This Retro Pinball Museum In Tennessee Will Make You Long For The Good Old Days
By Chris Dodge|Published September 15, 2023
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Chris Dodge
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My name is Chris Dodge and I live right here in the great state of Tennessee. My family and I are full adventurers filled with passion to see the amazing things our state has to offer. We are avid hikers and have explored many different places in Tennessee and beyond but we are always thankful to be living in such a glorious state.
I have had a fascination with games my whole life. They captured my imagination at an early age and have been a part of my life ever since. I remember as a kid finding little arcade cabinets and pretending to play them when I didn’t have any coins. I am willing to bet that I am not the only kid that grew up in the ’90s that had a fascination with arcade games. In fact, the 1990s saw the rise in popularity of the pinball machine! Those days might seem long forgotten now, but at the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum, the tradition is very much alive. Everyone from pinball wizards to curious gamers will find this to be a fun day trip for old-school gaming.
The Gatlinburg Pinball Museum is located just off the main strip in downtown Gatlinburg.
This mountain town is loaded with fun things to do all year long and you will find that Gatlinburg is one of the most walkable towns in Tennessee. So whether you come for a week-long vacation or just a day trip, don’t forget about this fun museum.
What you find here is very different from other experiences because this museum is completely interactive. Here visitors can learn the history of pinball machines with truly hands-on experiences.
For one entrance price, you will have access to every machine, so no need to bring a bag of coins like in the good old days! What remains the same, though, is the nostalgic fun of these machines... so flip those flippers, slingshot that ball, and hit the targets for the ultimate high score!
The first pinball machine was made in the 1930s, but the industry has changed a lot since then.
Over the years the popularity of the game rose and fell, and at one point, it was viewed as a form of gambling and become illegal for a time. At this museum, you will see some rather unique machines and some of them are quite rare, but upheld in excellent condition. You’ll see everything from famous '80s rock bands to more modern movie themes, so it's safe to say you’ll have quite a variety of pinball games from which to choose.
Also located in the museum is the largest collection of retro arcade cabinets in the area.
With over 30 games, you can play some old-school Donkey Kong, Centipede, Defender, and much more. These classic games will make you long for the days when arcades were at their peak of popularity.
You can easily spend an entire day playing games or you can add this fun stop alongside an exciting day spent in Gatlinburg.
Take a trip up the sky lift and brave the SkyBridge, eat some lunch at Smith & Sons, and play a little pinball. No matter how you choose to spend your day in Gatlinburg, one thing is very clear, there is so much to do you might need to stay the night and do it all over again the next day! This Holiday Inn is located just a stone's throw away from the museum and an excellent home base for your Gatlinburg getaway.
The Gatlinburg Pinball Museum is a fun and unique place to visit in a thriving little mountain town filled with exciting things to do. Spend the day competing for the high score and relieve the good old days at this interactive museum filled with retro games. For more information, please visit the Gatlinburg Pinball Museum Facebook page.
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