Old-School Arcade to Pop Up in Union Station

Dozens of cabinet games, and two hours of free play per visitor, deliver the "Retrocade" cool to the train-tastic landmark.

What to Know

  • Sept. 22 and 23
  • Saturday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Get a wristband, enjoy two hours of free play

Ever walked down the aisle of a train?

Chances are you've seen someone playing a handheld game, or solitaire on their phone, or even sitting over a miniature Scrabble board with a friend.

Games and trains have been around since the invention of trains — spoiler alert, games came first — and whether you show with a deck of cards for your trip, or the very latest download of the just-released MMO, you know that travel has a way of flying when you're engaged in some strategic maneuvers.

But what if those games popped up before you ever reached the train platform or tracks?

What if you came across dozens of cabinet games, the kind that ruled malls and grocery stores and everywhere back in the 1980s, in the ticket concourse?

Well, you'd be in Union Station, probably, and it would definitely be Sept. 22 or 23, 2018.

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For a full-on Retrocade Experience is popping up, for two days only, and if you secure a wristband, you'll score two hours of free play on games like Donkey Kong and Street Fighter.

"First come, first served" is the theme with the wristbands. Just so you know. And now you know.

Also? For those with Pac Man skillz, there's a tourney each day, from 5 to 7 p.m., and the winner will walk away with a sweet, sweet trophy. The cost to participate is five bucks.

Mr. Churro will be there, if you want to buy a churro to nosh upon, and there shall be beverages and candy for purchase, too.

And if you're more of a pinballer, you're in luck: The ding-ding-ding of the bumper-beautiful machines will also add to the allure of the wayback days.

Details? Eat up all the glowing dots, while heading in this direction, and find your high score now.

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