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Market · Seattle, Washington State
Pike Place Market
Seattle’s public market, opened in 1907 on the slope above the bay, with fish and seafood stalls, fruit, flowers, crafts and small restaurants, beneath the red Public Market Center sign.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market opened on August 17, 1907, when the city created a space for farmers to sell directly to the public without intermediaries. The market expanded across several buildings and levels on the slope down to Puget Bay and is one of the oldest continuously operating public markets in the United States. In the 1960s, a plan to demolish it was stopped by a residents’ vote in 1971, which established the historic district.
In the Main Arcade, under the Public Market Center’s red sign and the clock, are the farmer, flower, and fruit stalls, and the fishmonger where vendors toss fish across the counter. At the entrance stands Rachel, a bronze pig that doubles as a piggy bank: the coins support the market foundation’s social services.
The lower levels (Down Under) have small shops selling books, records, magic supplies, and antiques. Outside, in Post Alley, there is the wall covered in chewed gum, and across the street are bakeries, cheesemongers, and the coffee shop opened in 1976 on the site of the chain’s first store, founded in 1971 nearby.
From the market terraces you can see the bay, the ferries and, in clear weather, the Olympic Mountains. A walkway and stairs lead down to the waterfront, where the Seattle Aquarium and the piers are located.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours to explore the market levels and Post Alley, plus time for a meal.
Best time
Early morning, when the farmer and flower stalls are set up and the crowds are still smaller. Midday and summer weekends tend to fill the corridors. Many stalls close in the late afternoon.
How to get there
In the city center, between First Avenue and the waterfront, at Pike Street. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Westlake light rail station, which runs from the airport.
Tip
Arrive early, eat at the stalls, and walk down the stairs on the bay side to the waterfront. Remember that the price tags do not include sales tax, which is added at the register.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Pike Place Market
When does Pike Place Market open?
The market is open every day, but each stall has its own hours. Most open in the morning and close late afternoon; confirm before you go.
What to see at Pike Place Market?
The fish and flower stalls in the Main Arcade, the bronze pig Rachel, the lower-level shops and the gum wall in Post Alley.
Where is Pike Place Market?
In downtown Seattle, on the slope above Puget Sound, about a 10-minute walk from the Westlake light rail station.