vincenzo32951

Full disclosure: I have no personal or financial connection to Seattle Free Walking Tours.

We had several hours to kill in Seattle, and I happened upon SFWT. They offer two walking tours -- a 1-hour tour of Pike's Place Market and a 2-hour general tour of the central city. We only had time for the 1-hour tour.

You sign up and reserve a spot on their website, and it doesn't ask for money or a CC, just implores you to be sure to show up, as they limit the number of people on the tour. At that point, I'm wondering, "What's the catch here?"

We did show up, and got a great tour of the market, free samples at several of the food stalls, including the one where they throw the fish, and entertaining narratives from the guide, Sean. (I think their guides work stand-up comedy in their off-hours.)

Here's the deal, which they explain at the beginning of the tour. You pay whatever you think the tour was worth. Really. There's no pressure at the end to pay, and you can just walk away and pay nothing. (I think everyone on our tour -- about a dozen people -- paid something,)

It's a fun, informative tour, and I recommend it.

happytrailstoyou

Thanks. Good to know. HTtY

Underhill

How do they throw the fish??? And why?

starrs

"How do they throw the fish???"

Very carefully.


"And why?"

Photo ops.

Dukey1

The Market Tour: here's the ice and that's the dead fish; over here is the bathroom...

Fodorite018

Glad you enjoyed it We did the free walking tour in Reykjavik and it was excellent! I like being able to pay what we feel the tour is worth.

vincenzo32951

mms: I talked to the guide a bit, and he said the tour operators got the idea from having taken pay-what-you-want tours outside the US. Maybe Reykjavick was one of them

"How do they throw the fish???"

The same way one normally throws a fish.

"And why?"

To get it from Point A to Point B. The alternative is to carry it from Point A to Point B.

The throwing of the fish has become a tourist attraction, but it's quite utilitarian.

gardendiva

There is a company here in Detroit that also does free tours. They are great. The tour guides really love the city and are excited to tell you about it. They do not even mention payment. I knew to pay but I noticed that many just left without so much as a Thank You.

suze

<How do they throw the fish??? And why?>

With their hands.

To entertain the tourists.


Thanks for the post, vincenzo. Excellent information. As a resident I'm sadly behind on being able to help tourists.

suze, sittin here in Seattle

suze

this is how it's done:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7tORf-DEyM