Musee Mechanique - San Francisco

The Musee Mechanique is an interesting collection of coin operated machines, games and displays guaranteed to engage your inner child.

The Musee has had an uncertain past and faced closure a few years ago. Thankfully, the Musee found a new location at Pier 45 and continues to amaze and delight visitors of all ages. The collection at the museum is the largest privately owned collection of antique arcade machines in the world. Edward Zelinsky, the owner of this diverse collection, has been obsessed with arcade games since his youth and the collection is a diverse display of antique coin operated machines. It is so impressive even Disneyworld try to buy it.

Luckily, they did not and this museum remains, as Ed himself likes it. The famous “Laughing Sal” greets you at the door with a laugh that has frightened small children before. There are so many fun games to try. The Kiss-O-Meter is fun and rates your kissing from Blah to Uncontrollable, a range of coin operated mechanical instruments as well as more modern games like a Pirates of the Caribbean themed pinball game.

These ancient coin operated machines are some of the ancestors of modern video games and are sure to entertain the boys for hours! Best of all? Admission is free so there is no reason not to stop in and have a look. Just bring lots of coins to put into the slot machines (games are generally $0.25 or $0.50).

Come and visit the Musee Mechanique for a wonderful trip down memory lane to the entertainment of yesteryear. And it is a great way to pass a rainy day in San Francisco.