Salem Fun Center

Salem Fun Center

Reviews Summary

Most reviews praise this family entertainment center for its variety of activities (skating, laser tag, arcades), friendly staff, and great birthday party experiences. Many highlight the reasonable prices and fun atmosphere for both kids and adults. Some criticisms mention outdated arcade games, occasional poor customer service, and strict policies. The majority of ratings are 5-stars, with a few noting minor issues like high laser tag costs or broken equipment. Overall, it's considered a solid choice for kids' parties and family outings, though experiences vary slightly with staff interactions.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
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.*

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

520 E Pershing St

Salem, Ohio 44460

Hours

Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday 7-10PM
Saturday 1-4PM
Sunday Closed

Customer Reviews

I love this place! My favorite part is the staff. They ate so nice, friendly and welcoming. We've been to the fun center several times and it's always the same great servicefrom everyone. Thank you! But my favorite part is the skating rink. It takes me back to my childhood days going skating every Friday night.

I just wanted to leave a review as last night was our first experience here. We had a group of 11 people and traveled about an hour and a half. This place was super fun. The staff was very polite, helpful and just all around family oriented. The food was good as well. We had a total of 6 kids ranging from 3 to 15. There was fun had by all including the 5 adults. We all had so much fun that we are planning to make this travel again to have a birthday party. You guys do have a great facility here. Returning c

This is a nice place for the kids to go and let loose. We had a birthday party, 3 hours of play and 1 hour in a party room. I do not like how the party room portion is handled?I was unable to set anything up (they take all presents and decorations when you check in). They didn't set our balloons or party favors out. I appreciate that the staff turns the rooms around quickly for parties, but I think it would be better to allow the parents to set the room up themselves. Regardless, it's a lovely place for the

great place the skating floor is great the arcade is amazing and they also have laser tag they also have a fully stocked snack bar with amazing food and drinks they also do birthday Partys and partys for groups

We took our granddaughters here on a Friday night. They played laser tag, arcade games & roller skated. There was a young lady that did dances with the kids in the middle of the floor with the kids. They had a blast!

Staff there was so nice and there are plenty of things to do here. So many arcade games that give out tickets and they have laser tag too if that's your thing. The prize counter has many options for redemption and you can use cash to make up any differences with a penny equivalent to a ticket. We will for sure be back

The kids had a great time. The staff was very nice.

Great place to skate! They adjusted my skates for free! Helpful staff and great price! We will be back to try out all the other activities!

What a great place to have a private Bday party my twin girls enjoyed the lazor tag/skate for there 14th bday staff was amazing pizza was good ??

My kids have a blast here every time we go the staff is always so friendly an helpful

Fun little hidden gem plenty of things to do lazer tag was fun and all the kids enjoyed it, one of the few places left you can roller skate at as well

Very high priced food and the pizza is not good at all but a lot of stuff to do for the kids just wish the food was cheaper or at least have a good taste

Had my daughter's 9th birthday Here, I had never heard of this place before but I thought I'd give it a try. First off price wise for a kids party this place is way more affordable then others offering similar services. Secondly every single staff member went above and beyond to make my daughter's day special. They were very polite and helpful and she loved it. Would recommend for any kids party !!!.

I absolutely had a blast here with my daughter at her birthday party! Prices are super reasonable and we had a ton of fun

Birthday party for my 9 year old grandson. The kids had a blast and the price was reasonable. Pizza and pop provided.

Lots of really great entertainment for children. I recommend.

Family hosted a combined birthday party here for our granddaughters aged 11, 3 & 2 years. I am not much of an arcade game player, but I have been an active roller skater for 55 years. We had the entire place to ourselves for 2 hours, and I skated for half of that... If you are within an hour of Salem, Ohio - this place is a real gem.

Had my sons birthday party here! It's a very cute place for little kids. It's all inclusive - food, room, play area, tokens, ice cream, etc. Such a great party place and affordable. The staff is wonderful. Wish we had more communication prior and able to get in earlier than at the same time as my guests. Place could really bring in big parties if someone was better coordinated with party planning. Overall, great place and would def come again!

I threw a party there and it was the best thing ever. My kids were having so much fun and the crew was so nice. Kayla was so nice and helpful with taking my order. She got my food out right away and she was the sweetest person. There owner was so nice and helpful my kids ran the game out of tickets and they help me immediately. They are the best owners and this is the best place to throw your party.

Fine enough place, however, it would be good to remove most of the child casino and put in some actual arcade games. Older , often refurbished, are not necessarily that expensive, and would be actually fun to play. Alternatively, lets just embrace reality and put in a craps table. EDIT: I see the reply and I get it, arcades are hard to profit from because the profit is coming from everything else, rather than the games, usually - like a bar for adults. Depends on your budget for cheap - you might have

We had our daughters birthday party here. 10/10 recommend! All the kids enjoyed themselves! There was so much to do and kept them all entertained.

We had my sons birthday party here (5) and it was a blast. We all had such a great time. All the employees were more than helpful with everything from the room the party was in, storing the gifts until the event started and bringing in the food, ice cream and cake. We are definitely considering doing this again next year.

Not allowed to bring water in, not allowed to step outside with my kids for a breath of fresh air without paying again even though we had wrist bands. Place needs updated. Bathrooms were gross, floors all wet. Waited & waited for lazer tag, people kept cutting in front of us.

Amazing place to go with friends. ?? I love skating here, and the pizza too. The arcade games are a lot of fun as well.

Great prices for games and food. Small but fun place.

Always have loved skating. Brings back memories. And love my grandkids skating too.

Small family fun center, liked the laser tag, and staff was friendly enough. The bounce area was not open when we were there. As for the arcade, nice assortment of games, but like 1/4th of them did not work, many would eat coins randomly and a few where out of tickets. Also out of 4 ticket machines only 1 was working. Did not see the skating rink but know it was there. Nice place im curious to see it a few more times and develop a full thought on it.

The Salem Fun Center has been me and my friend groups hangout for about a year now, it's always so fun whether it's just walking around, skating, playing arcade games, or laser tag. The employees are all so nice and the prices are great! (Also the food is good too) I recommend going with some friends to make it better!

This place was great! My children had a great time! We did a little bit of it all! Lots to offer for the family! The place looks great! Very clean and well kept! The staff was very friendly. The new carpet upstairs looks excellent and the food was really good as well!!! If you have a family and they like to all sorts of things gets the wristband for it all. Definitly worth the trip to take the kids!!!! The will have a blast!!!!

Lots do, decent prices. Pizza looked good but we didn't eat. Definitely a lot to do for everyone not just the skaters!

Cool spot in a cool location. I got to get the behind-the-scenes tour and it was awesome to see and hear about the history that facility has. They have done some amazing things with updating, lighting, and colors! So much to do there along with the roller skating; the lazer tag arena is huge and so is the soft play play area. Plenty of seating at their snack bar. Definitely worth the visit!

Drove about an hour from the Pittsburgh area to check this place out and we would 100% visit again. People will always find something that can be improved but I'll tell you what, you can't beat all that they had to do and the price. What most impressed me though was the staff. Everyone was kind, helpful, and seemed grateful to be there. Great time!

Ok so I've been going here for years and the place is only degrading. The skating floor is slippery. Even the worker agreed. The arcade is kind of pointless because half the games are out of order. Only fun when you go with friends. Maybe I'm being a little generous with the 2 star.

Lots of arcades u can win tickets at and cash them in for cool prizes. There's bounce house, jungle gym, skating rink that is huge. Good pizza n menu variety also.

The only reason I'm giving this place two starts is because the kids that was working upstairs in the skating ring was actually polite. The owner (I believe) was very rude since we got here. The girl that was working at the front seem like she hated her life and everything in this world. I believe that if you have a business always remember that the customer is who pays your bills and if you want them to come back make sure they have a good experience. Customer service 101 is very much needed in this establ

I took my daughter here to see Poppy and Branch she's 2 1/2 years old and was beyond excited! But as time went on they practically chased us around as my 20 year old step daughter went in the tunnels to help her and said she wasn't allowed in with our toddler, and told her to leave that area entirely, then my eldest daughter tried to just go stand in the bounce house to ensure the safety of our toddler and they made her get out of there, then we went back to the tunnels to let or little one play some more a

Wow kids love it the staff is kind and helpful my daughter loves it there so much she wanted her birthday party there

Took my 4 y r old granddaughter 1st time skating ever. She was nervous , we tried to exit and get a walker to help her skate better, and were told she has to skate on her own. Tried explaining we were getting off the rink to get her something to help her skate. And the emplyee was rather rude. We ended up leaving. Never will attend here again.

Went today with my 3 and 1 year old to let them have some fun, $34 for them to play downstairs and for the 3 year old to skate with her father. Way too pricey for what they have to offer. On top of that, i had to wait in line for 15 minutes (with no one in front of me) before the 3 people behind the counter to acknowledge me, one of the girls wasnt even doing anything other than talking to the other. Once I was finally approached I was told I would have to wait another 10 minutes for pizza because although

At first experience I was unsure so I went with 4 out of 5 stars. But having been back multiple times and even purchasing a couple pairs of skates from them I definitely think after all the positive things that have and continue to expect, I'm changing it to 5 stars.

Not a bad little place! Used to go there when I was younger, infact I "D.J.ed" there at one point. Pretty good place for kids, with a little play area and bounce house. The owners are very polite, and they'll usually try their best to help you with any problems you may have! They get a bad rep here and there because of some peoples actions, but I mean listen. You can't blame a whole place for something just for something a couple people have done. The owners are very polite, and responsible and are usually

Had my grandson's Birthday party there was great experience. The owner and his staff were super, extremely friendly and very helpful. Totally a great time, Thank you!!

Nice place for small children, not really oriented for anyone over the age of 10 or so. They don't have tables, in the food court, with chairs so any larger people are forced to stand

I visit here and it's very fun, also the price is reasonable, even though the food did not look very advertising I think it's a great place for the whole family, especially the kids.

Was a great night for the kids, admission isn't overpriced. Will be back.

What a great place to go. We had a blast! We will be back when we have our niece and nephews! People we friendly, food was great!

People that work there treat you like people and the owners are exceptional. Love the security also. I could leave my granddaughter there and feel secure that she is safe and in good hands. Wouldn't go to any other place.

Wow. Rude staff and the place is a mess. Dirty, smelly, limited arcade games (half were out of order), and the skating rink floor was ruff. The owner/manager was extremely rude over a 4.00 blow up toy. Threw a fit like a 2 year old. Then argued with us over the time it says they close online. Not professional at all. My kids used to love this place when it was The Fun Factory, it is a shame.

Place is kind of run down. Not enough help to go around or know what they are doing. Prices are way to high for the establishment. Paid for my daughter and I to skate, didn't get to skate, also didn't get our money back. Not worth the hour drive !

It was good. A little small but the the roller rink upstairs was a decent size. The kids love it .All in all if I'm in the area again I'll definitely stop by.

An excellent place to have a kids party and some fun for adults too. The owner and staff are excellent people. Enjoyed my experience there.

Salem fun factory is a great place. Workers are very polite. Yes there are rules but there are rules at all roller skating rinks For everybody safety. I have been bringing my kids and their friends to Salem roller Rink For two years now no problems with anybody yes it can be busy on Friday and Saturday night but it is that way at all roll a rinks . All the prices are reasonable and my kids have fun every time they go I give Salem fun Center an A+.

This place is the opposite of a fun zone. More like scam zone. Arcade is 30 years outdated and half broken. The play area is an old dirty mcdonalds playplace. The arcade prizes are insane expensive for the quality. The food counter is disgusting. You are not allowed to walk outside and come back in without paying. The employees have to slowly walk through the building or the owner docks their pay. This is the only skating rink in northeast ohio that you cannot walk in and out of freely after paying admissio

Mike is a Great helper, he helps with everything skates, I bought my first skates here and he helped me. And thanks to Randy for helping

This place is super cool and fun like yes u will get kick out for being rude just don't be rude the owner had no problem with me as a tran female kiss my bf and my lesbian friends were doing the same there are lgbt employees that are super nice idk y u guys are calling it cheap when u don't know how much it costs to buy and maintain dozens of skate and yes it is mostly younger people working there because it is a fun chill first place to work

It's a great place, I have only been roller skating there though but it's still awesome! They have great snacks in there vending machine too. And it has reasonable hours too.

How in this day and age does this website not have prices??? Can't find the prices for this place anywhere. They should definitely have a list of prices for each activity, we have an older kid that will want to do certain activities here and a lil guy that can only do a few things...would like to have an idea of how much we would be spending if we come and spend an evening there

Roller skating, laser tag, mini golf inside, ski ball, and many other games, good pizza,and air conditioned, 2 floors of fun.

Nice staff, older facility. Yesterday was my first time there. You can tell that they are trying to keep the building interesting to the under-13 crowd. It's unique in that the skating floor is on the second floor of the building. There were several of those ticket-type games but only a few near the floor. The others are in a separate room, which is nice. In my opinion, any skating rink should be centered around the skating floor. It's what I'd consider a smaller floor, but still very usable size. U

Rude service and they give out free card to the school for free skate or play area. Then we get there and they tell you youre children have yo be under to certain height to play in play area but don't put any of that information on the card so when you get there you have to detail with rude service and a heart broke children. Horrible place. Will never go back!

Had my grandsons first birthday there yesterday was a great place to have it if you have a big family go here the staff is awesome and the prices are great everyone had a blast of all ages

Great place . Could use a little more supervision but over all it was a pretty good place. We will be hitting a total of 400 rinks over the next 6months.

Price little high but for my kids to have fun it's worth 13 a child to skate Lazer rag and bouncy house they love it great place for kids to go and even older people to teach there kids how to skate it's just all around perfect place to be

The girls and I had a blast spending the day here!!!!???????? There's so much fun stuff to do with the kids. And I'm not going to lie, I had fun myself and I'll be 28 on June 2nd lol. Makes you feel like a little kid again. And I WISH this is what the skating rink was like when I was a child cause I went skating in Salem at this same exact skating rink every single weekend, for every lock in, and every other chance I got. It definitely makes my childhood memories of skating here seem a little dull, although

The staff is great! They do what they need to do and is always on top of sanitizing things. There very respectful and very welcoming definitely will be coming again ??

It's an overall great place to be I have a lot of fun there with my friends we made so many memories there all the times I have fallen and I pulled them down with me and all the times they have picked me right back up but everything there is amazing ??

We held a combined birthday party for our granddaughters and they and their friends had so much fun skating and playing lazer tag. Thanks to the awesome crew for a marvelous job.

Great experience! Super friendly staff! The woman who I believe owns it's was great and even helped my four year olds with special needs learn how to skate!

Skating is back! Kids are lining up on Friday nights to get in this place! Friendly staff, fair prices and a clean and well-kept establishment. Fun for the whole family.

We had an amazing time for our first time there. Wonderful staff, great price, and things to do for the whole family.

Had a fundraiser here. Staff was super helpful and friendly. Everyone had a great time skating playing mini golf and nerf wars

Very fun. Place to have parties with laser gun and roller skating and even Nerf guns

Had my daughters Birthday party here and great service from waitresses. Kids had fun playing in the various areas and skating.

This is a great way to make new friends and to get better at skating. And there isn't just skating there is laser tag, bouncy house, and games. In conclusion if you are looking for fun activities go here.

Great place to take the kids we always have a good time and the price right

Everyone is doing an awesome job Randy and Kayla have put in a lot of hours looking very nice very clean and spacious glad you guys got it??

Great place to take the kids and the always have deals on groupon you can buy my little girl had a blast and staff was friendly

Nice little old school place for kids. My daughter went for a classmates birthday party and had a blast.

Great place for the kids to go for some fun! Or the whole family. Reasonable prices as well.

This is my second year renting in a row, and im not sure who has had more fun the adults or the kids. Thank you!!

Kids love it ...they go every friday and when we went as a family one sunday we had so much fun

I loved it here so many nice employees and it's the best skating rink I have ever been to

So much fun! Great prices and the staff is super nice!

It is no longer the Salem Fun Factory it is called Salem Fun Center good food amazing new manager and really great staff

Kid Zone is great. I love taking the kids there and hope in the near future the community expands on this idea.

No games for younger kids to play, all & all not too impressed. Place lacks common things for all ages. It's ok..

Fun place to hang out with friends. Too pricey for certain things like laser tag. 3$ a game?? Come on.

It was fun, took my kids......didn't think I could still skate!

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.”

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.