Asheville Pinball Museum

The basics

The Asheville Pinball Museum is more arcade than museum: 80 machines are open to play, with an even split between pinball machines and old-school video games, from “Pac-Man” to “Joust”, plus the occasional new-school game, like “Game of Thrones.” Only 70 visitors are permitted at a time, so there’s always some lever to flick, wheel to steer, or cartoon character to make karate-chop. It’s one flat fee for all-you-can-play, so arrive with plenty of time to set those high scores.

Things to know before you go

• Snacks, beer, and soda are available to buy at the concession stand.
• Like a restaurant, if the museum is at max capacity, you’ll get a text when you’re allowed inside.
• For those simply watching and enjoying the atmosphere, there’s no entrance fee.

How to get there

The Asheville Pinball Museum is located in downtown Asheville. There isn’t on-site parking, so if you’re in a vehicle, try nearby parking garages like Walnut St., or use street-metered parking (street parking is free on Sundays). Depending on your starting point, you can also walk, take a taxi, or bike.

When to get there

The Asheville Pinball Museum opens between 12pm and 2pm, depending on the day of the week. It is a very popular place, so if you can, arrive before the doors open and join the line, if there is one. If it’s a rainy day, expect the museum’s wait time to be longer than normal.

If you wind up waiting

If the Asheville Pinball Museum is at max capacity, you can pick from an abundance of local things to do. Stroll the nearly next-door Grove Arcade, a shopping center in a historic structure, or head just a block away to the domed Basilica of St. Lawrence. More museums, like the Asheville Art Museum, are within walking distance, too. This is one city that’s worth a walking tour, for sure.