Great gift idea: Pikes Market tour makes for fun afternoon
We’ve lived in Seattle long enough now to try to escape taking every single new-to-town visitor to Pike Place Market, the biggest tourist magnet in the city. (At least it’s a market!)
It’s not that we don’t like it, we do. It’s just that most visitors arrive in the summer and the market itself as well as surrounding streets are jam packed, parking is impossible to find and ridiculously long lines take all the pleasure out of shopping.
But this time of year, even on a Sunday, it’s more like a carnival. Yes, there are crowds, but the only line we saw snaked around a nondescript storefront—out-of-towners waiting their turn to buy a $3 latte at the original Starbucks.
Our tour guide Penny, was right when she guessed that most of us with her this afternoon, even though we’d lived in the Seattle area awhile, had only walked the main aisles of the market, never explored downstairs or buildings that we had no idea were part of the nine acre complex.
Renowned for the fish throwers (at the first sustainable seafood market in the state), and fresh, locally grown flowers, you can buy every type of seafood, fresh in-season veggies and fruits (as well as dried and otherwise preserved), grass fed beef and handcrafts as well.
Today my husband and I sampled all sorts of things we’d never eaten before including truffle salt, luscious Taylor Gold pears, pistachio “cream” (I bought some. This is peanut butter’s heavenly and far superior cousin.), tiny doughnuts that would bring a dieter to her knees, and clam chowder that is so esteemed its makers have been banned from clam chowder competitions on the east coast because they’ve won top honors too often. (If you believe Penny.)
I grew up in New York and I know an actress/comedian when I’m in her company. There is a timbre to the voice. From the moment Penny introduced herself I knew we were in for a treat. She spouts out facts and statistics like an accountant on steroids. But she’s also very funny with spot on comic timing and facial expressions that kept me wondering whether we might be unsuspecting guests on a secret sitcom being filmed via a camera hidden in the knit-purl of her gray wool hat.
Penny was the perfect hostess, even ensuring that the gluten free and vegetarians in the group had plenty to sample and when I explained that I don’t drink alcohol, instead of wine at one of our stops, she offered locally brewed ginger ale!
As we ambled along enjoying the atmosphere and Penny’s amusing commentary, it occurred to me that most cities probably have similar tours (though they don’t necessarily have tour guides with a great sense of humor who are just as thrilled and enthusiastic as we are about local products).
What a meaningful, fun gift a tour like this would make! Do a search “your city+fun tour or fascinating tour” and see what your locality has to offer.
And if you plan to visit Seattle this year, I strongly suggest you make a reservation with www.SeattleFoodTours.com. (And be sure to ask for Penny.)
Pictured above: 1. The Market’s infamous, grossly disturbing or hilariously funny gum wall. 2. Whole truffles worth a lot more money than I’m spending on all gifts combined this year from the Truffle Cafe. 3. Penny pointing out to us that eating in the bowels of the market with “the market ‘gente’” is the best way to get a delicious, authentic meal.
Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and authors of Celebrate Green! Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, and founders of Green Halloween®.
Note: I paid my own way for this tour. For more information here is our Disclosure Policy.
