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North Carolina City Has One Of The Best Pinball Museums In America

Author Jeff Gorra

Often pinball games are thought of as being “retro.” However, these machines are not only a present-day collectors item, they are also still wildly popular. Perceptive Travel (who notes new machines are still frequently being found) recently published a list of the best pinball museums in the country, and a North Carolina location was named.

The first proper pinball machine (coin-operated) dates back to the 1930’s. “Because it was a game of chance, pinball was considered a form of gambling and was outlawed in the 1940s,” Pastime Pinball explains. In fact, there was recently a film about this, called Pinball: The Man Who Saved The Game. 

By the 1980’s, there were over 200,000 pinball machines, and interest in the game was peaking. Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s it was common to see a pinball machine in every arcade you frequented. Furthermore, pubs and restaurants also would have a game in-house for patrons to play during their wait or simply marvel at, even as video games (which were more modern and took up less space) were becoming more popular.

Pinball Today

Video game publication Destructiod, recently highlighted the most iconic pinball games in the country. “Pinball has a visual style all of its own, a tangible reality that most interactive entertainment fails to capture,” they say. According to their list, the machines of the early ’90s that properly blended with cultural phenomenon are those considered most legendary today. They include “The Addams Family,” “Twilight Zone,” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

In North Carolina, the pinball museum that was named one of the best in the country, there are 35 different machines you can play.

Asheville Pinball Museum

Located at 1 Battle Square, Asheville Pinball Museum allows you to play all 35 pinball games plus 35 classic video games for an unlimited amount for $15. They are open six afternoons and evenings per week. Often this this fan-favorite spot experiences waitlists to get in or lines that start prior to opening.

In regards to which classic games you can find at Asheville Pinball, it’s a great mix of iconic machines with unique games you may not be familiar with. For example, there’s a “Game of Thrones” pinball game, “The Cyclone” and more.

North Carolina Spot Makes List of the Best Apple Cider in the U.S.

Apple cider season is here. There’s just something special about having apple cider in the fall. You can have it any season, but it just tastes better in the fall. What’s more, if it’s chilly out, it’s extra delicious to have hot apple cider with a dash of cinnamon. So, what are some spots with the best apple cider in the U.S.?

Before we get to today’s apple cider, let’s look at some of the interesting history of apple cider. According to Washington State University, the very “first recorded references to cider date back to Roman times,” and, “in 55 BCE Julius Caesar found the Celtic Britons fermenting cider from native crabapples. The people of northern Spain were making sidra before the birth of Christ.” That’s so wild to think about.

Moreover, according to SmithsonianMag.com, “Evidence of apple trees growing along the banks to the Nile River can be found dating back to about 1300 B.C., but there’s no evidence that ancient Egyptians ever used them for cider. However, considering how much the Egyptians enjoyed beer (and that they were one of the first cultures to brew it), they did have some notion of the joys of fermenting alcoholic beverages.”

In other words, apple cider dates back a long, long time. In fact, apples are as old as time, really. Remember the Biblical story where Eve at the apple? There you have it. Even though apples are very ancient, the way that we eat them today is not. There are so many different ways to enjoy apples and apple cider in the fall. With that in mind, let’s get into the best apple cider in the U.S. What’s your favorite spot to get local apple cider? Reach out to us on social media and give us your picks.

North Carolina Spot Makes List for the Best Apple Cider in the U.S.

  • Linvilla Orchards in Pennsylvania

    Linvilla Orchards is located in Media, Pennsylvania, about 30 minutes south of Philadelphia. It’s a favorite local spot to get apple cider every fall. In addition to apple cider, Linvilla has their legendary Apple Cider Doughnuts. Oh, my.

    Linvilla Orchards

    Linvilla Orchards is a 300-acre family farm dedicated to agriculture, entertainment and education. A trip to Linvilla creates family memories that last a lifetime. Come visit and experience all of the things that make Linvilla Orchards special.

  • Franklin Cider Mill in Michigan

    If you haven’t tried the honey crisp apple cider at Franklin Cider Mill, then you haven’t experienced fall. This cider mill, located in Bloomfield Hills, is close to Detroit. It’s a super fun spot for fall activities.

    Home - Franklin Cider Mill

    The Franklin Cider Mill is a one-of-a-kind piece of history. We take pride in our family-friendly atmosphere and strive to provide exceptional service.

  • Mercier Orchards in Georgia

    Mercier Orchards are a fourth generation family and veteran-owned and operated apple orchard. They were founded back in 1943. They offer amazing cider, as well as other fresh treats, such as baked goods and fruit. They’re located in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

    Mercier Orchards | North GA Apple Orchard | U-Pick | Blue Ridge, GA

    We are a 4th generation family-owned and operated apple orchard founded back in 1943 by Bill and Adele Mercier...

  • Bedner's Farm Fresh Market in Florida

    “Our mission at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market is to bring our customers a variety of locally grown produce,” Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market states on their social media pages. Located in Boynton Beach, Florida, this spot is known for its great cider and the annual Bedner’s Fall Festival.

    Bedner's Farm Fresh Market

    Our Mission at Bedner's Farm Fresh Market is to bring our customers a variety of locally grown produce that is tasty, yet affordable. When you shop at Bedner's,...

  • Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill in North Carolina

    You’ll find delicious, fresh cider at Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill in Morganton, North Carolina. They, of course, make their own cider by pressing their fresh apples and turning it into yummy cider. They even offer it hot or as a slushie.

    Apple Picking | Apple Hill Orchard & Cider Mill | United States

    Apple Hill Orchard, a pick your own orchard located between Charlotte and Asheville. Our Farm Market is filled with apples, cider donuts, baked goods and more!

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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