Pizza, Pinball & Public Art in Chattanooga
A relaxed afternoon of retro games, local pizza and a spontaneous street-art stop—all within a compact section of downtown.
Looking for an Easy Downtown Chattanooga Afternoon?
Spend a few hours playing vintage games at the Chattanooga Pinball Museum, walk directly across Broad Street for pizza at Lupi’s Pizza Pies, then finish with a short walk to nearby public art.
The main stops are close together, so you can enjoy the afternoon without repeatedly moving the car.
This is exactly how our afternoon unfolded.
We had not planned an elaborate itinerary. We followed a good local recommendation, added a spontaneous mural stop and ended up with an easy travel afternoon that combined nostalgia, food and photography.
Is the Chattanooga Pinball Museum Worth Visiting?
Yes—especially if you enjoy classic arcade games, pinball, retro attractions or hands-on museums.
We spent a fun-filled morning reliving childhood memories at the Chattanooga Pinball Museum, flipping flippers and chasing high scores for hours.
The museum currently offers unlimited free play on its operating pinball and arcade machines with one admission price.
Your wristband also allows you to leave and return later the same day, which makes it especially easy to step out for lunch and then come back if you are not finished playing.
Because capacity is limited, the museum notes that online tickets guarantee admission if a waiting list develops.
For current hours, ticket details and the latest game list, visit the official Chattanooga Pinball Museum website.
Where Should You Eat Near the Chattanooga Pinball Museum?
Lupi’s Pizza Pies is directly across Broad Street from the museum, making it one of the easiest lunch options to pair with a Pinball Museum visit.
When hunger finally hit, we asked the museum staff where they recommended grabbing lunch nearby.
Without hesitation, they all gave us the same answer: Lupi’s Pizza Pies.
As luck would have it, it was literally right across the street.
The Chattanooga Pinball Museum is at 409 Broad Street, while Lupi’s downtown location is at 406A Broad Street.
What Is Lupi’s Pizza Pies Like?
Lupi’s is a longtime Chattanooga pizzeria known for hand-tossed pizza, homemade dough and sauce, colorful surroundings and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere.
Lupi’s opened its original downtown Chattanooga restaurant in 1996.
The restaurant still makes its dough and sauces in-house and offers more than 30 pizza toppings along with calzones, lasagna, salads, bread and other menu items.
The vibe during our visit was warm and welcoming, with eclectic décor and a laid-back feel that immediately made us comfortable.
The staff was friendly, helpful and clearly enthusiastic about the food.
We ordered a custom pizza piled with fresh toppings.
The crust had the balance I like—crisp on the outside while remaining chewy—and the sauce had plenty of flavor.
It was so good that we did not even think to take a photograph before we finished it.
What Are Lupi’s Downtown Chattanooga Hours?
As of September 30, 2026, Lupi’s lists the following regular hours for its locations.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday–Thursday: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Hours can change, so verify current information through the official Lupi’s Pizza Pies website before making a special trip.
What Can You Order at Lupi’s?
Pizza is the centerpiece, but the menu also includes calzones, salads, lasagna, bread and other Italian-inspired dishes.
You can build your own pizza from more than 30 toppings or choose one of the restaurant’s established combinations.
Lupi’s also offers take-and-bake pizzas if you would rather bring one home for later.
The downtown location works especially well for this itinerary because you can finish playing pinball, cross Broad Street and sit down for lunch within minutes.
Where Can You Find Public Art Near Lupi’s?
There is public art within a short walk of the downtown restaurant, making it easy to add a quick mural stop after lunch.
As we were wrapping up our meal, our server casually mentioned a mural at the end of the block that was “worth the short walk.”
Since we were already in adventure mode, we followed the suggestion.
I have not identified this artwork in the article.
I am treating it simply as the public-art stop we personally discovered rather than assigning an artist, title or history that I cannot verify.
That spontaneous addition was what made the afternoon feel complete: first pinball, then pizza, then a little street-art photography.
How Long Should You Allow for This Downtown Chattanooga Itinerary?
Allow roughly three to five hours if you want to enjoy the Pinball Museum without rushing, sit down for lunch and add a short public-art walk afterward.
Your timing will depend mostly on how long you want to stay at the Pinball Museum. Because admission includes unlimited play and same-day reentry, it is easy to spend several hours there.
Start at the Chattanooga Pinball Museum
Play for a few hours and take advantage of the unlimited-play format.
Walk Across Broad Street to Lupi’s Pizza Pies
Sit down for lunch without needing to move the car or travel to another part of downtown.
Take a Short Post-Lunch Walk
Look for public art and other small downtown details worth photographing nearby.
Return to the Pinball Museum if You Want More Game Time
Your current wristband allows same-day reentry, so you can continue playing after lunch and your walk.
Pizza, Pinball & Public Art Quick Planning Guide
Is This a Good Downtown Chattanooga Itinerary for Families?
Yes. The combination works especially well for families because the activities are casual, close together and easy to adjust based on everyone’s energy level.
The Pinball Museum provides the entertainment, Lupi’s gives you an easy sit-down meal directly across the street, and the public-art walk adds a short outdoor break afterward.
Because you do not need to drive between the main stops, the afternoon also feels simpler than an itinerary that requires repeatedly moving the car and searching for parking.
What Else Can You Do in Downtown Chattanooga?
This short itinerary is easy to expand if you have more time downtown.
Downtown Chattanooga Pizza, Pinball & Public Art FAQ
Is Lupi’s Pizza Pies really across from the Chattanooga Pinball Museum?
Yes. The museum is at 409 Broad Street and Lupi’s downtown location is at 406A Broad Street.
Can you leave the Pinball Museum for lunch and come back?
Yes. Current admission includes a wristband that allows same-day reentry.
Does Lupi’s serve more than pizza?
Yes. The menu also includes calzones, salads, lasagna, bread and other items.
How much time should you allow for this itinerary?
About three to five hours works well for most visitors, depending on how long you want to spend playing games.
Is This Downtown Chattanooga Afternoon Worth Doing?
Yes. This is an easy, low-stress Chattanooga outing if you enjoy retro games, casual local food and discovering things on foot.
What I liked most was that none of it felt overly planned.
We spent the morning playing pinball, asked a local where to eat, walked across the street for a great pizza and followed another recommendation to nearby public art.
That combination made the afternoon feel personal rather than programmed.
It is a good reminder that sometimes the best travel itineraries develop simply by asking someone nearby what they recommend next.
Next step: Check the current Chattanooga Pinball Museum hours and the current Lupi’s Pizza Pies hours, then build this walkable afternoon into your Chattanooga plans.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
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