Walking into this arcade feels like stepping right back into my childhood--but with the same excitement, laughter, and magic still in the air. I grew up coming here, and it's wild (and wonderful) how it still delivers that same joy all these years later. The games are perfect--easy enough for kids to win and feel proud, but still fun and competitive enough for adults to get totally into it (guilty). Whether you're there for a quick game or full-blown nostalgia trip, it hits every time. The snacks are solid, the prizes are fun, and the energy is just unbeatable. It's not just an arcade--it's a memory maker. And the fact that it's kept that same feel all these years? That's rare. Still a favorite, always will be. read more

Salem Willows Arcade - Arcades Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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I wanted to like this place more than I did. The games are fun enough, but after a while everything starts to feel a little monotonous. There's just not quite enough variety to keep things interesting for very long. The biggest frustration was the claw machines. They don't take cash or tokens--only card scans--which seems unnecessarily complicated for an arcade. The 40 tokens for $10 initially felt like a pretty good deal, until you realize a lot of the more interesting stuff, like the VR games, eats up 8 or 12 tokens at a time. Those 40 tokens disappear a lot faster than you'd think. The ticket-to-prize system is pretty standard arcade math: spend a lot, collect a little, and somehow convince yourself that the tiny plastic prize was worth the financial decisions that led you there. It's worth stopping in for an hour or two, or killing some time while you wait for your pizza to cook. But based on the hype, I was expecting a little more. It's a perfectly decent arcade, just not one that lived up to the reputation that got me through the door. read more

Salem Willows Arcade - The best arcade game of all time. - Arcades Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Solid arcade with lots of nearby food. Some broken games and last time I went a lot of games had been removed but it's always a fun time read more

Salem Willows Arcade - Arcades Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Went on August 18, 2022. Rumor has it that they are closing down? I hope not! This place has been here for years, I haven't been here since my teen years, now that I have kids, this place is a blast to bring them! The kids love it and I enjoy seeing them have fun. There's plenty of selections. We brought my newborn, 4 years old and nephew who is 5 years old. There's places to get ice cream and food, and then you can sit by the water side. There was a raggae fest going on when I went. Chill place, I never appreciated it as much as I do now. read more

The Salem Willows arcade is a blast from the past. Going here brings you back to your childhood nothing has changed at this location for years and years yes there are a few new games added but it's still the same as when you were a youngster. You change your dollar bills 5's and t 10's and 20s into a bunch of coins for all the machines they do not take money any longer only tokens. They still have the little Doohickey prizes 1000 points for a little ball or pen or a cup but it's still exciting and fun it brings you back to the memories of yesteryear. They are also connected with the pizza place now so there's a restroom available also food and drink without leaving the arcade. So head on down to the arcade try your luck at pinball ski ball riding a motorcycle or just stopping a light on the correct number no matter what you do you will have a great day. I Give Salem Willows Arcade a Solid 5 Stars. read more

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The arcade where I honed my pinball skills. But there is so much more than pinball here. Want to know how hot your kiss is? Squeeze the handle and the machine tells you. Want your fortune read? Pick up the phone to hear Zoltan read it. Pac-Man? Obviously. Plus a myriad of other arcade machines. Bring your quarters, kids. read more

Old school, but very fun and very much for a wide range of ages! Affordable and entertaining

I love the Salem Willows Arcade! They have a great little pinball collection as well as lots of fun ticket games. They even have the new Rick and Morty Blips and Chitz game! read more

The Salem Willows Arcade is one of two arcades that line the strip of amusements and food of Salem Willows. This arcade is just that - an arcade. Go in expecting to find video games, pin ball, dirty floors and people, and no A/C. Of course, if this is what you're looking for, then it's perfect. Personally, I love how kitchy it all is. Most of the games are throwbacks to the 80's. Some of the games even date back to the 40's and 50's. How fun is it to find out if you're a good kisser or how much you weigh (for 10 cents!)? It's very fun. :o) Overall, a good arcade for kids and friends. There is this one motorcycle game that you can race against three of your closest friends. It's from the early 90's, but really fun. You even get to sit on the motorcycles!! read more

Salem Willows Arcade - The motorcycle race - Arcades Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

I think they're all we love this place because it's nostalgic. It's something I went to as a kid and I really enjoyed it. And I just really like that hasn't changed much. The games are pretty cool and the other arcade is pretty nice. read more

Many arcades want you to spend a lot of money Here I spent just ONE DOLLAR and came out ratified. In addition to the several more modern pinball which ask $1 for 3 balls are four old school electro mechanical games that ask for 25c for 5 balls One game on each and that was OK for me Inexpensive eats nearby as well read more

Based on everyone's review, the trip was well worth it. Ocean view, cheap nostalgic arcade fun = Success. What made me smile the most was the lovable Musical Monkeys. 10 cents for over a minute of entertainment is priceless. Babies, Children, Teens, Young Adults, and the Elderly were all present and were having a great time as I did. There is something for everyone, and it was a beautiful cool Sunday to visit this spot. read more

Seems over the years they continue to update this arcade & everything around it. Now they have a little Bumper Cars thing for the kids, Its actually quite nice & fairly cheap. They always have the newest games & like any other arcade you spend $87 on games & win a pencil & Tootsie Roll!!! A decent day away for the kids & you can easily spend a few hours! read more

Spend an hour there with my boyfriend and we had fun. Ended up spending another 10$ because we were having too much fun. The place has a wildwood boardwalk kinda feel. Perfect for summer nights. read more

Salem Willows Arcade - Arcades Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Salem willows is one of the best places to visit and have fun. -cheap food -fun arcades -air hockey- -pinball -pretty park to eat at -the best photo booths around -old fashioned penny games -ice cream -boat tours of the coast. It's cheap and fun with friends, on a date, or with kids. You can't lose! the one and only bad thing? The bathrooms are NASTY, it's totally worth it though. read more

I have been going to Salem Willows once a summer with my brother since we were kids. Our grandmother and mother used to take us and it was something to really look forward to, especially with a big bag of change. If you are going, there are a few things you should not miss... in both the food and game genres: FOOD: 1) Buttered popcorn at EW Hobbs -- the best ever! (I also like to get their flavored popcorn bars... fun!) 2) A Chop-Suey Sandwich at Salem Lowe Chinese food. Not for everyone, but like no other. Wrapped in paper and costs about $2. Really hits the spot. Get it with an orange soda and an egg roll and you're good to go. 3) Optional: EW Hobbs taffy and icecream. Yum. GAMES: 1) The Musical Monkeys. 10 cents 2) Old fashioned baseball, old-fashioned air basketball 3) The Love Machine - 1 cent. Squeeze the handle.. 4) Make yourself a cool imprinted medal 5) Take a picture at the photo booth. Finally, go for a walk by the beach and around the path. It's a lovely view of the waterfront and boats. Sit on a bench with your food and enjoy the Willows! read more

Ahhh the Willows, where to begin. I would imagine that back in the day, the Willows was at the top of the food chain, but now, I am not so sure. The Willows boasts around 20 different food and ice cream vendors, two arcade/ casinos, a very small mini golf course and a kids area with age specific rides. Situated right on the water, the view is beautiful. There is lots of grassy areas to play, lounge or eat and even a hatch shell where live music is preformed in the summer. Early evenings and days during the summer are a great time to go, but at night time I would use caution. It can become crowded with teenagers and showboaters with loud cars trucks and bikes. Parking is metered. read more

Beach? What beach? You actually call that a beach? Hahaha. Sure. At any rate, this place is okay at best. I keep getting dragged there once a year by my friends in order to quench some better childhood experience that they had years back. Otherwise, it's a cat walk for scene kids and their shitty hair cuts, or bad apples whose parents obviously don't supervise where they go or who they're with. All set bringing my son there and exposing them to the trash that hangs around the vicinity. The food is meh. Someone I know ate fries there and got food poisoning two years back. Not to mention you have to fight for somewhere you can park and NOT get towed. Otherwise, enjoy. read more

Pretty much one of my favorite places to go in the summer. It doesn't matter how old you are, playing air hockey, skee ball and bad fighting games with your friends in order to get tickets to buy candy is always a good time. It's also really sweet that you can get fried dough, soda and all while looking at a scenic ocean view. There are some of the nastiest public restrooms I've ever seen though... oh well, can't win em' all. read more

Salem Willows Arcade - Tickets, tickets. it's all about the ring pops and air heads you can earn with all those tickets. - Arcades Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

For those who did not grow up in Salem, the Willows is a place that has seen better days. There are some highlights worth mentioning. Physically speaking it 's a beautiful spot, a little peninsula that juts out into the ocean between Marblehead and Beverly covered with big shady trees. Food: One of the few places that you can get chop suey sandwiches. At a buck and a half they're not bad. Hobbs is the place for great homemade ice cream, salt water taffy and superb popcorn made in a hundred-year old machine. Arcade: some cool old school games that may bring you back to long forgotten days of blissful childhood. A band of animated monkeys that play music when you deposit a dime or the dancing clown on strings that you control. A fortune teller machine (remember "Big" with Tom Hanks?) Fun photo booths, skee ball games. Kiddieland: rides from the good old days. Who can forget those little boats (with bells) that go round and round in a moat filled with water while you clang away. Or the old cars and motorcycles, and fire engines you can ride on as they circle a cone of bright neon lights, honking horns or pressing buzzers. A beautiful old carousel. Or the little caterpillar ride where the top folds down over the car you are in. Salem should be ashamed at the way this unique little park is maintained. It is always filthy with overflowing trash cans everywhere. The public bathrooms are disgusting, the kind of place you might find a certain US senator from Idaho hanging out. The benches are broken or covered with toxic substances or DNA samples. Visitors can't resist feeding the pigeons and seagulls which now overrun the place. It's a damn shame. read more

Growing up near Salem we went here for most outings as kids and loved every second of it! Filled with classic pinball, skeeball, and every kind of game under the same! They have since changed the layout a bit because of the crowds and parking is no longer free. It's a great place to go to enjoy some classic video and arcade games but don't go during an event and not expect a crowd. The place is always mobbed on hot summer days. And try to park away from the arcade and avoid the meters. Still a great destination! Just be aware of when you go! read more

It's a great arcade with a lot of options! Perfect rainy-day stop, makes me feel like a kid again. =) And pretty affordable games, esp compared to ones closer to Boston. read more

a well kept arcade with many vintage games and pinball as well as newer games. I think they are also the only place in the world for the Musical Monkeys machine... a perennial favorite of many generations. Hell, the 'test your strength' machine is still only 1c what better way to rid yourself of those ridiculous pieces of currency. lots of games still only 25c too 8 player Daytona USA for 50c Air hockey and many ticket redemption games as well. Just remember... if you REALLY want that GIANT prize on the wall... google it first and see how many tickets it's gonna cost you vs how much to just 'buy it now' from the chinese toy company in the first place. you can get a 100 pack of chinese finger cuffs for like 89c online... ;) read more

There is nothing better on a warm summer night than to take 20 bucks and go and play skee ball until the late hours of night. The fact that the machines at the Willows cost next to nothing and there are a ton of pinball machines, air hockey, and other games there also is an added bonus! A great place for a cheap, fun date. Parking can sometimes be tight, but I've never really had a problem finding a space. read more

this shit's amazing. there was a lady there that was WICKED PISSA SERIOUS about one of the quarter-pushing games. as in, she wasn't gettin up fo NOBODIEZ and she kept her tickets in a ziplock bag, a.k.a. she came prepared. i don't even think she was with kids, f.y.i.. perhaps she was trying to take home the grand boom box prize, which retails for $89 but would, in the end, probably cost her her mortgage. the games rule. go give yourself a bad back playing super low skee ball. go try to win an ipod shuffle for $2 a whack in the crane machine (and fail because the packaging doesn't really "work" with the crane itself). go win a webkinz in one try, bitches, just like i did!! enjoy the three photo booth options (one in the casino, two in the arcade) and be prepared to wait 3-6 minutes for the photos to finally come out, feeling hot and smelling of not-quite-right eggs. all the classic games are there. there are some old timey movies for a nickel. test your love skillz in the "wheel of love" and the one where it tells you "the thrill of your kiss." it rules that they still only cost a dime. go play one song on guitar hero for a dollar per person, especially if you own guitar hero: world tour at home. shit's awesome here. i love that there's an awesome mix of old and new machines, and there isn't any real attempt to totally modernize the place. i love it so so so much. read more

Salem Willows Arcade - i got "sexy" in the end. this machine knows its stuff. - Arcades Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

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Best photobooths ever! tons of video games! air hockey! on the waterfront! This place is great, I go especially for the booths... none in boston compare-whatsoever. and i love watching the goth kids go at the DDR machine with their brought-from-home boom boxes blasting pantera or NIN read more

Salem Willows will always hold a special place in my heart. Having grown up near Salem, I have been coming here every year since I was in a stroller. Needless to say I loved the place then, and still do today. As a kid I remember riding the ferris wheel, the boat ride, and the car ride, then getting some cotton candy while walking around the park with my mom, sister, and grandmother. Those rides are still operating today, and I love seeing a new generation of kids enjoying them. Then there's the arcade and casino, both of which I still enjoy today. The casino is where you can play games for tickets, and though some of the games have changed over the years, you can still play classic Skee Ball, the Big Bertha game, and Pop the Ball (my personal favorites). I wonder how much money I sunk into those games over the years. But hey, I used those tickets to buy all kinds of cool junk, I mean prizes! The gem is their arcade, which has a great mix of classic and new games. Arcades are a dying breed, but fortunately the Willows has preserved theirs for so long. Along with classics like Pac-Man, they even still have the Simpsons and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade games, which really can't be found anywhere else. Plenty of really good pinball games, air hockey tables, even super old-timey treasures like Zoltan and the dancing monkeys. Salem Willows is our favorite location to play DDR Extreme, and my husband and I spent many weekends here playing for the crowds. The famous Chop Suey Sandwich can be had at the Salem Lowe, and they make it exactly the same as they always have. A real treat and a must-have if you visit the Willows. My parents used to drive out to the Willows just to get their chop suey to-go, it's that good. After spending all your money on the rides and at the arcade, nothing beats walking down to the water and out on the docks, watching the fishermen cast their lines and enjoying the fresh ocean air. The park itself is a perfect spot for a picnic, with plenty of grass and picnic tables scattered about under the gigantic willow trees. Salem Willows is truly a treasure! read more

I remember going to Salem Willows in the 1970's as a kid, as my parents had a boat there. There was a roller coaster, pinball, etc. I always couldn't wait for the sailing to end so I could eat and play games. I remember the hot dogs there were the best I have ever had, if my childhood memories are accurate. I remember the hot dogs were grilled and the buns were toasted on both sides and buttery. You can't get hot dogs like that around here in Seattle. In fact, I have never seen those type of buns in this part of the country and I've looked. Don't know if they still make hot dogs there like that now. It's been over 30 years since I've been there so I imagine some things have changed. Can't find New England style hotdog buns here in the Minneapolis area either :-(! read more

A blast from the past! So much fun playing ski-ball, pinball, and multi-player Pac-man on a huge screen! We didn't try the bumper cars but those looked fun as well. :) read more

The Salem Willows is an incredibly unique place, one that I loved visiting often when I lived in Salem. There just aren't many places you can go nowadays for entertainment and food priced at around one buck. The Willows attracts a wide array of people, from reckless pre-teens to tourist families, but everyone tends to be wrapped up enough in their own activities that they all get along well. The boardwalk can be pretty crowded at times, but there is plenty of room to expand to once you grab your food and are finished with the entertainment. The spots along the water are particularly nice, and I've never had trouble finding a bench. The food is just what you'd expect at this type of place (pizzza, fried dough, slushies) with some nice exceptions. The Chinese food is of legend, not necessarily for its taste (one of their sandwiches was enough, thank you), but for their cheap food offerings. The old candy place at the very end has some of the best popcorn I've ever had, and apparently has excellent ice cream as well. As for entertainment, I personally love the $0.50 pinball machines, and 1990's arcade games like House of the Dead. Interesting enough, the only time I've ever had trouble parking was a random Tuesday at noon. Seriously, don't people have work during the day? It's still usually quite possible to get a spot somewhere close. I like parking on the grass as for some reason it seems to add to the whole feel of the place. read more

I enjoyed coming here as a kid, and it's not so much that I've outgrown Salem Willows as it is that they replaced the wooden skeeballs... with plastic. WTF? Absolutely terrible. There is literally no reason to go there now. Except maybe the popcorn place, but even then, I'd only be thinking about how Salem Willows ruined skeeball. EDIT: Okay, re-visited the Willows because my dad had a craving for a 'chop suey sandwich' -- the popcorn isn't as good as it used to be, but I'm adding 2 stars because now all is right with the world, they did restore the classic wooden skeeballs. read more

I love the willows, I practically grew up there between school trips, family trips and just hanging with friends. Although I'm older, I still find myself coming to the willows a handful of times a summer, if not to play a few arcade games then to get some cheap and yummy chop suey sandwiches, maybe some peanuts or ice cream? All delicious. The pier and the smell of the damp wood instantly makes me feel happy, calm and child-like. I feel like everyone from this area has been here and most likely has similar memories. If you've never been, its worth checking out it just won't blow your mind as an awesome arcade, and it won't have that emotional connection either :) read more

What a fun place for a date! Of course its filled with teeny boppers like it sholdl be and obviously the classy north shore peeps, but it is a cute little place in Salem to go to. The games int he arcades are pretty cheap, usually a quarter to play, and of course skee ball rocks my world. So ok, the only disturbing thing was the price of the prizes...so you have to pay 60 tickets for ONE tiny warhead candy. 60!? Thats like $5 worth of games. If you get hungry there are tons of food choices on the small strip..mm and ice cream. read more

When I get to missing Paragon Park, I head up to the Salem Willows Arcade. Cheap, Old-School, and its the a great way to feel like a kid again. Nice ride up, and its a real park. Y'know - trees, the shore, families enjoying picnics. Bathrooms-SCARY. read more

I think this is a fun place for what it is. Don't go expecting Dave and Busters, though they do have the Deal or No Deal game which is probably their newest addition at Salem Willows. It is a small time arcade with some cool antique games and the usual skeeball, pinball, videogames, etc. There are a lot of food options like Chinese, pizza, popcorn, ice cream and slush, and salt water taffy. This place is perfect for my boyfriend who grew up in Philly and spent many summers on the boardwalk at the Jersey shore. Well we may call it the beach up here, but it gives him that old familiar feeling of being a kid with a pocket full of quarters and games galore. Nostalgia is everywhere at Salem Willows Arcade. I personally love the fortune teller machines and trading in my tickets for ring pops at the prize counter. read more

Wow, like the Bob Dylan song......The Times They Are a-Changin'........ I come here every year or so and this place gets progressively worse. It's pretty sad. There is a decent selection of games here, but many of them have broken buttons and I counted four that were out of service yesterday. The pinball machines are always a good thing, gives you that feeling of being a kid again...........before the times of Playstation and XBox. The staff here, is understaffed. One girl working the counter for prizes, one guy handling technical duty on the machines/various games. I'm sure they could spring a little bit of extra cash for another part time high school employee. Everyone is looking for work. This place used to be in much better shape, and yes I understand that time takes a toll on the condition of a building and the items inside.......but damn a small amount of money to get this place repainted and maybe a little refurnished........would go along way. Rather disapointing for me and my memories and feeling of nostalgia.......but it's great for kids who don't notice the difference. read more

One of the handful of places on the North Shore you have to visit. Great old time arcade, with all the eats. Walking area with some beaches. Lots of locals/biker contingent, but family place so you'll have a blast. Folks say popcorn at Hobbs is as good as it gets. Feed it to the pigeons at your peril:-) read more

It's the one thing I miss about home. The atmosphere just reminds me of the old days. Food: 1. The popcorn is great! 2. Cappy's is good especially their fried dough. I like it with butter and sugar. 3. Salem Lowe is great especially their chicken fingers and tender steak sandwiches. The arcade is awesome and always filled with great prizes . I love the games especially the old fashion ones that cost a dime or penny read more

As a lifelong Willows goer I must say that some of my love for this place stems from childhood memories. I get a kick out of putting my son on the same boats, cars and carousel that I rode as a child. While the same rides and games are there, thankfully they have added some news things as well. I will admit that things look rundown here, but not everything has to be shiny and new to be enjoyable. Take it for what it is, and you'll enjoy I promise. I was saddened that they added metered parking, BUT the money collected is used solely for the Willows. It is being used to pay for renovations to the bathrooms (YEAH) and the grounds. Besides you can always park on the grass by the basketball courts. Hobbes' popcorn and Chop Suey sandwiches are obviously the staples there, don't skip them. read more

An old time boardwalk type of experience. Arcade games and tickets that can be turned in for kitchy prizes. Along with the Salem Willows "Casino" next door an interesting diversion once in a while especially if you have young children. Get lunch at the Clam Shack across the street for some very good seafood. read more