Pike Place Market is one of best markets in the world. Whether you are getting groceries or buying antiques, gift or other accessories, Pike Place market will not disappoint you.

Street performers entertain the crowd while they shop. Vendors too join in the fray by playing different music. It's so special, you could hear jazz in one corner than you could hear Mexican in the next.

Economy Market Building: Start it off at this 3-storey building where you can find Pike Place Fish. Witness some fish throwing skills. Stores include florist, antiques, specialty spice, and wine shops. Restaurants and take-outs serving French and Italian deli are also housed. Must-try: The Daily Dozen Donuts provide a quick tasty local snack. Also the Delauranti Specialty Food and Wine provide a great variety of Italian favorites.

North Arcade: Flowers, fruits, gifts, hair accessories, chocolate, and many more. The vendors line up the stores which make shopping easy.

Main Arcade & DownUnder: 6 levels with over 60 shops selling antiques, collectibles not to be missed. Guys would surely like the Big Boys Toys which sell collectible items like Star Wars & Star Trek movie props, samurai swords and roulette tables! Lots of specialty food shop with restaurant and take-out here makes it difficult where to lunch!

It’s a place not to be missed echoed by the millions of visitors to the market every year.

Tips: If driving, come before 9.30am (parking is only $6 for 12 hours) else some Pike Place Market merchants offer discount validation stamps that will give you a discount of parking in the Public Market Parking Garage. Just ask as you shop!

Website:
www.pikeplacemarket.org

Overall, the Pike Place Market is awesome. However, as I approached it from the waterfront, it took me quite some time to figure out how to get to "it." I wandered around an indoor-only portion of tacky shops that said it was the "Pike Place Market" (Shops?) and was initially disappointed.

If you come from the waterfront, you need to climb ALL the way up the stairs (the Pikes Place Hill Climb) and push your way through the "shops" (unless you like tacky souvenirs and missing out on the fun of the real market). It's very confusing, but if you're smarter than me, you'll find your way out to the street and into the cacophony that is the Market.

You'll be overwhelmed by the scents of fresh food - and the options of what to snack on for lunch or mid-day bite to eat. Flowers, meat, fish, fruit, bread, pasta, and more all tease your eye. Knowing I had to return to Dallas in a day was disappointing because I wanted to buy one of everything.

Unfortunately I missed much of the market because I had spent so much time being 'lost' in the tourist trap section and I had an appointment to make. However, it is a truly amazing place that leaves me wanting more and someday I will return. I may even spend a half day there only to leave with a picnic basket full of goodies to enjoy at a local park on the way home.

A visit to Seattle is not complete without a visit to the Pike Place Market. Though it is a fully functioning market where locals buy their fruits and vegetables and seafood, that fact seems to be overlooking by the stores and gimmicks specifically set up for the thousands of tourists that visit the market daily.

As you probably have seen on TV, there is fish market that has their workers throw big fish across the room while tourists snap pictures and watch in amazement. This is, of course, just for fun…and the men at the fish market don’t really need to throw the fish, nor repeatedly scream out the name of what they are throwing. But, of everything at the market, it is by far the most popular thing to see, and is quite entertaining. If you’re a woman, you’ll like the muscles on these guys throwing the fish. Though, they may reek of fish guts. On my visit, the biggest thing I saw them throw was a crab. Let me know if you see them throw a dolphin.

Besides the fish throwing, the market is a good place to buy souvenirs, dried fruits, or other collectibles. Below the main floor of the market is a mall, filled with tourist shops and many collectible shops. One place sells original posters and maps from the first half of the 20th century, while another shop specializes in selling supplies for magicians. There are a few restaurants in the market. Prices seem good for the seafood. But, once the food comes don’t expect it to be anything special. You’re paying mostly a tourist price for okay seafood.

There are plenty of parking garages near the market. If you come to the market on a Sunday, park on any street for free. On weekends, especially, prepare to face big crowds and long lines anywhere in the market.

More information: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

The epitome of the great Northwest. A trip to Seattle cannot be complete without a trip to this famed market. There is a wonderful bakery that can't be missed. Also, be sure to visit the first-ever Starbucks. Or if you're like me and you like your coffee a little less burned, try Seattle's Best Coffee! There are plenty of great restaurants located inside the market. Take your time strolling through, and enjoy all of the fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables, and of course... fish!

If you are visiting Seattle, Pike's Place Market is a MUST SEE attraction. Located downtown, north of Pioneer Square, it’s just off of the water. Besides all of the fresh vegetables, fresh fish, fresh fruit, fresh flowers, spices, unique artisan crafts, and restaurants on the upper level, Pike’s Place offers many other stores on the floors beneath, magic, music and menagerie. One can get everything they need here to cook their own gourmet meal, decorate, and prep for a romantic atmosphere.

Home of the Throwing fish, the major fresh fish stand puts on a show for hoards of people every minute of every day, five pound pacific salmons fly across the counter; it’s a must admire even if your not buying any fish.

Flowers are, besides everything else, one of my favorite purchases. Massive bouquets of flowers are relatively cheap and arrangements come in all different varieties, from simple to extreme and complicated.

Across the street from the Market building, lie many other unique and worthwhile stands, restaurants, and curios. Grab a macchiato at the very first Starbucks, a fresh glass of lemonade, a 4 inch diameter pumpkin cookie, spiced balsamic vinegar, and a hotdog with cream cheese. Make a day of this experience. If you’re not using public transportation, park behind the market on Western Avenue and use the many elevators and stairs to get up to the top. Beware, the market starts to shut down at 5pm, so go early… 9ish or so, to spend the day.