By Stacey Rene Russell
Where to play Pokémon Go in Miami.
Have you walked into traffic or run around town with your phone glued in your hand lately? There is a good chance you have been bitten by the bug that is Pokémon Go.
The highly addictive online game became an overnight sensation as fans worldwide downloaded the new app to catch characters like Pikachu and Squirtle. And of course, the residents here in the Magic City are no different.
Organized "Pokewalks" have begun where hundreds have gathered to catch Pokémons. So if you are looking to step your Go game up, here are a few spots we here are crawling with digital critters.
Downtown Miami
For highly entertaining performing arts and shows in Miami, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is the place to go. From Whoopi Goldberg to Andrea Bocelli, some of the industry’s finest have taken their center stage. Not only is the Arsht Center’s popular on-site local bookstore, Books & Books, known to be a hotspot for Pokémon, but on December 3, 2016 at 8 p.m., Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions will come to life with a 54-piece orchestra, including local musicians from the Craig Turley Orchestra, for a one-of-a-kind performance celebrates two decades of all things Pokémon. The pre-show fun will begin in the lobby as Miami’s Pokémon powerhouses celebrate their fandom with Comic Con-like attire.
In the center of Downtown Miami, you’ll find Bayfront Park. There, you will find not only some of the best views of the Bay, but Tina Hills Pavilion and Museum Park where culture comes alive. And for Pokémon Go players, the park is a must-go as quite a number of rare Pokémon sightings have taken place. Popular fansites state that Dratini, Bulbasaur, Onix, Golduck, Charmander, Magikarp, Tentacool, Psyduck, Dodrio, Staryu, Pinsir and Scyther have all been caught. Seems like “catching em all” might actually be possible in this area.
There is a reason the Pérez Art Museum Miami is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. What is not to love about beautiful city views, a state-of-the-art facility, world-renowned art, culinary connoisseurs and so much more. For fans of Pokémon go, take note: PokéStops and gyms tend to be near public art and landmarks. So expert fans citywide suggest you start at PAMM, then head down south on Biscayne Blvd to the AmericanAirlines Arena or the Freedom Tower, all in minutes of each other. Ready, set, GO!
Miami Beach
Shopping, restaurants, the beach, oh my! Lincoln Road has some of the city’s best sites and now it’s been taken over by Pokémons like Horsea, Kadabra and Cubone. Magikarp, Pikachu and Dratinis have all been caught there. Expert tip: the more dense an urban area is, the more chances you have to find Pokémon and Poke Stops. South Beach is prime real estate to catch ‘em all.
The magic of Soundscape Park in South Beach seems to be endless. Perhaps you have watched your favorite film or taken in New World Symphony’s latest performance live from their 7,000 square foot projection wall that broadcasts live feeds of the indoor performances for the public to enjoy at no cost. Now, there won't be much sitting for Pokémon Go fans, as it is full of Pokémon ready for the catching. Both Alakazam and Mankey have been spotted there.
Wynwood
Just a few years ago, Wynwood was full of warehouses. These days, it’s the epicenter of everything arts, culture and occasional celeb spotting. Make sure you check out Wynwood Walls. The buzz around town is that this neighborhood is an abundance of PokéStops. The area offers a ton of street art for those with eggs to incubate, but also watering holes like Wood Tavern have become a weekly meet up spot for players.
Little Havana
Head to Marlins Park for a little bit more than a baseball game. Become your very own catcher and be on the lookout for Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander who have been spotted running around the bases.
Coral Gables
It seems like Miracle Mile, Coral Gables’ famous shopping mecca, might get a lot more foot traffic soon. Fans can head there to be on the lookout for Starmie, Staryu, and Diglett—all of whom have Pokémon Go players running up and down their stylish city strip. And when you just can't catch anymore, take a rest at one of their many first-class restaurants and bars to wine and dine.