Is Chinatown Fair good for young kids?

Not really — it's better for ages 8 and up, and primarily appeals to tweens, teens, and adults who enjoy classic arcade gaming. Young children and toddlers would find little to do here and the environment isn't designed for them.

How much does Chinatown Fair cost?

Entry is free — you pay per game with quarters or tokens. Budget $10-20 per older kid for a solid session. Get tokens at the front desk for slightly better value than individual quarters.

What games does Chinatown Fair have?

Classic coin-op video games including fighting game cabinets (Street Fighter series, Mortal Kombat), rhythm games, classic '80s/'90s arcade titles, and shooting games. This is an old-school arcade, not a modern redemption ticket venue.

Where is Chinatown Fair NYC?

8 Mott St in Manhattan's Chinatown, steps from Canal St. Take the J/Z/N/Q/6 to Canal St — the arcade is a 2-minute walk. Right in the heart of Chinatown's restaurant district.

What food is near Chinatown Fair?

You're surrounded by Chinatown's best restaurants — Joe's Shanghai for soup dumplings, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory (cash only, very cheap), Nom Wah Tea Parlor for dim sum. Among the best cheap-eat neighborhoods in all of NYC.

Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center

Name: Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center
Address: 8 Mott St, New York City, NY, 10038, US
Telephone: +1 212-964-1001
Rating: 4.2

1 / 5

Rating

4.2(910)

Family of 4

$20-40 in tokens for 2 older kids; primarily coin-operated machines

Duration

1-2 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 8 and up; primarily a teen/young adult arcade

About

Chinatown Fair Family Fun Center on Mott Street is a New York City arcade institution — one of the oldest continuously operating arcades in the country and a genuine piece of NYC's gaming culture history. For families with older kids who are into gaming, visiting Chinatown Fair is both an entertainment experience and a history lesson.

Unlike modern redemption arcades where kids earn tickets for prizes, Chinatown Fair is a classic coin-op video game arcade. The cabinet lineup includes fighting games (Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat), rhythm games, classic '80s and '90s titles, and shooting games. The energy here is different from family entertainment centers — it's authentic arcade culture, which means competitive players, social gaming, and a lively atmosphere.

For tweens and teens especially, Chinatown Fair has real appeal. The historic gaming culture, the classic cabinet lineup, and the Chinatown location (surrounded by some of NYC's best food) makes for an authentic NYC afternoon that feels genuinely different from tourist itinerary stops.

Important family note: this is not designed for young children. The late hours (until 2AM on weekends) and the general atmosphere make it better suited for kids 8 and up with a preference toward 10+. The games themselves are not particularly toddler-friendly.

Combine Chinatown Fair with a Chinatown food experience — Joe's Shanghai soup dumplings, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, or just wandering the food stalls on Canal Street. Together they make for one of the most authentic NYC neighborhood afternoons possible.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

N/A

Setting

Indoor

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday afternoons for a less chaotic experience; note it stays open until 2AM on weekends

Wait Times

Popular fighting game cabinets can have waits on evenings/weekends

Nearby Food

You're in the middle of Manhattan Chinatown — one of the best food neighborhoods in NYC. Joe's Shanghai soup dumplings (5 min walk), the Chinatown ice cream factory, dim sum at multiple restaurants. Combine with a Chinatown food tour for a perfect afternoon.

Why Kids Love It

Chinatown Fair is a New York City institution — an old-school arcade on Mott Street that's been a staple since the 1940s. Unlike modern arcades with ticket-redemption machines, this is a classic coin-op video game arcade with fighting game cabinets (Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat), rhythm games, and classic titles. Older kids who've discovered retro gaming find it a genuine living museum of arcade culture.

Pro Tips from Parents

This is NOT a children's venue in the traditional sense — it's an old-school arcade popular with teens and young adults. Not suitable for young children (under 8).
The late hours (until 2AM Friday/Saturday) mean evenings get lively and less family-appropriate for young kids.
Best for tweens and teens who are interested in classic arcade gaming culture.
Located on Mott St in Chinatown — combine with dim sum or a Chinatown food tour for an authentic NYC neighborhood experience.
Cash preferred — bring quarters or get tokens from the machine at the front.

What to Bring

Cash and quarters or tokens
Patience during peak hours — popular cabinets have waits

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$20-40 in tokens for 2 older kids; primarily coin-operated machines

Tips to Save

Admission is free — you pay per game.
Load up on tokens at the front for better value than individual quarters.
The classic arcade games here are the attraction — it's not a modern redemption ticket arcade.