I didn’t know I liked pinball three hours’ worth.
But apparently…I really do.
We popped into the Roanoke Pinball Museum thinking it’d be a quick, quirky stop- maybe 30, 45 minutes tops. But somehow, three hours flew by, and the only reason we left was because our stomachs were growling and it was officially dinner time.
This place is way more than just a room full of old machines. It’s hands-on, nostalgic, and surprisingly addicting. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “pinball person,” don’t be surprised if you lose track of time here. I sure did.
Let me show you why the Roanoke Pinball Museum ended up being one of the most unexpectedly fun stops of our trip.
What is the Roanoke Pinball Museum?
At first glance, the Roanoke Pinball Museum might seem like just a room full of vintage games, but it’s actually so much more. It’s an interactive museum that celebrates the science, art, and cultural history of pinball, and it does it in the best way possible: by letting you play every single machine. No quarters, no tokens- just your admission ticket and a whole lot of flipper-hitting fun.
The museum’s mission is to spark curiosity in physics, design, and history by showcasing how pinball has evolved over the past century. And they absolutely deliver. With more than 70 machines on display, ranging from a beautifully preserved 1932 table to modern digital-era games, it’s like walking through a timeline of American pop culture and engineering innovation… except you’re inside it, racking up high scores as you go.
Whether you’re geeking out over the old-school mechanics or just marveling at the retro artwork, there’s something oddly magical about seeing (and playing!) how pinball has changed over the decades.
What to Expect When You Visit the Roanoke Pinball Museum
The Roanoke Pinball Museum is tucked away on the second floor of Center in the Square, a cultural hub in downtown Roanoke that’s also home to an aquarium, a science museum, and a rooftop view that’s worth checking out. You’ll find it at 1 Market Square SE, just steps from the city’s historic market area, surrounded by restaurants, shops, and other cool museums.
Once inside, it’s like stepping into a neon-lit time capsule. Over 70 machines fill the space, all in excellent working condition, and you can actually play every single one. No fumbling for quarters or counting tokens- your $15 admission gets you all-day access to as many flips, tilts, and multiballs as you can handle. Trust me, it’s easy to lose track of time.
The atmosphere is super welcoming, whether you’re a total newbie or you’ve got a mean high score from your teenage arcade days. Kids are wide-eyed, adults are instantly nostalgic, and everyone’s grinning. It’s the kind of place where laughter and the sound of old-school chimes and bells bounce off the walls all day long.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. (closed on Mondays), so there’s plenty of time to squeeze in a visit, even if you’re just passing through Roanoke.
They sell drinks and snacks to keep you fueled up while you play, and if you’re looking for a more unique experience, check out the Museum’s events calendar for tournaments, 21+
nights, and more!
How to Visit the Roanoke Pinball Museum
Website: https://roanokepinball.org/
Location: 1 Market Square SE, Roanoke, VA 24011, on the second floor of the Center In The Square
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 1-6pm
Admission: $15, memberships are also available!
Roanoke Pinball Museum Video
Get a better look at the Roanoke Pinball Museum and the games there in our video:
More to do in Roanoke
The Roanoke Pinball Museum is located in the Center in the Square which also has a free small aquarium on the first floor (the photo above is part of that), the Kids Square Children’s Museum, the Harrison Museum of Afrian American Culture, the O.Winston Link Museum/History Museum of Western Virginia, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the Roanoke STARCADE (which is a similar concept as the Pinball Museum, but with cabinet games).
We also have a post detailing everything we did during our stay in Roanoke:
Roanoke Itinerary: What to See, Do, and Eat in One Week as an RV Traveler
