Seattle's Pike Place Market Draws Tourists

But Farm-Fresh Produce Still Attracts Washington Residents

Oct 6, 2009

The Pike Place Market has been selling farm-fresh produce for more than 100 years in downtown Seattle. Today, it is pulling double-duty as a tourist attraction.

Thousands of people – more on weekends -- cram the market every day searching for the ripest melons, the reddest tomatoes, the freshest salmon. It’s been that way since 1907 when the market first opened to the public.

The Pike Place Market was founded in response to public outrage about the high prices of onions in grocery stores, according to the market’s website. The new market allowed consumers to buy directly from farmers, thus saving money. Those initial eight farmers sold out of their produce within hours that first day. A century later, 120 farmers sell fruits and vegetables at what has since become the nation’s premier farmers’ market.

Besides the produce stands, the market is home to 200 other businesses, 190 craftspeople, more than 200 street performers and 300 housing units, the market notes. No wonder it draws 10 million visitors a year, making it one of the city's (and state's) most popular tourist attractions.

To be eligible to sell produce at the market, farmers must have grown it on land they own or lease. They are not allowed to purchase produce from others to resell at the market. Farmers, craftspeople and entertainers must adhere to a 45-page manual of rules and regulations to operate at the market. Farmers get priority for the day stall rentals, according to the manual written by the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority.

Market Vendors Sell More Than Just Produce

But there’s more to the Pike Place Market than just fruits and vegetables. The seafood stands are famous as entertainment in themselves, as employees toss fish from counter to scales. There are bakeries, wine tasting rooms, coffee houses and restaurants offering views of Puget Sound. Many visitors go from stand to stand, shop to shop, buying goodies for a picnic lunch. After they’ve assembled their meal, they descend to the bottom floor and across a couple of streets to eat at pier-side parks on Alaskan Way.

Shops selling funky clothes, jewelry, art work and other items are on the lower floors. Craftspeople selling just for the day can usually be found on the main level with the produce stands. The Pike Place Market covers nine acres, with shops and delis across First Avenue.

The market hosts group tours and other events, such as a chef-lead tour of the market, including gourmet lunch. Fees are charged for these events, with the money going to support Pike Place projects such as its medical clinic, senior center, pre-school and food bank.

Pike Place Market is located at Pike Street and First Avenue in downtown Seattle. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Fresh Produce Stars at Pasco, WA, Famers Market – The Pasco farmers market is one of the biggest in Eastern Washington. It is open 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May through October.

The copyright of the article Seattle's Pike Place Market Draws Tourists in Washington State Travel is owned by Cheryl Probst. Permission to republish Seattle's Pike Place Market Draws Tourists in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.