Everyone knows about the global phenomenon that is Pokémon Go, and most know that Downtown is the place to be for any aspiring Pokémon master. But few know the best places Downtown, the holes in the walls and the Pokéstop hotspots. As a professed “Pokéfan” myself, a group of friends and I have scouted out the best places and cataloged them here for your convenience. It’s always fun to grab a group of friends and head Downtown, walk around and sample all the exotic Pokémon wandering the streets. Pokéstops are on every block, and they more often than not have a lure already on them. Simply walking from one of my recommendations to the next can net you a few rare finds and at least 5 chances to refill your bags.

Now before I get started its important to note that if you plan to spend all day out and about, it’s vital to pack sensibly. Aside from phone chargers, as the app is quite draining, you’re most likely going to be out in the late summer heat and humidity, and this can be quite dangerous for long periods. Water is going to be your friend. More often than not there will be somewhere nearby to provide some sort of refreshment, but nothing is better than plain old water. You might end up sweating a lot and it’s important to rehydrate yourself. If you’re of the fairer persuasion, it’d be wise to pack sunscreen. My dad is ginger, and while I didn’t inherit his fiery locks I sure as anything got stuck with his alabaster skin, so trust me that I know a lot about getting sun burnt. Healthy snacks can provide you with much needed energy, but make sure that you didn’t pack yourself a bag full of snickers because A) they’ll melt and that’s disgusting and B) they’re not going to turn you from Dafoe to Monroe. So the best choice is granola bars and things along those lines. This may sound all a little dramatic for just walking around Downtown, but it is always better to err on the side of caution.

I’m going to describe our trip Downtown starting out from my usual parking spot in the lot beside the One Plaza, which also happens to be the first stop on our adventure. The One Plaza, as mentioned in my previous article, features a plethora of outside seating beside the gentle trickling of fountains, nestled comfortably between 2 sleek skyscrapers and Mast’s General Store. There are a few Pokéstops located here, but they require a little bit of walking in-between them, and since the seating is mostly outside there isn’t a lot of shelter from the heat. The Plaza receives a rating of 6 out of 10 for its access to Pokéstops, pleasant surroundings, but

distinct lack of air conditioning and Gyms.

Continuing on down the road towards the park, we’ll pass the Peace Center, and the fountains and trees that are in front of it. My friends and I dub this place “The Fountains” for obvious reasons. If your sole purpose is the capture of the small digital animals, this is the place to be. Widely accepted as the best place to catch Pokémon, there are 4 Pokéstops, and the constant throng of people there mean that there’s rarely going to be less than 3 lures going at any one time. There are even plugs outside for charging your phones, so bring a surge protector and some friends and have a picnic/charging station/catching party. The Fountains get a respectable 8/10 for the sheer amount of Pokémon that show up there, which makes up for the lack of refreshment and outside conditions.

Now for a personal favorite of mine, Spill The Beans. Located right next to Falls Park on the Reedy, this coffee lounge offers made-to-order ice cream, shakes and coffee to any intrepid trainer. Featuring sofas, benches, armchairs and desks this coffee lounge is my go-to. It features 3 Pokéstops that can be accessed at the same time, as well as an often contested gym waiting for the next challenger. STB also rests right next to a river, which means Magikarp spawn there often, making it perfect for those seeking to turn the flapping fish into a mighty dragon. With its great dairy fare, comfortable seating and location, it may very well be my favorite place to go catch Pokémon, and I’m sure it will be yours too. Spill the Beans receives a 10/10 for being, in my humble opinion, the best place to catch Pokémon and relax with friends.