Newsletter Article Series Issue 6 - Fish in Seattle

4. Pike Place Market
That's the place where they throw the fish.

Fishmonger sounds like a great insult, “knock it off you fishmonger!”

It also sounds like the name of a jam band that plays summer festivals and has a large contingent of aromatically-challenged fans, “Fishmonger’s twenty-minute jazz odysseys are groovy, man.”

Actually, the term “fishmonger” is neither of those things. A fishmonger is someone who sells fish and seafood. You can find a fishmonger at Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Chances are you’ve seen these flinging fishmongers before. Whenever a Seattle Seahawks’ home game is broadcasted on national television (which is quite rare) a camera crew is inevitably sent to Pike Place Market to get some “B” roll of the fishmongers throwing salmon around.

Those sure-handed fishmongers work for the Pike Place Fish Market. Besides being featured on every nationally televised sporting event broadcasting from Seattle, they’ve also been seen on the Learning Channel, the sitcom Frasier, and the opening to MTV’s Real World: Seattle. Needless to say, those are some famous fishmongers.

Those flying fish are just one of many reasons why Pike Place Market is the must-see attraction in the city of Seattle. It’s one of the most unique, fascinating and historic attractions in all of the United States. Not only that but it’s a great place to buy fish, produce or handmade crafts. In between shopping, it’s also one of the best places in the city to people watch.

Pike Place Market was founded in 1907 and it’s the longest continually run farmer's market in the United States (don’t worry most of the fish and produce have been replaced since then).

At street level, you’ll find a variety of farmers, craftspeople and merchants selling their produce and wares. Below, are several levels of specialty shops and independent restaurants.

The market is situated in Downtown Seattle between Belltown and the Central Waterfront. Elliot Bay borders the Pike Market neighborhood to the west. North of the actual market is Victor Steinbrueck Park, formerly known as Market Park. Originally the site of an armory, the park was renamed to honor the architect who fought for the market’s preservation.

Several historic buildings can be found within the market’s boundaries. Some of the most famous

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