Pokemon GO is essentially a virtual geocaching mobile app. The game utilizes your phone's GPS to detect where you are and will show you a map to where the next Pokemon is located. There are several Pokestops throughout our city, most at historical locations, churches, parks and businesses to get more Pokeballs, eggs and other Pokeswag. You should check the app everywhere you go to find more Pokemon, because the goal is to catch them all! I have created a list of the top ten Pokestops for families in Athens!
1. Bear Hollow Zoo
Bear Hollow Zoo is the home of three Pokestops. Catch your pokemon at the Bear Hollow Zoo center, by the otters, or by the red tailed hawk. While you are there enjoy learning about the animals and walking around the zoo trails.
2. Downtown Athens
Downtown Athens has a several Pokestops! I don't know the exact count, but there are TONS! Take the kids out to dinner at a local downtown restaurant and walk around. You will be amazed at how many pokemon you find!
3. North Campus
Just across the street from Downtown Athens, The University of Georgia's North Campus is a beautiful place to take a stroll, and now a great place to catch pokemon! Let your little ones enjoy the beautiful scenery, play in the grass, walk by the fountain, and catch as many pokemon as you can.
4. Bulldog Statues
Athens has bulldog statues all over town, and almost all of them are Pokestops! Go to your local favorite and catch away. Or, take the chance to go explore new bulldog statues in our city!
5. State Botanical Gardens of Georgia
The State Botanical Gardens are already a wonderful place for families, but add in a TON of Pokestops and Pokemon and it makes the experience golden! Enjoy the walking trails, the gardens, and the pokemon catching!
6. Five Points
Another hot spot for Pokemon catching, take the family to Five Points of Athens. Walk around the shops, eat at a local restaurant, grab some ice cream, and catch your favorite pokemon.
7. Bishop Park
Parks are a great place to get outdoors and catch Pokemon. Head to Bishop Park for the Athens Farmer's Market, the Bishop Park Pool, or the Bishop Park playground. Then walk around and catch Pokemon!
8. Memorial Park
One of my favorite parks in Athens, Memorial Park has a large walking trail around a lake with a fountain, and you can feed the ducks and turtles. Let the kids play on the playground there, and while you are walking around enjoying the scenery catch more pokemon!
9. RUSH Athens
Who doesn't love burning off that extra kid energy with a good jump on a trampoline? Head to RUSH Athens for a family fun hour of jumping on trampolines and diving in foam pits, and catch pokemon while you are there.
10. World of Wonder Playground
World of Wonder Playground, located at Southeast Park in Athens, is the largest volunteer built playground in the state of Georgia. Plans to re-build it are underway, but WOW currently still stands and is the perfect place to take the kids to play and catch pokemon.
Looking for more Poke Stops in the Athens area? Click HERE for a complete list.
POKEMON GO SAFETY TIPS
While you are playing Pokemon GO it is very important to stay alert, be careful of your surroundings and utilize common sense. Here are a few pointers we have put together to ensure you have a pleasant Pokemon GO experience.
- Do not play and drive. Distracted driving is the cause of many accidents. We know it's tempting, but it's just not safe.
- Don't get tripped up, look up! Be aware of your surroundings. It's easy to follow a GPS map blindly but remember to look up. Trees, bumps, moving vehicles, and debris are not on the map.
- Don't Poke in the dark. We get it. You're addicted. You wanna catch them all and catch them all now. But lingering in the dark, alone, with a cell phone is never a good idea. We recommend catching Pokemon as a family, during the day and utilize caution when going to new areas.
- Poke around with friends and family. Nobody wants to wander around alone. Bring friends and family. It will keep you more alert and aware of your surroundings. Plus it will be a bonding experience.
- Afraid your kids will be to tempted wander? Only download the app on an adult's phone. If it's on your child's phone enforce safety rules and boundaries of where they can play Pokemon GO and when.
- The game is not a race. The Pokemon will wait for you, nobody can steal them. There is no reason to speed or drive recklessly.
No matter where you go hunting Pokemon as a family, I'm sure it will be worth the trip. My family has been bonding over the game for several days and the experience has been full of Pokelove. Where are your favorite spots to to play Pokemon GO? Share on Facebook!
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