What to Do at Pike Place Market in Seattle

Pike Place Market in Seattle is a major stop for most tourists in the city. The market, opened in 1907 and preserved as a Historic District in 1976 offers a variety of produce, baked goods, arts, crafts, antiques, and several businesses and restaurants. The market flows indoors (3 floors) and outdoors to host 300 stalls, 100 farmers, 200 artists and craftspeople, and others. Every year more than 10 million people shop at the market to experience the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the United States.

Shopping is a must at the market but there are plenty of other things to do that offer more entertainment for less money. Here are a few suggestions for things you may want to try when you visit the market.

Things to do at Pike Place Market #1) Try everything offered to eat or drink. Free samples abound at the market. You can try everything from Rainier cherries to pepper beef jerky to orange spice tea. You can experience the local and regional specialties for sale, like Marionberry jam, without buying a whole jar taste unknown. You may not like everything you try, but you will get a fuller experience trying more food than just what you end up buying.

Things to do at Pike Place Market #2) Become a gum artist. The gum wall at Pike Place began in the 1990s when visitors waiting in line decided to slap gum on the wall and others followed suit. Over the years the wall has grown from one wad of gum to thousands. Some visitors spelled out words, others fashioned elaborate symbols and created a type of 3d graffiti on the wall. You can chew a piece or two and join the fun, either just sticking the gum on the wall or trying to create a design by twisting and shaping it. Definitely try it out because where else can you stick gum on the wall without getting in trouble?

Things to do at Pike Place Market #3) Pose with the pigs. Statues of large, colorfully decorated pigs are situated throughout the market (and the rest of the city). The pigs are part of the Pigs on Parade that were first launched by the Pike Place Market Foundation in 2001. There are 100 pigs sponsored by 100 philanthropists that are celebrating the Market's 100^th anniversary. When walking through the crowds try to find the several pigs that make their home in Pike Place Market. Many people stop to pose for a picture with the pigs, either standing beside the pig or hopping on top for a piggyback ride. Try to find all the pigs for a "Pigs in Pike Place" photo album.

Things to do at Pike Place Market #4) Become a temporary fishmonger. The main fish stand, Pike Place Fish Market, draws a large crowd during most of the day. People crowd around to watch workers yell chants, throw fish to each other, and try to scare kids looking at the famous Monk Fish. Make sure you get a chance to watch the famous flying fish and if you stand around long enough to work your way to the front of the crowd, you can get an unique experience helping employees who ask the crowd, "Anyone want to help?" Depending on what they are doing, you may get to throw a fish or more likely just go into the freezer and bring a new box of crabs or fish to put out on display. It might not be a very exciting task, but you do get to help out the hilarious workers and later say you worked at Pike Place. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy the market - a unique Seattle experience.