Appalachian Pinball Museum

Appalachian Pinball Museum

Reviews Summary

The Appalachian Pinball Museum is overwhelmingly praised for its vast collection of vintage and modern pinball and arcade games, offering exceptional value with unlimited play for $12-$13 per person. Visitors love the nostalgic experience, friendly staff, and family-friendly atmosphere. Many highlight the reasonable pricing, ability to come and go all day, and the variety of machines spanning decades. A few minor critiques mention occasional heat in darker areas or a slightly worn bathroom, but these are far outweighed by the positive feedback. The museum is consistently described as a must-visit for pinball enthusiasts and families alike, with its unique blend of entertainment and affordability.

About This Listing

Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

Features

Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

538 N Main St

Hendersonville, North Carolina 28792

Hours

Monday 1-6PM
Tuesday 2-9PM
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 2-9PM
Friday 2-9PM
Saturday 12-9PM
Sunday 1-6PM

Customer Reviews

Great place! Super nice staff and great pinball machines. Spent about 6 hours playing and still couldn't get enough. If I'm ever going to be around this area again, I'll gonna stop by.

This place is awesome! My 11 yo grandson and I had a blast. There is a wide range of machines across the years. I loved playing the old 70's era machines. My grandson tried put almost all of them. I especially liked that with the wrist band we could come and go all day if we wanted. Will definitely be back.

Loved this Pinball museum. Lots of fun and unique pinball games to play. Old tables and new tables and plenty of other retro arcade games to play. Great place to check out if you're in the area and should not be missed if you like pinball and retro arcade games. We had a ton of fun and the staff were super friendly and helpful! We will be going back next time we are in Hendersonville!

$13 a person for unlimited pinball and video games! They have some shooters, some old school standups, a side scroller, a fighting game, and tons of pinball. Staff was friendly and helpful. Kids had a blast and we spent all day playing. Careful, more than four hours of pinball equals sore arms ?? (worth it!)

Fantastic pinball arcade/museum! A great selection of classic and modern machines, friendly staff, and a vibrant atmosphere. Perfect for both casual players and pinball enthusiasts. $13 to play everything with no limit. Highly recommended!

I had so much fun!!!! I love pinball, and have been wanting to stop by here for years. I finally made it this week and was not disappointed. All of the games are set to free play, so you pay the entry fee and you can play everything as much as you want. I only had time to play for an hour or so, but I could have stayed all day, hopefully next time I will.

The history of this place is absolutely incredible, with pinball machines you can play dating all the way back to the 1960's. It's maybe a bit costly for the options they have -unless you enjoy playing pinball for hours, in which case you'll love it here. They have some classic arcade games to break up the monotony, which is helpful. Definitely recommend giving it a go, especially if you're just visiting town. -Local

The best!!! Plenty of old school pinball. Plenty of new as well. Nice selection of old arcades and shooting games from the old boardwalk I've never seen working anywhere. All machines work great. Staff is friendly. Price is right. Craft beer too.

Over 80 pinball and electronic arcade machines, of various ages, from the 1960s to today. The museum is free but for a small fee (currently $13) you can play as many machines as you want. I really enjoyed playing these. Lots of fun.

Went here for the first time and had an absolute blast. One price gets you access to a ton of classic pinball tables. They're well kept and in good condition, the employees clearly care about preserving these machines. Drinks and snacks are very reasonably priced, and is a great way to spend a Saturday

My family visited the Appalachian Pinball Museum in March, and we had an amazing time! We were excited to see and play all these incredible games. It was fun and brought back a lot of nostalgia. The staff was very kind and helpful. We had a blast and hope to visit again in the future. I highly recommend the Appalachian Pinball Museum...it's so cool!

Lots of fun! I just thought it would be cool to go and see them, ...and SURPRISE...you can actually play them!!! It was a blast! Only $13 for a day of nostalgic entertainment. Totally glad we went.

We celebrated our anniversary there today and it was so much fun! The staff is amazing! There is such a huge variety of games!

Cool place to visit, especially if you are into pinball/arcade games. It was $12/person for unlimited play. Seems like a more than reasonable price and best of all, you can visit without paying if you don't want to play. You only have to pay to play. They sell canned drinks and beer as well. Our kids have spent $20 in less than 2 hours in a standard arcade, no problem. Only down fall, the main room where it was dark was hot. Kids didn't seem to mind. Love all the signs giving you details about the games cre

My husband, son and I visited Hendersonville for my 30th birthday! The Appalachian Pinball Museum ended up being our favorite stop! They truly made our evening memorable! I wish I had gotten the two gentlemen's names that helped us out. They were extremely kind, helpful, and personable! Thanks again guys! Rest assured when you visit the Appalachian Pinball Museum, you will receive fantastic friendly service and find a wide variety of pinball machines and games to play for hours! $12 per person to play all d

Excellent pinball museum where you actually get to play the machines. You pay once to play all day. All machines are free play. Machines range in age and have been kept in great running order. The staff are friendly and helpful. This is a "must do!" The nostalgia alone is worth the trip.

My husband and I love playing pinball. This place does not disappoint. Single play to use 99% of the machines. There are so many chooses that you are sure to spend hours playing!

Have a wonderful time reliving my youth on these machines. Played 4 hours and will come back for more. This is a great place for all ages. Some wonderful old machines on display as well. Look for the stuffed cats around the arcade.

Great blast from the past here, lots of variety of machines to choose from. Took my whole family and everyone had an awesome time. There were a few machines that didn't work but kind of expected with the age and constant upkeep I'm sure these take. I would definitely recommend it because they also limit the number of people in there so it isn't overly crowded

It's a free attraction, which is really neat. They have many different pinball machines and there is a lot of history included with them. You can also pay to play and buy alcoholic beverages on site. The people working there when we went were very friendly and outgoing. I definitely recommend going for the experience.

My recent visit at the Appalachian Pinball Museum was a fantastic experience. The admission is affordable, which includes unlimited playtime. This flexibility allows you to take breaks, grab a meal, or explore nearby shops and then return for more fun. The museum has a wide range of pinball machines to cater to both adults and kids. There are also arcade games to enjoy. The staff is friendly and ensures everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.

Great atmosphere, immaculate game curration, snappy and maintained machines. The staff is passionate and welcoming! Great selection of ultra-rare EM shooters, not an easy thing to find in the wild!! The Pins range from em to contemporary, with even a prototype thrown in! All the classic arcades you'd imagine plus some super niche collector cabs. This place is a "must do"!

Staff always friendly. Always open on time. When you're there, you can always expect to have fun and friendly safe. That will provide you the level of customer service that you would expect.

I had a blast here. I could have kept playing, but it was getting close to dinner time. So many games. Not only pinball games, but video games as well and some with signs saying coming soon that are probably still in repair. The restrooms were super clean and nicely decorated. People were friendly & helpful. Can't wait to try this again.

For pinball enthusiasts, this place is a must visit. A wide variety of pinball machines and video arcade games. Many pinball machines are of later vintages. My favorites were the 1970 & 1980 models. There were even a few pinball machines were on display from the 1950 era.

I go every time I'm in Hendersonville. $13.00 to play any machine all day long. If you love pinball or the older video games this is a must visit.

I could spend all day in this place! So many pinball machines and retro arcade games. They even have the rare WrestleMania machine of which only 400 were ever made and theirs was signed by Hulk Hogan.

Seriously. We were sucked into fun here. We spent 4 hours here, and could have stayed longer, but a girls gotta eat! Great employees, fun games. We loved it.

If you like games especially pinball, and are in the area. You should go! New to old machines in amazing working order for a steal of a price ALL day play. Leave and come back if you choose. Sister company to the Asheville location FAR less crowded. Staff was super friendly and accommodating, can grab a canned beverage while you play.

This place was so much fun!! Me and my boyfriend stopped by thinking we could kill maybe 30 minutes to an hour, but we ended up staying for almost 3! It's only $12 to play all day and there's so many games to play. Definitely recommend visiting this place you're in the area.

This place is Awesome! Check it out! Play all day! Oldies but goodies! Pinball and a variety of video games as well!

Really awesome place! Cool hidden little gem. Only $13 for all day unlimited play!! Easily spent 3 hours here until they closed, really friendly staff and nice and clean, and almost all machines/games were up and running! Highly, highly recommend!!!

What an awesome place. 12.00 per person and you can play all you want! You get a wristband so you can come and go as you please that same day. Had a blast and will definitely be making plans to take a mini vacation to visit again! (We're 6 hours away.) THANK YOU for a great time and experience!

This place is ridiculously cool. Cheap fun. All day pass. Vintage and modern themed pinball plus arcade classics. But be warned, it can get packed pretty quick. We were the 3rd and 4th persons through the door and within 30 mins, it was packed. Fun for kids kids and adults alike

Great place to spend some time with the kids playing Pinball. Owner was kind enough to let me play the Jersey Jack Pinball as it was shut off for use. Great fun!!!

Amazing collection of classic pinball machines and arcade games. Great location. Absolutely packed with people and hard to navigate the walkways at times, but worth a visit

Had a blast taking a trip back in time

Great place to spend a few hours. They have a lot of games, it's nice and cool on a hot day, and the staff is super friendly. They're just there cuz they love pinball and if you kind of like pinball it's worth a visit. And if you love pinball then you're probably going to want to live there like I do.

Really enjoyed visiting this place. One price gets you unlimited play. The staff are very nice and the place is very clean, even the restroom. There are plenty of pinball machines and a few other tyoe games.

If you like pinball you will love love love this place! They have lots of pinball machines and other games as well. At an amazing price I will add! Just $12 per person and you can play from the time they open until the time they close. Now that is a good deal! A lot of these places that are still around that have pinball machines want $12 an hour no can do! Great job guys keep up the good work! We had a blast!

Kids ages 9 and 8 loved this place. Lots and lots of pinball machines and all the old video games you can imagine. $12 for unlimited play. Very friendly staff. Strict mask enforcement.

My wife and I had a great time! The music being played added to the retro feel. I also enjoyed the signs over each machine giving a bit of trivia about that model. A very professional display!

So much fun! Family owned and operated. My husband and I wanted something relaxing but fun and this was the ticket!

Cool for kids and casuals. Great game selection & atmosphere. If you're a real player stick to Asheville. Got a warning I was tiring out games and I'm not a theatrical player or toddler banging on things. If you want to ball out stick to 256. The guy probably had to replace one set of coils and was scared to do it again.

What a fantastic concept! All the old machines and video games of decades ago. All you can eat PIN BALL! Did not get my fill the first time, I'll be back.

Did I just listen to Rush while playing Galaga on an original cabinet? Yes, yes I did. This place is awesome as a museum and awesome as an arcade. You can go from playing a shooting gallery game from the 60's to playing a pinball machine from a few years ago. If you love pinball this is must visit. If you love traditional arcades this is still a must. If you don't like pinball or arcades, get over yourself and give this place a try. At $12 play all day you cannot beat it. Also, the staff is great about cust

My wife and I enjoy going. We visit anytime we're in town. Lots of fun, great value, and lots of variety.

Great place to spend part of your day in Hendersonville NC. You can see a large number of historical pinball and video game machines or pay a small fee for unlimited play for the entire day. The staff was friendly and helpful when an issue would arise. Looking forward to our next visit.

This place is the best. For only $13 per person, you can play what seems to be dozens of arcade. old shooters, and pinball machines, or you can just look around for free. I always pay to play the machines. My favorite machine has to be Cactus Jacks, or any of the Star Wars Machines. Drinks and snacks, including beer, are available for $1-$3, depending on the drink you order. Every employee I've interacted with is always very nice, and able to help with most machine issues very quickly. Do be warned though,

Awesome place. $10 for a day of unlimited play! Amazing games and good fun for the whole family!

Awesome place! For just $12 you can play all the pinball games unlimited. Worth it!

Our son?s favorite spot in Hendersonville. $12 all you can play. Lots of pinball and vintage arcade games. Hours of fun!

They are awesome people, as a local this is an awesome spot to hang out come and go as you please and grab a drink. Definitely worth checking out if you haven't already!

We love our anual visit to Hendersonville and it would never be complete without a visit to the pinball museum!!!! We missed you guys last year due to the water damage, but we're glad to see you this year!!!! Tons of games, great staff, and amazing price.

A stop that must be on your list when visiting Hendersonville. Our family enjoyed a few hours exploring and playing.

We had a great time playing all the machines. For less than the cost of a trip to the theater you can play these games all day if you want to. The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful when needed. I'm now a fan and will be back again soon!

Awesome inexpensive fun! Admission is free but to play, it's $12/person. Not bad at all considering this is all day access even if you leave and come back. Drinks, snacks, games, and friendly staff...what more could you ask for?!

Awesome, fun experience! Our kids loved it and so did the adults. The staff was super nice and helpful. I highly recommend coming and spending an afternoon playing some awesome pinball games!

Brought out my inner pinball nerd! Ok as someone who used to be a professional pinball and other slot equipment tech, places like this are a must see. They have an excellent variety of machines from the original electro-mechanical (clank clank ding ding) machines to the latest electronics with video displays. Very friendly staff who are really in to these machines too. There are also some classic video games. Great deal as you can play all you want for a set fee (only one machine charges 50 cents per play a

We love this place!! It's 1.5 hours away from us, but worth the drive!

My family had a great visit. The price is incredibly reasonable. We spent hours playing the games. I also enjoyed the sheets with info about each game like the year it was made and other interesting info. We would absolutely come again when we are back in the area! Thank you!

Fun, family friendly place. Definitely worth checking out and playing some games! Employees are professional, passionate, and friendly!

Super fun place. Has many old and newer pinball machines and some old arcade games. Staff is super friendly and 13 bucks to play as much as you want feels like a steal. Been twice and hopefully will return soon.

This is a blast! For the pinball nuts or just want to mess around this place has it all. It's not expensive for all you can play all day. A ton of different machines to choose from, and given the age of the units they all work great! They post high scores of units that don't save so you can aim for the top.

This is an awesome place to go if you remember or wish to experience vintage pinball and other types of arcade machines. One small price and you can play all day.

My husband really enjoyed the variety of pinball machines and I enjoyed watching him have fun. I'm more of a Pacman kinda girl but still enjoyed myself

This place is awesome! They have nearly a hundred working machines. You can play all day for $13. Such a cool location too, as it's in an old hotel from 1920ish. The owners have done an incredible job decorating and caring for the place, and it's obvious that they have a passion they want to share with others.

Stopped by this local gem after hearing about it from a few folks in the area and had an amazing time. It's only $13 to play for as long as you want during their operating hours, and it's well worth dedicating a couple of hours to see and play the variety of games on display. We spent 2 1/2 hours in there, and it felt like a few minutes had passed. Highly recommend stopping here, whether you're an old arcade/pinball fan or not.

This place is so cool. Been open 5 years......had no idea. So many pinball games! Took my wife there on her birthday. She's a big pinball fan. She loved the place, too. Will definitely return!

What a great place! It was awesome to see all the pinball machines and the retro arcade games as well. My husband and I played about an hour on all the machines, went to dinner, and then came back and played another hour. We had a blast! Thanks so much!

My family went there for the first time yesterday. My husband and myself, our son, and his 17 year old son. We all enjoyed it! I played games I played in 1976 in high school. It was great to see my son and grandson play together. The old baseball game is fun and also the Space Invaders is a trip down memory lane. At $13pp it's a great deal. Plus you can go out and come back. Definitely 5?

It makes feel like if I'm in the 80?s

We had the best afternoon! Such a great value and so much fun! The guys that work there are so friendly and helpful. Thanks foe a great day!

Great way to spend a few hours in Hendersonville. Pinball machines from the 1960's to the 2000's, all operational. Loads of fun for young and old at a very reasonable price.

Great place! So many pinball machine to play. Classic arcade games and many other interesting games.

Such a fun place with a huge variety of pinball and arcade games. My 8 and 11 year old boys loved it. We spent 5 hours there. Tremendous value. It's awesome!

My wife and I had a great time here. I cant think of any place where you can have this much fun for so little money. Saw many machines I grew up playing and ones before my time. Got to play them till I had my fill. Staff was very friendly and took the time to greet you and explain things. Will definitely be returning.

As far as a classic arcade joint, 5 stars. Very nice staff, maybe to nice, lol, but had a great time playing all day for only $10. I'm 36 yrs old and this place brought me back to my childhood, thanx "Pinball Museum"!!!

Great place to drop in, it was Free to look around, so we did.

This place is so unique! Not only are the machines in great shape, the staff is always available to help if there is ever a ball stuck or minor mishap. We recently moved here and our adult daughter and her boyfriend (both 25 yrs old) came to visit. This was on my list of items to do and they had a blast. I highly recommend visiting this amazing place, regardless of your age or interest level in arcades....it is fun just to walk around, visiting your childhood through characters in the games of the past.

This place is awesome!! So much fun and great bang for your buck!

Staff was really nice and helpful. Plenty of machines to choose from definitely a great time!

All the classic pinball and arcade machines for an unbeatable price, and the staff is very nice.

This place was better than the Asheville Pinball museum, by far. A wider selection of the classic pinball machines, with several cabinets released within the past decade (which Asheville seemed to lack). Plus it wasn't as crowded as its sister museum. Still, both locations are great in their own right. Check em out!

First time here n the kids are having a great time. Worth the price for unlimited play... Bathroom is a little scary! Just a curtain...

Always a great time at Appalachian Pinball Museum. The pinball machines are well taken care of and they have a great variety. We prefer this one over the one in downtown Asheville.

Stumbled upon this masterpiece attraction while walking around Hendersonville with coffee. We played for 3 hours, left for pizza came back until closing. Unbelievable. The staff was friendly, the machines were fun as hell and the place looks incredible snd unique. Our favorites were The Wizard of Oz Pinball machine, Tommy the Who Pinball Machine, AC/DC pinball machine and the Aerosmith pinball machine.

It's pretty fun and different, at least to go once and know the place and experience the games and the environment

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”