Pike Place Market

See Seattle, Washington family vacation

Pike Place Market

Downtown

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85 Pike St
Seattle, WA
206-682-7453 Save to My Wishlist

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Pike Place Market Description

Pike Place Market is one of those rare attractions that's crowded with tourists but draws the locals, too. Inside, the stalls are overflowing with crafts, gifts, jewelry, flowers, fish, meat, and seasonal produce fresh from local farms. The unique shops below ground will keep kids and grown-ups browsing for hours, and there are plenty of family-friendly lunch and dinner options. Outside you'll enjoy a fresh-air walk along the waterfront, with spectacular mountain views and the occasional ferry gliding by.

Perhaps the biggest draw here is the Pike Place Fish Market: Order a fish, and the fishmongers toss them directly to you, sending them soaring through the air to the delight (and sometimes horror) of the crowd. Note: if you order it, you gotta buy it.

Farmers Market
Scenic Landmark
Historical Landmark

Kid Tips

Babies: Pike Place Market can get crowded, and the stairs and cobblestones aren't stroller-friendly.

Toddlers & Pre-K: Younger children love to sit on Rachel the Pig, a large bronze pig at the front of the market that doubles as a fund-raising piggy bank.

School-Age Kids: Head for the fish markets. They're right behind Rachel the Pig, with lots of enormous crabs, bizarre-looking fish and salmon flying through the air. Kids love the show.

Pre-Teens & Teens: Steer teens to the north end of the market, where artists and craftspeople sell prints, T-shirts, jewelry, and unique souvenirs.

Planning Notes

Go early. The market gets crowded and parking garages can fill up, especially on summer weekends.
Wear comfortable shoes. The streets are cobblestone and the topography is hilly.
Bring cash. Most vendors accept credit cards and checks, but some don't.
Bring a camera. There are photo ops galore.
Get a map. It can be hard to find your way to specific stalls and vendors, especially when it's crowded. Maps are available on the Website or at the information booth at First & Pike.
Plan to eat there. The market has more than 50 places to eat, many of them small and most of them delightful.

Just the Facts

Hours: Merchants set their own hours, so if you're looking for a specific vendor, check the shopping and dining guides on the website. Farmers are frequently open by 8 a.m. Pike Place/1st Avenue level: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lower-level stores: Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

Fees: Free

Recommended Time: Half day