Pike Place Market -- when to go?
 

Our travel plans for our 8-day trip to Seattle and Vancouver this July are almost set. One thing we haven't decided is on which of the two days still "open" we should go to Pike Place Market. The days available are Sunday or Wednesday (our last day there). Which day would be better to go -- weekend or weekday? I usually try to visit an attraction during the least-crowded time (weekday?), but wonder what we might miss by not going on a weekend. Are there more vendors on the weekend? Street entertainment? What do you recommend?

Based on what it sounds like your looking for, I'd suggest going to Pike's on a week day.

Used to be that Sundays were quiet at the market. No longer, but the ratio of locals to tourists will be much higher on Wednesday than on Sunday. There may be more street entertainment and touristy attractions on Sunday, though.

Most locals (including us) believe the best time to visit the Pike (not Pike's) market is in the morning, when everything's the freshest. I'd recommend going there for breakfast, then spend the morning prowling the market and the hillclimb down to the central waterfront.

I'd say the day you leave. We always hit the market on our way to the airport so as to pick up what we want. The Pure Fish Company is,imho, the best place to buy fish to take home and it is worth it. Try their hot fire smoked salmon. They will pick stuff for you to carry home. We often will have a salmon dinner the evening after we return and the memory of Seattle is just as fresh! Some of our other favorite vendors include the Three Girls Bakery, Chuckor Cherries and the Hazelnut folks near Chuckor.

We bought wonderful wine-flavored jellies, hand crafted earrings and knit caps for the kids. Make sure you bring some cash with you...some of the vendors don't accept credit cards. Go hungry and graze your way through. I hope the cherries are ripe when you are there...my kids are still talking about how sweet they were.

We started out every morning with breakfast at 3 girls bakery at the market. This was a number of years ago. Still remember it fondly.

When we lived in the area we enjoyed going early on Sunday mornings. We would go get coffee and sit and watch as the vendors set up their areas and then we would wander around. Very peaceful and you can actually see everything.

TTT: I'm bringing up this older thread with a new question:

What about the fish throwing? You see, we own a seafood restaurant and market (in Florida) and love to check out seafood places wherever we go. Of course, we've heard about the fish throwing...we will be visiting the area for the first time, and I have to witness this. (I can't wait to see how they catch those slippery big boys!)However, we only have Saturday available (going with another couple) to visit Pike Place Market. Don't mind getting up at the crack of dawn for this if necessary, but will Saturday work? Are the fishmongers open all day?

Thanks!

While the fish throwers can be entertaining, I certainly wouldn't want to buy one of their fish. Who wants an abused piece of fish? Besides, they don't Always catch them...

For an actually Good fish market, check out Pure Foods fish market, halfway along the arcade. And be sure to check out Jacks, the only fish vendor with tanks for the crabs, oysters and clams!

The fish-flinging happens any old time, as soon as there's (1) a famous person (2) a tee-heeing Japanese female tourist (3) some guy in a ball cap, or (4) a need to drum up business by creating a crowd of camera-snapping awestruck tourists just waiting so see someone get slimed. (Catch as you would a football, then take the shirt/jacket off for a long time.)

The market is pretty packed from 8 AM onwards most days, except the dead of winter (even then if there are conventions in town.) Weekends will have the greatest number of street stall merchants, but for the most part they won't be selling food, just the same sort of "crafts" you'd see at lots of street markets or the like. By 10 or 11 AM on most Saturdays the main arcade, where the flying fish, "high stand" produce merchants, and most of the farmers and craft food people (honey, etc.) are set up, will be mobbed to an alarming degree. Fortunately this isn't Spain, or else there wouldn't be a wallet left in a pocket in the entire place.

Thanks for the details, sgirlie and gardyloo! I'll make sure my husband does not wear his ballcap. We are getting on a plane that evening, and I sure can't imagine sitting next to him after he catches a slimy fish! (I guess it would be just like home eh?:S-)

I have to say I respectfully disagree - if you're at the Market before 10am, it's pretty good. You can easily walk around, have breakfast, and enjoy talking with the vendors. After that, fugettabbouttit....

Must make a correction. The fish are thrown from a worker/salesperson in front of the stand to the person that fillets or prepares the fish in the rear of the stand. They don't throw fish to a customer.

No they do sometimes, albeit volunteers, but you're right, generally only to known recipients, mainly staff. And you're also right about 10 AM onwards too, not 8. My bad bad.

If you do want to catch that fish, let them know, and they'll give you a waterproof jacket! Ok, I'll admit, THAT's pretty funny!

If you have a fish market/restaurant in Florida, you really must check out Pure Fish. The assortment will amaze you I think. That smoked salmon is to die for. We get 2 lbs every year for the winter holidays from my sister. I am very good all year long just to insure delivery in December of this GOLD.

Thanks...Pure Fish is on the list. Now I have a wifely dilemna: I don't know whether to tell Him he can possibly catch the fish Himself...it better be a very long jacket with a hood. On vacation he's not supposed to smell like work ((W)).

It's weird - we always bring our own smoked fish spread, fresh shrimp etc with us when we vacation (we're staying with friends from Colorado). I think this is the first time where the selection at our destination makes it pointless to bring along our own goodies!