lthough it is a highly-publicized tourist destination, Pike Market is well worth visiting. It’s most obvious crowd pleaser and photo target is the ceremony of the throwing of the fish. However, that’s certainly not the only reason to visit.

The market is crammed with wonderful fresh meat, seafood and poultry. Also candy, cake, veggie and fruit stands, florists, gift shops and great restaurants. Chomping down on scrumptious Washington State apples and cherries when they’re fresh picked from nearby orchards is worth the price of admission all by itself.

The enormous variety of fresh seafood draws local buyers from miles around. Additionally, all the fish mongers sell preserved seafood products for tourists to take with them, as well as package and mail as gifts for the folks at home.

The only sour note we found in our visit to this sweet Seattle destination was the cost of close-in parking. It could cost you as much as $10 an hour, so if you plan to visit Pike Market, it may be better to go by bus or cab.