Recommends

Kristin Price

Joined 3 years ago

More than meets the eye. As the oldest continually-operating farmers market in the United States, the century old Pike Place Market is the beloved granddaddy of them all. Visiting the Market is a multi-sensory experience, sure to please both local and tourist.

Allow the feel of the cobblestones under your feet to take you back to the turn of the century as you close your eyes and take in the olfactory goodness of the fresh, locally-grown fruit, vegetables, flowers and seafood. Get a whiff of the various baked goods and street food offerings. The ensuing aroma is intermingled with the seeping scent of incense and patchouli to create a confusing, albeit abounding, encounter for the nostrils.

Listen to the bellowing of the fishmongers, warning of incoming seafood that commences the ceremonial tossing of their customers’ newly purchased salmon. Hear, too, the other vendors entreating you to try samples of their fresh produce, or grab the latest bargain on their hand made crafts. Add to that the melody of the street performers, and all is combined to form a symphonic masterpiece for the ear.

Visually, little ornamentation of the buildings is intentional, as the focus was always meant to be the rows of food and craft stalls. Experience a feast for the eyes – the brilliant colors of the fresh flowers and produce, the red bricks on the cobblestone street, the wooden boardwalk leading to the lower level storefronts, and alleyways with nooks and crannies beckoning to be explored.

Not to be outdone, the palate is fully delighted too by many fine restaurants, bakeries, ethnic eateries, and specialty food shops. This enchantment for the senses makes it the easy to see why Seattle has had a love affair with Pike Place for over 100 years and why it is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

Recommends

jags999

Joined 7 years ago

Must see in Seattle!. If you're just visiting or have just never been you must go to the Pike Place Market. The fresh flowers are amazing and a great buy! There are all kinds of local artists and of course don't miss the fish market - excellent! Great variety to see.

Recommends

budd_e_bev

Joined 11 years ago

Flying Fish?. Pike Place Market is well known for their 'Fish Market' Often times I see employees throwing fish to one another (I'm talking HUGE fish here!) making some kind of performance. Often times I find it funny. This isn't the cleanest place, so don't expect it to have 'grand' floors or nothing like that. Afterall it IS a market. Also they have the BEST cheapest flowers here!! That's what I love most! I could find flowers here that sell for roughly $30+ in California. They also have a few souveneer shops as you continue to walk along the market, and further down you see a great view of the water! It's relaxing, gives you something to do, and it's also 3 stories. Take the stairs all the way down and you could go to the waterfront. a MUCH better view! People here are SO friendly, i LOVE it!