#30Seconds Live: An Insider's Tour of Pike Place Market in Seattle With Margaret Steck! by Elisa Schmitz

If you're ever in Seattle, Wash., you absolutely have to go to Pike Place Market. I was lucky enough to spend an afternoon there with our fabulous 30Seconds contributor Margaret Steck, who gave us an insider's tour of the market on an incredibly beautiful, sunny day in this amazing city (it's not always raining in Seattle)!

Pike Place is a fun and inviting place to take your family, or to stroll with your partner or a friend. Open 363 days a year, Pike Place was founded in 1907 to connect citizens and farmers. Today, its “Meet the Producer” tradition boasts a year-round farmers' market, owner-operated bakeries, fish markets, butcher shops, produce stands and specialty food stores. By cutting out the middlemen, you deal directly with the producers of locally grown produce and seafood. Bonus: They're super friendly and you may make a new friend or two! 

Margaret shared that Pike Place is the 33rd most popular tourist attraction in the world. Spanning four city blocks of unique offerings, and with the ocean and mountains as its backdrop, it's easy to see why it's so popular.

Warning: Don't go there if you're hungry (unless you want to eat a ton)! With more than 200 vendors and 80 restaurants ranging from take-out to fine dining, you'll leave with your belly (and shopping bag) full.

But the absolute must-see are the fish mongers. Yes, they actually throw fresh-caught fish – to each other and to shoppers looking to buy their catch of the day. Don't worry if you try to grab one and it slips right through your hands. Flying fish aren't so easy to catch (unless you do this every day)! Margaret bought a pound of fresh wild salmon, and we got to watch it fly through the air and get filleted for her dinner (she will share her recipe, stay tuned)!

Plan on spending a fun day walking the market, eating well and taking home some amazing food and gifts. Oh, and the first Starbucks is right down the street, so make sure you stop by for a post-shopping coffee. If you're still hungry, Margaret recommends Bavarian Meats, an authentic German deli with festive holiday delights like hot mulled wine (yes, we shared a delicious toast there to warm up). Great stocking stuffers, too!

Learn more about Pike Place by watching this fun video tour with amazing tour guide Margaret!