Musee Mecanique, San Francisco

Admission is still free to enter and look around! Not only are there all sorts of antique arcade machines and mutascopes, there's even displays on amusement park history. There's even an operating Laughing Sal Fun House Figurine and a steam powered motorcycle (strictly on display). And right next door is a vintage WW Two American submarine you can walk thru (separate attraction and charge). I went with someone uninterested in old arcade machines. I guess he never played them when he was a kid. So he toured the sub while I played with the antique machines and we were both happy with our decisions!

I found this place by accident. One of the coolest/neatest museums I've been to. Not only are the games interesting/cool/neat, but you can play them too!! Best place on Fishermans Wharf to visit. Don't miss it if you are in the area.

I'm 46 and actually remember a few machines from Wildwood, NJ. Goes back to the 1800's - very interesting and some oddly risque'.

i found this place by accident i finished my dinner before every one else and decided to take a little walk and i never noticed this spot before . and i been there at least a dozen times to the warf . it was really run and to be honest i felt like a kid again ! all i have to say is take plenty of change! and enjoy

i like this place becuz me and my cuzin were bored and this place was fun and cheap at the same time.

my children were absolutely enamored with all of the antique moving characters in the machines. they couldn't wait to play the pinball games, and thought the robotics were awesome! They are five and 8, and eagerly look forward to going back

We slipped into this place as the rain fell. Much to our delight, it was free (about 2004-5?). We were totally absorbed and I challenge even the kids to be bored. A wonderful place for walking off the just eaten clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls from the surrounding stands. Or, if you find you have to wait for a table, a great place to pass the time.

I loved it all! It was very nostalgic. I was born in 1956, so many of the very old pieces were not a really large part of my childhood. But I have always been fascinated with those old machines that entertain...especiallly the musical ones. Most were operational with just a quarter, some with 50 cents, but all were worth every penney! I adored the old Wurlitzer and the numerous variations of player pianos. There are so many fun pieces there to enjoy! Plus, it's FREE!! Even if you don't want to put in the quarter, you can walk in for free and just hang around until someone ELSE puts in the quarter!

It was the second time that my children and I had visited the Musee Mecanique this year. I truly think my youngest could have spent our whole vaction there. He and his brother had so much fun playing all the old games. It is a really nice place to take kids so that they can see how life was without PS2 and XBox. I would give it thumbs up!!!!!!

I always make it a point to stop in at Musee Mecanique when I'm in San Francisco. Most of the machines are either 25 or 50 cents, and they do have change machines on-site. The machines range from fortune tellers that dispense cards with readings on them, to various piano and mini-orchestra machines, to modern-day video games. My personal favorite is the "Bimbo Box," which features a monkey band playing along with classic Tijuana Brass tunes -- it makes me laugh every time. My only complaint is that the new space at Pier 45 is more sterile-seeming than the old (and tiny) space tucked underneath the Cliff House, which always made it feel more like a (literally) hidden gem. Then again, I think the Pier 45 location is bringing in more people, which is great, since this is such a fun place. A great value, a fun experience, and worth repeat visits!