Shopping in Seattle

As much a part of daily city life today as it was when it opened in 1907, it gathers crowds looking to see the famous fish throwers, the oldest Starbucks store, and so much more. The main level shops, on either side of Pike Place, sell meat, produce, flowers, and, of course, seafood – which they will ship home for you if you’re just visiting. Behind them, to the west and north, local artists fill their booths with jewelry, paintings, and other crafts.

The lower floors feature permanent shops, including Ventures Marketplace, which sells food, beauty, and craft products from local entrepreneurs with limited resources that participated in Ventures’ business incubation program. Down First Avenue in the Atrium building, additional shops include Eighth Generation, owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, which sells Native-designed products and art of all sorts.

Address: Pike Place Market covers a huge amount of Downtown, but is centered on the intersection of Pike Street and First Avenue.

Local boutiques and shops selling handmade goods pepper the entire city, but few areas have as many in such a pleasant and walkable space as Ballard Avenue. The jewelry at Begin is mostly made by the owner, but includes a few other designers, and ranges from simple and affordable to expensive and ornate. Local outdoor outfitter Filson sells their signature flannels and also a few Ballard-specific items from their neighborhood shop here, and national outdoor brand Kavu sticks to its local roots, too, with a Ballard Avenue storefront. Standard Goods is the standard for souvenirs, with all sorts of shirts, hats, stickers, housewares, and more emblazoned with Seattle-centric names and messages. At nearby Venue, the same sorts of things plus jewelry and art say Seattle in more subtle ways, but everything there is made by local artists.

Address: The best shopping on Ballard Avenue sits in the area between 17th Avenue NW and NW Market Street.

Seattle’s oldest neighborhood never goes out of style, and that means it perennially holds excellent shopping in a series of local boutiques. Flannel brand Ebbets Field’s flagship shop makes an excellent place to purchase a high-quality flannel shirt, or one of their old-school baseball caps featuring a team that no longer exists. Support teams that still play – and nearby – at the neighborhood’s many shops catering to the crowds of Seahawks, Sounders, Mariners, and OL Reign fans on their way to the adjacent stadiums. For elegance over athletics, look to the headquarters of local clothing rental company Armoire, where they also sell their wares. Across the street, Fruitsuper sells homewares, including many ceramics and woodcrafts by local artists. A series of boutiques and a few local wineries, as well as an excellent toy store (Magic Mouse Toys) round out the neighborhood’s many options.

Address: Pioneer Square runs along 1st and 2nd Avenue, and Occidental, mostly, between Cherry Street and the Stadiums.

Seattle famously loves its coffee, and while Starbucks enjoys a worldwide reputation, the true treasure comes in the dozens of small local roasters like Elm, Seven, Boon Boona, Vivace, Victrola, and more. Most shops sell beans – either their own or from a local partner – making it about the easiest souvenir to source. Even Starbucks has a special roast that superfans can look for only at the Pike Place and Reserve stores.

The art of the Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest features many local animals and motifs, making it a great way to support the tribes and bring home a meaningful souvenir. Look for shops with Native ownership to ensure authenticity: Eighth Generation in Pike Place Market, the Duwamish Longhouse in West Seattle, and Sacred Circle Gift Shops, at Discovery Park and SeaTac Airport.

The best way to bring home Seattle’s seafood without splurging for overnight shipping is smoked salmon, which is shelf stable. Locals tend to buy theirs at the farmer’s markets, from smaller brands like Native Candies, but if you’re shopping at Pike Place Market, most of the fish shops will offer you a sample to help choose the perfect one

If your trip convinced you that the classic flannel shirt really is as versatile and stylish as Seattleites insist, get your own high-quality plaid to bring home. Look for local brands like Ebbet’s Field or Filson, or do as the locals do and scour a few of the vintage and thrift stores for a pre-loved one.

Assuming you did as every Seattle visitor should and went out to see a little local live music, then the best souvenir you can bring home with you is more local music. Whether you grab up a vinyl record at the show or ask an employee for help picking a winner at one of the city’s excellent music stores (Sonic Boom and Easy Street, to start), something with Seattle sound will help you remember the trip every time you listen.