Seattle is a hilly waterfront city of about 737,000 people between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, known for Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, its coffee and tech culture, ferries and views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Seattle-roasted coffee
Beans and gift tins from Seattle roasters, including the original Starbucks store at Pike Place.
Price: $10-30
Where: Starbucks original store, 1912 Pike Pl; Pike Place Market
Smoked salmon and shipped seafood
Vacuum-sealed smoked salmon and packed fresh seafood that vendors can ship.
Price: $20-80
Where: Pike Place Fish Market, 86 Pike Pl
Washington cherries and local cheese
Dried Rainier cherries, chocolate-covered fruit and artisan cheese.
Price: $8-35
Where: Chukar Cherries and Beecher's Handmade Cheese, Pike Place Market
Theo bean-to-bar chocolate
Organic bean-to-bar chocolate made in Seattle.
Price: $5-25
Where: Theo Chocolate Factory, 3400 Phinney Ave N, Fremont
Pacific Northwest books
Regional history, nature guides and local authors.
Price: $10-40
Where: Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave
Handmade crafts and glass
Pottery, prints, jewelry and glass pieces from local makers.
Price: $15-150
Where: Pike Place Market craft tables; Fremont Sunday Market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Pike Place Market
Produce, fresh and smoked seafood, flowers, cheese, crafts and the original Starbucks
Where: Downtown Waterfront
Hours: Daily; most shops about 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, produce and fish stalls from about 9:00 AM (hours vary by vendor and season)
University District Farmers Market
Washington produce, berries, cheese, bread and prepared food
Where: University District
Hours: Sat 9:00 AM-2:00 PM (year round)
Ballard Farmers Market
Produce, seafood, baked goods, flowers and street food on a historic Ballard Avenue block
Where: Ballard
Hours: Sun 10:00 AM-3:00 PM (year round)
Capitol Hill Farmers Market
Produce, flowers, bread and prepared food on Broadway
Where: Capitol Hill
Hours: Sun 11:00 AM-3:00 PM (year round)
Fremont Sunday Market
Vintage goods, handmade crafts, imports, street food and some produce
Where: Fremont
Hours: Sun 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (year round)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Westlake Center
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-8:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-6:00 PM (confirm on website)
Pacific Place
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-8:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-6:00 PM (confirm on website)
Nordstrom Seattle Flagship
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-8:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-6:00 PM (confirm on website)
University Village
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00 AM-8:00 PM; Sun 11:00 AM-6:00 PM (confirm on website)
Capitol Hill Pike/Pine and Broadway
Hours: Most shops 11:00 AM-7:00 PM; hours vary by shop
Elliott Bay Book Company
Hours: Daily; check website for current hours
Ballard Avenue and Market Street
Hours: Most shops 11:00 AM-6:00 PM; hours vary
Uwajimaya
Hours: Daily; check website for current hours
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Prices are fixed in stores and at farmers markets; bargaining is not customary.
At the Fremont Sunday Market, vintage and antique sellers may accept modest offers on higher-priced items.
Many Pike Place Market craft sellers take cards, but small bills help at produce stalls.
Check return policies on sale items; some sales are final.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Washington sales tax of roughly 10 percent is added at checkout in Seattle and is not refundable to visitors., Seattle charges a per-bag fee of at least 5 cents on paper bags and prohibits plastic carryout bags; bring a reusable bag., Many shops open later on Sunday; independent boutiques often open at 11:00 AM., Pike Place Market vendors set their own hours, and many stalls close by 5:00 PM.