Campus Connection

Alums bring new, diverse entertainment to downtown La Crosse

Two UW-La Crosse alums are behind one of the latest entertainment crazes in downtown La Crosse. Toby Farley and Erik Mills work at local businesses where adventure-seekers voluntarily lock themselves in a room and then solve clues to find their way out. [caption id="attachment_5664" align="alignright" width="321"] Toby Farley, '04, stands outside his business with his son.[/caption] “If you think that sounds strange, try telling it to a potential landlord or a bank where you’re asking for a loan,” says Farley, a political science and public administration graduate. Farley, '04, opened the doors to The Great Escape of La Crosse in July. Inside, customers will find four “escape rooms” which are themed rooms with a mix of scavenger hunts and puzzles. “I’ve really dedicated myself to creating an immersive environment for the customers,” says Farley. [caption id="attachment_5665" align="alignright" width="321"] Erik Mills stands outside a historic vault located inside his business. Both Mills and alum Toby Farley opened “escape room” attractions this year.[/caption] Just down the street, Mills has a bank-themed escape room of his own. Mills, who started his own business with Segway tours, wanted to add something that isn’t dependent on the weather. “The concept was so different from anything else that was in La Crosse.” It’s so unique that Mills, who studied sports and business management, says a lot of his customers come through and check it off of a bucket list. The two alums are both developing new rooms as well. Mills is working on a smaller room ideal for a date night while Farley is putting together a creepy room for Halloween. See the Great Escape of La Crosse featured on Discover Wisconsin.   Beyond escape rooms Both Mills and Farley have other attractions beyond the escape rooms. Farley also offers scavenger hunts throughout the city and is developing a “smash shack” or room where people break things. That’s likely to open sometime next year. Mills is continuing to grow his Segway business and hoping more people from around the area take a ride on the vehicles. “It may seem strange to take a tour of the city you live in, but when you see the view you get crossing the Cass Street bridge, you understand,” says Mills. “It’s such a unique experience.”