a visit memorable.
It’s not just about escaping
At its most basic, an escape room involves a group, a mission, a collection of clues and a 60-minute countdown.
At Huddy’s, however, the experience is designed to feel like stepping inside a movie.
The company designs and builds its own rooms, incorporating elaborate sets, lighting, sound, technology, special effects and interactive elements. It has also designed and constructed rooms for other escape-room businesses around the country, giving its team plenty of experience in creating immersive environments.
That craftsmanship is part of what separates the experience from a traditional puzzle game. Players aren’t simply looking for a key or trying to crack a combination. They are exploring a story, interacting with their surroundings and working together to figure out what happens next.
Something for almost everyone
One of the biggest misconceptions about escape rooms is that you need to be a puzzle expert to enjoy one.
You don’t.
Huddy’s says nearly half of its players are experiencing an escape room for the first time, and its games emphasize observation, communication and teamwork rather than specialized knowledge. Game masters are also available to provide hints when a team gets stuck.
That makes Huddy’s a natural fit for all kinds of occasions—from family outings and birthday celebrations to date nights, friend groups, student gatherings and corporate team-building.
And because the rooms are private, the experience belongs to your group. There are no strangers being added to your team, which means everyone can relax, participate and enjoy the adventure together.
An indoor adventure, rain or shine
North Central Florida weather can sometimes have other plans.
That’s another part of Huddy’s appeal. Whether summer temperatures are climbing or an afternoon thunderstorm has canceled outdoor plans, the adventure continues inside.
The result is an activity that works year-round—and one that gives families, friends and visitors something to do when they’re looking for more than another ordinary afternoon.
At the Gainesville location, guests can also enjoy beer and wine, making it possible to extend the outing beyond the game itself and turn an escape into a full evening.
Always something new to discover
For a business built around adventure, standing still isn’t really an option.
Huddy’s newest experiences are a good example. “Alice: Madness in Bloom,” which opened in Ocala in 2026, brings players into a family-friendly Wonderland filled with interactive effects, hands-on puzzles and a floor-to-ceiling environment. It represents the company’s 22nd escape room design, with 12 of those rooms created for other escape-room businesses.
The result is a growing collection of experiences ranging from mystery and adventure to fantasy and horror, giving returning players a reason to come back and newcomers plenty of choices.
A local business built around making memories
Perhaps that’s ultimately what Huddy’s Escape is about.
Ocala native Adam Tencza founded the business after wanting to bring something different to his hometown. Since opening in Ocala in 2021 and expanding to Gainesville in 2024, Huddy’s has grown while maintaining its connection to the communities it serves.
The awards and industry recognition are certainly noteworthy. So is the scale of the company’s work.
But the simplest measure may be what happens after the clock stops.
People laugh about the clues they missed. They celebrate the puzzle someone finally solved. They argue about who had the right idea. They take pictures. And before long, they’re talking about which room they should try next.
That’s the difference between simply finding something to do and finding an experience worth remembering.
For North Central Florida residents and visitors, Huddy’s Escape offers both: a locally owned destination with locations in Ocala and Gainesville, and a chance to step away from everyday routines and become part of the adventure.
You don’t just watch the story unfold.
You step inside it.