Pinball Hall of Fame- Vegas

Hoover Dam

Sure it's worth checking out if your that much into pinball. I've never seen it but I tell people all the time about it.

John

I always make a trip when in town.

My whole family loved the pinball hof . If you like shows, "O" is amazing. We took a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon. It was awesome, except the same helicopter went down in a crash months later. I don't do helicopter tours anymore.

Their site has a 3D tour. I don't know how up to date it is. I'll be there in Feb for work. I cant miss a chance to play Pinball Circus.

Hoover dam trip is pretty cool.

Yes, go see the PHOF. It's cool and it's a shit ton of pinball.

Why wouldn't you?

There will always be haters no matter what you do. Tim is sorta like a one man show and doing what he loves to do the best he can. Even if you don't play any of the games you still got to see what, like 200 games or something like that?

John

Not now by any stretch (unless an hour walk works for you), but will be when their new building is completed.

It is worth a trip. At least once.

As mentioned, it is definitely worth the trip, especially if you like older machines too.

I always recommend the Neon Museum. https://www.neonmuseum.org/ They have most of the iconic signs from Vegas' history. Also, Absinthe is a great show if you're okay with blue humor and cabaret.

Yes definitely go! Don't walk, it's farther than you think from the strip and the area isn't the greatest, especially at night. When you go, keep in that you are going to see and play a lot of pinball machines. They will not all work 100%. Some will work better than others, but you aren't going to a collector's private residence where everything is immaculate and fully functional. This is quantity over quality for sure. Also, it is a no frills place. No cool sign outside, no cool decor inside, just games and other vintage vending stuff packed into a fairly non-descript building. The owner and the people working there do care, but they can be overwhelmed. If you find a major issue I would make sure to tell them about it, but don't carry on a conversation with them about your favorite game and how and where you played it when you were 8 years old. Keep these things in mind when you go there and you should have a blast for hours there.

beside the pinball hall of fame .......make sure you go to the NEON Boneyard......take the tour at dusk.....some signs are restored and lit .....guided tour talking about the history of vegas

From the walk throughs I've watched and conversations that I have had, the Pinball Hall Of Fame is not only a great place to play pinball, but is an amazing historical site. Rare machines represented from all eras. And write ups for most the machines describing their place in history and the importance or uniqueness of them.

If I ever get out that way you can be sure I will be going. Have fun!

Thanks
Blake

PHOF, yes it's worth it, play and have fun. I did walk to it from the Imperial Palace on the strip, about 45 minutes.

Yes! Pinball Hall of Fame is great and make sure you play Pinball Circus!
Besides all the gambling and prostitution, it is a neat city if you look past all that. It is one of my favorite cities. Each Casino/Resort has its own theme, which makes it neat. Here are a few things that come to mind none pinball related to check out!

-Bellagio Fountain show at night (Free)
-Beatles Love show at the Mirage
-Carrot Top Comedian at the Luxor (good price)
-Top of the Stratosphere
-Caesars Palace has a nice shopping mall
-Shops and Gondolas inside the Venetian
-Hoover Dam
-Bus trip for the day to Los Angeles (4 hours away)
-Ricks Restorations is neat if you like the show
-If you want cheaper prices, go downtown. The prices on the main strip are expensive

Hey that's my avatar!

I would go just to play Pinball Circus, like others have said. I think they also have a Firepower with drop targets instead of standups, Punchy the Clown, and some other rare games. Also some of the newer games were set to 5 ball when I was there last.

Great place to visit, and a lot cheaper than dropping $$ in slots. Take an Uber as it is a pretty far walk. While you are in NYNY, check out the arcade, they have a nice collection of pins, including a kick ass Walking Dead! Have fun!

Yeah, for sure go. Just don't expect to be treated any differently because you own pinball machines. Play some games and ignore any mechanical issues. My first time there I tried to report things I thought might get worse if unfixed or switched off, but each time they seemed to get angry and defensive. I would explain, I appreciated what they were doing and just wanted them to know so they could get to it when they had time.

Prime rib buffet at circus -circus is was only 12 dollars but that was 5 or 6 years ago I done reckon.

We where there a month ago well worth a visit most machines played fantastic. Had a few games on pinball circus also so much fun. We used uber from our hotel

I agree with Gorgar1 and the others. Went to LV twice this year and the PHOF both times, and it was great. Lots of machines to play and really despite what you hear a majority of them are good to go. Definitely got a fill of playing pinball. I always go during the day just after they open, never tried it at night.

Beyond all the other suggestions, as always I will strongly recommend that if you go to the Neon Museum that you be sure and book that in advance, preferably by several weeks. They fill up those tours!

The duck says do it!
DUCK (resized).jpg

The Medieval Madness that is there I sold to Tim back around 2006. Still has the custom apron cards I put in myself last I checked.

I hear the mustang ranch is fun to visit. Never been, but I hear

If you visit the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign have a look to the right as you drive North on Las Vegas Blvd back to the strip. What's going on there in the empty lot next to the Harley Davidson place? Is it still empty? That's where the new location is supposed to be going.

Here is a shot from Google Earth as of today, I don't know how often that is updated. Actually it looks like there are 2 lots there, one is a bigger one just next to Harley Davidson, and then just north of that is a narrow strip. I think its going into the bigger one but I'm not sure. Anyone know?

PHOF empty lot (resized).jpg

Definately a place worth checking out, but no nudging or feel the wrath of Tim!

Don't forget to check out the arcade inside NYNY hotel, it has an excellent lineup of pretty recent Stern machines

The PHOF is definitely worth the visit. One of the largest em collections available for public play anywhere. Check out the Hoover Dam, the Neon museum, the roller coaster at NYNY, and the National Atomic Testing museum is pretty interesting as well. All the Cirque du Soleil shows are pretty solid, I like “O” the best and “Ka” for a runner up...
If Ayce sushi is your thing, I recommend Sakana Sushi. It’s east of the Strip in a little strip mall next to a Target. Something like $22 lunch/$26 dinner, large pieces of fish, little rice, and lots of roll varieties. For cheaper eats, the Cafe Rio chain is good Mexican for the price. I think the closest one is not too far from the PHOF.
The best show in Vegas is free. It is found by going out and walking the strip after dark. People watching is one the best things to do in Las Vegas and the later it gets, the crazier it can be, especially weekends! Enjoy your trip!

Hell no! Tropicana is rough. You’d be better off just playing the pins at NYNY. I just got back from there myself. Every pin I played at PHOF had a major problem of some sort. It wasn’t so bad 7 or so years ago.

Check out Ellis Island for cheap, good food. That is within walking distance. They’ve always been a pretty good value, but they have really upped their game since the remodel. Food was fantastic.

Too far for me to walk....lol Maybe 3 miles from New York New York.

Definitely worth going to. Too far to walk, but an inexpensive Uber trip.
Their have been bad reviews, which are rubbish. The place has so many pins and games, a very arcade atmosphere if you grew up in that era.

Yeah right. Every pin I played had an issue. I finally decided I’d stick to newer pins. Put a few quarters in an Iron Maiden. The upper flipper is f’d up. It’s a joke.

I recommend it. I make it a point to visit the place (and In and Out Burger) every time I go to Vegas. It’s not a fancy place, but there is a great collection of pins there, and most have an index card attached with interesting facts about the each game. As I understand it, the workers volunteer their time there, and the owner has donated a lot of the income from the place to local charities. I hear the new location will be 3 times as big and will hopefully be open late next year.

I've never had issues, but I have heard they will go off on you for trying to save a ball.

I recommend it. I took a few non-pinheads there this year and they had a blast. Also, it's probably the cheapest entertainment you can find in Vegas. If I am not mistaken, they are moving locales near that time frame: future site is near Mandalay Bay. Does anybody know the details?

Others have already listed other great spots so nothing to add there.

And, definitely Uber/Lyft/drive from the strip (assuming they have not moved).

Have fun!

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/pinball-hall-of-fame-to-close

The Mob Museum is really interesting. Its down on Fremont.

route 201 bus line runs all day along tropicana. departs from the trop hotel, catty corner/across the street from nyny. get off at tamarus directly across the street from phof. return bus stop is right next to the phof parking lot.

Some have already been mentioned, but here would be some things I'd recommend in Las Vegas:

1 ) Walk through the casinos. Since you are staying at the New York, New York start there. On that side I'd try to get to are the Cosmopolitan (Sparkly), Bellagio (Fountains, Gardens, Glass Ceiling), Caesar's (Fountains, Forum Shops), Mirage (Volcano) and Treasure Island (Pirate Show). On the other side I'd probably try to hit up the Venetian (Indoor Canal) and Paris (Eiffel Tower, Arch). Everything mentioned above is free, but you can also check out the resturants. One of my favorite places for a cheap lunch or late night snack is Secret Pizza in the Bellagio. It used to really be a secret, as it was behind an unmarked door, but now it's easier to find. That's a lot of walking, but I kind of treat it like "urban hiking".

2 ) Go to a show. They are expensive, but in my view they are worth it. I've been to quite a few of them, but the two I'd recommend most are Absinthe or LOVE. Absinthe is super raunchy and offensive, but beyond that it's basically a circus that takes place on a stage the size of your kitchen table. LOVE was my favorite of the Cirque du Soleil shows, but I think a lot of that has to do with the music. I've also done Ka, La Reve, Criss Angle, Mat Franco, and a few of the "Broadway" shows which rotate in and out.

3 ) Go to the Pinball Hall of Fame. I think it's worth it and it keeps you from feeding the other machines that tend to take your money more quickly. I sometimes go a second time when others in my group just want to sit around.

4 ) If you want a fun place to gamble and drink I really enjoy the Sigma Derby horse racing games at The D or MGM Grand. Since you are staying at the New York, New York the MGM Grand is right across the street. It's basically a mechanical horse racing game from the 70s that takes actual quarters. The game itself is really only fun if there is a fun group around the table. Drinks are free and if you tip they will be back.

5 ) Get a stake and drink some microbrew at Ellis Island. Someone else mentioned it, but if you want to feel like your getting a good value it's a decent option. I want to say beer is $1 and the stake meal is like $10. With that said, there are no shortage of good food. Feels a bit like a local spot.

6 ) Go to Freemont Street...maybe. A lot of people swear it's better then The Strip, but personally it feels a bit dirty. Still lots of lights and neon. The best part of it for me is people watching. I describe it as...go to people watch and drink until you become one of the said "people" others are watching. Pro tip, when going back to The Strip instead of calling Uber, check with the hotels. Sometimes they have a vehicle sitting around and they will give you a ride back in a luxury vehicle (ex. stretch limo with free booze) for the same price.

7 ) If you want to get away from Las Vegas there are several options. Red Rocks is about 30 minutes away and has some decent hiking or rock climbing. Then there is, of course, Hoover Dam. It's about 45 minutes away. I don't feel the need to do the tour again, but if your interested do it. The last time we just walked across. If you are into hiking there is also the Gold Strike Hot Springs trail which winds it's way (for like 3 miles) down to the river. It has some rope sections, which are fun if you are in mediocre shape or better. If you have a suit you can swim in the natural hot springs or wade in the ice cold river. Finally, there is Zion National Park. I like the Narrows and Angels Landing hikes. That's about a 3 hour drive, so it's going to be a full day. Oh, I should add all of these would be a bad idea if you are going in the summer...too hot.

8 ) Buy your own booze at Walgreen's / CVS and request a "medication fridge". We stayed in a sweat at the MGM and it was kind of funny checking in. I asked if we could get a fridge and they guy said, "Do you have any medication you need to keep cold?" Without thinking, I answered, "No". He asked again, this time with a little wink. My wife jumps in and says, "Yes, we do have medication we need to keep cold." He's like, "I thought so, I'll send one right up for you." My wife then asks him if there are any other questions like this that we should be asking. He said, "Since your room is not ready, you might be upset and hungry, I could then offer you a dinner voucher." We suddenly remembered we were upset and hungry and he put $100 credit onto our room to cover dinner. Also we found the two bedroom sweat to be a good value, when staying with another couple, since we only had to pay one resort fee.

The atomic museum is worth seeing, especially if you grew up in the 'duck and cover era.

As I said earlier we really enjoyed our visit and to be honest I don’t remember experiencing any issues with any games and I spent about 2hrs there . There where 2 women wandering around cleaning the pins glasses so I thought that was a nice touch. They even told a group of screaming kids to lower there volume which I was happy they did, my kids are now adults so been there done that with screaming kids lol. We came from Australia and PHOF was on my bucket list when visiting Vegas and I’d definitely would go back. Gotta say we loved all of Vegas such a awesome City.

Just remember it's for charity and don't expect the games to be perfect and you'll have fun. Keeping hundreds of games dialed in like one in our basements would be impossible.

ALL the profits go to charity, Mr. Arnold could have retired to a beach somewhere decades ago but does this for the love of pinball and to do some good in the world. He has earned the right to be the way he is.

I hope the shiny new building will incentivize redoubling the pin maintenance efforts but I won't fault them if it doesn't.

You lucked out with that guy. I hope he got a good tip.

If you can deal with not having room service for a few days, I like to use AirBnB for privately owned rooms at Vdara and The Signature. There is no resort fee and valet parking is free (at all MGM properties during your stay). We got a Bellagio fountain view room at Vdara for ~$130/night this last visit. That is the best view in Vegas.

Also, I just learned there is a Shelby museum near the airport. I haven't been there yet, but I will be going next time.