Local's Guide to the Pike Place Market: a Day in the Life of the Market
From the moment the first farmer parks his truck on Pike Place until the last bartender locks up his stock, the Market teems with life 22 hours a day.
Morning Hush
View Slideshow »An eerily silent Arcade awaits the first of the permanent vendors.
View Slideshow »The stalls in the North Arcade are claimed each day at roll call—a number is assigned to each craftsperson based on seniority.
View Slideshow »In the Main Arcade, the first of the fishmongers starts laying out his wares around 4am each day.
View Slideshow »Signs of Life A flower vendor unloads his truck.
View Slideshow »In the final moments before the crowds come, a barista at Le Panier bakery pulls his first latte of the day.
View Slideshow »Produce people in the Arcade put finishing touches on their displays.
View Slideshow »By 9 or 10am, the Arcade is full of sample-seeking tourists and Seattleites looking to get a jump on the day’s marketing.
View Slideshow »In Full Swing Locals looking for lunch steer clear of the area below the main Pike Place Market sign, a favorite photo-op spot.
View Slideshow »They head instead to the lawn of Victor Steinbrueck Park, which on warm days becomes a patchwork of people seeking sun plus a spectacular view of Puget Sound.
View Slideshow »Inside the Arcade, shoppers line up to purchase peerless bouquets.
View Slideshow »Buskers know that on busy afternoons, it’s the choicest spot to sing for your supper.
View Slideshow »The Night Market It’s too late to see a fish get tossed, but shoppers sometimes squeeze in final orders after Pike Place Fish has closed for the day.
View Slideshow »Right about this time the happy hour crowd arrives.
View Slideshow »Café Campagne and the Alibi Room are top revelry destinations from dusk through the wee hours.
View Slideshow »
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