Top 5 Pokestops in Northwest Arkansas

Have you caught the Pokebug? Trying to catch them all? Pokemon GO has been all the rage this week. I have seen a TON of news coverage, both positive and negative, on the mobile game. I personally find Pokemon Go to be a great way to bring my family together while getting outside and exploring our city! I look forward to finding them as a family when we go on vacation later this summer too.

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, libraries, 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 our families' top five Pokestops in Northwest Arkansas.

1. Botanical Garden of the Ozarks- Not only is this place amazingly beautiful, it's also the home of at least 5 Pokestops. The Garden trail has many benches, statues and fountains that are Pokespots and your kids can enjoy the Children's Garden area and the wonderful open lawn while you are there. Check out their fantastic Little Sprouts & Garden Buds programs on Wed mornings. Admission to the Garden is free every Saturday for Fayetteville residents.

2. Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park in Prairie Grove- This Civil War Battlefield park is rich in history and also has many Pokestops along the trails. Take the one-mile paved walking trail and stop at the historical markers to learn about the history of this place, and enjoy finding Pokestops as well! There are also picnic tables & a playground at this park to enjoy. (Be aware that bears have been spotted in the woods of this park recently, so don't venture into the wooded areas, especially after dark.)

3. Lokomotion in Fayetteville- The sign outside Lokomotion is a Pokestop. Lokomotion is really conveniently located between Fayetteville & Springdale and while you're there, check out all the fun inside. It's under new ownership and management and over the past year, MANY improvements and new games have been added. You can enjoy the go karts, bumper boats, mini golf and arcade after you find your Pokestops.

4. Briar Rose Bakery in Farmington- This quaint, locally owned bakery looks like a cottage on the outside and is built to resemble Sleeping Beauty's home (her original name was Briar Rose). It's also a Pokestop and while there, you can enjoy amazing homemade pastries, bread or sandwiches. Your kids will enjoy the child-sized door at the entrance.

5. Downtown Bentonville & Crystal Bridges Museum- Downtown Bentonville & Crystal Bridges museum have a ton of Pokestops & Gyms! Enjoy walking on the Bentonville Square and checking out the unique shops, businesses and food trucks while hunting for Pokestops. We love to stop by the Walmart Museum (free admission) on the Square and get ice cream or Coke floats in their Old Fashioned Ice Cream parlor. The Crystal Bridges walking trails also have many Pokestops and are just a short distance from downtown.

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 our experience has been full of Pokelove. Where are your favorite spots to to play Pokemon GO? Let us know on Facebook!