Pike Place Market, Seattle

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Favorite thing: This is what I discovered just recently and I have to share with you travelling to Seattle. Since driving here is crazy and the parking is super expensive, you might as well park to a place where it is close to everything and you don't have to do a lot of walking! (Especially those who have children who are in strollers or those who have disability).

Park on Western Avenue close to the World Spice Market. Then take the elevator down to go to the Waterfront or the sky bridge. You can, again, take the elevator to go up to the Pike Place Market. The Waterfront includes the Seattle Aquarium, Argossy Cruises, Waterfront Park, Pier 57 and Pier 59, the ferry terminals to Bainbridge Island, the Fisherman's Wharf, the Carousel, the Crab Pot, Pirates' Plunder, etc.

Fondest memory: I just love walking around the waterfront and look at the Puget Sound. The ferries come and go.

Favorite thing: If you are heading to the Pike Place Market by a car, make sure to go early to get the Early Bird Special on parking fees. It cost only $6.00 per day. Otherwise, the parking fee is astronomical!

The parking that has early bird special in Pike Place Market is located at the junction of Pike Place and Alaskan Way.

Fondest memory: I love Seattle because it is very close to the ocean, close to the mountains, close to everything. Also, I love it's cultural and multi-ethnic diversity.

Seattle has the best school system, great police forces for security and safety reasons, great restaurants, great neighborhood and many more to mention. It is not that big of a city. It is just about right.

Favorite thing:

Seattle often has sunshine as my photos prove! I love the Pike St. Market and can wander the streets around in for hours. I think all tourists come here and usually stay downtown. But drive out to the suburbs if you can and enjoy the beautiful mountains and scenery.

Fondest memory:

My unfavorite and favorite memory is the earthquake of February, 2001. This was scary.. sorry I have no photos.

Favorite thing: At Pike Place Market you can see something special: Fish being tossed around. Lots of entertainment is created when large fish, probably at least 10 pounds each, fly through the air and land in the butcher's hands. But watch out! Don't be surprised to have a fish land on your face or shoulder!

Favorite thing: I love seattle, the shopping the atmosphere, the restaurants. you must visit Pike's Place markets, definately an experience, the characters that work there make it a fun experience for everyone.

Fondest memory: THE SHOPPING!!!! so many boutiques and amazing original style, this city has it all!

Favorite thing: 1)Parking can be tough-I would recommend the parking lot on Western. It connects to Pike Place Market via an overpass. The parking is cheaper than the other lots in the area and if you stay for less than an hour, it's free.

2)Try visiting on weekdays. Weekends are very crowded, especially in the summer.

3)The public restrooms definitely need upgrades. I'd recommend trying to use one of the restaurant restrooms if possible.

Favorite thing: Visit Pike Place Market. It sits just up the hill from Puget Sound in downtown Seattle. It's basically a huge farmer's market, so you can find tons of fresh fruit, vegetables, and seafood... everything local. But it doesn't stop there... you can find lots of people selling flowers or honey or nuts or other local items. Plus there are those selling crafts or painting pictures. Go a little bit further in this place and you'll come to a slightly underground mall, with a few stores that may be of interest. Plus there are some restaurants here, including the one shown in Sleepless in Seattle.

Check out one of the main fish sellers here, and duck. You could be hit by a flying fish! Well, probably for the tourists (I don't really care), they'll throw fish around from different parts of the stand and put on a little show for the different customers! It's a lot of fun to watch, even if you don't buy anything.

So, yeah... even if you don't buy anything here, it's fun to walk around and people watch. Plus, there's a nice park just outside of the actual market with people selling more things, and painters and such, and you can overlook the Sound.

Favorite thing: Visit the 'fish guys' at Pike Place Market, this open air market serves fish to people and the way the workers communicate is by screaming and throwing fish in the air! its kinda like a baseball game but they use fish instead of baseballs...all you see is fish flying over your head so beware!

Fondest memory: I like the Ocean and Shilshole beach is really nice right in ballard, the Jimmy Hendrix memorial is also really cool.

Favorite thing: Go to Pike Place Market, of course.

Fondest memory: I like the market because it reminds me of the markets in Europe.
Please see my Travelogue for photos from the market.

Favorite thing: This is the city's oldest, most popular marketplace located at the foot of Pike Street. Here you'll find dozens of little shops - lush flower shops, colourful vegetable and fruit stands, energetic fish shops (famous for the workers literally throwing fish through the air at eachother). Downstairs in the building you'll find many little collectable shops - comics, candles - you name it. And who can forget that unique 'Pike' smell... *grin*. Pike Place Market is definitely one of Seattle's famous 'must-see's', however if you're a regular visitor to Seattle, the novelty might wear off after the third visit. ;) If you have no intention on buying, there's only so long you can look at fish and flowers. But if you're a first time visitor, Pike Market's a must!