Arcade Americana
As you have read in the past, this blog often searches for that little slice of Americana. Furthermore, I look for places that allow you to relive some pleasant memories of days gone by. Perhaps, its that out of the way, small town stuck in the early 1900s. Then again, maybe its the oldest, fast food, hamburger joint. Or, it could be that museum that preserves the sights and sounds of your youth. If you were smart enough not to waste your time and money in arcades as a kid, maybe this post is not for you. But, I was not that smart. Instead, I wasted lots of my time and money in arcades. Therefore, allow me to revisit my teenage years with a little Arcade Americana.
Asheville, North Carolina 
Recently, I was able to step back in time about 40 years or so to my teenage years. This occurred at the Asheville Pinball Museum in Asheville, North Carolina. For a mere $16 per person, you are allowed unlimited play at all the pinball machines and video games of your youth. Remember, this is really about MY youth. The target year for the museum seems to be about 1980 plus or minus 5 years. If a game was popular during this time, it is in this museum. I did not count all the game options, but there is far more than you are going to play. While I did enjoy pinball machines, my more significant waste of time and money occurred with the advent of the video games.
Some critical skills were rusty 
Carol never had video critical skills
With all due respect to Pong and other really early games, the late 70s video game surge started with Space Invaders. As we got into the early 1980s, the avalanche of video games occurred…Asteroids, Galaxian, Defender, Missile Command, Galaga, and, of course, Pac Man. Easily, my favorite all time video game is Missile Command. Consequently, finding a full working version of Missile Command made the $16 expenditure completely worthwhile. As many of you already know, my wife, Carol, is much smarter than me. She did not waste her teens in arcades. But, I was able to park her at a Frogger so that I could enjoy my video adventure.
As if the video games were not enough, the Asheville Pinball Museum offered other nostalgic delights as well. There were movie posters of the era. And, some toy and game displays that bring good memories to most normal folk. But, my favorite were the lunch boxes…
All shows had lunchboxes 
“I HAVE THE POWER”
If you don’t like the old time lunch boxes, there is just something wrong with you. Remember the first thermoses that came with these boxes. The inside of the thermos was made with some ultra delicate glass to maintain the temperature. If you dropped the thermos once, the glass shattered. I rarely had a functional thermos. I regret that I did not take more lunchbox pictures for you. The lighting in the museum was not conducive to my limited photographic equipment (i.e. my phone). Also, the working Missile Command game had my mind in a jumble. Speaking of jumbling my mind, there is one last feature of the museum that I have to inform you of…
A museum, an arcade, AND A BAR
Yes, there is a bar! Unlimited video play AND beer. Its the best of all worlds. This is not the arcade of my teenage years. Oh no, its something much better. By giving Carol a beer or two, my allowed gaming time increased significantly. Regrettably, the arcade does not serve PBR. Asheville, NC, is all about its local breweries.
Anyway, that is the Asheville Pinball Museum. If you are not into these games, the museum is still worth a visit. While its $16 for unlimited play, its FREE if you don’t want to play the games. You can just walk the museum, enjoy the sites, and experience a little bit of Arcade Americana. Have a wonderful day. PT
I hope you have enjoyed reading “Arcade Americana” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.
If you liked this slice of Americana, check this out https://travelingwithpt.com/try-to-explain-tinkertown/
If you want to plan your visit to the Asheville Pinball Museum, here you go https://pinball.ashevillepinball.com/
