Lining the cobbled streets of Pike Place Market, you’ll find scores of shops and stalls, some of which have been kept in the same families for generations. It is a busy, thriving place where you can try the seasonal fruits on offer, smell the fresh flowers and admire the local arts and crafts.
Up the steps from Seattle’s waterfront, the market is a great spot for fresh fish. See the incredible variety of seafood on display, whether you favour salmon, oysters or even crab legs. Make sure that you try the local delicacies, especially Northwest salmon and Dungeness crab when they’re in season.
The fishmongers keep the buzz alive throughout the market with their good-natured banter as they weigh their fish and serve their customers. Look out for any fish they might throw into the aisles suspended on the end of a string – a popular prank!
As well as the fish, there are all sorts of stalls throughout the market: health shops, cheese counters, organic fruit stands and even quiet cafes and boutique bars. You could lose hours wandering around here. On the lower floor, meanwhile, you’ll find book shops, pottery and antique shops, clothes shops and speciality supermarkets – all great places to spot a bargain. For a bit of quiet time, you can even visit the public library on the ground floor and spend some time there. By night, the mood changes dramatically, as live jazz musicians and singers perform in popular spots like the Pink Door and the Can Can bar.
The market is a fixture of Seattle life, with its exciting atmosphere and friendly vibe drawing locals and visitors alike. Situated right in the heart of downtown Seattle and close to the waterfront, Pike Place Market is open every day all through the week. If you’re coming by car, make sure you arrive early to grab a parking space. Taxis and buses are also available.
