What To Do After Lavender Town

After Lavender Town, you should head south to Route 12 and make your way toward Vermilion City to continue your Pokémon journey.
 
The eerie silence of Lavender Town can leave you feeling shaken, especially after climbing Pokémon Tower and facing that ghostly Marowak.
 
But once you’ve lit the path for Mr. Fuji and earned the Poké Flute, the game opens up again in a big way.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly what to do after Lavender Town so you can keep your momentum going without missing anything important.
 
Let’s dive in.
 

Why You Should Leave Lavender Town Sooner Rather Than Later

 
Figuring out what to do after Lavender Town starts with understanding why you shouldn’t linger too long.
 
Lavender Town is famous for its creepy music and the haunted stories surrounding Pokémon Tower.
 
But after you’ve defeated your rival, calmed the ghost, and rescued Mr. Fuji, there’s not much left to do here.
 
The real progression lies elsewhere, and the game expects you to move on.
 

1. You’ve Already Collected the Poké Flute

 
Once you rescue Mr. Fuji at the top of Pokémon Tower, he rewards you with the Poké Flute.
 
This item is essential because it wakes up the sleeping Snorlax blocking both Route 12 and Route 16.
 
Without it, you literally cannot progress to Fuchsia City or access the western sea routes.
 
So if you’ve got the Poké Flute in your bag, you’re ready to move on.
 

2. The Tower Has Nothing Left to Offer

 
After the ghost Marowak is laid to rest, Pokémon Tower becomes a normal training spot.
 
There are no more story beats, no more cutscenes, and no more key items to grab.
 
If you’re wondering what to do after Lavender Town and you’re still wandering the tower, you can safely leave.
 

3. Your Rival Has Already Been Defeated

 
You’ll bump into your rival near the entrance of Pokémon Tower and battle him.
 
Once that’s done, there’s no reason to stick around waiting for him to reappear.
 
His next appearance is much further down the road, so pack up and head out.
 

Where to Go After Lavender Town

 
Now let’s talk about the actual destinations.
 
Knowing what to do after Lavender Town means knowing which routes lead where.
 
You’ve got two main directions from town, and both are worth exploring depending on your goals.
 

1. Head South to Route 12

 
Route 12 is directly south of Lavender Town and is the most natural next step.
 
This route is a long vertical stretch of water and grass where you’ll find trainers, fishermen, and a sleeping Snorlax.
 
Use the Poké Flute on Snorlax and either battle it or run, then continue south.
 
You’ll eventually reach Route 13, then Route 14, and finally Route 15, all of which lead to Fuchsia City.
 
Along the way, you’ll encounter bird keepers, bikers, and plenty of chances to level up your team.
 

2. Head West to Route 8

 
If you go west from Lavender Town, you’ll travel through Route 8 toward Saffron City.
 
This path takes you through a gate and into the eastern side of Saffron, which is a major hub.
 
From Saffron, you can access Celadon City, Vermilion City, and eventually the rest of Kanto.
 
But keep in mind you can’t enter Saffron City until you’ve dealt with Team Rocket at Silph Co.
 
So if you haven’t done that yet, you may need to take the southern route first.
 

3. Grab the Super Rod on Route 12

 
One of the most overlooked things to do after Lavender Town is picking up the Super Rod.
 
A fisherman on Route 12 will give it to you if you have an empty slot in your party or if you’ve already caught enough Pokémon.
 
This rod lets you fish up stronger water types like Gyarados, Seaking, and even Dratini in certain spots.
 
It’s a small detour with a big payoff for your team.
 

What to Prioritize After Leaving Lavender Town

 
Once you’re on the road, it helps to have a rough plan for what to do after Lavender Town.
 
Here are the most important tasks to check off as you continue.
 

1. Wake Up Snorlax and Catch It

 
Snorlax is one of the best Pokémon you can get in Kanto.
 
There are two of them: one on Route 12 and one on Route 16.
 
Use the Poké Flute to wake them, then either catch them or defeat them depending on your team needs.
 
Just remember you can only catch one of each, so don’t faint both if you want one for your team.
 

2. Make Your Way to Fuchsia City

 
Fuchsia City is the next major milestone after Lavender Town.
 
It has the Safari Zone, the next gym, and access to the Seafoam Islands.
 
Getting there via Routes 12 through 15 is the standard path and gives you plenty of training opportunities.
 

3. Stock Up on Potions and Poké Balls

 
Before you head deep into the routes, make sure you’re stocked up.
 
Lavender Town’s Poké Mart has basic items, but you’ll want Great Balls and Super Potions for the journey ahead.
 
If you’re low on cash, battle the trainers along the way for extra money.
 

So, What to Do After Lavender Town?

 
After Lavender Town, you should head south to Route 12, wake up Snorlax with the Poké Flute, and make your way toward Fuchsia City.
 
Along the way, grab the Super Rod, train your team, and enjoy the change of pace from the spooky tower.
 
Knowing what to do after Lavender Town keeps your playthrough smooth and ensures you don’t miss essential items or Pokémon.
 
Now get out there and keep exploring.