Pike Place Market

The basics

Some of Pike Place Market's most popular attractions include the First Starbucks, Pike Brewing Company, and Pike Place Chowder. Don't miss Chukar Cherries, famous for their chocolate-covered dried cherries grown right in Washington. There's even a Hellenika Cultured Creamery, which serves frozen Greek yogurt. The main and north arcades are the most popular areas in the market. 

The best way to experience Seattle's top gastronomic attraction is by tasting your way through it, and the market is a main stop on most Seattle food tours. Chef-guided food tours, cooking classes, and cultural walking tours of the market are all excellent ways to experience what the market has to offer.

Going with a tour guide is particularly useful for helping you find small businesses that you may have missed on your own. You can even book an early-bird Pike Place Market tour to avoid the crowds.

Things to know before you go

• You won't need Pike Place Market tickets, as admission is free.

• The market has lots of eateries, and many can accommodate dietary restrictions. 

• Save some pocket change for Rachel, the bronze charity piggy bank that serves as Pike Place Market's unofficial mascot.

• After browsing the farmers market, head to Victor Steinbrueck Park for a picnic.

• Pike Place Market is completely accessible for wheelchair users and has several elevators and accessible bathrooms.

How to get there

Pike Place Market is located in downtown Seattle's Pike Place Market Historic District, overlooking Puget Sound. It's easy to get to via bus and streetcar. There's an information booth below the Pike Place Market sign, where you can pick up a free guide and market map. Nearby attractions include the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Waterfront, and the Seattle Aquarium.

When to get there

Because most of the action at Pike Place Market takes place indoors, it's a great place to visit year-round. The market is open from dawn to dusk. While you should always expect crowds, it's sometimes a bit quieter on weekday mornings.

Classic fish throwing at Pike Place

One of the market's most entertaining spectacles takes place at the seafood stalls, where fishmongers throw salmon and other fish to each other rather than passing them by hand. Place an order and watch as an employee theatrically hurls a fish in the air, passing it to a second employee who will catch it and prep it for sale. Vendors can pack fish for travel, and most ship throughout the US.

What is the best day of the week to visit Pike Place Market?

The best days to visit Pike Place Market are Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid crowds and lines. Though most shops, stalls, and vendors open by 9am, mornings are generally relatively quiet. To maximize your room to explore the market, come before noon on Tuesday or Wednesday.

How long does it take to walk through Pike Place Market?

There's a lot to see and do at Pike Place Market, which has hundreds of shops, farmstands, crafts, and buskers. Guided tours of Pike Place Market generally take two hours, pausing to sample local products along the way. Plan to spend longer if you're sticking around for a restaurant meal.

What tours can you do to see Pike Place Market?

Walking tours are a great way to explore the best of Pike Place Market. Some tours are gourmet-themed, featuring tastings of locally caught seafood, pastries, produce, and more. Pike Place Market is also included on many Seattle sightseeing tours, along with some of the city's other top landmarks.

What is special about Pike Place Market?

Pike Place Market was founded in 1907 and is among the oldest and biggest public markets in the United States. It's also the place to explore hundreds of independent Seattle businesses under one roof—it's home to dozens of restaurants and market vendors, including fishmongers, artisans, artists, bakers, and more.

Are there restrooms at Pike Place Market?

Yes, there are restrooms at Pike Place Market. Wheelchair-friendly restrooms are in the Sanitary Market building, the Soames Dunn Building, and beneath the Public Market Sign at Pike Place and Pine. Another restroom, accessible via a flight of stairs, is a floor down from the Public Market Center Clock Sign.

What do you see on a tour of Pike Place Market?

Tours of Pike Place Market generally highlight market vendors, from famous shops to lesser-known artisans. They're a great way to discover the best of the market while learning about local history and culture. Many tours also include tastings, so you can try some of everything along the way.

Ways to explore

Just browsing the market is a worthwhile experience, with samples to graze on and friendly vendors offering up wares. There’s a lot to see, though, and it’s easy to miss key spots. Travelers get a more curated take by booking a tour of Pike Place Market, such as chef-guided tasting walks and itineraries highlighting quirky culture and history. Pike Place Market is also a popular inclusion on more expansive tours, which may feature nearby sites—such as the Olympic Sculpture Park and the first Starbucks—visits to the Space Needle or Skywheel, or even outings to towering Snoqualmie Falls.

Accessibility

Most of Pike Place Market is wheelchair accessible, and accessible parking is available in its adjacent garages.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Shopping bag, credit card

What to wear

Layered clothing, a raincoat

Not allowed

Drones, tripods, pets

Amenities

Restrooms, Wi-Fi, ATMs

Address

Pike Place Market is located in downtown Seattle on Pike Street, and it’s possible to arrive by car or public transit. Some tours offer round-trip transport from other parts of the city, making these a convenient option for many travelers.

Driving

From downtown Seattle, take First Avenue to Pike Street. Paid parking is available at a nearby 800-space parking garage with entrances on Western Avenue and Alaskan Way. However, often-slow neighborhood traffic means that for many visitors, walking or public transit is more convenient than driving.

Public transportation

You can reach Pike Place by bus, streetcar, light rail, or monorail. The Westlake Hub streetcar station is .4 miles (.6 kilometers) away, and the nearest Link Light Rail stations are Symphony and Westlake—each a .3-mile (.5-kilometer) walk.

Best times to visit

Mornings are the quietest times at the market, or come at sunset to enjoy great views across Puget Sound.

Best days to visit

The busiest days at Pike Place Market are generally Thursday through Monday, leaving Tuesday and Wednesday relatively uncrowded.

Best months to visit

You can come year-round, but summer and autumn bring the widest array of produce from nearby farms.

Special events

Pike Place Market hosts special events throughout the year, including the annual Flower Festival in May and the Magic in the Market in late November to kick off the holidays.