More than 660 games sit under one roof here, and nearly every one of them runs on free play. One admission covers the whole day. Not a single quarter required.
The building stretches across 27,000 square feet. That makes it the largest arcade on the West Coast and one of the biggest anywhere. Thousands of collectible lunchboxes cover the walls, along with vintage toys and signed movie items.
I’m particularly drawn to the little info cards inside the pinball machines. Each one shares the designer, the release year, and sometimes who worked on the soundtrack.
One detail I find worth mentioning is the family story behind it all. A dad, a son, and a daughter-in-law turned a personal collection into an Oregon landmark.
One Wristband Turns Hundreds Of Games Into Your Personal Playground
Quarters used to rule every arcade trip. At Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum, those coins can stay home in the jar.
The setup is refreshingly simple. You pay one admission fee, and more than 660 games switch to free play for you.
That changes how you play. Nobody has to ration turns or skip a game because the change ran out.
You can try a pinball table you’ve never heard of just to see what it does. If it flops, you shrug and move to the next one. No money wasted, no regrets.
Admission covers the whole day, and re-entry is allowed. That means you can step out for a meal and come right back to finish a high-score chase.
A small group of machines still takes payment. Around 90 pieces, like claw machines and photo booths, cost extra because they hand out prizes or photos.
Everything else stays wide open. Pinball, classic cabinets, and modern racers all fall under that single ticket.
Here’s some practical advice for first-timers. Plan for a long visit and wear comfortable shoes, because the floor space goes on and on.
A Family Hobby That Got Wonderfully Out Of Hand
Every big collection starts small. This one began with about 140 pieces and a family that really loved games.
Jordan Carlson, his wife Whitney, and his father Fred built the museum together. Their shared passion for gaming and collecting led them to open the doors in 2017.
Fred brought something extra to the table. His massive lunchbox collection now covers huge stretches of wall space inside.
Going from 140 machines to more than 660 is a wild jump. It shows how much the place has grown since it first opened in Hillsboro.
I find it easy to appreciate a business with a family story like this. It feels less like a corporate entertainment center and more like a shared hobby gone gloriously big.
The growth didn’t stop after opening day either. In March 2024, the museum added 7,000 square feet and roughly 150 more games.
That expansion pushed the building to 27,000 square feet. It’s now known as the largest arcade on the American West Coast.
For visitors, the history adds meaning to the visit. Every machine here was chosen by people who care about games deeply.
Pinball Fans Should Clear Their Calendar Right Now
Bally, Williams, Stern, and Jersey Jack. Those names sound like a pinball hall of fame roll call, and all of them show up here.
About half of the collection is pinball. The other half covers arcade games, so flipper fans get a giant share of the floor.
The range covers older classics and newer releases from today’s makers. You can move from a vintage table to a modern one in a few steps.
Those little info cards make it even better. Each pinball machine has one, listing details like the designer and release date.
Some cards even name the people behind the soundtrack. That’s a fun detail most players never think about while chasing a multiball.
Reading a few cards between games is a smart move. You start noticing which designers made your favorites, and suddenly you’re a pinball detective.
The machines are kept in excellent working condition. That matters a lot, because a weak flipper can ruin a whole game.
Here’s a helpful tip for beginners. Try a mix of older and newer tables to feel how pinball changed over the decades.
Older games often feel simple and fast. Newer ones pack in modes, screens, and storylines that take time to learn.
Retro Cabinets And Modern Racers Share The Same Glowing Floor
Joysticks and steering wheels get equal love here. The other half of the collection is all arcade games, both old and new.
Classic titles from the 1980s and early 1990s line up in rows. These are the cabinets many parents remember from malls and pizza parlors.
Then the modern side kicks in. Racing machines, shooting games, and co-op titles bring bigger screens and louder action.
That mix works well for groups. A parent can relive an old favorite while a kid races a friend nearby.
Multiplayer games are a smart pick for families. You’ll spend less time arguing over turns and more time laughing at each other’s crashes.
One tip is to circle back to busy machines later. With so many choices, another great game is always close by while you wait.
The retro cabinets are also a fun way to teach kids some gaming history. Many of today’s game ideas started on these simple screens.
Kids might be surprised by how hard those old games are. There’s no saving progress, just you, a joystick, and your skills.
Since everything runs on free play, nobody feels pressure to get good fast. You can lose ten times in a row and still smile.
Thousands Of Lunchboxes Are Watching You Play
Somewhere between 3,000 and 3,500 lunchboxes live inside this building. That’s a lot of school cafeteria history in one spot.
They belong to Fred Carlson’s huge collection. Instead of hiding in boxes, they’re displayed for everyone to enjoy.
The lunchboxes are only part of the show. Memorabilia covers the walls from floor to ceiling throughout the arcade.
You’ll spot vintage toys, signed movie items, and all sorts of collectibles. It’s the kind of display that makes you stop mid-step and point.
Some rooms even follow a theme. A music room, for example, groups related pieces together for a focused look.
This is why Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum earns the word museum. The games are the main event, but the walls tell their own story.
Here’s a fun idea for families. Make a game out of finding a lunchbox from each person’s childhood.
Grandparents, parents, and kids might all find something familiar. That can spark some great conversations between rounds of pinball.
Take breaks to actually look around, too. It’s easy to focus on screens and miss the treasures hanging right above them.
Bring A Snack Plan Because Leaving Early Isn’t Happening
Hungry gamers make poor decisions. Luckily, food is easy to handle here without cutting your visit short.
Snacks and drinks are sold on-site. That covers quick bites when you only need a small energy boost.
You’re also welcome to bring your own food. A designated eating area gives you a spot to refuel away from the machines.
Packing a lunch is a great money saver for families. It also means picky eaters always have something they’ll actually eat.
Food trucks often park outside the entrance as well. They add more choices if you’d rather grab something fresh.
Re-entry makes all of this simple. You can leave for a meal in town, then return and keep playing.
The atmosphere stays family-friendly, and the arcade is alcohol-free. That keeps the vibe relaxed for kids and grown-ups alike.
A clean, well-managed space also makes a long day more comfortable. Nobody wants to spend hours somewhere that feels messy.
My advice is to eat before everyone gets cranky. Schedule a break around midday, even if someone insists they’re totally fine.
Friday Nights Get Competitive In The Best Way
Casual play is great, but some folks want a scoreboard battle. Weekly pinball tournaments happen on most Friday nights.
Participants get discounted admission, which is a nice bonus. You save a little while testing your flipper skills against others.
Tournaments are a fun way to level up quickly. Watching stronger players can teach you tricks you’d never figure out alone.
Don’t worry if you’re not a pro yet. Everyone starts somewhere, and pinball rewards practice more than talent.
Here’s a friendly tip before entering. Spend some time on free play first to learn how different tables react.
Fridays also come with longer hours. The arcade stays open until 11 p.m., giving players plenty of time to compete and explore.
Thursday and Saturday share those late closing times as well. Sunday and Monday wrap up a bit earlier at 9 p.m.
Weekend mornings start at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Weekday openings begin at noon on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.
Knowing those hours helps you plan a full day. Arriving early gives you more time before the evening crowd of competitors shows up.
Fall In Love With A Machine And You Can Actually Take One Home
Most museums say look, don’t touch. This one lets you play everything, then possibly buy a machine of your own.
The name Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum isn’t just for show. A retail side buys, sells, and trades new and used pinball and arcade games.
They also work as dealers and distributors for several major pinball makers. That gives shoppers access to current releases, not just older finds.
Owning a pinball machine is a big decision. They’re heavy, they take space, and they need care over time.
That’s where playing first really helps. You can test many tables in person before choosing one for your game room.
Try to notice what you enjoy most. Do you like fast ramps, funny voices, or deep rule sets that take months to master?
Those answers point you toward the right machine. A table you love after ten games will probably keep you happy for years.
Trading is another option for current owners. If your home machine feels old, a swap might bring fresh excitement.
Award Winners Are Easy To Find Just West Of Portland
Newsweek named it America’s Best Arcade in 2025. That’s a big title for a spot that started with about 140 machines.
The honors don’t stop there. It was also voted World’s Favorite Pinball Arcade three years in a row, from 2021 through 2023.
So where do you find this award magnet? Next Level Pinball Shop & Museum sits at 1458 NE 25th Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124.
Hillsboro is about 20 miles west of Portland. That makes it an easy outing for anyone visiting the Portland area.
The arcade is near the Hillsboro Airport, too. Watching for that landmark can help when you’re getting close.
Parking is plentiful and easy, which is a welcome surprise. Nobody wants to circle a lot while the games are calling.
For travelers, this stop can anchor a whole day in Oregon. Pair it with a Portland trip for a mix of city sights and serious play.
Remember the weekly schedule before you drive out. The doors stay closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan around those days.
