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What to See: Pike Place Market in Seattle

Post last updated July 18, 2013

Thanks to Public Market Tours, I was able to learn more about one of Seattle’s most iconic attractions – Pike Place Market.

Pike Place Market Seattle Sign

This market is one of the oldest public farmers markets open year round in the US.

Pike Place Market Seattle Sign
While there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of Starbucks in Seattle, the very first shop was opened in 1971 in Pike Place Market.

This store still has it’s original look and is for people who want to buy coffee or souvenirs.

Pike Place Market Seattle Original Starbucks

There are no comfy sofas or any chair for that matter in this shop so don’t expect to to sit and people watch here.

Line up for drinks and souvenirs were both out the door the day I visited. There are several mugs and cups that are sold only at this location – you will be unable to find them at other stores in Seattle.

Located in Post Alley, you will find a single wall decorated with chewed gum of every colour and size.

Pike Place Market Seattle Gum Wall

Β Gross or Gorgeous? You decide.

Tyler, our tour guide, shared this interesting tidbit – the Seattle Gum Wall is the SECOND “germiest” tourist attraction in the world.

Only a bit “cleaner” than The Blarney Stone in Ireland. I did not add anything to the gum wall and kept my arms at my side (and on my phone) while walking down Post Alley.

Pike Place Market Flowers

Tables upon tables of fresh flowers and bouquets are available for sale at the market.

If I had an empty vase lying around in my hotel room, I would have shopped for flowers everyday! Bouquets for $5 at Pike Place would run me at least $20 in Toronto.

Tyler took us to one of the lower levels of the market where I spotted a few things that made me LMAO.

Pike Place Market Seattle Comic Book Store One Direction

Anyone need One Direction life size cutouts? Notice how Bieber is off to the side – does this mean he is on clearance?

We are about to start the potty training process at our house. Maybe I should have purchased these books from Lion Heart Book Store.

Pike Place Market Books

I would highly recommend this one hour walking tour if you want to learn about Pike Place Market’s history. Tyler was enthusiastic, extremely knowledgeable and funny.

Wear comfy walking shoes because you will be going up and down hills and over cobblestone roads the entire time!

And pack wipes too – see gum wall photo above if you need a reminder.



About Cheryl - Kids On A Plane

Cheryl daydreams about exploring the world with her family often and will travel for good food, lattes and theme park rides that don't require her to go too high in the sky. She's afraid of heights!

Comments

  1. Satu VW says

    July 18, 2013 at 3:48 am

    Gum wall?! My first thought was that’s gross, but then, I HAVE kissed the Blarney stone in Ireland, many many years ago, so I can’t really say a thing… πŸ™‚ We don’t have any markets here in this small Norwegian town, definitely something I miss from the city life. Thanks for sharing, if I get to visit Seattle at some point this will be on my to-do list for sure!

    • Cheryl says

      July 24, 2013 at 1:49 pm

      Well if you’ve kissed the Blarney stone I guess there is nothing wrong with looking at the gum wall. πŸ˜‰

  2. Reeta @houseofanais says

    July 18, 2013 at 4:14 am

    I love exploring markets too, and those prices I’d also be buying flowers all the time!! Our little town has a market twice a week, but no fun surprises there – mainly food and jewellery…

    • Cheryl says

      July 24, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      Food and jewellery is good too πŸ˜‰ HA HA HA!

  3. create with mom says

    July 18, 2013 at 4:26 am

    lovely pictures about the gum not sure if it is gross or creative πŸ™‚

    • Cheryl says

      July 24, 2013 at 1:50 pm

      Half and Half maybe.

  4. Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog says

    July 18, 2013 at 7:06 am

    I loved the market when I visited. Thanks so much for linking up today with us.

  5. Katie says

    July 18, 2013 at 11:40 pm

    We are headed to Seattle in the fall, I think. I’ve been wanting to visit Pike Place Market for a long time. Great post!

    • Cheryl says

      July 24, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      You must visit Pike Place Katie! It’s always busy so if you want to avoid the crowds it better to go early in the morning than later on during the day

  6. Elena says

    July 18, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    I have never been to Seattle but have always wanted to go…although Vancouver is a close contender if I am heading out in that direction πŸ™‚

    • Cheryl says

      July 24, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      Oh that is a difficult decision, Elena. Both are great cities. If I had more vacation time I probably would have tried to drive up to Vancouver.

  7. Nicole says

    July 20, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    My husband is born and raised in Seattle so whenever we go back I make sure to see every tourist spot I can since we spend most of the time off the beaten path anyway. It’s one of my favorite spots to visit, but I can’t stay long because I’m not a fan of the rain. That’s why I love the summers in Seattle so much!

    • Cheryl says

      July 22, 2013 at 10:49 pm

      Nicole, I feel the same way when I am in Seattle. I love doing the touristy stuff but the rain gets to me by midweek. I haven’t visited Seattle in the summer yet but one day I will have to if it means more sun and less rain!

  8. Valerie Godin says

    August 5, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    Gum wall?! How crazy is that!! Would love to see this!

  9. Tonya {The Traveling Praters} says

    August 8, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    Looking at the gum wall makes me want to wash my hands. πŸ˜‰

    My family loved visiting the Pike Place Market. I really think if I lived in Seattle, I’d shop there. We stood and watched the fish guys forever. They were so entertaining.

    Did you see the paper made from “poo”? We found the journals along the water front, but with the books you referenced, I’d think someone would sell poo paper too. There is an entire line of recycled poo. It kind of grossed me out a little but not so much that I didn’t snap a picture of it.

  10. Melinda L. says

    April 24, 2014 at 9:25 am

    I love farmers markets, this looks like so much fun! and ewww to the gum wall!

  11. Judy Cowan says

    April 25, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    Looks like an interesting market to visit. Not sure about that gum wall though, thinking it is a little gross.

Trackbacks

  1. Eat This When in Seattle says:
    July 25, 2013 at 2:08 am

    […] plan for Seattle was to do a little sightseeing, exploring and a lot of […]

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