When people think Seattle they think Pacific Northwest, coffee, seafood, the Space Needle and Mount Lanier. One of the first things that came to mind also when I found out I’d be spending a little time there was Pike Place Market.
Right along Elliott Bay and Pike Street, in the heart of the city, is a foodie and shopping paradise. It’s one of the oldest public farmers’ markets in the United States.
You’ll find many, many people capturing the signage and clock. It’s almost lunch time.
One thing that will definitely catch the eye right away are the flowers. The assortment of boutiques, arrangements and flower colors at very reasonable prices will make the tourist wish they lived locally.
Being along the water in the Pacific Northwest you’ll definitely find a lot of every kind of seafood imaginable. The size of some of the fish you can buy wow!
Ditto on the produce. One stand after another of colorful vegetables in perfect condition.
Walking outside of the main market area along Pike Street you’ll find shops, restaurants, stands and people lining the streets.
One of the shops is the original Starbucks. Of course I will notice anything coffee related. 🙂 It’s definitely worth a visit, but get there early. If you want to sit inside and/or get a caffeinated coffee beverage, be prepared to stand in line. A good alternative is Local Color Art Coffee and More a few doors down. It’s part coffee shop, part gallery and a good place to people watch and hang out.
There are unique vendors all-around selling something for everyone. One that caught the eye was the tie-dyed t-shirts stand. If you’re looking for a local souvenir to take home check out Mt St Helen’s Ash and get something made of the ash from the 1980 volcanic eruption.
Tip: Hearing a lot from the locals while there, finding a parking spot is a major issue so pack patience or walk/take public transportation.
Whether its people watching, shopping, hanging out in the big city or enjoying coffee and some eats, Pike Place Market in Seattle is definitely worth the time.
What other markets would you recommend that you have come across in your travels?
The Adventures of elATLboy 
I remember watching a motivational video at work that was filmed at the fish market in Seattle. I think the group made that much money however, that they have stopped working now.
Cool! Before going I remember seeing the market on television or in a movie before, but can’t remember what. Maybe Frasier which I know took place in Seattle.
The video I watched at work was called ‘Fish’ and it was about a group of guys and how they made their work fun each day. It was meant to inspirational! 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Might have to check that out online, if possible, sometime. 🙂
An awesome place to hang out, especially by the fish stalls! 🙂
Agreed. Could see myself hanging out and just chilling lots of places within there, though more likely at a coffee shop haha. 😉
LOL. Yes, a coffee shop would be a more relaxing (and less smelly) place to hang!
If you’ve never been to the French Market in the French Quarter in New Orleans, it’s definitely worth a visit!
Haven’t been to NOLA but have heard great things about the market. It’s on my list of places to get to. 🙂
Definitely go. And do it between late October and February. Because the rest of the year is hot and summers are brutal!
Thanks for the tips! Do know that about the summers, experienced a lot that in the ATL. Heat and humidity ahhhh.
No problem! I hope you enjoy your visit when you get to go!
I’ve been to some great markets in Costa Rica! Always wanted to spend more time in Seattle though
Cool beans! Hope to have the opportunity to spend more time at Pike Place myself and get to the parts I didn’t spend much time in.
Thanks for taking me through Pike’s Place again. I’ve been twice but don’t see any way to get there again . . . at least not in the near future. So these pics make me very happy today! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
No problem. Loved going through the market photos. Hope you do have a chance to get back some time. 🙂
Great piece elatlboy!
Thank you Sonia! 🙂 A great market!
Great article and photos on Pike Place. I am from the Seattle area so I am biased and Pike’s is probably my favorite market to walk around, especially to see all the flowers and fish. But anywhere I travel, I make sure to visit markets — they are always a good insight to the local culture because of the how they are set up and what is being sold. My other two favorite markets are Kariakoo Market in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (it is the biggest market in east Africa), and the small but lively market in the Amazon port city of Leticia, Colombia: so many languages, fruits, fish, and hustle and hustle!
Nice choices. I agree with you, I always try to pick up a locally made souvenir or buy/try the local food to experience what the area has to offer.
I took almost all the same pictures here as you did, so was nice to see yours…ahh takes me right back. I love the whole Seattle area!
Very cool. Ditto on the Seattle area. Beautiful in the city and all the natural beauty in the surrounding area. 🙂 Hope to get back to Pike Place down the road.