For those who are traveling across the U.S., Terre Haute is on I-70, so you will probably drive through it. There’s not a huge number of reasons to stop (I know, I live here), but I highly recommend this one. It’s just off the interstate in a shopping mall, so it’s very easy to get to.

https://www.bankofpinball.com/

We went there last night as a family. I’ve been before but it’s probably 3 times the size as when I went. It’s also got a restaurant, a bar, digital axe throwing (you throw the axe at a digital target, I don’t get it), and they’re building a video arcade and some sort of mini-golf thing, but obviously, we went for the pinball.

They have over 50 machines, including the new Weird Al machine (more on that later) and you can play as many games as you want on Friday and Saturday nights for $15.

Here are some of the games they had:

This one was the most fun-

Doctor Who was, sadly, not working:

(However, if you are determined to play this specific table while in Indiana, you can play it for free at Who North America just outside Indianapolis.)

And finally, the Weird Al game…

It is a beautiful pinball table. The most amazing I have ever seen, no question. It’s got some really interesting ideas, most notably a video screen on the table itself covering half the table starting at the flippers.

However- it is also the most needlessly difficult pinball game I have ever played. There are three flipper buttons on each side. You have to use two of them pretty much all the time and remember to switch between them at the right moments and I couldn’t even figure out when to use the third. It was just too hard. Very cool game, but too hard.

Anyway, it was a great time. The only unfortunate thing was that it was too loud to hear the games very well. Sometimes, however, that was a good thing. The Aerosmith game only played clips from Sweet Emotion when I played it. Like it played the opening guitar lick pretty much the entire time I was on ball 1.

It looks like it’s kind of pricey the rest of the time, but if you’re ever in the area and it’s a Friday or Saturday night, it’s a really fun way to spend the evening.

    • Flying SquidOP
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      24 months ago

      Very cool! I’m looking at the pictures now. It reminds me of part of the City Museum in St. Louis.

      I’m sorry I didn’t see it when I visited SF some years ago.