Seattle's Pikes Place Market
Part of the famous sign of Seattle, Washington's open air Pikes Place Market that opened in 1907.
The array of excellent and very colorful produce that is sold year round at the market's many vendor stands on the upper levels of the building. Some "stalls" are rented by vendors on a daily basis while others are more long term.
You can count on fresh from the ocean fare displayed in excellent fashion throughout the market and at typically reasonable prices. Many places have items prepared and ready to eat.
The sea (pardon the pun) of people is just part of the fun of attending the market, however, it is not always this crowded. Over 10 million people walk the halls of the arcades each year!
A very popular item at the Market is the array of fresh cut flowers and bouquets that are already made or can be custom designed to your personal liking. This part of the year Tulips were the seasonal star.
No tourist spot would be complete without a street performer and Pikes Place is no exception. This artist simply asks for tips for a photo or a donation if you like his beautiful music that fills the street outside of the main arcades.
The Seattle Great Wheel was finished in 2012 and can hold up to 328 people at a time in all of its 41 gondolas. It has rapidly become a tourist attraction on the pier and stands 175 feet tall for excellent observations overlooking Seattle and Elliott Bay.
I just had to include this image of the Fremont Bridge Troll.... Although he is not apart of the Pikes Place Market (not even a little bit!) he is part of Seattle and a little known tourist attraction in the funky Fremont District that I visited after heading to the Market. I had never seen anything like him and it is sure to be a hit with the family.
