“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
Romans 12:9
When you think of Seattle, what are some of the first things you think of? If you are a coffee lover like me, maybe you think of the original Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. Or maybe you think rain. These were two of my ideas of Seattle up until last week. Butch and I just returned on Tuesday from a week’s stay in this lovely Pacific Northwest city, and Seattle proved to be a whole lot more than coffee and rain! It was a business trip mixed with pleasure and sightseeing. But, we didn’t limit ourselves to Seattle! We also took day trips to Victoria, British Columbia, Mount Ranier National Park, and drove about a hundred miles down the rugged Oregon Coast! Contrary to what I had always thought of Seattle, I didn’t need an umbrella once, and it is a great walking city with fabulous sights, museums, and food!
Our first stop today is the lovely Pike Place Market. It is the most visited attraction in Seattle and I understand why! The most gorgeous flowers cut fresh daily, fruit and vegetables straight from the vine, and fish that has just been pulled from the sea are just a few things you will see as we stroll through! I hope you have on your good walking shoes today!
The market opened with only eight farmers in August of 1907, making it one of the oldest continuously operated farmers’ markets in the U.S. It boasts over ten million visitors per year (and it was so crowded, it felt like they had all come at the same time as me!) The market sprawls over nine acres with approximately 500 shops, restaurants, and vendor stalls.
The Pike Place Fish Market is a crowd favorite as the “fish guys” wearing colorful waders and rubber boots toss shovelfuls of ice over rows of fresh fish!
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I could hardly inch my way in to watch the “flying fish”, a major attraction. When a customer orders a fish, an employee at the fish market’s ice-covered fish table picks up the fish and hurls it over the countertop to another employee who catches it and preps it for sale. Fish were definitely flying!
Colorful rainbow carrots!
Any kind of mushroom you wanted could be found!
Many of the fruit vendors offered a free sample!
I had to buy a small container of these sweet Rainier cherries!
Have you ever seen a donut peach?!
Every time I passed the original Starbucks, there was a line outside the door. I decided not to wait, but at least I can say that I’ve been!
The inside scoop is the coffee giant originally opened its first store a block away in 1971 and moved to this spot in 1975!
If there is a French bakery anywhere near, I will sniff it out. The croissants with their buttery, flaky layers were to die for!
I indulged in chocolate, amandine, apricot, and raspberry on four different mornings. A couple of mornings, I included a puff pastry of spinach, bacon, and goat cheese! Le Panier is pastry heaven!
The main arcade was full of the most glorious flowers, including peonies, one of my personal favorites!
Flower vendors were working feverishly designing bouquets that were wrapped in market paper.
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Love the mix of pink, purple, and coral!
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Every bouquet I saw was only $20!
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A view before the market opens and the crowds arrive! You can see the sign to the Inn at the Market, a lovely boutique hotel where we stayed!
Modern and chic lobby!
The courtyard entrance to the hotel with shops and restaurants. The hotel has a roof-top deck that offered unobstructed views of Seattle’s waterfront!
This photo of the popular attraction, Seattle Great Wheel, was taken from the hotel’s roof top deck.
Only a short walk from the market, this is the view where we were standing at the base trying to decide whether to ride or not! Looking up at the 175 feet tall Ferris wheel, my fear of heights almost kept me from climbing into one of the 42 fully enclosed gondolas!
Adventure won out as we enjoyed beautiful Seattle skyline views and also Elliott Bay views, as the wheel extends nearly forty feet beyond the pier!
Being a self-proclaimed foodie, no trip would be complete without food photos. This amazing meal was at Loulay, a French bistro! My appetizer was crab beignets with harissa aioli!
Butch’s entrée was a pork chop with asparagus risotto, demi glacé, and blueberry mustard!
An amazing entrée for me…seared sea scallops with fresh peas, morel mushrooms, ramp, pea shoots, and argan oil!
For dessert, we shared spiced sugar beignets with vanilla creme and valrhona chocolate sauce!
I hope you enjoyed touring the market with me. Could you smell the salt air and the heavenly fragrance of the peonies? I hope you could taste the fresh baked pastries and the just-picked cherries! And what about the music wafting through the air? Wasn’t it all so enjoyable? Pike Place Market has something to satisfy all of the senses! There were many artisans that did not allow photos of their work, but trust me…there were so many beautiful crafts! Stay tuned for more from our trip!
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, 21 Rosemary Lane, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, Poofing The Pillows, What Meegan Makes, Celebrate & Decorate