8 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Pike Place Market Visit from a Local

Conner of @FindMeInSeattle has 8 Pike Place Market tips to get the most out of your visit.

Are you planning a trip to Seattle’s Pike Place Market this summer? Or maybe you have family and friends wanting to spend a day exploring Seattle attractions. If so, we’ve got you covered.

Here are 8 tips to get the most out of your Pike Place Market visit from a local.

Hi, I’m Conner of @FindMeinSeattle. I’m a Seattle-based content creator, local explorer, and storyteller.

Come Early

I suggest coming earlier in the day. Vendors start their setup as early as 7am. By 9am, most of the artists, vendors and businesses should be open and available. If you arrive early, I find that not only are the hallways ways less crowded, but you also get the first pick of fresh flowers.

There are multiple places to grab coffee and breakfast, like Ghost Alley Espresso, Storyville Coffee Company or Le Panier.

Fill your cup and watch the Market come to life.

Online Directory & Map

Pike Place Market covers 9 acres and features more than 500 independent small businesses; it’s a lot to see! If you’re the planning type, you can see who’s open and make a custom itinerary on their website.

Explore the Lower Levels

With so much happening at the Market every day, it’s easy to miss some of the best spots, like the unique offerings in the Lower Levels of Pike Place Market. Get away from the heat by walking through art galleries, record stores, and even a magic shop. The Market continues down onto the colorful storefronts of Western Avenue.

Bonus Tip! Make sure to visit the 160+ craftspeople throughout the Main Arcade and MarketFront Pavilion. These vendors set up their display daily and are held to the highest standards to ensure the integrity of the Market’s world-class Crafts Market, which is the country’s largest showcase of handmade goods!

The Secret Garden

If you need a break, head to the southwest corner of Pike Place Market to the hidden oasis called the Secret Garden. It’s usually less crowded than the rest of the Market, and it has a great view of Puget Sound.

Public Seating

In the summer, red umbrellas pop up around the historic market. Grab a seat at the public seating tables under the famous Public Market Center Clock and Sign, or visit the MarketFront Sundeck looking out to Puget Sound.

Brewery at the Market

Did you know there’s a brewery onsite? Grab a drink from Old Stove Brewing. The kid-friendly brewery is lively and open until 10pm most nights, so it’s a great place to relax after a day at the Market. Enjoy the sunset while sampling some of their 16 craft beer taps.

Nightlife

At night, there are a few places to see shows. In Post Alley, you’ll find improv at Unexpected Productions. Below the Corner Market is The Rabbit Box, a unique speakeasy, or Can Can Culinary Cabaret, which is a burlesque-style dinner theatre off Pine Street in Post Alley.

Parking Specials

Now a question you are all wondering about…parking! Pike Place Market is located only a few blocks from Seattle’s Westlake Light Rail Station, but for those of you driving, here are some tips.

There are a few parking lots around the Market, but down on Western Avenue below Old Stove Brewing is the Pike Place Market parking garage. If you arrive before 9am, it’s only $13 for the day or park after 5pm and it’s only $7 for the night.

Learn more about these parking specials.

When talking about Pike Place Market, if you want to sound like a local, don’t call it “PIKE’S.” We either call it “Pike Place” or “The Market.”

I wish you luck in your adventures to and from Seattle this summer. We welcome you with open arms! If you’re curious to learn more about me, you can find me on all social media platforms under the name @FindMeinSeattle.