Pike Place Market opened in 1907 in Seattle, overlooking the Elliott Bay waterfront and is one of the oldest continuously operated public farmers’ markets in the United States. Here, you’ll find small farmers, craftspeople and merchants. It is also a tourist attraction, which means a trip to Seattle is never complete without a visit to Pike Place Market.
Make sure you go on an empty stomach because there is an endless bounty of treats to munch on while you’re walking around. We are super lucky to find a parking spot – for free – along Pike Place, and start right by the T-shirt vendor at the back entrance of the market.
One of my friends is directing us, having done his homework and having us follow the route of a popular local walking food tour. Our first stop is Chukar Cherries, the staff are friendly and patient, giving us samples of delicious chocolate covered cherries, pecans and more. Of course, I can’t resist and buy many bags to take home as gifts. My favorite is the Cabernet Cherries covered in dark chocolate.
We are distracted for a moment and run across the street to Piroshky Piroshky, another stop on the food tour. My friend wants to buy a few to try, but I convince him one is enough to share since we have so many more stops along the way. We catch a lull and get the piroshky rather quickly. When we pass by here again later, the line is out the door. The piroshky is okay, nothing terribly exciting.
Back into the market we go for some doughnuts from Daily Dozen. The mini doughnuts were coming out of the vat, and I am happy to get them without any sugar – that’s how I like my doughnuts!
We’ve come to the end of the public market, so across the street we go. Next is Pike Place Chowder where I notice a huge amount of awards on the walls from various chowder competitions. We order New England Clam Chowder, Seafood Bisque, and Smoked Salmon Chowder, the latter being my favorite, with robust flavors and good hearty consistency. I didn’t see till later that they have a flight of chowders which might have been a better choice than ordering separately.
Next, stop into Beechers we go. They make the cheese right on site, so buy something to eat and take a seat along the glass window and watch how it’s done. Of course, it is the cheese curds we are interested in, and picked some up along with some crackers and happily munch on them as we stroll further down Pike Place.
Last but not least, we come across an apple cider vendor on the street. Tiny’s Organic cold pressed apple cider is well worth a stop. There are five different ciders: Apple Peach; Apple Pear; Lavender; Traditional; and our favorite, Apple Cherry. Don’t ask for a sample if you’re not planning on buying, this is not Costco!
It should take you no more than two to three hours to complete browsing in and around Pike Place.
Pike Place Public Market
85 Pike St
Seattle, WA 98101
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