What do you do in Seattle when you're bored on a weekend? Stay in? Wrong. You head to Pike Place Market to explore. While we all usually tuck into cheese or chowder, and pick through a forest of flowers, there are some hidden gems you probably didn't even know existed. So we scoped out all the "secret" things you can do while here. Honestly, there's always something new popping up at this beloved Emerald City establishment, so there's never a bad time for a visit. But if you're tired of getting chocolate-wasted (can anyone ever?) or people watching, allow us to show you what else you can do here. Visit A Secret Garden Price: Free Address: Pike Place Urban Garden, 81 Pike St., Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: Tucked away behind the butcher and the tea shop is a quaint urban garden. Whether you take a picnic lunch or snap a secluded pic with a chalkboard piggy you can draw on, this is a real slice of paradise. View this post on Instagram I still haven't checked out that ferris wheel after all the times I've been out here. #seattle #pikeplacemarket A post shared by Antonio (@rusty_shackleforddd) on Aug 28, 2015 at 4:21pm PDT Website Take A Ghost Tour Price: 💸 Address: Unexpected Productions, 1499 Post Alley, Seattle WA Why You Need To Go: Did you know the Pike is haunted? This 75-minute ghostly adventure leads you through unusual arcades and alleys for a sneak peek into the darker history of Seattle. View this post on Instagram 👻 A post shared by Poi (@ximarrone) on Jun 27, 2014 at 4:14pm PDT Website Get A Tarot Reading Price: 💸 Address: Christopher's Lamp, 1501 Pike Pl. #330, Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: Intrigued by the psychic arts? You can get your palm read, get a tarot reading or see what your sun signs say with the whole Mars retrograde goings-on. View this post on Instagram if you want to, cry. A post shared by Chrissy Withaj (@maybe_christopher) on Nov 21, 2018 at 8:03pm PST Website Get Silly At An Old School Photobooth Price: 💸 Address: Orange Dracula, Level 3, Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: This is one of the last photo booths in the city that captures memories on film for less than $5. Bring cash. You can also find kitschy, one-of-a-kind memorabilia for your picky friends and fam at this spot. View this post on Instagram Y'all it's a real FILM photo booth! This is the coolest thing ever! A post shared by Devon (@ddevon) on Jun 25, 2019 at 6:42pm PDT Website Feel Like You're In Diagon Alley Price: 💸 Address: Market Magic Shop, 1501 Pike Pl. #427, Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: Whether you're looking for some illusions, sleight-of-hand tricks, or you just want to pull an Ashton Kutcher-esque Punk'd on your pals, this is a one-stop-shop for all of your magic supplies. View this post on Instagram Meditate to levitate 🔮 A post shared by Cacao (@nebula_x) on Oct 18, 2019 at 6:03pm PDT Website Score Some Great Book Deals Price: 💸 Address: BLMF Literary Salon, Lamplight Books, Left Bank Books, and Lion Heart Book Store, Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: No matter how hard we clutch to our Kindles, we know there's something special about getting lost in the pages of an actual book. Luckily, there are several stores with quiet reading nooks and great budget books in the bustling market. View this post on Instagram Trying to act natural after snatching a sticker from the wall 🍃 A post shared by Samantha Jurkowski👣 (@sjurkowski51) on Dec 30, 2018 at 5:05pm PST Website There's A Store Just For Maps Price: 💸💸 Address: Metsker Maps of Seattle, 1511 1st Ave., Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: Whether you're looking for a new globe lamp or a vintage map to frame, this is the largest map store you'll find in the whole U.S. View this post on Instagram Explore 🌎 A post shared by Priscilla Ramos (@prirammos) on Aug 4, 2018 at 10:27am PDT Website And One For All Things Purple Price: 💸💸 Address: The Purple Store, 92 Stewart St., Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: If you're a fan of the royal color and don't mind getting everything from a blender to a pair of Converse in lavender, this is your spot. View this post on Instagram Well guys if you love purple as much as my mom does, I found the perfect store for you in Seattle! 💜 A specialty store with nothing but grape-colored items! ☂️🍇🔮 I think I listed all the purple emojis. If not, comment a purple emoji below. A post shared by Julianna 💎 (@juliannadiamond) on Sep 24, 2018 at 2:20pm PDT Website Get A Pastry Pet Price: 💸💸 Address: MarninSaylor, 1501 Pike St., Seattle, WA Why You Need To Go: Love pastries and pets? Why not get one that's a hybrid? From a lovable Donut Cat in maple, vanilla or chocolate flavors to Cinnamon Bun(ny), and Maple Bears, these cute crafts have a shelf life of forever. View this post on Instagram Another market Monday, and the pastry case is freshly restocked with all your favorite friends! We’ll be here from 10-6 if you want to stop in. 🍩💗 I also want to take a moment to thank all of you for your patience during the hiccups we’ve experienced over the past month. From not being able to complete the Indiegogo donor countertop yet, taking an extra day off after Christmas, to being closed on Saturday to deal with our colds ... we just can’t express how much we appreciate your sticking through this transition phase with us! It’s still just Thomas and I working in the shop six days a week, making as many toys as we can, and managing all the other aspects of the business. One of our production employees is down for the count for the foreseeable future, so there are just two people holding down the studio whenever we’re here at the shop. It’s been a lot for our little team to take on, and we truly couldn’t do it without your support and encouragement. Thank you!! A post shared by MarninSaylor (@marninsaylor) on Jan 6, 2020 at 10:01am PST Website There's everything from secret windows to pick up the famous Pike Place Chowder to chocolate tours, wine tastings with a view, and thrift stores. The question is what are you exploring next?
