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The Best Places to Catch Pokemon in NYC

If you really, truly gotta catch 'em all, start at these popular Pokemon Go spots in NYC

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It should come as no surprise that the Pokemon Go craze that has swept basically everywhere this week is especially strong in New York City. Thanks to the game's method of designating landmarks and other large public sites as "gyms" (where you can battle against other players)—coupled with the fact that NYC is, well, enormous—there's no shortage of places to catch Pokemon throughout the five boroughs.

But some places are better than others, which is why we've put together this handy guide to the spots you should hit if you really do want to catch 'em all. Some are obvious—duh, of course Times Square will be a good place to catch rare Pokemon—while others are less so. (Haven't found a Squirtle yet? Try Greenpoint!) And if you have other spots to add to this list, leave a comment or hit the tipline. But remember: Pokemon Go responsibly.

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Bryant Park

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#Pokemon heaven here #pokemongo #catchpokemon #bryantpark #NYC

A photo posted by Dj Fresh (@dj_fresh) on

Times Square

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Unsurprisingly, the most crowded part of the city is chock-full of both Pokespots (including the birthplace of Eugene O'Neill) and Pokemon just waiting to be caught. We've spotted a Ponyta, a Geodude, and a Jigglypuff in the wild here. There's also a huge gym within the tourist-clogged public space.

Within Times Square, the TKTS steps are a good place to play without worrying about the whole running-into-oncoming-traffic thing. (This reporter caught a Magickarp, which may not be super exciting, but hey, it's something.) It's pretty crowded so expect there to be some lures, too.

Brooklyn Borough Hall

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In addition to a pretty hoppin' gym right outside of Borough Hall, the park surrounding the Brooklyn municipal building is teeming with Pokespots. There's plenty of open space so you're almost guaranteed to bump into other players.

WNYC Transmitter Park

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A tipster tells us that there are lots of water Pokemon in this Greenpoint park, which has the added benefit of a lovely Manhattan skyline view as the backdrop for your capturing capers.

Grand Army Plaza

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A tipster tells us that there's a gym at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. So go forth and attempt to master it.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

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There's a perfect storm of excellent Pokemon-playing factors at this waterfront park: Lots of gyms, lots of Pokemon to catch, and lots of people playing.

Nintendo NY

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Empire State Building

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According to tipsters, the city's most iconic skyscraper is home to both a gym and to well-known Pokemon like Meowth. But only you can decide whether it's worth paying the $32 fee to get a pic of a Pikachu atop the landmark.

Williamsburg Bridge

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Manspreading #pokemoncommuters #pokemongo #manspreading #wartortle #mta

A photo posted by @pokemoncommuters on

Astoria Park

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what i see when running. before n after #PokemonGo

A photo posted by David Tai 戴士鈞 (@davidtaisc) on

Community Bookstore

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Wow! Rare Pokemon sighting! Also a Charmander...

A photo posted by Tiny The Usurper (@tinytheusurper) on

Madison Square Park

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14th Street and Ninth Avenue

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A tipster relayed the tale of catching a very elusive Pikachu at this corner. No telling if it'll still be there by the time you read this, but hey, it's worth a shot.

Prospect Park

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It may not have as many Pokemon as its Manhattan counterparts, but this Brooklyn park is still a good place to spot and catch the little critters.

Union Square Park

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One World Trade Center

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You'll have the battle the Conde Nasties for control of One World Trade Center—a tipster who works in the building said that there's a pretty big gym at the city's tallest tower.

Central Park

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Marcus Garvey Park

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A user posted the fact that "so many Ghastlys" are at this Harlem park. Take note, Ghastly fans!

Rockefeller Center

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Looking for an Eevee or a Meowth? Head to this popular tourist spot, where those Pokemon have been spotted, among many others.

ruigsantos / Shutterstock.com

Battery Park

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Be on the lookout for lots of water Pokemon along the Hudson River—users have reported catching Squirtles and Magikarps, along with other watery monsters. You might also spot Dratini here.

Fort Greene Park

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Unsurprisingly, there's a gym at the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, the most famous landmark within this Brooklyn park.

Riverside Park

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Users have reported catching "a bunch of" Ponyta in this park, specifically the portion between 96th and 116th Streets.

Waldorf Astoria New York

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Rumor has it that a super-rare Meowth can be found inside this storied hotel—but since it's such a big landmark, you're likely to find other Pokemon there when that Meowth goes away.

High Line

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Unsurprisingly, there are lots of Pokemon around this popular park—common ones like Zubats and Krabbys, but there've been reports of a Jigglypuff nearby.

Roosevelt Island

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Yep, you can catch Pokemon in the middle of the East River, and unsurprisingly there are a fair number of water Pokemon here—a Squirtle and a Psyduck were recently spotted, according to the Pokevision map.

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Bryant Park

#Pokemon heaven here #pokemongo #catchpokemon #bryantpark #NYC

A photo posted by Dj Fresh (@dj_fresh) on

Times Square

Unsurprisingly, the most crowded part of the city is chock-full of both Pokespots (including the birthplace of Eugene O'Neill) and Pokemon just waiting to be caught. We've spotted a Ponyta, a Geodude, and a Jigglypuff in the wild here. There's also a huge gym within the tourist-clogged public space.

TKTS

Within Times Square, the TKTS steps are a good place to play without worrying about the whole running-into-oncoming-traffic thing. (This reporter caught a Magickarp, which may not be super exciting, but hey, it's something.) It's pretty crowded so expect there to be some lures, too.

Brooklyn Borough Hall

In addition to a pretty hoppin' gym right outside of Borough Hall, the park surrounding the Brooklyn municipal building is teeming with Pokespots. There's plenty of open space so you're almost guaranteed to bump into other players.

WNYC Transmitter Park

A tipster tells us that there are lots of water Pokemon in this Greenpoint park, which has the added benefit of a lovely Manhattan skyline view as the backdrop for your capturing capers.

Grand Army Plaza

A tipster tells us that there's a gym at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. So go forth and attempt to master it.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

There's a perfect storm of excellent Pokemon-playing factors at this waterfront park: Lots of gyms, lots of Pokemon to catch, and lots of people playing.

Nintendo NY

Empire State Building

According to tipsters, the city's most iconic skyscraper is home to both a gym and to well-known Pokemon like Meowth. But only you can decide whether it's worth paying the $32 fee to get a pic of a Pikachu atop the landmark.

Williamsburg Bridge

Manspreading #pokemoncommuters #pokemongo #manspreading #wartortle #mta

A photo posted by @pokemoncommuters on

Astoria Park

what i see when running. before n after #PokemonGo

A photo posted by David Tai 戴士鈞 (@davidtaisc) on

Community Bookstore

Wow! Rare Pokemon sighting! Also a Charmander...

A photo posted by Tiny The Usurper (@tinytheusurper) on

Madison Square Park

14th Street and Ninth Avenue

A tipster relayed the tale of catching a very elusive Pikachu at this corner. No telling if it'll still be there by the time you read this, but hey, it's worth a shot.

Prospect Park

It may not have as many Pokemon as its Manhattan counterparts, but this Brooklyn park is still a good place to spot and catch the little critters.

Union Square Park

One World Trade Center

You'll have the battle the Conde Nasties for control of One World Trade Center—a tipster who works in the building said that there's a pretty big gym at the city's tallest tower.

Central Park

Marcus Garvey Park

A user posted the fact that "so many Ghastlys" are at this Harlem park. Take note, Ghastly fans!

Rockefeller Center

Looking for an Eevee or a Meowth? Head to this popular tourist spot, where those Pokemon have been spotted, among many others.

ruigsantos / Shutterstock.com

Battery Park

Be on the lookout for lots of water Pokemon along the Hudson River—users have reported catching Squirtles and Magikarps, along with other watery monsters. You might also spot Dratini here.

Fort Greene Park

Unsurprisingly, there's a gym at the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, the most famous landmark within this Brooklyn park.

Riverside Park

Users have reported catching "a bunch of" Ponyta in this park, specifically the portion between 96th and 116th Streets.

Waldorf Astoria New York

Rumor has it that a super-rare Meowth can be found inside this storied hotel—but since it's such a big landmark, you're likely to find other Pokemon there when that Meowth goes away.

High Line

Unsurprisingly, there are lots of Pokemon around this popular park—common ones like Zubats and Krabbys, but there've been reports of a Jigglypuff nearby.

Roosevelt Island

Yep, you can catch Pokemon in the middle of the East River, and unsurprisingly there are a fair number of water Pokemon here—a Squirtle and a Psyduck were recently spotted, according to the Pokevision map.