Things to Do in San Francisco
Musée Mécanique
The craziest collection of 20th-century automata, penny arcade games, and musical contraptions.
Written by Jay Alexander · September 22, 2021
For those that grew up before Nintendo, this will be a fantastic trip down memory lane. You will take a journey from turn-of-the-century hand-cranked music boxes and antique arcade artifacts to modern video arcade games.
You can play with any of the 300-plus machines in their original working condition. You will see "Laffing Sal," "Susie the Can-Can Dancer," and the fascinating "Carnival." Best part? This is a free experience to get in.
Tucked away at Pier 45 on Fisherman's Wharf, Musée Mécanique is one of those rare San Francisco gems that feels frozen in time. Whether you're marveling at a fortune-telling automaton from the 1900s or challenging a friend to a vintage arm-wrestling machine, every corner holds a surprise. It's the kind of place where wonder lives in every coin slot — a perfect companion experience before or after a night at the theater.
Visit Info
Pier 45 at the end of Taylor Street
Fisherman's Wharf
San Francisco, CA 94133
museemecanique.com
Experience the Art of Wonder
See world-class sleight of hand and mentalism up close at San Francisco's most intimate magic theater.
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