Stay away from southwestern Goldenrod.

This isn’t a recommendation because it’s not particularly diabetic-friendly there. Or, well, the street food isn’t because it’s usually fried, coated in sugar, or both, but the restaurants often serve lighter, low-carb fare, and there are plenty of things to do and see on foot around the city. No, I’m mostly telling you to avoid southwestern Goldenrod because it’s generally not a pleasant place for tourists.

Bill … didn’t you grow up in southwestern Goldenrod? —LH

Yes and exactly. —Bill

In all seriousness, anonymous, Goldenrod prides itself in being not only the commercial capital of Johto but also possibly the capital for tourism and culture. (Ecruteak is the capital of historical culture, but if you want a taste of modern-day Johto, go to Goldenrod.) As such, there’s quite a list of places that one can visit, but it really depends on your preferences. Below the read more, you’ll find a quick guide to some of the top destinations in the city, separated into four categories: Training (for the usual stops a trainer typically makes), Tourism (top tourism destinations), Shopping, and Food.

Yes. Quick. Goldenrod is that large of a city.

Training

• If you’re a trainer, chances are, you’re here for Goldenrod Gym. You’ll find it in the northwest corner of the city, and even if you’re not in Goldenrod for a badge, visitors are welcome to watch gym matches or spar against gym trainers. Be warned, though. Whitney can be quite a character, especially if she loses to you.
• If you’re a coordinator, Goldenrod is also the home of Johto’s Grand Festival. You can find the Goldenrod Contest Hall in the northwest corner, right against Goldenrod Bay. Even if you don’t participate in contests yourself or watch them from the stands (the latter of which is free if you have a trainer’s ID), you can at least enjoy the stunning views of Goldenrod Bay and most of Goldenrod City’s skyline.
• The Global Terminal, a place where you can access the GTS and trade with pokémon trainers and collectors around the world (or simply meet other enthusiasts such as yourself) is also located in that corner of the city, incidentally.
• Although technically just outside of the city limits, the Pokéathlon Dome is a place where pokémon can compete in athletic events.
• Also technically outside of the city limits, to the south, you’ll find the world-renowned Johto Day Care Center, a place where you can visit pokémon or, if you’re interested, add new ones to your team.
• Finally (and admittedly a bit further away than the above two destinations), there’s the Johto National Park, which holds frequent bug-catching tournaments when it’s not used as a place where trainers meet and battle. Alternatively, Ilex Forest is to the south, although this isn’t considered part of the Goldenrod metro area.

Tourism

• While you can’t enter the recording studios (unless you’re a special guest, anyway), the Goldenrod Radio Tower is a popular tourist destination nonetheless. There, you can listen to radio programs in the lobby or catch a glimpse of a celebrity or two, such as DJ Mary or Professor Oak.
• Long ago, Goldenrod City was once almost the imperial capital of Japan, and you can still find remnants of that era by telling off a local in a Saffron accent. For an experience that won’t start a fight, however, consider Castle Park, a beautiful spot of green in north central Goldenrod that’s home to (a reconstruction of) the castle of Hideyoshi, a prominent warrior-politician and one of the generals who eventually aligned himself with Nobunaga. It’s also not that far from Ubame Temple, one of the oldest temples in Johto and one of the few specifically Buddhist temples left in the region. If you’d still like more of our old culture, there’s also Tsubasa Taisha, which is a shrine dedicated to all three of our major legendaries. All three locations are quite beautiful, but it’s often better to visit the latter two with a local (to avoid disrespecting Johtonian customs).
• If you’re more interested in something a bit more modern, there’s also the Goldenrod Aquarium, the largest aquarium in Japan. Inside, you’ll find not only a collection of aquatic pokémon but also marine animals in reconstructed marine habitats ranging from tropical coral reefs to the ice-filled Antarctic waters. (It’s also one of my favorite places to visit, just in case anyone’s curious.)
• As I’ve said, Goldenrod tries to be Johto’s capital of modern-day culture, and as such, it has a whole host of museums, including but not limited to: the Regional Art Museum (dedicated to modern and post-war art), the Goldenrod Museum of Fine Art (for older works), the Museum of Science, and the Museum of History (which, contrary to the name, is actually more focused on the history of Johto, rather than general matters). For a more off-beat museum, you can also try the Museum of Ramen, which also doubles as a great place for lunch.
• If you’re looking for something a bit more mainstream, Goldenrod is also home to Pokéstar Studios Japan, which is the closest thing to an actual theme park still in the city. Not too long ago, there was also Wonderland, which folded due to its inability to keep up with Pokéstar Studios and Celadon Disneyland. You can still go there if you’re enthusiastic about urban exploration, though, and truth be told, Wonderland is even more impressive now that it’s abandoned. However, keep in mind that some parts of it are dangerous, and trespassing is absolutely a fineable offense in Johto. (Not that I ever paid attention to either of these things when I was young.)
• Of course, there is also the beaches, which locals don’t really name exactly, but they’re a nice place to go on a sunny day for a bit of relaxation or a pokémon battle. You’ll also find the Skylight Ferris Wheel there, which offers fantastic views of the city. If you’d prefer a more panoramic view of the city, though, go to the Plum Building in central Goldenrod, one of the tallest buildings (or, well, two, as it’s a pair of office buildings connected by a sky bridge) in the city and home to its own observatory.
• Also, it’s difficult to put together a tourism guide to Goldenrod without mentioning either Central Street or Elenova, both of which are neon-lit shopping districts that are thought to be the crown jewels of Goldenrod according to tourism guides (apparently). They’re … fine, I suppose, if you’re interested in seeing neon advertisements lighting up both sides of the street. Go to Central Street at night, though; it’s far more impressive. Elenova, meanwhile, offers a Johtonian take on Unovan culture, so it’s just as entertaining during the day as it is at night. Which is to say, it’s hilarious.
• Alternatively, if you’d prefer a bit more culture, Elizabethtown and Little Europe had been one of the few entry points into Japan for European immigrants during the 60s (when mass immigration due to the war occurred). As such, they’ve clung to a lot of European traditions, particularly those of the UK and France. Elizabethtown is also home to Queen’s Crossing, which is a hub for not only British culture (and shopping and dining) but also a minor countercultural movement. You’ll find a lot of street art and performances there, as well as art galleries and cultural centers. (Also, Elizabethtown is where those with that distinctive but stereotypical South Goldenrod accent are from, the famous Haircut Brothers included as well as myself, of course.) 
• If you’d like to see a show, while our theaters aren’t quite as modern or varied as those in other regions (that is to say, we have no Broadway), we do have plenty of traditional Japanese theaters, including the Yamikarasu Theatre, which is renowned for its traditional kabuki performances.
• If nothing else, though, there are plenty of themed tours, ranging from bus tours of the city and ferry tours of the shoreline to themed tours if you’re interested in Johtonian culture, food, or “haunted” places. (Note on that last one: Nothing in Goldenrod is famously haunted, yet these tours are still highly popular. I’m honestly not sure why.)

Shopping

• There is, of course, the Goldenrod Galleria (otherwise known as the Goldenrod Department Store), the foremost shopping destination in Johto and one of the hallmarks of our skyline at that. It’s floor upon floor of practically everything you could ever need, from groceries to fine clothing and goods. (As a note, no, locals don’t trek all the way there for day-to-day shopping, but it’s a nice way to treat oneself and get high-end goods.) It’s also a go-to destination for trainers, as it features multiple floors dedicated to journey supplies, TMs, and more.
• Alternatively, there’s also the Goldenrod Tunnel (not to be confused with the Goldenrod Underground, our subway and light rail transportation system), a literal underground shopping district that winds its way underneath the western half of the city. Prices here are quite cheaper than in the Galleria, but be warned that some areas are a bit more rundown and flooded with trainers (or pick-pockets). On the positive side, it’s also where you can find the Haircut Brothers’ salon, which in turn is famous for its pokémon haircuts (as well as some of the trendiest haircuts for humans in Japan).
• As mentioned above, Elenova is one of Goldenrod’s premium shopping districts. So is Central Street, for that matter, but it’s really a question of whether you’re looking for electronics or Japanese goods or if you’re more in the mood for something more American (or stereotypically Unovan). Go to Central Street for the former and Elenova for the latter … and entertainment, honestly.
• Alternatively, go to Elizabethtown if you’re looking for something a little more unusual.

Food

• Perhaps the trickiest category if you have food restrictions, I’m afraid. If there’s one thing Goldenrod is famous for when it comes to food, it’s literally deep-frying and/or applying sugar to everything. Maple leaves, for example. (Actually, I would say those are better than they sound, but I’m also from Goldenrod and therefore biased.) Just note that a good portion of our street food is fried, so eat it in moderation if you must have the full Goldenrod experience. If this is the case, you’ll want to visit Central Street for the best of it.
• Incidentally, Central Street is home to some of our finest restaurants as well, including Hakuryu, which serves the best steak in the city. Of course, be warned that some of the Central Street restaurants can be a bit on the expensive side, and you may need to book ahead (as you do with Hakuryu).
• Alternatively, for a fresher experience, go to Nuoh Market, Goldenrod’s foremost food market, where many of the chefs around the city come to buy their ingredients. More importantly, though, you’ll find more than one food stall there, including some of the best places for sushi (which is fine in moderation) or barbecue skewers in the region.
• However, if you’d like something a little less tourist-heavy, go off the main streets and wander a bit. Some of the best establishments for traditional Johtonian cuisine (including, yes, ramen) are found in places you can only really get to by accidentally stumbling upon them while wandering through the city. For example, Aoi, whose soba is famous among locals? Mere blocks from Miracle Cycle, in the labyrinthine southeastern part of the city. Bring a map or a local with you if you plan on wandering the city for food, however.
• Also, our convenience stores often carry fresh food or quality prepared food, which can be a lifesaver for university students and lost tourists.

In short, there are plenty of things to see and do for both humans and pokémon throughout the city. Just about the only famous location I’d recommend avoiding at all costs is actually the Game Corner, and that’s for two reasons. First, yes, the yakuza actually does own that. (They own quite a bit of southwest Goldenrod, actually, except for Elizabethtown and Little Europe for one reason or another.) Second, it’s especially dangerous if you have a pokémon with you, as there’s a washed up pokémon professor there who will con you out of thousands of pokédollars in exchange for teaching your pokémon moves, when it would be far cheaper and less enabling to just buy TMs for the same moves at the Galleria.

Bill … isn’t that washed up pokémon professor your father? —LH

Yes and exactly. —Bill