Attraction of the Week: Asheville Pinball Museum
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Remember when arcades dominated malls, supermarkets, and even gas stations? Sadly, the classic days of the 80’s arcade culture are all but forgotten in our technological age. Some of us look back with a sense of nostalgia at those carefree days spent attempting to get pass level 4 in Pacman (a seemingly impossible feat!). These arcades were so popular that you could play one just about anywhere including 7-11, pizza pubs, laundromats. Ah, the golden age of arcades…I can still remember exactly where the arcade machines stood in the now closed down 7-11 near my childhood home in Chicago.
Today’s teens are more likely to be found shopping online and scrolling social media sites on a smartphone. Fortunately, retro arcades are beginning to make a comeback in cities all over the country. Now all of us Gen Xers and older millennials can temporarily go back to the good old days, reliving all our favorite classic arcade games.
All Day Fun on a Rainy Day!
I have been to many of these arcades across the country. One of the best I’ve come across in my travels is the Asheville Pinball Museum located in the trendy downtown district. This arcade operates on a play-all-you want for 17 bucks format. No need to carry around endless rolls of quarters. On the downside, the automatic start does make the experience a bit more modern. There is no time limit so you can play to your heart’s desire. This place is expectantly busy as one of the few indoor activities downtown. On busy days, be prepared for a lengthy wait as entrance is limited to just 80 people.
If you are planning a vacation to Asheville, checking out all the gorgeous waterfalls and hiking trails within the Blue Ridge mountains will likely be your first priority. However, a rainy day or rare winter snowstorm could possibly necessitate a change in plans.
As the Asheville region is a bit limited in terms of indoor attractions, The Pinball Museum is extremely popular on rainy/snowy days. Be aware that everyone else will be looking for something to do inside too!
80’s overload!
If you are up for the wait, this is a really cool place where you can temporarily feel like you time traveled back to the 80’s. The hip interior includes 80’s movie memorabilia and knick knacks. Take a look at all the cool nostalgic items behind the front desk.
Even the bathroom is decked out…
More than 70 pinball machines and classic arcades can be enjoyed. From limited edition machines, to a new Game of Thrones machine, you will find a bit of everything. Every machine has info regarding the date produced, as well as the number produced, which is pretty cool.
A tour of some of my favorites
The best portion of the museum is the classic gaming section where you can see just how well you remember Sonic the Hedgehog, Tetris, Super Mario Land, and Super Mario Brothers. Although many of us still own these old gaming systems like NES and Sega, it’s still fun to play them in a public arcade. I own mini consoles of each, but it’s still fun to play in a public setting.
Additional Details
- The Asheville Pinball museum is located downtown at 1 Battle Square #1b.
- Hours are: 2-9pm (Wed-Friday), 12-9pm on Saturday, 1-6pm on Sunday and Monday. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
- Admission is $17 per person.
