Colorado is Home to One of the Largest Arcades in America

The Manitou Springs Penny Arcade is famous not just for its local history, but also for being one of the largest of its kind in the country.

The entertainment-based establishment located in the heart of one of Colorado’s most charming mountain towns is often referred to as “America’s largest historic arcade west of the Mississippi.” That’s because it features one of the biggest collections of old-fashioned arcade games available for patrons to play. Currently, there are over 450 coin-operated games, ranging from vintage pinball machines to modern video games, boxing machines, mechanical horse racing, DDR, Skee-ball, and beyond. Some of these games still cost a penny, while others are a bit more.

The arcade is located just off Main Street and consists of several little buildings. Every building has it own different style, and each room offers different games. Some rooms offer the modern games while others the classic games. There are games for people of all ages, including children, but entering this arcade is like taking a trip down memory lane for older generations.

History

In 1933, a man named Jack Kerns originally opened the space as a gaming hall called Bingo Jack’s. However, the Colorado Attorney General at the time decided that “for-profit bingo games” were considered gambling and illegal. With that, Kerns pivoted the business model to coin-operated arcade games and instant photo booths.

When Jack passed away in the 1970s, his wife sold the arcade to two of their sons.

After 92 years of operating the long-standing arcade, the Kerns family recently passed their beloved business over to new hands. According to KOAA News, a Colorado resident named John Weiss has taken over ownership of the historic arcade, hopefully keeping its legacy alive for years to come.

Photos of the past line the walls of the penny arcade for a visual glimpse back at the building’s early days.

More than 2,500 people were expected to stop into the arcade over the Memorial Day weekend.

Visit the Penny Arcade at 900 Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs.