Early Bird Perks at Pike Place Market

Are you hoping to visit Pike Place Market on a beautiful summer’s day but want to avoid the crowds? Spend the day as an early bird and catch the special moments of it waking up and coming to life as you beat the hustle and bustle. We’ve got you covered on how to plan your visit in Seattle’s world-famous historic district.

To learn what to see, where to eat, and other tips to plan your morning, keep reading!

Check out our TikTok to see the Market coming to life!

Flower Farmers

Most farmers are set up at 8am, but some are here at 7am or earlier. Take your time walking through the Main Arcade to hear the signature sounds of flower paper tearing, smell the first fragrant aromas of fresh buckets of stems wafting, and see practiced hands swiftly assembling arrangements. Get first dibs on the freshest bouquets to kick off your day. Pro Tip: keep them upright to avoid water spillage. They’re wrapped to last up to 24 hours outside of a vase if preserved properly!

Produce Stands

Summer is the best time in the Pacific Northwest for exciting options when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Catch the produce vendors carefully setting out their vibrant spread of fresh inventory between 7 – 8am. Don’t miss the OMG peaches and nectarines from Sosio’s Produce, their golden certification for the sweetest and juiciest picks of the season. And be sure to pick up a sampling of Rainier Cherries from Martin Family Orchards or Magana Farms. It’s a Washington state specialty! Get to know our highstall produce vendors.

Crafts Market

The hardworking makers in our craft community roll in their entire inventory and displays each day to rotating locations throughout the Main Arcade, Desimone Bridge, and outdoors on the slabs and MarketFront Pavilion. Catch them in action between 8 – 10am as they transform the rugged green tabletops into colorful displays of jewelry, apparel, art, housewares, and many more handmade goods. Explore the Crafts Market.

Shopping the Lower Levels

After breakfast and as foot traffic begins picking up, head to the lower levels to discover the cool respite of the DownUnder. Most shops are open at 11am in this area. Explore books, art, music, toys, antiques and more among this eclectic collection of retailers. Exit at the south end of the shops at Level 3 or 4 to catch a busker performance echoing throughout the cavernous landing known as The Cave next to the HillClimb stairs.

Fish Markets

Watch the fishmongers set up their displays between 7 – 8am, shoveling bathtub-sized bins of ice daily to showcase their fresh catches for passing shoppers. Wherever you may be coming from, they can fillet, pack, and ship on-site to have it to your home overnight! For local visitors, they’ll box it up with handles for easy walkable transport. Get to know all 4 of these independently operated purveyors here.

Enjoy a leisurely fuel-up for the day before the rush hits. The majority of our coffee shops and breakfast establishments are open by 8am. Get first pick on a window spot at Storyville Coffee overlooking Pike Place, take in serene views of Puget Sound at Lowell’s or the Athenian, or people watch along 1^st Ave at The Crumpet Shop over a traditional English breakfast of crumpets and tea.

Alternatively, take a grab-and-go option and bring it to the public seating picnic tables on the MarketFront Sundeck to bask in the sunshine and refreshing breeze of the waterfront. Learn about all our outdoor dining options.

See Who’s Open

Click the “See Who’s Open” button on our Market Directory to get a sense of what shops and restaurants are available to visit in real-time. For inspiration to plan where to visit, check out our preset itineraries or create your personalized Market day with our Market Day Planner.

Parking & Transit Options

Park for just $13 all day in our garage with the Early Bird rate! With 3 entrances and 800 stalls, EV charging stations, mobile pay, and direct elevator access to Pike Place Market, parking with us is seamless. To enter: make your way to Western Avenue via Lenora St from the north, or Spring St from the south. From the waterfront, enter directly off Alaskan Way by the Seattle Aquarium. Learn more about our parking garage here.

If you’re visiting the Market without a car, there are a number of public transit options to conveniently get you here by bus, ferry, train, or scooter. Visit here for transit resources.

 

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