After being hidden away for more than a century,
the vision of Harriston’s original postmaster has come to fruition.
Can you solve The Postmaster’s Riddle?
Visit a remarkable heritage building to work as a team and solve puzzles in one of Ontario’s most unique escape rooms.
Your goal? Beat the clock, climb the tower and ring the bell for all to hear:
there’s a new postmaster in town.
Booking Information
FEES
Adults: $35 + HST per person
Students & Seniors (55+): $28 + HST per person
GAME TIMES
Thursdays: 7:15 p.m.
Fridays: 5:15 p.m. / 8:15 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:15 a.m. / 1:15 p.m. / 4:15 p.m. / 7:15 p.m.
Your game will last 90 minutes.
Additional time slots available for business and special interest groups. Please email us to learn more.
LOCATION
Escape the Old Post is located on the 3rd floor of the historic former Harriston post office, in the centre of downtown Harriston.
Can’t make the weekend work?
We accept special bookings outside of regular hours to accommodate your group’s schedule.
Please email us with your preferred date and time to learn more and book your game time!
Looking for a memorable or last-minute gift for a friend or family member?
Escape the Old Post gift certificates make an amazing experience gift. They’re redeemable online, and you will receive a printable version with online redemption code to give to the recipient.
Escape the Old Post Reviews
-
Hands down the best escape room we have ever experienced! Jacob was a wonderful host and we will be sure to be back soon!!
Anita Weber
March 17, 2023My favourite escape room so far! It is so creatively built and has a really good variety of tasks and puzzles. We didn't make it all the way through but it's definitely one we'll come back to until we do!
Kendra Vander Kooij
January 10, 2023Beautiful building with some really cool history. Really enjoyed our time there even as a big group of 9 there was lots to keep us all busy and working away. The game master made our time more enjoyable making sure we weren’t getting too far off track, that we had snacks etc. A really fun experience for any ages. Definitely will be returning to ring the bell
Jasmine Lawlor
December 19, 2022 -
Challenging, surprises around corners you don't expect! Our team had an awesome evening at the Post, from a catered dinner in the Cafe to great direction from the GameMaster Jacob to a last minute thrill of success! A great team building experience and tons of fun! We can't wait to come back for Part II!
Cindy Beatty
September 25, 2022My hubby and I host a Cousins Camp each year for our grandkids. This years theme was 'Mission Possible', so of course, we needed to do an Escape Room. The kids came back from Escape the Old Post in Harriston sooooo excited they could hardly get the words out fast enough! They loved, loved, loved it! Jacob was awesome to work with. SO FUN!!! Definitely need to do this again next year!
Margaret Oakey
August 14, 2022Just….wow!!!! What an amazing time we had at ‘Escape the Old Post’! Not easy to find something that the whole family enjoys…but this was bang on. We booked the excursion for my son’s 17th birthday and we had an absolute blast. Delicious food and lovely folks in the cafe, and Jacob was a fantastic Games Master. They were kind enough to personalize the experience for the birthday boy, by hiding a few of our gifts and incorporating some of his favourite music, as well. The clues and puzzles were varied, so there were twists and turns to suit everyone’s way of thinking. Definitely recommend for a family outing, or team building event for the office. Put on your thinking caps and get ready for some fun!
Kerri Gallop
August 2, 2022 -
If you are looking for an extremely fun way to spend a couple of hours then this escape room experience is it. Packed with excitement from the beginning to the end. The 90 minutes goes by so fast and leaves you wanting more which is what makes this escape room unique…you can come back to finish the second half another day! Loved it and looking forward to our return 😀.
Wendy L
July 26, 2022Amazing experience, gamemaster was so helpful. Puzzles were witty and made sense (but a little tricky). Overall great time
Tristan Majetic
July 15, 2022Escape the Old Post was a very fun experience. There were six of us in the group and we all had escape room experience, and we only made it about 60% of the way through. This escape room is definitely different than other ones but super fun. The game master explains everything and does a really good job helping you out through the game. I would highly suggest anyone go here and have an amazing time. We will definitely be going back the next time we are in Elora.
Sarah Peck
July 10, 2022 -
The girls had alot of fun doing the escape room. They are already looking forward to coming back and trying again.
Kim Lewis
July 9, 2022We had a lot of fun and laughs. it was harder then I thought and the time just flew by. We didn't get to ring the bell,but better luck next time. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good challenge.
Gord Dillon
April 17, 2022What an amazing experience. Very detailed. Highly interactive. A lot of work was into this escape room. Gamemaster Mike was super fun and his passion for his role is extremely evident. The only bad thing I can say is that it's so much fun that time went by too fast. 100% worth the drive if you live outside the area. Go team Hodge Podge
Christopher Mattix
March 27, 2022 -
Went this weekend with a group of friends and had an amazing time! We had gone to an escape room before in the city but it was nowhere near as fun and intricate as the Old Post was. We will definitely be back again to try our luck at winning and for anymore rooms they make there!
Ang C
March 27, 2022What a fantastic time we had. I have never been to an escape room or even really know what one was. My daughter knows all about them and has always wanted to go. So we decided to take her for her Birthday, it was awesome! I didn't know what to expect so I went with an open mind and WOW! I found myself running around like crazy trying to find the next clue! I would recommend this to anyone who needs to get out of the house and try something different. You won't believe it once you get going. Thanks again for a GREAT time. We can't wait to go back... 🙂
Mike “Ozz” Barron
February 25, 2022Escape the Old Post was a fun and challenging adventure. It works for groups of all ages and we will definitely be back!
BK Moore
December 31, 2021 -
We had such an amazing time- one of the best Escape rooms I have been in so far! Well done!
Kelly Weber
December 20, 2021We had a great time at the Old Post with 2 family teams competing to ring the bell! Michael and team were very accommodating from our first inquiry. The event space, hospitality and the challenge of the room made for a great night. We will be back to finish what we started!!! The Bross Family
Josh MacDonald
November 29, 2021Great experience, did not disappoint. We will be back !
Kyle Reaburn
November 20, 2021 -
Excellent escape room in a really cool location. I visited here as a friend recommended it as the best escape room she's done and it didn't disappoint!! The people here are lovely. I'm excited to return when the new escape room is finished being set up!
Emilie Layne
November 2, 2021We had a group of 7 and had a blast! Great place for any group. We were planning our next visit before we left! We have to see what's beyond that next door!
Keith and Teresa Waterton
October 17, 2021We had such a fun time here! Came as a group of 5 after finding out about this hidden treasure. The owner and the Gamemaster were both so welcoming and fun to be around. We got to enjoy some drinks before heading to test our escaping abilities. We wound up getting just past the half way mark and will definitely be back to finish. The room was built so creatively and it’s such a beautiful space.
Kristin Houghtling
September 12, 2021 -
We had a group of 6 and had a fantastic time The DM was Jacob (David) LOL he was great. We'll have to go back to try and get that bell to ring! We had a 2 hour run at it and just got halfway through. It's a very challenging room. My whole group would definitely recommend this room.
John Pattullo
September 5, 2021So much fun!! Aaron in the Cafe was great and made us some delicious eats! Jacob was a fantastic Gamemaster! He really new his stuff and was very patient with our rambunctious crew!! Highly recommend!!
Jenn W
August 20, 2021Food at the Cafe was excellent! Highly recommended, great value, high quality. Well worth the visit. Staff is warm, welcoming and Professional.
Allan Hall
March 16, 2021 -
What a fabulous way to spend a staff Christmas party. Michael and his team went over and above to make our Covid Christmas party safe and enjoyable. They hid gifts throughout the escape room and opened up a room for us to sit as a group and enjoy a great meal and drinks! I would highly suggest you check out this space. Thanks again for allowing us to enjoy in the comforts of our own Town, you are a hidden gem
Amy Habermehl
December 5, 2020Excellent service, challenging but doable game, and the best dipped ice cream cones topped our night. A spot we will definitely go to again, and recommend others to do the same!
lois bowman
December 5, 2020The Old Post was lightyears beyond any other escape room I've done. If you live in Ontario, please check it out. I thought my mom was exaggerating (like she does) when she told me it was unique and better than the others. She wasn't. And it's in Harriston of all places. Worth the drive from KW or Stratford or whatever. And COVID-wise very safe, which was important to us. Michael even opened it up out of regular hours to accommodate our schedule (maybe I shouldn't be saying that here, but just wanted to demonstrate how excited he is about the place). He's clearly very passionate about this place. My sister in law is one of his former students and said he's been talking about and planning this thing for years. It takes pretty much everyone two runs, and we were so keen to come back the next morning to finish it. And we did! Go check it out, it's worth it.
Keith Devries
October 27, 2020 -
Best escape room ever! Puzzles were great, venue was very unique, and staff friendly. Will need two time slots to finish as the game is quite lengthy. Very clean and sanitized. Felt very safe - all covid precautions were taken.
Jacob Robinson
August 29, 2020Lots of fun with a group, lots of interactions and excitement. Mike was so great to let our children watch the tv screens while we played the game. We thank Mike for not rushing us out the door after and allowing us a room to talk about our game and share dessert together. 2 tries to ring the bell but well worth it!
Cody Noble HOW
February 16, 2020I have been to MANY escape rooms (all over Ontario--even Australia and Asia), and this one definitely falls in my top 5. Great puzzles and room design make for a solid 90 minutes of stimulating fun. Only recommendation for newcomers is to book 2 slots ahead of time to allow you to finish it in one go (unless you live close enough for an easy second trip); the sheer quantity of puzzles was not really designed to be finished in a single session. They are also coming up with a new room in the basement soon. Our gamemaster was very helpful and friendly too, intervening wherever he felt our team needed a little nudge. Our group hopes to return soon for the second room!
c6han .
February 11, 2020
The Postmaster’s Riddle
The Old Post has seen its share of renovations in the last couple of years, and no area more so than the attic.
For more than a century, this magical space was only accessed by an old wooden ladder through a small hatched opening in the second storey ceiling. The potential of this mostly forgotten floor was begging to be explored.
Once restoration of the first and second floors were complete in early 2016, interest inevitably turned upward to the mysterious and completely untouched third floor. With unique characteristics such as a clock tower, a 1,200 pound bell, the small “archer’s” room with six slender windows, and the massive central skylight structure, the design possibilities were extraordinarily interesting to say the least.
But what to do…
WHO WAS THE MCCREADY FAMILY?
It was obvious from our research that the McCready family was going to play a very prominent role in the history of The Old Post. Alexander McCready was appointed Postmaster of Harriston in 1859.
He was a respected citizen of the town, but was also remembered as somewhat of an enigma, being a bit eccentric and known to be a master storyteller. Holding the position for 45 years, he handed over the title to his eldest son Robert in 1905.
ALEXANDER MCCREADY’S DREAM
Sadly, Alexander died in 1908, just a few years before the construction of the Old Post began in 1912. His long-desired dream of gazing up at the four storey clock tower and hearing the ringing of the bell was not meant to be.
Robert McCready was Postmaster until 1939 when he, in turn, handed over the reins to his only son, Archibald. This was the first time a third generation appointment had ever been made. Archibald was Postmaster until he retired in 1970.
Now, how does all this relate to what’s been happening on the third floor?
Well, even though old Alexander McCready died prior to construction of the Old Post, his influence has very much been felt.
Amid the cleanup of the third floor, some documents were discovered hidden in an old crate.
Two of the articles within these documents became immediately noteworthy.
The first was a rudimentary sketch of the third floor dated 1914, diagramming possible design features and concepts, and covered in extensive notes and descriptions.
The second article was a lyrical poem or “riddle” written by none other than old Mr. Alexander McCready. It was instantly clear that the two articles were related and that somebody, predictably Robert McCready, envisioned the construction of a fairly peculiar endeavour on the third floor of The Old Post based on his late father’s riddle.
Why the plan never became a reality is a mystery.
Perhaps the fact that the country would soon join the First World War has something to do with it.
After being hidden away for more than a century, the combined vision of Alexander and Robert McCready has come to fruition.
Can you solve The Postmaster’s Riddle?
Create A Complete Escape Experience
Complete your Escape the Old Post experience with a visit to the Café before or after your game!
The Café at the Old Post is a community-focused café offering locally-sourced specialty coffee, handcrafted sandwiches and soups, baked-in-the-building sweet treats, and soft serve ice cream. A curated selection of Ontario craft beer, cider and cocktails are also available.
The Café features indoor seating, and a street-side courtyard that offer the perfect setting for pre-game strategizing and post escape room debriefing.
For larger groups, the Post Script event space on the lower level can be booked before or after your game.
FAQs
Booking Questions
How much does the Postmaster’s Riddle game cost?
$35 + HST per person. Special rates for students and seniors. See online booking for details.
Is there a minimum number of people who can play? What is the maximum number of players?
We recommend 6-8 players for the Postmaster’s Riddle game. If you’re up for a challenge, you can book with only 4 people. We do not allow more than 10 people, or less than 4, to play at one time.
What age do the players need to be?
We recommend that the players be 13 years of age or older. Younger players are welcome to join their family or group, but may find the puzzles to be challenging. All participants will pay the regular pricing, regardless of age (student and senior rates available).
How do I book/reserve my game?
All of our bookings are completed online on our website. Click here to check the availability of time slots for Escape the Old Post. All modifications and changes to your game booking are also completed online before you and your team arrive.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule my game?
We require 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your game. Cancellations, re-scheduling and other modifications to your booking should be completed online. Check your confirmation email for links to modify your booking.
Can I change the number of players once my game has been booked?
Yes, you can add players to a maximum of 10 people. All booking changes and additional player fees must be paid in advance of arriving at Escape the Old Post.
Do you offer group rates or bookings for special events?
For special group rates, please contact escapetheoldpost@gmail.com for more information.
Is there a room we can rent before or after our game? What can we do before or after we play?
Yes, if you are looking for a private area for your group, please contact us at 519-510-2222. We can assist with this as well as arrange potential food and beverage options. We also highly recommend local restaurant Harry Stone’s Social House. Contact the restaurant directly to make a reservation for your group.
Before or after you play, there are many other local experiences that we suggest to enhance your time. Just ask one of our customer service staff members and they will be happy to give you some suggestions. You can also visit the Treasures of Minto website for more details on local attractions and events, restaurants, accommodations and more.
Game Questions
How long is each game?
Each game will be a maximum of 90 minutes to complete. The introduction will take about 10 minutes and after the game we’ll have some time to chat and take a picture of your group. You can expect to leave Escape the Old Post at the latest 2 hours after your booked time begins.
Does the room have any scary elements or require physical effort?
Our game focuses primarily on the mental challenge of solving puzzles. The experience is not intended to be scary. There are some narrow walkways and spaces that you may find challenging. You are never locked in or confined to a space – there are always distinct exits. There may be light lifting, twisting, turning, reaching, stepping up or down, or kneeling to solve or find clues. There may be some elements that may not be suitable for children under the age of 13.
Can I bring my phone/ bags/packs into the game?
No. We do not allow ANY technology to be brought into the game. There will be a safe place to lock up your cell phones and belongings.
Do you give us hints if we get stuck on a puzzle?
Staff members will be monitoring your game and will assist you with clues if your group asks for assistance.
Is there surveillance?
All game areas and public spaces have cameras. Cameras in the game zone allow us to observe your progress and assist you directly if your team requests a clue or other help. Surveillance also helps ensure the safety of you and your team.
Is everything in the room part of the challenge?
No. Items such as fire extinguishers, sprinklers, duct work and some fixtures/furniture may not be touched. These items will be clearly marked and will be discussed during your team’s game orientation.
Can I leave the room to go to the bathroom?
We have washroom facilities within the game playing zone. If for any reason you require leaving the game, the game will continue. You are not permitted to return to the game and no discounts and refunds will be given.
How often do you change the game/puzzle?
We will announce any new games or changes on our website and via social media.
How should I dress to play your games?
Please dress comfortably, in clothing that allows you to move comfortably, search, bend down and solve puzzles.
Are we actually locked in the room?
No, the door will not be locked. You can leave at any time though you are not permitted to return. If you exit, no refund or discount will be given.
Can participants be refused entry to the room?
Yes. For safety and insurance reasons, if it appears that a participant is intoxicated or behaving inappropriately, they will be refused entry. For everyone’s safety, we maintain the right to refuse any person(s) from entering our premises and/or the game room and no refund will be given.
Other Questions
Where should I park/how do we access Escape the Old Post?
Escape the Old Post is located on the 3rd floor of the historic former Harriston post office, in the centre of downtown Harriston. You can find directions here.
There is street parking in front of the building, and a free parking lot located behind the building. You can park outside of Escape the Old Post and enter through the doors on the right at the front of the building. Your gamemaster will meet you in the Armory (first floor) just before your game.
Are your games suitable for pregnant women, those with health conditions, or people on crutches?
You are required to sign a waiver prior to the start of your game. When you sign your waiver, you release us from any liability. You are to use your own judgement. As indicated on the waiver, any health conditions that may affect your participation should be disclosed to staff.
Is Escape the Old Post wheelchair accessible?
We have one game that is located on the 3rd floor of the building. Due to the building’s age and heritage designation, the building does not have an elevator. We apologize for any inconvenience.