The Inauguration Will Be an Unofficial 'Pokemon GO' Tournament
Catch 'em all on the National Mall
Ready or not, the inauguration is upon us. If you’re headed to the nation’s capitol this weekend or are local, perhaps some quality Pokémon hunting a la Pokémon GO will offer a nice break from the steady political barrage. If you’re looking to hit the National Mall for some quality Pocket Monster collecting, make sure you visit these stops.
The Washington Monument also happens to be a pretty good place for 'Pokémon GO' tournaments.
The Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is one of the Mall’s most prominent sights, and it also happens to be a highly contested Pokémon Gym. While many memorials and monuments are no longer Pokéstops or Gyms due to some, er . . . insensitive behavior, the Monument is a prime gathering place for trainers.
Catching Pokémon is all fun and games, but make sure you stash your phone and stop by the Holocaust Museum on 14th Street to see an important memorial and remember the importance of fighting hatred.
14th Street and Independence Ave.
Head south-east from the Washington Monument to find both a Pokémon Gym and a Pokéstop at the intersection of 14th Street and Independence Ave. It’s a short walk from many of the Mall’s most famous museums, and well worth the detour.
You might want to put the phone down for this part.
The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden
Head north-east to the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, where you’ll find a Pokéstop. Take a break for a bit to enjoy the garden and its frequently rotating sculpture exhibits, or test your figure skating abilities on the ice skating pond. There’s also a cafe open year-round if you need a quick pick-me-up.
The Hirshhorn houses some of the most impressive contemporary art statewide.
Jefferson Drive
Alternatively, head directly east to the Hirshhorn Museum, where you’ll find a Gym on Jefferson Drive. Then pop into the museum to pay a visit to one of the country’s finest displays of contemporary art.
If contemporary art isn't your thing, you might find what you're looking for at the National Gallery.
The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art is a Pokéstop and a national treasure in its own right. Visit the museum for the Pokémon if you must, but stay to appreciate some of history’s most iconic art, including pieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Picasso.
This Pokémon Gym will take you to the moon and back.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Head directly south from the National Gallery of Art, and you’ll find a Gym nestled inside the National Air and Space Museum. The museum always make for a fascinating afternoon, with exhibits on the history of human flight and spaceflight.
Could there be Grass-type Pokémon lurking here?
The United States Botanic Garden
Continue past the Capitol Reflecting Pool, and you’ll find the Botanic Garden. While January in D.C. is quite drab, the greenhouses in the Botanic Garden transport you to warmer climes and astounding, verdant plant life. Plus, you might catch a Pokémon, or three, at the Pokéstop.
Maybe save this stop for after the inauguration.
The United States Capitol
While the Capitol building may be hard to reach on Inauguration Day, itself, you’ll find a Pokéstop and a Gym there, if you’re determined. Stop by the Visitor Center if you want a tour of the U.S. government’s headquarters.
Park rangers have been known to give 'Pokémon GO' tours.
