Pinball Hall of Fame

The Pinball Hall of Fame is a working museum you play. Instead of roped-off displays, it is a large room of hundreds of pinball and arcade machines, from older electro-mechanical tables to 1990s models, all set to coin-op. There is no admission charge to walk in. You pay per game, and the recorded rates are 25 cents a play on the older machines and 50 cents on the 1990s models, which makes it one of the cheaper outings near the Las Vegas Strip for a family.

Hours on file are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The age range recorded is 5 to 18, and in practice the low per-game price suits the way kids actually play an arcade, a few machines at a time rather than an all-day pass. On-site technicians keep the machines running, which is part of why the collection stays playable rather than turning into a wall of out-of-order signs.

Amenities on record include restrooms, free parking, seating areas, and vending machines, so a visit can stretch as long or as short as your kids' attention allows. Because you pay by the game, a quick stop costs a few dollars and a longer afternoon still stays modest. The location sits at 4925 Las Vegas Blvd S, near the south end of the Strip, and is open year-round.

The Pinball Hall of Fame carries a 4.5 rating across more than 13,000 Google reviews. For parents, the appeal is straightforward: it is hands-on, it is inexpensive by the play, and it does not require booking ahead. Bring quarters or small bills. For questions about machine availability or group visits, the number on file is (702) 597-2627.