Pike Place Market With a Local
I’ve been running Shutter Tours in Pike Place Market since 2009, and he's finally dropping this video he's wanted to make for 16 years. It's a laid-back walking tour that mixes the classic tourist spots like fish-throwing and the gum wall with a bunch of hidden gems, local history, and his personal stories. He covers the Native American roots, how the market started in 1907 to cut out shady middlemen, quirky facts about ghosts and celebrities, plus food stops for donuts, coffee, piroshky, and more. It's basically an insider's guide from a guy whose family has deep Seattle roots.
SOME Bullet Points FROM THE VIDEO
Native American Roots and Early Seattle History
Before the market existed, this waterfront spot was tide flats called Dzidzilalich, a "little crossing over place." It was a pantry and trade route for tribes like the Duwamish and Suquamish, full of salmon, clams, mussels, berries, and crab.
Seattle was founded in 1851 by the Denny Party, who arrived after trekking the Oregon Trail. Chief Seattle helped them learn to hunt and fish, bridging cultures.
The city was named after him in 1853, though he initially resisted because Native tradition avoided saying a chief's name during a year-long mourning period to not disturb the afterlife. He came around and felt proud by the time he passed.
The 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott cost tribes millions of acres, but kept hunting and fishing rights (still valid today).
In 1865, a city ordinance banned Native Americans in town after dark unless working for a white person. Chief Seattle's daughter, Princess Angeline (Kikisoblu), refused to leave. She lived in a small house built by Henry Yesler right on the old waterfront, gathering and selling shellfish and berries.
Edward Curtis photographed her, inspiring his 30-year project documenting Native Americans in a 20-volume set.
She died in the late 1800s, respected with a big funeral, buried in a canoe-shaped coffin at Lakeview Cemetery near Yesler. Some say her ghost lingers on the steps with odd smells.
How Pike Place Market Began
On August 17, 1907, farmers (mostly Italian and Japanese, limited English) got fed up with middlemen charging crazy prices like a dollar a pound for onions. The city let them sell on the corner of First and Pike. Eight farmers showed up first day, sold out by afternoon. Next day, more came. It grew into one of America's longest-running public markets, with 275 businesses, 500 residents, daycare, health center, food bank, low-income housing, senior center—a real city within a city.
It's the 33rd most visited tourist spot globally, beating the Louvre in visitors (though most Louvre folks just snap the Mona Lisa and bounce, similar to fish-throwing here).
Food and Drink Highlights
Storyville Coffee — Top roaster per Wine Enthusiast, better than the big chains, great interior with Edison lights and photos.
Daily Dozen Doughnuts — Fresh hot mini donuts, cinnamon and sprinkles are killer. Get a dozen mixed—better deal. The "donut robot" makes them fresh.
Market Spice — Over 200 teas, signature cinnamon orange brings back childhood memories for Terry.
Piroshky Piroshky — Fast service even with long lines. Uli's jalapeño sausage piroshky is doughy and spicy—pair with a drink.
Pike Place Chowder — #1 dish on Yelp (New England clam chowder), order online to skip lines, great Dungeness crab roll in season.
Falafel King — Yacob works nonstop, authentic shawarma, falafel, baklava—super reasonable.
Other mentions: Athenian (Sleepless in Seattle filming spot), Market Grill (best wild sockeye salmon sandwich), Pure Foods Fish (top smoked salmon), Jack's Fish Spot (solid fish and chips), Le Panier (baguettes and macarons).
Hidden Gems and Quirky Spots
Secret Garden — Rooftop veggie garden feeding residents (many in the LaSalle Hotel), quieter views of Elliott Bay, ferries, Seattle Wheel.
Secret Library — Cozy spot near the fish-throwers, good Seattle/Northwest books, $5 day pass (cash or online), nice reading room and gum wall view.
Gum Wall — Started in early 90s when theatergoers stuck gum outside instead of on seats. City tried cleaning in 2015 (350 pounds gone), but it keeps growing. Gross but iconic, cool art details nearby.
Pike Place Fish Throwing — Started because owner John Yokoyama got tired of walking around the counter. "World Famous" sign helped blow it up. Stunt fish entertains crowds, then feeds wolves at Wolf Haven. Fun fact: Axl Rose supposedly slipped and hit his head there once.
Original Starbucks — Not the very first spot (that was nearby on Western and Virginia, moved after a 1976 fire). Current one at 1912 Pike Place has the old siren logo, no food sold to avoid competing with other vendors.
Other cool bits: Ghost stories (Princess Angeline, Arthur Goodwin at Ghost Alley Espresso), Pink Door restaurant (trapeze acts, hard to get in), Kashiba (high-end sushi), market tiles from 1980s fundraiser to save the place (even one from Heaven's Gate cult), no cars on lower streets now except vendors.
Terry wraps it up saying the market's more than the big attractions—it's a living spot with history and locals. Six generations of his family love it. Solid tour if you're heading there.