In 2023, my wife and I came back to Mt Rainier on a self-guided tour to discover more wonders.

We headed south and drove for about 2 hours and a half to reach the Nisqually Entrance.

Along the way, we stopped at Rocky Point on Alder Lake to admire the view and grab a few photos.

You can usually capture some great photos of Mt Rainier from this point, but today was a cloudy day with a chance of rain, so we didn’t glimpse Mt Rainier until much later.

Interesting facts: Mount Rainier is an active volcano that last erupted about 1,000 years ago.

We went on a Monday and arrived around 9 am at the Nisqually Entrance, and we had to wait around 30 minutes to pass through the gate. I am told the wait is much longer on weekends.

After driving for 6.5 miles (ca. 10 km) from the park entrance, we reached the Longmire National Historic District, which includes the Longmire Museum, a Visitor Center, and Paradise Inn.  

Across from the lodge, you can hike through the Trail of Shadows, an easy .7-mile hike through trees, creeks, and meadows. Looking closely, you can see that the Beavers were busy building their dams across the creek.

Christine Falls

We next visited Christine Falls, a 69-foot (ca. 21 m) high waterfall with a picturesque Bridge spanning the lower drop. The upper drop is 32 feet (ca. 10 m) high and is almost impossible to film in tandem with the lower tier.

This fall is about 10 miles (ca. 16 km) from the park’s Nisqually Entrance on Paradise Road to get to a small parking pullout. 

You only get a glimpse of the waterfall as you drive in or from the car park. You must walk down to the overlook point to get the best view. But once you make it down, you will be rewarded with a great view of the cascading water.

Interesting Fact: Christine Falls was named in honor of Christine Van Trump, the daughter of P. B. Van Trump, one of the first climbers of Mount Rainier. 

The Christine Falls Bridge was built in 1931 and is a popular photography spot. The bridge offers a stunning view of the falls and the surrounding forest.

To reach the bridge, walk across the road and follow the path up. You can admire the upper waterfall from the bridge and see the water cascading below you to the lower fall.

Narada Falls

Our second stop on this self-guided tour was at Narada Falls, located about 7 miles (ca. 11 km) past Christine Falls. 

After parking, we walked down a short path to an overlook point with a magnificent view of the waterfalls.

Narada Falls is a two-tiered waterfall, with the upper tier dropping 168 feet (ca. 51 m) and the lower tier dropping 20 feet (ca. 6 m). The Paradise River feeds the falls, which originate on the slopes of Mount Rainier.

There are two ways to view Narada Falls. The first is to park in the small parking area at the top of the falls and walk down the short trail to the overlook. This is the best way to see the entire waterfall. 

The second way to view Narada Falls is to hike to the bottom of the falls. To achieve this, you must take the Narada Falls Trail, which starts at the parking area at the top of the falls. The trail is 0.2 miles (ca. 322 m) long and descends 200 feet (ca. 61 m).

The hike to the bottom of Narada Falls is relatively easy, but it can be slippery and muddy. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing.

Once you reach the bottom of the falls, you will be rewarded with a close-up view of the rushing water. You can also walk behind the falls and feel the mist on your face.

If you prefer not to hike at all, you can still get a nice view of the fall from the bridge next to the parking lot.

Reflection Lakes

Our next stop was at Reflection Lakes, which is about 2 miles (3.22 km) away from Narada Falls. We drove a short distance, but hiking from Narada to the lakes is possible.

The lakes are named for their ability to reflect the image of Mount Rainier, creating a stunning mirror-like effect, and it is also a place for peaceful reflection. 

During our visit, the mountain was mostly shrouded with layers of clouds. It did peek through the clouds a few times, giving us a stunning view.

The lakes are surrounded by subalpine meadows and wildflowers, making them a beautiful summer hike spot. 

We spent some time walking along the path surrounding the lakes and had a picnic lunch while admiring the views.

Reflection Lakes is a popular spot for photography, especially in the morning and evening when the light is best. The lakes are also a popular spot for wildlife viewing, with deer, marmots, and pikas being commonly seen in the area.

Important note: Be sure to stay on the trails to help protect the delicate ecosystem, and Leave no trace to keep the park clean and beautiful for future visitors.

Hike from Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes

Although we didn’t attempt this hike, it is worth mentioning here.

The hike from Narada Falls to Reflection Lakes is a moderate 1.5-mile out-and-back trail. The trail begins at the Narada Falls parking lot and follows the Narada Falls Trail downhill to a junction with the Wonderland Trail. 

The hike is mostly shaded, with some open meadows along the way. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow. There are a few steep sections, but the hike is not too challenging overall.

Bench & Snow Lakes

Our final stop on this self-exploration tour of the park was supposed to be at Bench & Snow Lakes. 

We discovered that the only way to reach those two lakes is via a short hike. The parking lot at the bottom of the trail was full, so we turned back, vowing to come back in the near future. 

You can find a detailed hiking guide here: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/bench-and-snow-lakes.

The majestic mountain towers over the Washington state landscape and can be visible from most vantage points in the Seattle metro area. See the main Seattle page here

Mt. Rainier is an active volcano that is always topped with snow. It has 26 main glaciers - the most on any mountain in the lower 48 US states. It is more than 14 thousand feet high and spawns 6 major rivers and many waterfalls.

The national park around the mountain was established in 1899 as the fifth national park in the United States and it encompasses 236,381 acres. Along with the towering peak of Rainer, the park’s expansive area includes many mountains, meadows, old-growth forests, rivers, and waterfalls.

Read more about the park here.

Interesting Facts: On clear days Mt Rainier can be seen as far away as Corvallis, British Columbia and Oregon.

The park is popular for hiking, climbing, and winter sports. Most visitors go for a day trip, but some like to stay at the campgrounds and Inns.

On a recent tour with “Customized Tours”, we spent a day exploring this beautiful park and majestic mountain.

We started from Seattle and headed south towards the Nisqually entrance. Along the way, we stopped at Puyallup to stretch our legs and buy some supplies. The town has a large Fred Myers grocery store with everything you can think of – including a Starbucks. It was a good stop for breakfast.

Interesting Facts:Some ice cave in the mountain are so cold they are being studied for similarity to conditions on Mars.

Our guide and driver Joe was a wealth of information. He knew the ins and outs of the park and where to stop and what to see. As we threaded the windy highway towards our destination, we enjoyed the amazing scenery and stopped for small hikes into the woods to inspect the wildlife. On one stop we got close and personal with some deer – a mom and 2 pups.

The weather is unpredictable at the National Park. On an early October day, the sun was shining in downtown Seattle, but as we drove up the hills into the park, the skies darkened and a slow drizzle started. Joe used his experience and knowledge to adjust our itinerary according to weather conditions.

First, we stopped at National Park Inn in Longmire for lunch. This stop also has a ranger station, visitor center, and a museum.

Tip:Longmire is the last stop at which you may find some cell phone coverage. After that point the phones were totally dead.

Right across the street from the Inn, we enjoyed a hike through the Trail of Shadows. It is an easy .7-mile hike through trees, creeks, and meadows. If you look closely you can see that the Beavers were busy building their dams across the creek.

On the trail, we also passed an old log cabin and some abandoned hot springs. The hot springs are now considered very dangerous due to the presence of parasites.

After our lunch stop and hike, we discovered that the drizzle turned into ice. Later during the climb to Paradise, the ice turned into snow. Joe decided to keep going and reach the Inn before any road closures. As we climbed, a few snow-covered peaks revealed themselves through the clouds but Mt Rainier remained shrouded.

Interesting Facts:The mountain is so high that from the lowest summit, Liberty Cap you can see four additional mountains, Mount Baker, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams

Arriving at Paradise Inn, we saw a rustic wood structure mostly covered in snow. Inside it was warm and inviting with vaulted ceilings made of aged old-growth wood. Outside, under light snow, squirrels were scurrying around and then hiding in snow holes.

Paradise area is a base camp for many activities. During the summer visitors go camping, hiking or mountain climbing. In the winter months, they go cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and tubing – or just enjoying the winter wonderland, like us.

On the way back, the snow stopped and the clouds started clearing. All of a sudden, Mt Rainier revealed itself and we could see the shiny glaciers. Because of the improving weather, we were able to stop at 2 waterfalls, Ruby Falls and Sluiskin Falls. Both were cascading through an eerie snow-covered landscape. The Paradise river has 8 major waterfalls along its path and many minor ones.

On the way back into town we kept getting glimpses of this magnificent mountain to remind us of the adventure we just enjoyed.

This guided tour by Customized Tours was only an introduction to the national park. I will definitely come back to explore the many trails and waterfalls and maybe camp during summer. de Joe made it a fun trip with his stories and commentary. The tour bus was comfortable and warm in the wintery weather. I am looking forward to going on more tours with this company.

More to see

In 2023, my wife and I came back to Mt. Rainier and discovered more wonders.

We visited Rocky Point ay Alder Lake, Christine Falls, Narada Falls, and Reflection Lakes. 

Read the full story here.

I visited the Seattle area several times, but never made it to Olympic National Park, partly because of the long drive, but also because I didn’t know what I was missing.

This time around, in July 2023, I went with Evergreen Escapes on a full-day tour that took us from Seattle, on a ferry, through Bainbridge Island, a Native Reservation, many port towns, national forests, lakes and majestic peaks. 

Here is my account of this spectacular tour.

We met our guide at the Evergreen Adventure Hub in Seattle at 7 am, collected a few more guests and headed out in our comfortable van. 

Evan was both our guide and driver, and he excelled at both. We made it to the ferryboat in time for the 7:40 am departure. Evan mentioned that if we didn’t make it on time, we would have to wait 50 minutes for the next one. 

Up on the ferry’s passenger deck, we enjoyed French-press coffee and some pastries prepared by Evan and then went exploring through the boat. 

On the upper deck, we said goodbye to the receding Seattle skyline and gazed at the approaching island and the mountains in the distance.  

Interesting facts: The ferry we were on was huge. It could hold up to 300 cars and 2000 passengers.  The Washington State Ferry System is the largest in the USA.

The ferry ride from Seattle to Bainbridge was 35 minutes long, but the time passed quickly. We were having too much fun exploring the ship and the views.

The drive

The drive from Seattle to our destination, Hurricane Ridge in the National Park, is about 3 hours long. But with many stops and points of interest and landmarks, it took close to 7 hours. 

Along this long trek, we passed through Bainbridge Island, over a floating bridge that connects to Kitsap Peninsula, through several small towns and ports, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and several types of forests. 

Even though the drive was long, our guide kept us busy and entertained and picked the right stops with amazing views and a chance to stretch our legs or go on short hikes.

Jamestown S'Klallam Indian Reservation

Our first stop was at the Jamestown reservation, which was more of a rest stop than an actual native residential settlement. The S'Klallam Indians use this area as a seat of government and to provide social services. 

This reservation has a unique history. It was formalized by members of S'Klallam communities in 1874 when they purchased a tract of 210 acres (0.85 km) near Dungeness to avoid the threat of forced relocation by European colonizers.

This was a notable feat, since at the time, Native people were legally barred from buying property and most didn’t believe in private ownership. 

Read more about their history here 

Our stop here was a nice opportunity to stretch our legs, use the restroom, and checkout the gift shop. 

Interesting fact: The Olympic National Park got its name because Explorer Vancouver claimed the gods live in those mountains, and he named the highest peak Mt Olympus. 

Lake Crescent and Lodge

Lake Crescent was carved by glaciers 14,000 years ago and is the second-deepest lake in Washington, with a maximum depth of 624 feet (ca. 190 m). 

It is crescent-shaped, about 7 miles (ca. 11 km) long and 2 miles (3.22 km) wide. The water is a brilliant blue-green color, and is incredibly clear, with visibility up to 100 feet (ca. 30 m). 

Interesting Fact: According to Native American legend, the lake was created when a giant cannibal named Seatco threw a boulder into the valley below. The boulder dammed the river and created the lake, which swallowed up the S'Klallam and Quileute tribes who were fighting in the valley.

The Lodge on Crescent Lake shores is a historic lodge and was built in 1915. It has 55 guest rooms, a full-service restaurant, and a gift shop. There is also a boathouse on the lake where guests can rent boats and kayaks. 

The lodge is surrounded by beautiful scenery, including Lake Crescent, the Olympic Mountains, and the Sol Duc River. There are many hiking trails in the area, as well as opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming.

We used the lodge as our basecamp for a beautiful hike to Merymere falls.

This easy trail is about 2.25-mile out-and-back and took us about 1-hour to complete, and most of it was shaded by old-growth trees.

We had many stops along the way while Evan was describing the flora and fauna to us. He also pointed out that the creek along the way is icy cold because it is from glacier meltwater.

Towards the end of the trail, we had to cross two bridges and climb steep stairs, but the waterfall at the top was worth the effort. 

My only complaint is that the last part of the hike was overcrowded. Too many hikers were clustered.  

After the hike, we relaxed at the lodge for a while, used the restrooms, and did some souvenir shopping at the gift shop. 

Madison Falls and lunchtime

Our guide picked a lovely place for a picnic lunch. The picnic tables were set up next to the Elwha River and close to the Madison Falls trailhead. 

This easy to reach waterfall and picnic area is 16 minutes away from Port Angeles on highway 101. You can reach the trailhead on Olympic Hot Springs Road, which is closed beyond this point. 

While Evan was setting up our lunch, we went on the short, walk to the falls.  

The trail to the fall is short, paved and wheelchair accessible, and it takes about 5 minutes to reach. 

The falls are located on Madison Creek, which is a tributary of the Elwha River. The creek flows through a lush forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock, and cedar. 

If you are lucky, you may see deer or elk and lots of birds. We saw some birds but no large animals.

After lunch, and while Evan was clearing the tables, we trekked down to the riverbank and admired the towering mountains in the distance. 

Hurricane Ridge

We drove from Madison Falls and through Port Angeles for about 28 miles (ca. 45 km) to reach the highest point in our tour and were greeted by a spectacular view of the Olympic Range. 

Hurricane Ridge is open to the public for hiking, skiing, and snowboarding, but with restricted access due to the limited facilities. 

The rangers will count the vehicles entering the area and only permit 170 vehicles at a time. Check the website for the latest alerts here.

Interesting fact: There are 244 named mountains in the Olympic Mountains

After admiring the views, we went on a loop hike that took us from the parking lot through the woods and to an overlook with a spectacular view of the bay below. From the overlook, we could see Vancouver Island and the city of Victoria in Canada. 

Towards the end of this short hike, some of us took a longer hike to Hurricane Hill for a stunning 360-degree view of the area. 

Interesting fact: The Olympic Mountains were born in the sea

In the parking lot, while sitting on a bench and admiring the meadow below me, and the mountains in the distance, I spotted a deer and two fawns playing in the meadow. 

The mother sped up chasing something while the fawns hid in a shady spot waiting for their mother to return. Deer are herbivores, so I don’t think it was hunting. It was probably just having fun.

The return trip

After the highlight of the tour at Hurricane Ridge, we started our journey back to Seattle. 

This was a very long tour, mainly because of the of distance from Seattle, so we were exhausted. I actually napped most of the way back, which made the time pass quickly. 

We made it back to the Evergreen Hub at 8 PM, which made this a 13-hour tour.

Other than the long drive, I enjoyed every minute of this tour and really appreciated Evan’s knowledge and dedication to making this a memorable trip. 

Evergreen Escapes

2960 4th Ave S #115, Seattle, WA 98134

https://www.evergreenescapes.com/ 

Other points of interest

Although our tour took 13 hours to complete, we didn't get to visit all the best places in the peninsula. Here some places worth mentioning:

Rialto Beach

Rialto Beach is a public beach near the mouth of the Quillayute River, and is composed of an ocean beach and coastal forest. The many miles of seaside topography offer views of sea stacks and rock formations in the Pacific Ocean.

Port Angeles

Port Angeles is located on the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, at the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is the gateway to Olympic National Park, and is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, camping, fishing, and kayaking.

Port Angeles has a small-town atmosphere, with a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. The city is also home to the Port Angeles Harbor, which is a major shipping port.

Enchanted Valley

The Enchanted Valley is a beautiful and secluded valley and a popular destination for hikers, campers, and nature lovers.

The valley is home to a variety of plant and animal life, including old-growth forests, wildflower meadows, and Roosevelt elk. 

It is surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests. The valley is home to the Quinault River, which flows through the center of the valley. The river is a popular spot for fishing, swimming, and kayaking.

Seattle is home to the largest aerospace manufacturer in the world, so it stands to reason it is also home to 2 separate aviation museums. See the main Seattle page here

Both are run by private companies but showcase a lot of Boeing's products and history. For a more Boeing-centric experience, visit the Future of Flight which includes a tour through the Boeing factory. For a larger exhibit with international flavor and a section dedicated to space, go to the Museum of Flight.

Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour

Have you ever wondered how the Boeing jumbo Jets are built? If so, this museum is a great place to get a glimpse of how models 747, 767, 777, and 787 (the Dreamliner) are built.

This museum is located in the city of Mukilteo (next to Everett) about 25 miles north of Seattle. Before the tour, you get to visit the main Gallery (Learning Center) with some informative exhibits and hands-on experiences.

You can get into the cockpit of a 727 plane, take a simulated flight, inspect GE and Rolls-Royce engines, and many other exhibits. While visiting you can also design and print your own airplane image or visit the "How Planes are Made" family zone.

Interesting Facts: The Boeing assembly line at Everett is the largest building in the world by volume with 472 million cubic feet in volume.

After you have your fill of indoor activates and exhibits, take the elevator to the observation deck where you can view an active runway and Boeing factory buildings.

The tour is about 90 minutes and takes you through the Everett building and through the largest assembly building in the world. You get to see airplanes moving down the long assembly line in various stages of completion.

Tip: Photography and electronic devices are not permitted during the tour. Make sure to place your belongings in the free lockers before your start - and remember you code.

It is a brisk walk, so it is not recommended for people with mobility issues. But don't let that stop you from enjoying this tour. The museum offers 2 tours a day that meets ADA requirements. You just need to call 2 weeks ahead of time to reserve it.

Interesting Facts: According to the Guinness World Records, the mural on the six factory doors is considered the largest in the world.

During the tour, you also get to visit the airfield and watch planes taking off and landing. The tour was very informative and engaging even for children. The tour guides are Boeing employees and know their stuff. It was a nice touch when the guide pointed to his working place in the plant.

Interesting Facts: The Boeing Company, founded in the Seattle area by William Boeing, started as a boat company

The museum also has 2 gift shops and a café. One store is at the front of the tour and it carries Boeing items. Another store sells more traditional science gifts. For a free souvenir, go back to the gallery level. Take a free photo at the booth and come back later to select your background and email it to yourself. You can also purchase a hard-copy photo at the Boeing store.

Read more about Future of Flight at their website here.

Museum of Flight

Another must-see museum for space and aviation buffs. This one is in the city of Tukwila south of Seattle and is comprised of several buildings and a large outdoor exhibit.

One building is dedicated to Space exploration. Inside you can climb into a Space Shuttle model or browse through Apollo engines, Model Rockets, or visit the Space Flight Academy. When you are done with the space exhibits, take a pedestrian bridge to the main building with a large aviation gallery. The gallery showcases airplanes through the ages from the historic flight of the Wright Brothers to recent advances in space flight and all the innovations in-between. For a better view of the whole gallery, take the elevators to a balcony overlooking the whole exhibit.

Another building tells the story of Boeing from 1916 to 1958. The first floor is dedicated to William Boeing and his pioneering decades' building this company that became the dominant Aerospace manufacturer.

Interesting Facts: In 1915, William Boeing dropped cardboard "bombs" on a crowded California-Washington football game to wake up Americans to the danger of foreign attack.

The second floor explores the company’s shift from small craft to multi-engine airplanes concluding with the building of the 707 jetliners.

Outdoors, you will find a large covered area with many aircraft from around the world. This exhibit has the only Concord plane in the US. You can climb in and experience the seating plan and the complex cockpit. Also outdoors you can find a Boeing 747, the first jet Airforce One, and many military jet fighters and bombers. The museum offers several tours and experiences.

You can go on a one-hour Boeing Field tour. The tour takes you both inside the historic airport and along the runway. You can also go on docent tours of the museum for a more in-depth experience of learning and entertainment. Finally, you can enjoy a 3D movie or take a simulator flight for an additional fee. During your visit, you can spend some time at one of two Cafés to relax and enjoy some snacks.

Read more about the Museum of Flight at their website here.

Segways are a great way to discover a new town. You can rent a Segway and go on your own, but it is always better to learn from an expert.

I recently went on a tour with “Seattle by Segway” through the waterfront, Seattle Center, Pike Place, and other downtown landmarks. See the main Seattle page here.

Tip: Parking is difficult and expensive at the waterfront. You can find cheaper parking a few block away, but remember that you have to climb down and back up to get to the water level.

We started with a quick lesson on how to operate the Segway and be safe. Once you learn the basics, the Segway is very easy to operate and much faster than walking.

We selected our helmets and started the tour from their location at the waterfront. Our guide Cory was an excellent tour guide showing us all the interesting places as we zipped along Alaskan Way pedestrian way.

Interesting Facts: The Edgewater is the only over-water hotel in Seattle. It is built on top of Pier 68 and famous for hosting the Beatles when they visited Seattle in 1964.

On the waterfront, we saw the Seattle Great Wheel and passed by popular seafood restaurants like Elliott’s Oyster House and the Salmon Cooker.

Towards the north end of the waterfront, we went into pier 70 to gaze at the Olympic Statue from a great vantage point. The huge face in this park is gazing at the Olympic mountains in the distance.

At this point, we went deeper into town and headed toward the Seattle Center for a great view of the Space Needle and Museum of Popular culture.

While at the center we drove our Segway in between large glass flowers that started singing to us. We also passed by the International Fountain and a musical kids' playground.

Interesting Facts: The ferry terminal connects the waterfront to Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Vashon Island and Port Orchard.

On the way back, we passed through Pike Place and the old part of downtown at Pioneer Square. Riding the Segway through Pike Place was very challenging due to the crowds, but it was fun anyway.

Pioneer Square had a lot of old and historic buildings. Although my feet were tired from standing on the Segway for 2 hours, I was sad to see the tour end. It was a great experience.

Downtown Seattle is a hodge-podge of old and new, trendy and laid back. The best way to enjoy this medley of sights and sounds is to just start walking. See the main Seattle page here.

If you are new to Seattle, try to join a walking tour or a food tasting tour to learn from local experts.

 I went on the “Taste Pike Place” tour with Show Me Seattle the very first day I arrive in Seattle. It was a great way to learn about one of the most well-known attractions in town and to taste some delicious food.

Marcia, our guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable. We spent more than 3 hours learning about the Pike’s history, people and shops and ended up tasting food from 13 different places.

Interesting Facts: Pike Place market is about 9 acres big with 24 buildings and 240 small businesses

The food choices were excellent and filling. During this tour, we got to try Seafood, donuts, snacks, chowder, and dessert. My favorites were:

Daily Dozen Doughnuts: A small kiosk that creates great doughnuts every day. I loved their sugar-coated and caramel.

Tip: Most visitors only discover the top level, which runs along Pike Street and Pike Place. Don’t be a tourist. Go deeper into the market and down the stair to discover more shops and restaurants.

Saffron Spice: This Indian cuisine kiosk offers delicious traditional dishes like Samosa, curry chicken, and vegetable wraps. We tried several Samosa with different fillings and a spicy sauce.

Rub with Love Shack: This place has a large variety of American sandwiches like Cheesesteak, Salmon Burgers, Toasted Turkey, and Grilled Cheese. We tried the salmon burger and it was very tasty.

Honest Biscuits: This is a place specialized in fresh biscuits with a variety of fillings. The biscuits are always fresh out of the oven and fluffy. The fillings are locally sourced from Pike Place shops.

Pike Place Chowder: You can’t miss this award-winning chowder restaurant. Their New England Chowder was amazing.

Interesting Facts: Rachel the Piggy Bank is located beneath the Public Market Clock and Sign at the corner of Pike Place and actually makes money for the market foundation.

Ellenos Greek Yogurt: A great snack or dessert. This place offers Greek yogurt made with locally sourced fresh ingredients. You get to try it before you buy it. My favorite was the Marionberry Pie.

We also had great street tacos at Los Agave, tried some smoked Salmon at Pacific Seafood, and some dried fruit at Supply the Best. Food was only a part of the tour. We also visited “Seattle’s Pub and Brewery”, watched fishmongers throw fish around, and visited a nice rooftop garden maintained by the local vendors.

Interesting Facts: The market foundation does not allow chain stores in the area, but Starbucks was grandfathered in because it started as a unique coffee store.

One of the buildings at Pike Place is dedicated to arts and crafts. Here you can find locals selling their handmade creations. Everywhere you go you can enjoy the street performers (also known as Buskers). You can listen to some guitar players, singers and classical musicians.

I really enjoyed my tour with Show Me Seattle and would recommend it to anyone new to Pike Place Market.