Pike Place Market

Pike Place is one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the United States, a wonderfully cluttered warren of fishmongers, produce stalls, flower sellers, craftspeople, and tiny restaurants tumbling down the hillside above Seattle's waterfront. The famous fish-throwing at Pike Place Fish Co. draws the crowds, but the market rewards wandering its lower levels too, where quirky old shops hide beneath the main arcade.

Nearby you'll find the original Starbucks storefront (expect a queue more than great coffee), the gum wall in Post Alley (divisive but undeniably a sight), and some of the best casual eating in the city. Come hungry, come early, and be ready for crowds, this is a working market and a major attraction at once.

Don't miss

• The flying fish at Pike Place Fish Co.
• Stalls of flowers, produce, and Pacific Northwest crafts
• The original 1971 Starbucks storefront across the street
• The (in)famous gum wall in Post Alley
• The maze of lower-level shops beneath the main arcade

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Pike Place Market

Cheapest way inBeneath The Streets Underground History Tour4.7★ · 8,718 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$32 per personSee dates →Most bookedChef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market4.9★ · 4,237 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$75 per personSee dates →Top ratedPike Place Market: Original Food Tour - Tips Included!5★ · 625 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$112 per personSee dates →

Good for

How travelers rate it

Know before you go

• Go early, it's calmest and freshest near opening; weekends get packed by late morning.
• Explore the lower levels, not just the main arcade, the oddest shops hide below.
• The original Starbucks line is long and the coffee's the same as anywhere; weigh whether it's worth the wait.
• It's a working market on a hill, comfortable shoes and a bit of patience with crowds help.

A bit of history

Pike Place Market opened in 1907 to let farmers sell directly to the public and cut out price-gouging middlemen. Threatened with demolition in the 1960s, it was saved by a public campaign and preserved as a historic district. It remains a working market, home to hundreds of vendors and small businesses.