1531 Western Avenue (Parking Garage)
Seattle WA
(206) 682-7453
Pike Place Market Website
- Hours: Open seven days a week, year-round, except Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1
- Reservations: Not required, except for Saturday and Sunday tours
- Cost: No admission, but there is a charge for the guided tour
- Location: Seattle waterfront, directions below
- How Long: Allow an hour to browse through the produce and crafts, longer if you want to take a tour, go shopping or have a meal
- Best Time to Visit: Any time, but Pike Place Market grows more lively around mid-day. In winter, it's more fun then, but in summer you should plan to get there early or be prepared to do the Seattle Shuffle through the crowds
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market, Seattle's public market, was founded in 1917. Now approaching 100 years old, it covers 9 acres, and is home to shops and stands selling farm produce, specialty foods, international groceries, handmade crafts, antiques and collectibles, books and clothing, along with 60 restaurants and take-out spots.Pike Place Market highlights include the salmon-slinging Pike Place Fish Market and Rachel, the life-sized, bronze piggy bank that has collected over $100,000 since it arrived in 1986. Pike Place Market is also the home of the world's first Starbucks, which is located across the street from the main market building.
One-hour Pike Place Market tours are given Wednesday through Sunday, starting at the Pike Place Market Heritage Center, 1531 Western Avenue. To get there, go downstairs and exit onto Western. Reservations are required for Saturday and Sunday tours. Click on "tours" from the website to reserve online or call (206) 774-5249.
If you'd rather tour Pike Place Market on your own, pick up a map from the information booth below the big sign. Pike Place Market gets up early and goes to bed early. Before dark, the vendors have gone home and the restaurants are closed. You'll enjoy the place more if you arrive early before the crowds get so thick that moving around becomes difficult. That is, unless you'd rather go just for the people-watching.
If someone tells you to meet them by the Pike Place Market pig, you'll find Rachel the pig on the market's top level. Just look for the crowd gathered to watch the fish flying.
Getting to Pike Place Market
If you're walking, you can reach Pike Place Market on First Street, where it crosses Pike Place. If you're coming up from the waterfront, walk up the stairs across from Pier 59.Don't try to drive into Pike Place Market on Pike Street. The road is always crowded, and the few parking spots full. Instead, go down to Western Avenue on Union Street and turn right toward the parking garage.
