The Pike Place Market was founded in 1907 and is one of the oldest and largest public markets still in existence in the U.S. today. We spent an entire afternoon exploring its many shops. Outside the market, to the north, are artisans selling their works (the glass art was especially attractive). Just east of the main market building is a smaller building which houses the original Starbuck’s Coffee and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (where we procured those delightfully squeaky fresh cheese curds). Inside, on the ground floor, are a number of shops selling produce, meats, and other foodstuffs. This is where you’ll find the famous “flying fish”! The upper floors are a labyrinth of shops selling all kinds of goods (Polish pottery, anyone?), as well as many restaurants and snack bars. Their website claims that “the Market is a vibrant and thriving historic neighborhood that includes five social service programs, 220+ independently owned shops & restaurants, 180+ craftspeople, 70+ farmers, 60+ permitted buskers, 450+ residents in the Market’s affordable housing, and one foundation.”
We believe that no visit to Seattle is complete until you explore Pike Place Market!
These photos show only a few of the colorful vendors and produce stalls we encountered. We scored some lucious sweet Bing and Prince Rainier cherries, some freebie herbs that I couldn’t identify, and locally-made pasta. Plus some wonderfully squeaky fresh cheese curds.
One of the many produce stands at the market. Their ristras consisted not only of chiles, but also garlic and other colorful foodstuffs.
Ostrich and emu eggs for sale at the Market, alongside more traditional brown hens’ eggs.
Meat vendor. With fruits and vegetables, cheese, meats, pasta and spices all for sale, do Seattleites really need to shop anywhere else?
The fresh fish neon sign at Pikes Place Market
Rachelle at a walkway connecting the Market to a parking garage.
Me and the Market’s iconic Rachel the Pig. There are pig hoofmarks (also in brass) imbedded in the sidewalk.
I’m told that the clock is also well-known. Many people say “meet me under the clock” to gather up a wandering group.
Walking from the Library towards Pike Place Market, the heavily-sloped streets remind us of San Francisco. You can see Puget Sound in the background.
Pike Place Market is a Seattle institution located at 1535 Pike Place. It is open Monday through Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm and on Sundays from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
August 2, 2011