Pike Place Market

Over 200 stalls and small shops have their home in Pike Place Market, America’s oldest and longest-running farmers market. It has been open on the steps of Seattle’s picturesque waterfront since 1907 and many of the businesses have been run by the same family for generations.The market is one of the city’s top tourist attractions, drawing 10 million visitors every year. And it’s not hard to see why either, with attractive and pleasantly bustling cobblestone streets along which you’ll find an array of fresh produce, suburb handicrafts and excellent street entertainers. There really is a fantastic variety of vendors operating here anything from artisan cheesemongers, organic vegetable growers, oriental health practitioners and skilled leather crafts people.Take a stroll through the wide aisles in the market’s main arcade for a delightful profusion of smells, sights and sound. On a lower floor you’ll find a busy area of speciality supermarkets and shops selling antiques, books and pottery – a great spot to find some souvenirs of your visit. Not surprisingly given the waterfront location, some of the market’s biggest lures are the fresh fish stalls. An array of seafood is on display on icy beds here, anything from oysters and crab legs to succulent salmon. There is also plenty of good-humoured banter between the fishmongers and the customers, including some prank, moving fish set among the produce for sale – all adding to the fun atmosphere of the market.The colourful and street performers vie for your attention (and dollars) during the day and at night you’ll hear great live jazz and vocalists entertaining the crowds at local favourites like the Pink door and the lively Can Can bar.This wonderful market is a local institution where family and friends come to shop. There’s also a library on the ground floor if you fancy a bit of quiet time away from the bustle. Pike Place is in the centre of Seattle and is open every day.