Pike Place Market Tours and Activities

Pike Place Market showing markets, signage and food

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Climb the steps from the waterfront to discover Seattle’s fresh food hub, the oldest farmers’ market in the U.S.

Street performers and vendors vie for attention on the pleasantly busy cobblestone streets of Pike Place Market. It’s home to some 200 stalls and shops, some of which have been family-operated for generations. Amble among the wide aisles in the main arcade taking in the cornucopia of sounds, smells and sights. Sample seasonal fruits, smell the fresh bouquets of flowers, and admire handmade jewelry and art. 

Homey cafés, oriental health stalls, boutique bars, artisan cheese counters and organic fruit stands draw the eye and tempt the wallet. Buzzing beneath the traditional market is a lower floor of small bookstores, pottery and antique shops, clothing stores and specialty supermarkets that are ideal for bargain-hunting.

Situated just steps from Seattle’s waterfront, Pike Place Market is famous for its fresh fish stalls. Don’t be afraid to get up close and check out the huge variety of seafood on display: crab legs, oysters, salmon and other fish are laid out on icy beds. Try some fresh Northwest salmon or Dungeness crab when in season.

Competitive fishmongers offer unique entertainment, putting on a fish-throwing performance and bantering with customers as they weigh and wrap purchases in thick white paper. Unsuspecting visitors may even see a fish suddenly jump, its mouth snapping – all at the pull of a string from fun-loving pranksters behind the counter. It all adds to the good-natured atmosphere of this lively market.

After dark, street entertainers give way to live jazz and vocalists performing in old favorites like the Pink Door and the risqué-but-campy Can Can bar. 

Pike Place Market is a local institution unlike anywhere else. It provides entertainment, a friendly place to linger and chat with stallholders, and you can buy everything from magic tricks to Far East potion, to local wine and cheese. There’s even a public library on the ground floor if you need a bit of quiet reflection. 

Pike Place Market is located in downtown Seattle, open seven days a week. Come early to find parking, or take a taxi or bus.

Plan a trip to see Pike Place Market

Mediterranean Inn
Hotel Theodore
Lotte Hotel Seattle
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Pike Place Market

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
651
" "5 - Excellent 50.30911901081917%
4 - Good
522
" "4 - Good 40.34003091190108%
3 - Okay
108
" "3 - Okay 8.346213292117465%
2 - Disappointing
10
" "2 - Disappointing 0.7727975270479135%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.23183925811437403%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Sep. 13, 2019

to walk to pike place market, take 4th ave over to pike street-avoids the hills

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Sep. 3, 2019

Eventually you will find street parking but you will probably have to circle the area for awhile until something comes available.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Aug. 28, 2019

Women’s bathroom was disgusting. For such a big market, we were shocked at the condition of it

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Aug. 10, 2019

The place is crazy busy on a Sunday. We went there to eat lunch but there were significant lineups everywhere. Ended up finding an amazing place to eat - Bavarian Meats. The food was really, really, really great. Lineups and wait times were an issue but there wasn't much they could do. Best sausage I've ever had.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Jul. 29, 2019

If visiting the market, you should get their early because it gets really busy and we found it hard to maneuver around all of the people.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
May 6, 2019

Tons of stuff in this multilevel market. You can wander around here for hours, so make a plan about things you'd like to find.

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