Pike Place Market

It's true that Pike Place is a tourist trap, but if you're a local it's still a great place to pick up your fresh fruit and veggies, just make sure you visit early in the morning before the crowds hit. If you get the chance don't overlook the bottom level, it has loads of cute shops, and is also one of the oldest parts of Seattle.

If you're a big tea nut, check out Market Spice, they've got more delicious types of tea than you could possibly drink in one lifetime.

If you like crowded tourist traps, this is the place for you! It's a fun block to walk down, but it's not as amazing as people make it out to be. Most of the markets will give you samples of the fruit which is pretty cool.

The funniest thing I saw was a line out the door for the "first" Starbucks store, but a half a block away a newer Starbucks had barely anyone in it.

Pike Place Market is the city’s center for fresh, local produce, specialty food and small independent businesses. Established in 1907 to connect citizens and farmers, the market continues its “Meet the Producer” tradition with a year-round farmers market, owner-operated bakeries, fish markets, butcher shops, produce stands and specialty food stores.

Within the nine-acre Market historic district is a daily crafts market, which features the quality work of 225 craftspeople, and more than 200 unique owner-operated shops and services. There are more than 80 restaurants within the Market boundaries, from take out counters to fine dining establishments. Four social service agencies, including a senior center, food bank, medical clinic and preschool serve the downtown community.

One of the best point here is the Magic Shop that is located in the lower level of the main Market. Step inside and you will find pictures of famous performers covering the walls and magicians demonstrating magic tricks. Kids (and adults) will love it.

This may be a “tourist trap” but there are plenty of sights to see, shops to visit, fresh produce, and lots of great places to eat (you gotta try Pike Place Chowder) and don’t forget to visit the Gum Walls (uh, look but probably don’t touch). I’ll definitely go back next time I visit Seattle! 👍

Fun to walk through and experience! Ghost alley coffee is by the gum wall and the best coffee EVER! Other than that we didn’t buy anything because we were in a van camping and passing through. Lots of different items and worth the horrible parking.

Yes Pike's Place is touristy, but we still really enjoyed going from vendor to vendor, binging on samples and people watching. We went on Memorial Day, which is luckily one of the days that Seattle doesn't charge for meter parking. We found a spot on one of the side streets between 1st and 2nd Ave and parked there without problem. Beware there is a four hour time limit for meters on Weekdays.

Waffles, fresh mini doughnuts, wine-tasting, olive oil-tasting, pasta booths, cheese. If for no other reason hit this place up for the food. It is very touristy so be aware that it's gonna be crowded.

We loved pikes place Market. All of the yummy food. Also the flowers were gorgeous!

We were at Pike Place Market around 5 pm. It was insanely busy on a week day in early October. Fortunately, we had a handicap parking pass and there was 1 spot left just right of the main entrance, otherwise we might of had to skip this place. I would definitely recommend going earlier in the day. Most of the shops were empty or closing up shop when we got there. The fish shop was closing, the flower shop was open. There's all kinds of interesting stores there...magic shop, food places, candy store, etc. There was a neat sitting area where you could see the harbor and the big ferris wheel. It is an iconic Seattle landmark, and it's close to Seattle's Gum Wall. Security was patrolling the area outside and inside of the market.