Back to Old School: Pinball, Mini Golf, Milkshakes and More Retro Fun

One of the best things about having kids is getting to revisit your own childhood favorites. Remember when bowling was something you did without a controller, or when you went to the arcade to play video games?

If your kids think free time has to mean screen time, maybe it’s time you drag everyone out of the house for some old-school fun in the real world. Sure, the Seattle area is known for all things hip and high-tech, but we found many great places that are proudly retro.

Seattle and the Eastside

2-4-6-8 Restaurant, Sammamish

For a good old-fashioned afternoon at the arcade followed by a round of personal pizzas, burgers and sodas, head to the recently opened 2-4-6-8 Restaurant. The restaurant’s semi-enclosed arcade has eight classic games, including Super Mario Bros. and Ms. Pac-man. Each game costs just a quarter.

Local sports memorabilia lines the walls, and the restaurant was designed with youth sports teams in mind. It’s a great spot for large groups, and each table has a specific QR code to order and pay (and avoid having to split the check). The restaurant menu has all the classics, just make sure you save room for an ice cream sandwich.

Tip: Bring quarters or cash for the arcade (there’s a change machine at the restaurant). While half the restaurant is open seating, the two group rooms can be reserved for end-of-season celebrations for kids’ sports teams, birthday parties and more.
Details: 2-4-6-8 is open daily: Monday–Friday, 2:30–9 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.– 9 p.m.
Location: 4512 Klahanie Dr. S.E., Sammamish

Southgate Roller Rink, Seattle

Is there anything more retro than lacing up a pair of roller skates and circling the rink? You can do just that at Southgate Roller Rink while you listen to music. There are a few arcade games for an extra dose of nostalgia. Take a break and grab a snack from the snack bar. If you need a post-skate dinner plan, there are plenty of restaurants nearby.

Tip: Southgate Roller Rink hosts family skate sessions Friday–Sunday, but weekday and late-night skate sessions are for the 21-and-older crowd. Check the schedule online for details. Party packages and private rink rentals are available.
Details: Family skate sessions cost $14 per person (and come with a free skate rental). Skate lessons cost $19 and include the lesson, skate rental and a skate session.
Location: 9646 17th Ave. S.W., Seattle

Seattle Pinball Museum, Chinatown–International District

Pay your admission and have your fill of machines set to free-play mode. At this retro gem in the heart of the International District, you’ll find more than 50 machines, including some dating back to the 1950s. Most kids will find pinball tricky at first, so this is a great way for them to learn without blowing through all your change. 

Tip: Because the machines are delicate, children younger than 7 aren’t allowed, and this policy is enforced. Check the Facebook page for updates and specials.
Details: Admission is $23 for ages 15 and older; $20 for kids ages 7–14.
Location: 508 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle
More pinball: The Northwest Pinball Collective is a newer player on the pinball scene, operating on a membership model. Members join and then have access to play a variety of pinball games at its center, called The Sanctuary, in North Seattle. Our impression is this spot is for super fans vs. dabblers.

West Seattle Bowl, Seattle

There is archaeological evidence that suggests bowling might date back to ancient times. West Seattle Bowl isn’t that old, but it has been around since 1948. Bumpers are available on every lane here, so you won’t have any gutter balls. A nice feature is that you can choose which bowlers get the bumpers, so they are raised or lowered automatically depending on who is bowling. 

Tip: Make reservations on weekends at this popular spot.
Details: Lanes start at $20 per hour and increase depending on the day and time you want to bowl. Reservations can be made on the website and are made in one-hour, hour-and-a-half or two-hour blocks. 
Location: 4505 39th Ave. S.W., Seattle
More bowling: Get your bowl on at all these spots around town: Spin Alley in Shoreline, Roxbury Lanes in White Center, Lynnwood Bowl & Skate, Bowlero in Lynnwood and Bowlero in Tukwila (formerly Acme Bowl).

Interbay Miniature Golf, Seattle

You’ll find waterfalls rather than windmills here, but it’s one of the area’s best miniature golf spots, and a round of mini golf is terrific fun for all ages. 

Tip: Do not sweat the rules with beginners and young kids.
Details: Adult admission is $12; kids, $8.
Location: 2501 15th Ave. W., Seattle
More mini golf: Find more mini golf spots with our guide to putt-putt courses around Seattle.

Arcane Comics, Shoreline

Comic book shops are great for nostalgia lovers and modern reluctant readers. My younger son and his dad have had a great time bonding over their shared love of “Green Lantern” titles. Seattle mom Sharon Feliciano has taken her kids to Arcane Comics to get new titles regularly. The whole family loves it for its huge kids’ selection on dedicated shelves.

Tip: New to the world of comic books? You’ll want to mark your calendar for Free Comic Book Day. Participating shops give out — you guessed it — a free comic book. Arcane Comics is a participating shop, and you’ll find a handful more in the Puget Sound region with the Free Comic Book Day store locater.
Details: Arcane is open daily.
Location: 15202 Aurora Ave. N., Suite A, Shoreline
More comics: Use the Free Comic Book Day store locater to find a shop near you; your local library can also recommend graphic novels for kids who like this style of reading.

Rainbow Run mini golf at Willows Run, Redmond

Looking for some outdoor fun that can help with math skills, hand-eye coordination and even memory? This 18-hole miniature golf course is your answer. It’s a scenic course with a par listed for each hole — one for kids and one for adults.

Tip: There’s also a nine-hole, par-3 course that is fun for older kids. 
Details: Check the website for current hours. Admission is $13–$14.50 for adults and $9.50 for kids 12 and younger. Note that they are cashless, but do accept debit, credit cards, Apple and Google Pay. First come, first served — just show up.
Location: 10402 Willows Rd. N.E., Redmond

Husky Deli, West Seattle

Stepping into this popular ice cream spot is like walking into an old-time general store, with its wood paneling and little-bit-of-everything inventory. The owners have been serving scoops since the 1930s, and it continues to be a family-run neighborhood gathering spot. Sit at the counter and enjoy a made-to-order deli sandwich — a great value for the size. Ice cream flavors range from the traditional to the unusual (coffee Oreo?!). You’ll also find a fun selection of candy and European products.

Tip: Pack your patience if you go on a sunny weekend; you may find a crowd.
Details: The deli is open daily.
Location: 4721 California Ave. S.W., Seattle
More ice cream: Who needs more ice cream? Duh, everyone. Check out our guide to tasty ice cream shops around town, including Husky Deli.

Luna Park Café, West Seattle

Seattle-based travel writer CoreyAnn Khan recommends this West Seattle diner where you’ll find jukeboxes, walls full of funky 1950s memorabilia and plentiful portions. A sign in the window promises the best milkshakes in Seattle. You’d better go find out for yourselves.

Tip: Parking is tight here and waits for breakfast are long on weekends. You might choose another time if you don’t want to wait — you can get their famous breakfast all day.
Details: The café is open daily. The website has the menu and some interesting tidbits about the restaurant’s history.
Location: Luna Park Café is located right below the West Seattle Bridge at 2918 S.W. Avalon Way.

South Sound retro fun

Chalet Bowl, Tacoma

It definitely has retro décor, but it’s the small size and neighborhood location that gives this friendly Proctor spot an old-school feel. There are just 12 lanes, and it’s popular with neighborhood families.

Tip: Because of its small size, you definitely want to make a reservation online (reservations are no longer taken by phone). Be sure to check for weekly specials and ask about glow bowling.
Details: Closed Monday, hours vary; check the website for the current schedule. Open bowling starts at $27 per lane, per hour.
Location: 3806 N. 26th St., Tacoma

Daffodil Bowl, Puyallup

An old-fashioned day of play awaits at Daffodil Bowl, a family-friendly spot for even the youngest of bowlers. There are optional bumpers on each lane and bowling ramps to assist, and kids will love refueling with mini burgers, pizza and fries from the café menu. The arcade includes a prize vending machine for even more retro fun.

Tip: Sign your child up for the Kids Bowl Free program — a nationwide program that Daffodil Bowl participates in — and they will get two free games of bowling each day during the summer.
Details: Open bowling on weekdays costs $4.50–$6.50 per game, per person; or $30–$40 per lane, per hour. Open bowling on the weekends costs $5.75–$6.50 per game, per person; or $35–$45 per lane, per hour. Shoe rental is $5 and socks are $4 per person.
Location: 1624 E. Main Ave., Puyallup

Shake Shake Shake, Tacoma

This hamburger-and-shake place in Tacoma’s Stadium neighborhood has a super-cool interior — imagine the Jetsons opening a diner — but it’s the tasty burgers and real ice cream shakes that will keep you coming back. Try one of their inventive flavors, such as the Tiger, made with the area’s most famous confection: Almond Roca. The straightforward menu also offers hot dogs.

Tip: An order of the fries is big enough to share. So are the shakes, but you won’t want to!
Details: The diner is open daily.
Location: 124 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma

Dorky’s Arcade, Tacoma

If you remember Pac-Man and Frogger, you’ll be right at home at Dorky’s. Located in the heart of downtown Tacoma, Dorky’s boasts several rooms of old-school video games and pinball machines. Beer is available, but there is an equal mix of young families, teenagers and 20-somethings on first dates. Our boys had a great time here, although they were initially frustrated by how quickly they reached “game over.” Your young gamers may be surprised at how tricky the old-fashioned games can be at first. Be prepared to go through some quarters. Dorky’s also serves up some tasty dinner specials.

Tip: All ages are welcome only until 9 p.m., after which this spot is strictly 21 and older. Children must be with a grown-up at all times. Most games are 25 cents a play; come with cash. For current info and specials, take a look at the Dorky’s Facebook page.
Details: The arcade is open six days a week (closed on Mondays).
Location: 754 Pacific Ave., Tacoma

Destiny City Comics, Tacoma

Though the all-ages section of this small shop in the Stadium neighborhood is small, the owner is friendly and knowledgeable and was able to steer our 9-year-old towards several appropriate titles. While most of the shop is for comic fans of all ages, we didn’t see any covers or posters displaying anything rated higher than PG — a big plus.

Tip: Destiny City Comics is located right next to King’s Books, the area’s largest independent bookseller. You’ll find somewhere around 150,000 new and used titles there.
Details: The shop is open Tuesday–Sunday (closed Mondays).
Location: 218 Saint Helens Ave., Tacoma

Editor’s note: This article was originally published many years ago and was most recently updated in February 2025 by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with new places for retro fun and a thorough fact-check.