Seattle TravelGram

The Pike Place Market, with its famous flying fish and numerous vendors, has a history that includes much more than meets the eye. The Market Ghost Tour will show you a darker side of the market that even the most die-hard market fan does not yet know. Let the wonderful guides show you the spookier side of Seattle’s most famous tourist attraction.

A twilight walk through a deserted main promenade reveals the past of Post Alley. Behind the infamous gum wall, the Market Theatre is supposed to be haunted by children who passed away during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 where 1,600 in the Seattle area died.  The Market Theatre reserves five seats for those ghostly visitors.

You’ll pass the old LaSalle Hotel and hear stories of the infamous brothel governess, Nellie, who had the sailors lining up for a block and has since become the inspiration for Pike Pub and Brewery’s organic brew; Naughty Nellie.

Further into the night, the tale of Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Sealth, and her beautiful plum trees reveals that the entire market was likely built atop a Duwamish Indian burial site. To this day Princess Angeline is as a perpetual wanderer of the market.

The Market Ghost Tour is full of many more tales to incite your imagination. Be sure to ask your guide about the sub basement of Kells Irish Pub…or shall I say the Mortuary, which is proposed to be the most haunted place in Seattle.   By Sara Palmer

Pike Place Market

I love Seattle and after living here for over 30 years I find new and wonderful things to do and learn about every day. I signed up for the 2.5 hour Seattle Food Tour’s, “Taste Pike Place” and learned more about the market, its vendors and rich history than I had over the years exploring on my own.

Our knowledgeable guide Heather, met us at Vital Tea Leaf where we tasted several types of tea and learned how to brew and store tea. The tour was just getting rolling and I was so glad I didn’t eat lunch because we sampled our way though so many delicious treats. Our group was off to a local institution, DeLaurenti’s Speciality Food and Wine where we were treated to locally made salami and cheese then our sweet tooth was satisfied with a tasting at Bottega Italiana’s authentic Italian gelato. A few steps away and we were at the Crumpet Shop where locals in the know line up daily for this fresh tasty goodness.

The Pink Door

We sampled smoked wild king salmon at Pure Food Fish, fresh fruit, flavored honeys and were treated to truffle oils, salts and creams at LaBuona Tavola Truffle Cafe. For our next taste we were served a cup of the award winning chowder from Pike Place Chowder which many people consider to be the best in the country. Our last stop was a local secret called the Pink Door where we were introduced to their signature organic antipasto dish.

The Taste Pike Place tour is something I really recommend for all you foodies out there. Seattle Food Tours is one of our partners in the Seattle TourSaver where everything is 2-for-1. Check it out. 

One of our partners in the 2010 Seattle TourSaver is the Seattle Bug Safari. This little known bug zoo is below Pike Place Market on the Hill Climb and just steps away from Western Avenue and up the hill from the Seattle Aquarium.

Owner Brian Rolf  is passionate about his creepy crawly friends and has a large assortment of insect species to view, some of which you may be able to touch. The gift shop hosts a wide variety of insect-oriented gifts, books and toys that are all unique and wonderful for those hard to buy for friends and family. Don’t miss out on this unique stop while visiting and exploring Seattle.

Learn more online: Seattle Bug Safari.

Courtesy of The Chocolate Box

This tour is a chocolate lovers dream with all the bells and whistles added. What a wonderful educational way to immerse yourself in the world of chocolate with some of Seattle’s most famous chocolatiers.  You’ll start out the morning from Seattle’s Chocolate Box near Pike Place Mkt. There you learn how to taste and understand the fine points of chocolate. Next you get on into a comfortable tour van and enjoy your expert tour guide who knows the way around the city as fluently as they do the nuances of chocolate.

Your first stop is Theo Chocolate where you will take a guided tour of factory in Fremont. Theo Chocolate is proud to be the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States. Here you will learn about where and how chocolate is grown, how it is roasted and eventually turned into tasty treats. You will sample to your hearts delight.

Then you’re off to Oh! Chocolate in the Madison Park neighborhood. Here you will get to temper and dip chocolate treats yourself. Who knew playing in chocolate could be so fun and tasty.

Then you are off to Fran’s Chocolate in the University District. Fran is one of Seattle’s treasures bringing designer chocolate to Seattle years ago. You will be able to taste many of her famous handmade truffles, caramels, chocolate-covered fruits and nuts, and tortes.

Just when you think this tour can’t possibly get any better you are brought back to the Chocolate Box where you will be served chocolate drinks and any questions you may have will be answered. This is one of the tastiest 3 hours I’ve every enjoyed.