Polish your gaming skills, relive some of your childhood memories and/or introduce your young ones to a different kind of play at Grand Rapids-area arcades. Whether your taste runs to old-school carnival games, pinball machines or today’s incredibly sophisticated video games, you’ll find just what you’re looking for at our local arcades.
Some of our arcades serve up unlimited play, others require a supply of quarters or tokens (just like the old days). Many serve food and drink, and a number offer other attractions and activities in addition to arcade games. Choose your preference and get ready for hours of fun!
Craig’s Cruisers
This family fun center includes a 9,000 sq. ft. arcade with 85 games suitable for kids and adults – from classics like skeeball and air hockey to state-of-the-art video games. Purchase arcade credits in any dollar amount to challenge your friends, compete for high scores and win prizes.
Craig’s Cruiser’s also offers go-kart racing, bumper boats, bumper cars, laser tag, mini-golf, glow golf, a trampoline park, buffet restaurant and more, so you can bounce back and forth between the arcade and other attractions. This indoor/outdoor fun park is in Wyoming, about 13 minutes south of downtown Grand Rapids.
Main Event
Play more than 100 arcade games, virtual reality games, puzzle games and more at Main Event. You’ll encounter classic arcade diversions like Pac Man, NBA Jam and Donkey Kong as well as today’s most popular games, including Jurassic park, Star Wars Battle Pod and Halo: Fireteam Raven. You can cash out the points you earn from beating your high scores for all sorts of prizes.
Located at Woodland Mall, 15 minutes southeast of downtown GR, Main Event offers bowling, laser tag, escape rooms, mini golf and a gravity ropes course in addition to arcade fun. Enjoy wings, burgers, pizza and other food in the on-site full-service restaurant whenever you need a break. Bar service is available for adults.
Pinball Land
Pinball Land is an all-ages retro arcade in Rockford, about 20 minutes northeast of downtown Grand Rapids. It features seven themed rooms full of pinball machines from the 1970s to today along with 100+ classic video arcade games like Pac Man, Galaga, Space Invaders, Centipede and Donkey Kong.
There’s no need for quarters, you pay the admission and all the games inside are free to play. Freshly made popcorn, candy and soda pop are available to fuel you through your gaming session. Pinball Land can be rented for private parties – you’ll get the whole arcade to yourself (and up to 39 guests) for two hours.
RLM Amusements
A sales-and-service shop for pinball and arcade games, RLM Amusements invites the public in on Thursdays and Saturdays to play 50+ games from five decades for just $10. All ages and skill levels are welcome to join in a Max Matchplay tournament that streams live on Twitch every Thursday.
RLM also hosts the Grand Rapids Pinball League on the first and third Wednesday of each month, plus once-a-month Sunday tournaments. Outside food and beverages are allowed, and you are welcome to use the facility’s microwave oven and refrigerator. RLM is located on Plainfield, about 19 minutes from downtown GR – pull in behind the building housing The Comic Signal comic book store.
The Pyramid Scheme
The pinball arcade at this downtown pub and music venue features 20+ new and classic pinball machines such as Avengers Infinity Quest Premium, Batman 66, The Godfather, Halloween, Iron Maiden, Jaws Pro, The Simpsons and Wizard of Oz. You can play any time The Pyramid Scheme pub is open – including during concerts. Of course, the venue attracts such fantastic talent to the stage that you’ll want to save your gaming for between sets.
Experience classic arcade games and award-winning burgers at Stella’s Lounge.
Photo by Addison Causley for Experience GR
Stella’s Lounge
Boasting “all the vintage arcade games you (or your parents) skipped 6th period to play” – including Galaga, Pac Man, Mortal Kombat, Donkey Kong, Tron and Q*Bert – Stella’s Lounge invites all ages to play until 9pm. The adults take over after that, because this downtown GR destination is also a bar offering craft cocktails, beer and a vast collection of whiskeys.
A gamer’s gotta eat, and Stella’s is happy to oblige. Though there are a variety of vegetarian dishes on the menu, it’s best known for its giant stuffed burgers – including the namesake Stella Burger, which GQ magazine declared the nation’s best burger.
Other Area Arcades
AJ’s Family Fun Center. This seasonal destination in Comstock Park offers both an indoor arcade and a host of outdoor activities.
AMF Eastbrook Lanes. Bowling alley near Woodland Mall has a deluxe arcade as well as 40 bowling lanes, billiards tables and a sports bar.
Amped Virtual Reality. Immerse yourself completely in arcade-style worlds, alone or with friends, at this VR center near Woodland Mall.
Dave & Buster’s. Family-friendly sports bar and restaurant in Kentwood includes an arcade filled cutting-edge games and classic favorites.
Rebounderz Grand Rapids. This trampoline park in Jenison offers 35+ family arcade games along with a fully stocked redemption center to cash in on your arcade points.
Spectrum Entertainment Complex. Explore the arcade-gaming area of this Wyoming attraction while you wait for a bowling lane to be free, your meal to be ready or a comedy show to start – or any other time, for that matter.
Station 300. Grandville’s favorite bowling alley has an arcade room and prize center in addition to a bar and restaurant.