Play 100+ Pinball Machines All Day at Alameda's Retro Arcade Museum

Five rooms run in decade order, and the machines get newer as you walk. The 1887 game and the pre-flipper tables of the 1930s and early '40s sit behind the yellow chain, for viewing only. The playable machines start with the 1940s woodrails and run to today's high-tech tables, all on free play. Woodrails load by hand, one ball at a time, and the flippers crack over the jukebox hum.

Adults pay 22 dollars for the day, children 5 to 12 are 12, and students, seniors, teachers, military and first responders 15 with ID; only the lobby cabinets still take coins. On Tuesdays two people enter for 22. Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 11 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday; Mondays are for repairs, and Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day are closed. The 51A from 12th Street BART stops at Webster and Santa Clara.