Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and nearly 20 pinball machines are waiting inside an Allentown shopping mall. At Back to the Arcade, visitors pay one flat admission price and can spend the day playing classic games without constantly reaching for quarters.
Located inside South Mall, this retro arcade brings together favorites from the 1980s and 1990s, newer pinball machines, Skee-Ball, and air hockey. The walls are filled with Hollywood memorabilia and collectibles that make the place feel like a throwback to another decade.
The biggest attraction is the freedom to keep playing. Instead of paying for every round, visitors can revisit their childhood favorites, challenge friends, and try games they might have missed the first time around.
An Allentown Arcade Built on Pure Nostalgia
Back to the Arcade sits at 3300 Lehigh St in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and it focuses on one big idea. Games from the golden age of arcades should still be played, not just remembered.
The arcade is a small, owner-run business. Its owner, Mark, is the friendly face behind the counter and the party planning, and he clearly cares about the place he built.
That personal touch shapes almost everything about a visit here.
So what does a trip actually involve? You walk into a room packed with classic video game cabinets, a strong pinball collection, skee-ball, and air hockey.
Newer games mix in with the old ones, so younger visitors are not left out.
The arcade keeps afternoon and evening hours on weekdays, with longer hours on Saturday and a shorter day on Sunday. Weekday openings start later, so checking the schedule before you drive over makes good sense.
I find it refreshing that a place this focused on the past still feels so current in how it treats people. The game lineup is where that love really shows, and the classics deserve a closer look first.
Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, and Old Friends in Cabinets
Chomping dots in a maze never gets old. Pac-Man still pulls people in at Back to the Arcade, and it shares the floor with plenty of famous company.
Donkey Kong is here, along with Q-Bert and his strange little pyramid. Fighting game fans can square off on Street Fighter.
Sports fans can trade dunks on NBA Jam, a game that made many living rooms loud in the 1990s.
The Simpsons arcade game also appears in the lineup. That four-player brawler is a fun pick for friends or families who want to play side by side.
Beyond those names, the room includes a few dozen other video games and several shooting games. The mix leans retro, but newer titles sit in the lineup too.
Here’s a fun bit of history. Donkey Kong introduced the world to the character who later became Mario, though he was first known simply as Jumpman.
My plan would be to start with whatever game I played most as a kid, then wander. Of course, the cabinets are only half the story, because the pinball tables have a following of their own.
A Pinball Lineup That Serious Players Notice
Flippers, bumpers, and flashing lights fill a big part of this arcade. Back to the Arcade carries close to 20 pinball machines, and that number alone makes it stand out.
The themes cover a wide range. Tables tied to Jaws, The Munsters, James Bond, and Led Zeppelin have been part of the collection.
A Nightmare on Elm Street machine has also earned attention from pinball fans.
What matters to serious players is condition. Pinball machines need steady care, since stuck balls and weak flippers can ruin a game fast.
This collection is known for being well kept, which is a big deal for anyone who takes their scores seriously.
The lineup mixes modern tables with older ones. Newer machines often have deep rule sets, video screens, and modes that take many games to learn.
I like that unlimited play changes how you approach pinball. You can practice a tricky ramp shot over and over without counting quarters.
That pricing setup deserves its own explanation, because it shapes the whole visit in a way many arcades do not.
One Price and No Clock Ticking
Remember emptying your pockets for one more continue? That stress mostly disappears here.
Back to the Arcade uses an unlimited play model, so one admission covers your games for the day.
Adults and kids pay different rates, and kids get the lower price. Most machines are set to free play once you are in, so you just walk up and press start.
There is no time limit either. Some visitors spend hours bouncing between pinball and video games, so it helps to plan a flexible day.
Even better, you can leave and come back. Grab a meal nearby, then return to the same game you were stuck on.
That policy makes a long arcade day much more practical for families.
A few extras may still take tokens, like claw machines. Keep that in mind if kids have their eyes on a prize.
I would treat this as an easy rainy day plan. Pay once, settle in, and let the afternoon stretch.
The games are only part of the scenery, though, because the walls tell their own story.
Walls Covered in 1980s Memorabilia
Look up from the screens for a minute. The walls at Back to the Arcade are packed with 1980s memorabilia, and the collection adds a lot of personality.
The owner is a clear fan of Back to the Future. Nods to that movie show up around the arcade, which fits nicely with a business named Back to the Arcade.
Other pop culture pieces from past decades fill the space too. Old toys, signs, and collectibles give people plenty to point at between games.
The party room gets the same treatment. Its decor leans old school, so the nostalgia does not stop when you leave the main floor.
I enjoy places where the decor is clearly personal rather than ordered from a catalog. Collections like this usually take years to build, and it shows a real passion for the era.
A fun idea for families is a little scavenger hunt. Have kids find items their parents recognize, then let the stories start.
Speaking of that party room, it has become one of the most talked about parts of this Allentown arcade.
Birthday Parties With a Back Room All Their Own
Birthday parties are a big deal at Back to the Arcade. A large private room in the back hosts celebrations, and it comes with its own bathroom plus plenty of tables and seating.
Party guests get unlimited play with no time limit. That takes pressure off parents, since kids can keep gaming instead of watching the clock.
Mark handles the planning, and he is known for small personal touches. Birthday kids have received little gifts, and extra tokens for claw machines sometimes make an appearance.
The parties are not just for children. Adults have celebrated milestone birthdays here too, including 40th and 50th parties.
Classic games make sense for grown-ups who played them the first time around.
Group size can be large. Calling ahead helps, especially if you are bringing a crowd of kids and want to pick a good time.
I like how simple the setup sounds. Games, a room, cake, and done.
No complicated packages to sort through.
Of course, keeping a room full of kids and buttons tidy takes effort, and that brings up another thing this arcade takes seriously.
Spotless Machines and Steady Upkeep
Arcades are not usually known for being clean. This one breaks that habit in a noticeable way.
Staff at Back to the Arcade regularly wipe down machines between players. Hand sanitizer sits on tables in the party room and around the arcade floor.
Air purifiers run in the main room as well.
Bathrooms and trash get attention throughout the day too. For parents with small kids, especially during cold and flu season, those details really matter.
Cleanliness also connects to game quality. Very few machines sit marked out of order, and pinball tables play smoothly without constant tilts or stuck balls.
That points to a lot of behind the scenes repair work.
Keeping old machines running is not easy. Many classic cabinets use parts that are no longer made, so owners often hunt for replacements or fix things by hand.
I appreciate a place that sweats the small stuff. It means you spend your time playing, not hunting for a working joystick.
The people doing all that work deserve a mention too, because the staff shapes the mood here.
Penny Candy and a Generous Spirit
Penny candy on the way out is a sweet send off. Back to the Arcade hands it out as visitors leave, a small throwback that fits the old school theme.
That little gesture matches the overall feel. The counter staff are known for being warm and welcoming, even to groups who drive in from hours away.
The generosity reaches past the front door as well. The arcade supports animal rescues, and the owner is known for giving back to the local community.
Small businesses like this often become part of their neighborhood in quiet ways. Supporting a local cause turns a game day into something a little bigger.
Party families have also seen staff go the extra mile. Some have even gotten help loading and unloading their cars, which any parent carrying a cake will appreciate.
I find that kind of hospitality hard to fake. It usually starts with an owner who sets the tone.
Once the candy is gone, there are still a few physical games left to talk about, the kind that get people off their feet.
Skee-Ball, Air Hockey, and Hands-On Fun
Not every game needs a joystick. Skee-ball lanes give visitors a chance to roll balls up a ramp and aim for those tricky high point rings.
Skee-ball dates back to 1908, when it was invented in Philadelphia. That means this classic game has deep Pennsylvania roots, which makes playing it here feel fitting.
Air hockey brings quick, loud competition. Bubble hockey has also been part of the lineup, with its little rod-controlled players under a clear dome.
These games work well for mixed groups. Younger kids who are still learning video games can jump right in, and grandparents can join without learning controls.
Claw machines round out the floor, offering a shot at a small prize. They usually use tokens, so plan accordingly.
I would save a skee-ball rematch for the end of the day. Friendly rivalries tend to heat up after a few hours of play.
All of this raises a practical question about timing your trip, and a little planning can make the visit much smoother.
Smart Tips Before You Head to Lehigh Street
Timing matters more than you might expect. Weekday hours start in the afternoon, while Saturday opens earlier and runs into the evening.
Sunday has a shorter window, so plan around that.
Because play is unlimited, give yourself room in the schedule. Rushing through a few games defeats the point of paying once.
Groups should call ahead. Big parties and large crowds of kids go smoother when staff know you are coming.
The arcade works for a wide age range. Kids around eight and older tend to enjoy the classic games most, though younger ones can still have fun with skee-ball and air hockey.
Since you can leave and come back, think about where you will grab food. A midday break can recharge everyone for round two.
Rainy days are a natural fit. Date nights work too, especially for couples who grew up on these games.
In the end, this Allentown arcade feels like a love letter to the era of high scores and initials typed three letters at a time. I would bring my best Pac-Man strategy and a little patience for pinball.
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