Free Play Arlington is an arcade where you pay a cover charge, and all the games are free! The arcade games consist of retro games from the 80’s and 90’s, with a few newer ones added, and it’s a terrific way to spend hours if you and your kids love games!
We visited on a Tuesday, arriving just as they opened at 3pm. From 3-4pm on weekdays, you can get 1/2 price admission, so just a little over $5/person, which is GREAT! Your wristband allows you to come and go, also!
There are over 90 games, and they are all set to FREE PLAY! Some of our favorite games were Galaga, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, Jurassic Park, Zaxxon, Tetris, PacMan, Frogger and Mortal Combat, and my boys spent a full hour playing the zombie shooting game, House of the Dead, the first of all the Resident Evil type games!
You won’t find any redemption-type games here, it’s all just fun! I’d say it’s best for about age 7 and up, although there were younger children there, and they even provide stools for younger children!
At 3pm, we almost had the place to ourselves. By 6pm, when we left, the crowd of families and adults was about 50/50. Offering a full service bar, they are 18 and over on the weekdays after 9pm, and 21 + after 9pm on weekends.
Free Play Arlington is the 2nd location, with the first being in Richardson! It definitely seems they have worked out the kinks, because we had a great time with no issues at all!
Located in Downtown Arlington, a block off Abram and right behind J. Gilligan’s, Twisted Root and the Flying Fish, so you have plenty of food options.
The building was once a special events venue, where I can remember going to a party and private Deryl Dodd concert several years ago. In the life before that, it was an auto garage. Now, plenty of tables let you sit in a well-air conditioned space and watch games!
They’re menu consist of some appetizers, pizza and sandwiches. I had these pork tacos, which were surprisingly good! My boys didn’t want to stop playing to eat, or even get a drink! In addition to a full service bar, they sell sodas in glass bottles, another nice retro touch!
After an hour, I was done and had a deadline to finish, so I sought refuge from the air conditioning out on one of the two flanking patios to get some work done, while I could see my boys play through the glass windows! I was soon joined by another mom at a table a little ways down, also working on her lap top while she kept an eye on her (older) kids at play!
Free Play Arlington does have a rule that children must be under direct supervision. At 17, I felt confident leaving my oldest to play 2-player games with his brother, but I was able to see them the entire time.
Know Before You Go
Go before 4pm weekdays to save 50% on admission.
18 and over after 9pm during the week.
21 and over after 9pm on weekends.
Things To Do in Arlington
Play
The Levitt Pavilion host FREE concerts and kids movies all year long! Click HERE to read more!
Click HERE to check out my Mommy Tips before you visit Six Flags Over Texas!
Explore Lake Arlington by kayak or paddleboard at Adventures Unlimited! Click HERE to read more!
Eat
Downtown Arlington restaurants include the J. Gilligans, Grease Monkey, Twisted Root, Flying Fish and Babes Chicken House.
Free Play Arlington
400 E South St, Arlington
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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