When the sun is shining in Seattle, the Puget Sound is a gorgeous blue with brilliant sparkles of sunlight dancing on salty waves. The air is cooling, the colors are changing and one of the best places to spend a sun filled autumn day is at Seattle’s own Pike Place Market.
The market is nine acres of pure shopping bliss. “The Soul of Seattle” has been operating for more than a century and has an incredible and rich history. Today there are 200 year round commercial businesses, 190 craftspeople, 100 farmers who rent table space by day and Pike Place Market is internationally recognized as America’s premier farmers’ market.
It had been nearly a year since I had witnessed anyone toss fish around indoors, and the new 175 foot tall Great Wheel on Seattle’s skyline was simply something my photograph collection was missing. This new iconic addition is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the United States.
We spent the entire day mingling with the crowd, browsing the crafts and jewelry, checking out fresh fish and watching talent laden buskers. Almost every vendor had a handsome and polite young man standing at their booth corner beguiling shoppers with delectable samples of seasonal fruit, which were far too tempting to pass up.
Vendors are enjoying their last hurrah for the season as Farm Days as the Market comes to a close this week. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday are the last days to shop for local fruits, produce and herbs on the cobblestones in the markets North Arcade. If you have not been to this portion of the market yet this year, it will be perfect weather for touring and shopping, as Wednesday through Sunday’s weather forecast calls for sunny skies and temps in the high 60’s to low 70’s.
Regular Market hours will continue at the Pike Place 1st Avenue level and the Down Under Stores which are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Market Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Breakfast: 6:00 a.m.
- Produce and Fish: 7:00 a.m.
- Official Market Bell: 9:00 a.m.
Down Under Merchants hours are: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Some seasonal hours may vary. If you are heading to the market to visit a particular vendor, please check the site. Here are some links you may wish to visit if you are thinking about a trip to the Market:
Location & Directions, hours, parking, news & events, shopping directory
I would love to have you join me browsing around the Market:
Nine acres! OMG, that’s heaven! Hate to see the ‘last days’ of fresh farmers’ fare…but, at least they’ll still be open…sounds like lotsa fun! Someday!! xo