Peacock Palace in Northbrook, IL was an arcade and ice cream parlor located in the Chicago area during the late 1970s and 1980s. Despite its name, the establishment was primarily known for its arcade games rather than its ice cream offerings. The building was a split-level house painted yellow, featuring hand-drawn images of Pac-Man and…
LazerMaxx Family Fun Center was a prominent entertainment venue located at 941 S. McLean Blvd. in Elgin, Illinois. Established around 2010, it transformed a vacant industrial building into a vibrant space for family-friendly activities. The center’s main attraction was its expansive 5,000-square-foot, multi-level laser tag arena, featuring fog effects, glowing pillars, black lighting, and immersive…
Wilderness Falls is a family-friendly outdoor fun park located at 145 S. Clow International Parkway in Bolingbrook, Illinois, easily accessible from Naperville, Joliet, and Chicago. The park features two 18-hole miniature golf courses, each offering unique challenges. In addition to mini-golf, Wilderness Falls offers batting cages and an arcade. It likely opened or around 2004,…
Stella’s Batting Cages, located in Lyons, Illinois, was established in 1986 by Carey and Anna Matson. The facility was inspired by their son, Al, who, after overcoming a childhood cancer diagnosis, developed a passion for baseball. This led the Matsons to create a space where baseball and softball players could practice and enjoy the sport.…
KeyLime Cove was a tropical-themed indoor waterpark resort located in Gurnee, Illinois, near Six Flags Great America. The resort opened in 2008, offering guests a 65,000-square-foot waterpark, multiple dining options, an 8,000-square-foot arcade, and a spa. In 2012, TripAdvisor named KeyLime Cove the #1 Family Hotel in the U.S. and #2 worldwide. Despite its initial…
Cookie’s Family Fun Center was an entertainment venue formerly located in Montgomery, IL. The center offered a variety of attractions, including arcade games, laser tag, and bumper cars, making it a popular destination for family outings and children’s parties. Additionally, the facility featured a restaurant serving a range of food options beyond pizza, catering to…
PGN Fun Village in Hickory Hills, Illinois, has been a notable destination for family entertainment since its establishment in 1993. Over the years, it has evolved to offer a diverse array of attractions catering to various age groups. The facility features two 18-hole miniature golf courses, enhanced in 2017, that incorporate elements such as a…
Galloping Ghost is the largest arcade in the world, with over 885 games. It spans multiple buildings in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield. Owner Doc Mack opened the arcade in 2010 with 130 arcade games that were saved from the brink of destruction, restoring them for all to enjoy. Continuing to expand each year, by…
One of a handful of Bally’s Tom Foolery early arcade bar/nightclub concepts that existed briefly in the early 1980’s. This location was previously a Barnaby’s Family Inn, until Bally Manufacturing Co. purchased the chain in 1981 and converted it into the Tom Foolery concept. The arcade crash of 1982-1983, plus the mountain of debt that…
Just Games Inc. operated a number of arcades in the Chicagoland area in the 1970s and 1980s. This location was located at the site of Briarwood Plaza. Briarwood Plaza was built in 1977, but we know that the arcade opened in Dec 1973 and was open at least through May 1976. We know that at…
