As a travel planner, I always get asked what to do at Pike Place Market and if it’s worth visiting. I’m here to assure you that yes, you should visit, because no trip to Seattle is complete without a stop at this famous market. You just need to know how to make the most of it.
You see, there is no shortage of fun and exciting things to do and experience at Pike Place Market. However, it gets crowded and some stops are better than others. So in this round up I’ll share everything you should do at Pike Place Market, the best time to visit, and what you can skip. Get ready to make the most of your visit to this iconic Seattle attraction!
What to Do at Pike Place Market
Before diving into what to do at Pike Place Market, lets get some of the most frequently asked questions out of the way. This will help you know what to expect during your visit.
Is Pike Place Market worth visiting?
About 10 million people visit Pike Place Market each year…so yeah, I’d say it’s worth visiting! Any search for “what to do in Seattle” will list this historic attraction at the top of your must-see list. But you’ll be happy to know that it’s not just tourists visiting. Locals come to Pike Place Market all the time, whether it’s to pop in for a quick lunch break during work or ducking in to one of the more hidden restaurants for dinner before a show.
What is Pike Place Market famous for?
Founded in 1907, Pike Place Market is the United States’ oldest and largest continuously-operating public market. It’s part of the “Magnificent Seven”, an alliance of internationally renowned public markets that includes the iconic Borough Market in London, La Boqueria in Barcelona, Markthalle Neun in Berlin, Central Market Hall in Budapest, Sydney Fish Market in Sydney, and Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.
Pike Place Market was started as a way to combat exorbitant produce prices in the early 20th century. To this day, it’s still a bustling farmers market with local farmers selling their fresh fruit and veggies. Heck, it’s still one of the best Seattle farmers markets in the city period!
But now you can also find crafts, restaurants, bars, and more within this 9-acre historic district. Every vendor is locally owned and got their start in the market because one of Pike Place’s founding principles is incubating small businesses.
Some recognizable brands that have grown while still holding their flagship retail location in the market include Rachel’s Ginger Beer, Pike Place Chowder, Piroshky Piroshky, Storyville Coffee, and Starbucks. The market also empowered Three Girls Bakery to be the first-ever business licensed to women in Seattle back when it first opened in the Corner Market in 1912.
Other things the market is known for
Besides eating and shopping, here are some other things Pike Place Market is famous for:
- Buskers – The Head and the Heart and Brandi Carlile performed here!
- Fish throwing – Mongers toss fish to speed up processing and entertain
- Starbucks – Visit where they got their start and their 2nd old location
- Gum Wall – Millions have contributed to this public art piece
- Rachel & Billie the Pigs – Huge bronze piggy banks accepting donations
- Flowers – Pick up colorful bouquets to spruce up your home or hotel
- Stunning water views – There are plenty of places to admire in the Puget Sound
When is the best time to visit Pike Place Market?
Locals tend to avoid weekends, so weekdays are the best for avoiding crowds. If you really want to explore sans people, get there before 9 AM and after 5 PM in the winter before cruise ships start bringing summer travelers. Bonus points if it’s raining.
However, know that some businesses will be closed if you visit during off hours. Part of the fun of Pike Place Market is people watching, so I love visiting on Thursdays and Fridays after 10 AM to still get the buzz from the hustle and bustle, but not to the level found on Saturdays and Sundays.
Is there anything worth skipping at the market?
If you’re visiting, there’s only so much you can pack into a day. Everything in the market is worth experiencing at least once, but some will require long waits. So these are the stops I always recommend skipping:
- Starbucks – Tons of people line up to see the 1st Starbucks, but it’s actually the 2nd location (the first is now closed). Plus, there are so many awesome independent Seattle coffee roasters. You can get Starbucks back home, so support one of the small guys instead.
- Pike Place Chowder – If you visit when there’s not a long line, by all means stop in because they’re serving some of the best clam chowder in Seattle. But they ship nationwide and there’s a less crowded location nearby.
- Piroshky Piroshky – Same goes for this famous stuffed pastry spot. They ship nationwide and have a few downtown locations that are less crowded.
- Beecher’s Cheese – Watching them work through the window is cool, but you can get their products nationwide nowadays…including in the Sea-Tac Airport and in most grocery stores!
What to do at Pikes Place Market
Alright, without further ado, let’s get to all the best things to do in Pike Place Market! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, let me play you a custom self-guided tour of the market!
If you’re ready to plan the day on your own, here are what I recommend doing at Pike Place Market!
Eat your way through the market
I have a whole article dedicated to Pike Place Market restaurants because you’ll find so many good ones. However, here is my short list.
Daily Dozen
website | directions | best for: mini fresh-made doughnuts
This cash-only vendor is easy to miss, but it’s worth seeking out for mini doughnuts made right in front of you. Kids will get a kick out of watching them bake on the conveyor belt, and they’re perfect for snacking since they come in a brown paper bag. Get the mix of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, and sprinkles so you can try a few styles! I still have fond memories of when my colleague used to sporadically bring in a still-warm bag to work.
Oriental Mart
website | directions | best for: Filipino comfort food
Only locals know about this small counter in the back of a convenience store that’s doling out seriously-good Filipino dishes. On any given day you’ll find classics like chicken adobo, longanisa, and my personal favorite, salmon sinigang. If you’re not familiar, it’s a sour soup that’s both comforting and bright. Enjoy it on one of the counter stools or eat it to go as you explore the market.
Pasta Casalinga
website | directions | best for: fresh-made pasta
Italian-born Michela Tartaglia makes some of the best pasta in Seattle in a smalls pace tucked inside the Pike Place Market’s atrium. The options change daily, but you can get both ready-to-eat and frozen options to go. If it’s available, don’t miss the lasagna and bolognese!
Hellenika
website | directions | best for: a sweet treat
Hellenika is the cultured Greek gelato concept from the sons of Seattle’s famous Ellenos yogurt. I am a huge yogurt ice cream hater, but this Hellenika’s version is super creamy with the slightest tang flavor. They serve it in fun flavors and provide samples, so get what tastes good to you! But if you need somewhere to start, try their coconut-forward Samoa. It’s some of the best ice cream in Seattle.
The Pink Door
website | directions | best for: excellent Italian food and vibes
Tucked behind an unassuming pink door in Post Alley is The Pink Door. They have a cool Carnival theme and even host performances on the weekends. But what they’re probably best known for is the fact that they’re one of Seattle’s best Italian restaurants. People swarm here for small plates, entrees, and life-changing lasagna, so make a reservation in advance!
Sushi Kashiba
website | directions | best for: omakase sushi experience
Ask anyone where the best sushi in Seattle is, and Sushi Kashiba will be high on their list. It’s owned by the famous Shiro Kashiba that used to work under sushi master, Jiro, back in Japan. You’ll still see him behind the chef’s counter doling out high-quality fish. This place is pricey and books up fast, so make a reservation for a special occasion and splurge on the set omakase menu. Or head here as a walk-in right when they open and grab food a la carte.
Shop the local vendors
There are a ton of independent businesses throughout the market. My favorite thing to do is comb the different levels and stop at small businesses of interest. As you do, keep an eye out for some of my favorites.
Delza
website | directions | best for: modern jewelry
One of my favorite Seattle jewelry makers is Asian woman-owned Delza. I own two pairs of earrings and a necklace from them and get compliments whenever I wear them!
indi Chocolate
website | directions | best for: artisanal chocolate
Indi is making some of the best Seattle chocolate. This woman-owned business sources cacao from small farmers around the world and creates some of the smoothest, creamiest bars around. I especially love their Vietnamese chocolate when available, but you’ll find ones made with beans from all over the world. They also offer drinking chocolate, chocolate teas, cocoa beauty products, and classes.
Eighth Generation
website | directions | best for: Indigenous-made goods
Eighth Generation used to be located in the market, but they now have a bigger retail location across the street. Still, they’re worth checking out for a well-curate selection of goods made by local Indigenous artists. They’re best known for stunning wool blankets, so save room in the suitcase to bring one home!
Made in Washington
website | directions | best for: souvenirs
Made in Washington is one of the best gift shops in Seattle. It’s full of handmade gifts from local makers, including Chukar Cherries, another vendor in the market.
Cobb’s Popcorn
website | directions | best for: snacks
Cobb’s is the perfect excuse to go all the way to the bottom of the market out onto Western Ave. The street has a few hidden gem shops, this popcorn store being one of them. You’ll find both sweet and savory popcorn flavors perfect for taking home as a souvenir. And lovers of Mean Girls will enjoy the reference to the movie in their signage.
World Spice
website | directions | best for: cooking ingredients
Cooks will be delighted to know that the first Sur la Table is located in Pike Place Market. But serious chefs know know that across the street from Cobb’s is the place to go for high quality spices and teas sourced from around the world.
DeLaurenti
website | directions | best for: specialty food store, particularly for Italian ingredients
I grew up on the east coast and sorely miss Italian groceries stores. Luckily, DeLaurenti is one of the few purveyors filling the void in Seattle. They carefully curate a bunch of pantry and kitchen goods from all over the world, particularly Italy. They also make a mean peanut butter cookie and have ready-to-eat food, deli items, and a wine shop upstairs.
Take in the waterfront views
Pike Place Market offers uninterrupted views of the Puget Sound because it sits on a hill above the water. The best photo opps are from Marketplace Pavilion. From there, take the stairs down to get to the walkway connecting Pike Place Market down to the waterfront.
Grab a pic of the iconic signs
directions | best for: photo opps
Pike Place Market is full of colorful neon signs. You’ll notice them along the ceiling as you shop on the upper floor near the fish market, but the most iconic one is at the entrance to the market on the Corner of Pike Street and 1st Avenue. There’s also another one visible from Pine Street one block over. The best vantage point is from 1st Avenue. If you’re really patient, you can get really cool shots in the rain because puddles reflect the lights in the street!
Snap a pic at the Gum Wall
directions | best for: photo opps
If you’re staring at the Pike Place Market sign from 1st & Pike Street, you’ll notice a little alley going down a ramp to your left. Walk down there and you’ll stumble upon the Gum Wall. As it sounds, thousands of people put gum all over the brick to make a colorful mural.
Fuel up with some coffee
Tourists will tell you Starbucks is what to do at Pike Place Market, but insiders know there are much better coffee shops in Seattle. Here are some local gems to seek out.
Anchorhead Coffee
website | directions | best for: small, local roaster
While technically down the street from the northern edge of the market, Anchorhead has my favorite coffee in the area. The beans are always light-to-medium roasted so you can really taste the nuance of where they came from. Plus they tend to be less crowded than the coffee shops in the heart of the market.
Victrola Coffee Roasters
website | directions | best for: fresh-roasted coffee
Victrola is another spot just across the street from the market. They bought my beloved Seattle Coffee Works brand, but are still honoring the late roasters mission to serve seriously-good coffee to the market masses. They’re big on education and offer coffee cuppings every Friday at their Pike Street Cafe in Capitol Hill, one of Seattle’s trendiest neighborhoods.
Storyville Coffee
website | directions | best for: espresso and views of the market
Like Starbucks, Storyville Coffee got its start in market. However, it’s nowhere near as big. They’re best known for espresso and, since they’re located on the 2nd floor of the Corner Market, iconic views of the Pike Place Market sign.
Ghost Alley Espresso
website | directions | best for: creative coffee drinks
Ghost Alley Espresso is a quirky little coffee window next to the Gum Wall. They make all their syrups in house and turn them into creative coffee drinks like their famous Spicy Nut with applewood sea salt, caramel, and hazelnut.
Find the secret garden
directions | best for: relaxing among an urban garden
Not even all locals know about the quiet secret garden in Pike Place Market. It’s tucked at the end of a hallway near Maximilien, one of Seattle’s best French restaurants. It’s run by market residents and staff and all food is donated to the Pike Market Food Bank. They also host educational opportunities for the market’s preschool and assisted living residents.
Seek out a brewery
There are a lot of great breweries in Seattle, including right in the market. Here are some not to miss.
Old Stove brewing
website | directions | best for: families and food
Old Stove has the best seating the market thanks to its large patio overlooking the water. They’re serving great beers and have a large food menu. If you’re hungry, they make some of the best fish and chips in Seattle.
Cloudburst Brewing
website | directions | best for: beer lovers
Serious beer nerds will want to seek out this hidden brewery on Western Avenue at the bottom of the market. This 21+ brewery is known for making a lot of different IPAs and a few experimental beers even the biggest beer snob will respect.
Pike Pub
website | directions | best for: heritage beer
Pike Brewing Company is the oldest brewery in Pike Place Market. They’re located in a historic building, so you’re surrounded by cool vibes while sampling their food and beer.
Grab drinks at one of the market’s hidden bars
There are a lot of really great wine bars and cocktail bars in Seattle, so if you ask me what to do at Pike Place Market, I’ll definitely tell you to seek out some of the hidden spots in the belly of the market.
Zig Zag Cafe
website | directions | best for: award-winning craft cocktails
Zig Zag is a sultry, dimly-lit cocktail bar hidden in the back of the same building that World Spice is located in on Western Avenue. They have smooth jazz playing every Sunday and Monday, but any time you go you can expect expertly-crafted cocktails and creative small plates.
Lonely Siren
website | directions | best for: tapas and cocktails
Lonely Siren reminds me of basking in the sun in a plaza while studying abroad in Spain. It’s a Portuguese-inspired tapas bar with a light-filled space and plenty of great bites (the patatas bravas are a must). They also offer creative cocktails and wine perfect for enjoying over a spread of food.
JarrBar
website | directions | best for: wine
JarrBar is a tiny, but stunningly-decorated wine bar on the quieter Western Avenue. They focus on Spanish and Portuguese wines and cocktails paired with cured meats and seafood. You’ll find charcuterie, tinned fish, chips, nuts, and other light bites to enjoy along your drinks.
The Rabbit Box
website | directions | best for: speakeasy vibes
I love seeking out speakeasies in Seattle, so it’s fun that there’s one right in Pike Place Market. The Rabbit Box is a theater meets bar concept, where travelers and locals alike can gather over food and drink while being entertained by musicians, comedians, magicians, and more. The calendar is always changing, so you never know what kind of night you’ll have.
Catch a cabaret performance
website | directions | best for: theater lovers
If you love cabaret meets burlesque-style performances, Can Can Culinary Cabernet is a hidden gem within Pike Place Market. They have a rotating selection of creative shows that will leave you gasping at the talents of the performers.
Laugh at a comedy show
website | directions | best for: laughs
Prefer a laugh? You can get some at Unexpected Productions, an improv comedy theater near the Gum Wall. They host both local and bigger-name acts traveling to the area, so check the calendar before you visit!
Take home some flowers
Pike Place Market has a lot of flower vendors along the 1st Ave street level’s northernmost shops. That’s because the market funded the Indochinese Farm Project in 1982 to provide refugees the opportunity to re-establish their farming practices in the US. To this day, the largest community among the market’s flower farmers is of Hmong descent.
Visit the Giant Shoe Museum
website | directions | best for: quirky museum
Want to experience one of the most unique things to do in Seattle? Head to the Giant Shoe Museum right in Pike Place Market. It’s not so much a “museum” as a single exhibit inside the Old Seattle Paperworks store. The collection is from a man who became obsessed with giant shoes after he learned his grandfather once owned a wingtip worn by the world’s tallest man. He never found the shoe, but the exhibit allows visitors to look through peepholes to see other large shoes discovered on the quest to find the original.
Keep an eye out on the market’s event calendar
website | best for: annual and one-off festivities throughout the year
There are always fun events happening at Pike Place Market throughout they year. Check their event calendar before you go to find out what’s on! Some of their signature events include the Flower Festival each spring, Sunset Supper come summer, and Magic in the Market, one of the best Christmas activities in Seattle.
More to do around Pike Place Market
After you experience what to do at Pike Place Market, check out my other ideas for nearby fun.
- How to Spend 24 Hours Downtown
- Best Seattle Tours for All Interests
- Free Museums Around Seattle
- The Perfect 3 Days in Seattle
- Free Things to Do in Seattle
If you’re a foodie, check out my self-guided food tours to some of my favorite neighborhoods around the city.
Leave a Reply