A Traveler's Guide to the World of Pokémon/Johto/Goldenrod City

Goldenrod City is the only large city in the Johto region in the Pokémon game. Similar to Celadon City in Kanto, it features a Game Corner and Department Store. The Gym Leader here is Whitney, a trainer who specializes in Normal-type Pokémon. After players win their 7th badge, Team Rocket takes over the Radio Tower and its broadcasts will all be directed to contact Giovanni.

Department Store
The Department Store is packed full of items, including healing items, stat boosters, TMs, and beverages. If players are playing from a Game Boy Color or Game Boy Advance, the Mystery Gift option should become available after talking to a girl on the fifth floor. Drowzee (Abra in Crystal) can be traded for Machop, which holds a Gold berry, from a boy on the same floor. On Sundays a woman comes to the department store to hand out TMs on the fifth floor based on one's Pokémon's affection toward its owner. It is also revealed that the Goldenrod Department Store is part of the same chain of department stores as the one in Celadon City in Kanto. In Crystal version the roof can be accsessed where an occasional sale is held where items are on sale at a discount.

The Goldenrod Department Store is the largest mart in the region and contains many items that cannot be bought elsewhere.

Radio Tower
The Radio Tower broadcasts music. The player can use the radio function to tune into this music as opposed to the normal background music of the area. After the player selects the station, he or she can read what the DJs are saying. Depending on the station, the people will talk about trainers that the player has met or members of the Elite Four, give that days lucky number (a free lottery based off of the players trainer I.D. for prizes such as a Master Ball), mention where certain species of Pokémon can be found, or give Pokédex information on certain Pokémon.

This is where trainers can get a free Radio Card by answering trivia questions. Trainers should come here often for the Lucky Number drawings. In Crystal, players can also obtain a Blue Card to play Buena's Password at night. Team Rocket will take over the Radio Tower after the 7th badge is obtained.

In the Gold, Silver, and Crystal games, the revived Team Rocket take over the tower after the player earns his/her seventh badge in an attempt to contact Giovanni in order to convince him to become their leader once again. The player must liberate the tower in order to continue through the game. After the tower is liberated, the path to Blackthorn City will be opened, and a new Legendary Pokémon will become available.

Goldenrod City Underground
An underground alley, this is home to curious shops, including a barber (for Pokémon) and a bitter herb seller. There are also trainers who will battle the player underground. In addition, there is a second part to the underground where Team Rocket holds the radio director hostage during the Radio Tower Crisis. The exit to the second part of the underground is in the basement of the Goldenrod Department Store.

Game Corner
Unlike the game corner of the Red/Blue/Yellow versions, this Game Corner is not affiliated with Team Rocket. There are the classic slot machines here and the new "card flip game" is introduced. Coins earned here are redeemable for prizes, including Pokémon and TMs. In Pokémon Crystal, a move tutor appears outside the Game Corner every Wednesday and Saturday after Red has been defeated at Mt. Silver. He can teach a move to a Pokémon in exchange for coins.

Most notably, in Gold and Silver a Dratini can be bought at the Game Corner, which gives players an early start on raising the powerful creature. It cannot be purchased in Crystal.

Magnet Train Station
This station is for the high-speed train that connects the city with Saffron City in Kanto. It is only available later on when the player defeats Sabrina and receives the Pass.

Bike Shop
The bike shop from Cerulean City has moved here, but no one can find it. The owner will give players a bike to advertise where the shop is. After a while, the bike is given to the player as a present.

Affection Rater
A woman in a house in the eastern part of Goldenrod City will rate a player's lead Pokémon's affection toward him or her. This is vital as some Pokémon evolve if they are happy toward the trainer.

National Park
North of Goldenrod, off of Route 35, a National Park exists that is similar to the Safari Zone in Red, Blue, and Yellow. In the games, a bug-catching competition is held on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some of the Pokémon that can be found are Venonat, Pinsir, Scyther, Beedrill, Kakuna, Weedle, Butterfree, Metapod and Caterpie. If the player wins the competition, they receive a Sun Stone. 2nd and 3rd place prices are Everstone and Gold Berry. The best way to win is to get a Pinsir/Scyther, but Butterfree/Beedrill also work well.

Demographics
Goldenrod City's population is about 77, making by far the largest city in Johto. Its population is more than double the second-most-populous city in Johto, Violet City.