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Pike Place Market Tour

I recently visited Seattle to attend the International Food Bloggers Conference.   I had a lot packed into the short trip, and the one thing I really wanted to do while I was there was check out Pike Place Market, especially since it was walking distance from my hotel.

Pike Place Tour

Pike Place Market seems to always come to mind when I think of Seattle, and having never been there before, if I was going to get one thing in, this was it.

Pike Place Market

Samsung Galaxy S5Wanting to travel as light as possible, I struggled to decide if I should bring my full size camera or not. As a photographer, I get a little frustrated sometimes using point and shoot cameras or my phone, as I’m usually not very happy with the results. But in the days of checked bags not being cheap, and my camera not being the lightest thing around, I decided to leave it at home, and rely completely on the camera in my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5.

As a member of Verizon’s #VZWBuzz program, I’m reviewing the Samsung Galaxy S5, so this was a perfect challenge to see just how happy I would be with the camera at a time that I would normally use my “real” camera. I’ve been pretty darn happy with the camera for day to day pics, so I left my main camera behind and hoped for the best.

Pike Place Market Tour

My friend Mary, from Barefeet In The Kitchen, recommended that I book a tour of Pike Place through Savor Seattle. I’ve never been on a food tour before, and wasn’t sure what to expect. I like to explore on my own, but I knew I had limited time (one morning) and I really wanted to make the most of it, so I booked the Early Access VIP Tour of Pike Place Market. This is the earliest tour they have available, starting at 9am and lasting two hours. I believe it cost about $50. Let me just say, BEST MONEY EVER SPENT. You not only get to see the market, meet the merchants, learn the history of the market, but you also get 17 bites and sips, including coffee, chocolate and crumpets. By the way, crumpets are pretty much the best thing EVER.

Savor Seattle Tour

I actually met up with some Washington based friends before my tour started. I was down at Pike Place Market before 7am, and it’s pretty darn dark and quiet that time of day. I will say though, it was pretty cool to be down there that early, seeing some of the vendors loading in, without the crowds of people around. There’s not much to do in the area that early, but it’s worth checking out if you are an early riser.

Seattle Gum Wall

The Savor Seattle Tour starts with everyone meeting just before 9am at the infamous Gum Wall. Yep, that’s all gum. My Samsung Galaxy S5 and I were ready to see what this tour was all about.

Pike Place Tour

We met up with Nick, our tour guide, who could not have been better. Wit, dry humor, endless amounts of amazing information, an obvious passion for his job and a love of food. He briefed us on how the tour works, everyone introduced themselves (it’s a small group tour, limited to 12 people) and then it was time to learn, eat and take pictures.

Gluten Free Coffee And Specialty Bakery In Pike Place Market

Our first stop was at Coffee & A Specialty Bakery, which specializes in gluten free baking. Here’s what makes this tour so great, aside from the awesome atmosphere and our amusing tour guide. At each stop on the tour, not only do you have food ready and waiting for you, but you get to talk to and learn from the staff at each of the businesses. Tonyia Smith, the owner and pastry chef at Coffee & A Specialty Bakery, was ready to talk to us, tell us her story, and the story of the bakery. While listening and learning, we were able to sip warm coffee or steamed milk and enjoy some of her AMAZING (and not just by gluten free standards) baked goods. For someone like me who loves food and learning “the story”, this was pretty much perfection.

Pike Place Market

You can’t visit Pike Place Market without visiting the Fish Market. We were able to see lots of fish, and fish throwing, as well as try three kinds of smoked salmon, as well as black cod, which is kind of like the love child of cod and butter I think. I spent most of my flight home thinking about that cod. Yes, fish. It was that good.

Pike Place Fish Market

I can’t begin to recommend this tour highly enough. There is no possible way I would have seen, tried or learned 1/10th of what I did in those two hours. There was fresh fruit, fresh hot donuts (oh. my. heck. yes.), chocolates, tea, the list goes on.

And there was Greek yogurt.

Now whatever it is that is sitting in my fridge with the words “Greek Yogurt” on it, I’m pretty sure now that it’s lying. Ellenos Greek Yogurt. I can’t even wrap my head around how good this stuff is. It’s like nothing I’ve ever had before. Made simply, and freshly, with milk, live active cultures, honey and fruit. That’s it. I’m a baker, I’m all about the sweets, but this yogurt, seriously. We are talking “best thing I ever ate” material. I think I might have had a life changing experience standing on that street corner eating Ellenos. It’s still in the triple digits here in Phoenix, but let me tell you, as soon as it really cools off, I’m ordering myself a big shipment of this stuff.

Ellenos Greek Yogurt

And there was cheese. Beecher’s Famous Cheese to be exact. And macaroni and cheese! This tiny cup could be a full size serving, it’s that rich. Seriously, when I say I loved this tour, I LOVED THIS TOUR. There was mac and cheese waiting for us. Why can’t every day be like that???

Beecher's Macaroni And Cheese

So many things to see, taste and learn about.

Pike Place Market Tour

Pike Place Savor Seattle Tour

Flowers At Pike Place Market

I have to say, I was very happy with the photos from my Verizona Samsung Galaxy S5. Given that we were always moving, almost always in crowds, and always eating, being able to take out my phone and with one hand snap photos was perfect. Being Seattle, there were clouds rolling in and out of bright sun, which can always be a challenge for photos, but the Galaxy S5 did great.

Pike Place Market Tour

Let’s talk about crumpets. I am not sure what I was expecting, something like an English Muffin. Nothing too exciting, right.

The Crumpet Shop

Oh my heck, CRUMPETS ROCK! Like really rock. Especially Pesto, tomato, and parmesan organic crumpets. I have tried to explain them to my family. Like an English Muffin met a pancake? I don’t know how to explain them, but they were divine. I’ve already ordered crumpet rings and asked my dad, who is much better at yeasted breads than I am, to work on a crumpet recipe. I didn’t get a photo of my crumpet, because I was too busy shoving it into my face and trying to figure out how to move to Seattle. Here’s a picture from Savor Seattle’s page. Gloriousness people. I meant to go back and try their scones, with maple butter, as Nick suggested. I didn’t have a chance to, which obviously means I need to go back to Seattle soon.

The Crumpet Shop Savor Seattle Food Tour Of Pike Place Market

Seattle Sur La Table

Pike Place Market

I am quite pleased with the photos from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5. It does amazing in full sunlight. It is not as great in low light, but it still beats any other camera phone I’ve used. This tour was a challenge for pics, because as mentioned we were always moving, dodging people and the clouds were coming and going rapidly. Yet all that said, I have no regrets about not bringing my Canon DSLR, and instead relying solely on the Galaxy S5. I edited most of my photos in Instagram (I love the manual editing feature!), as I was sharing them to my Instagram account. Another plus of using the Galaxy S5 as my camera was that I could instantly share photos with my family, friends and social media, something that would not have been possible using my Canon DLSR. For travel, I think the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a great way to go.

Frans Chocolate On The Pike Place Tour With Savor Seattle

So if you are heading to Seattle and considering a tour, DO IT! Get a hold of Savor Seattle and book one! I saw so much, I learned so much and I ate SO much! I’m not affiliated with them in anyway, just one extremely satisfied customer. I hope to get back to Seattle someday soon, with my family in tow, and can’t wait to do another tour. I know that my 11 year old daughter would have absolutely loved the tour (and Nick!).

Savor Seattle Pike Place Tour

Savor Seattle Food Tour Of Pike Place Market

Disclosure: As a member of #VZWBuzz, I received my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S5 for free, in return for my honest review. Having already purchased and used the Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, it’s no surprise that I love the S5!

About author Christi Johnstone of Love From The Oven

Christi is the baker, cook, blogger, food photographer, recipe developer and sprinkle lover behind Love From The Oven. As a busy mom, it's important to Christi that her recipes are family-friendly and picky eater approved. In addition to running Love From The Oven, Christi is the author of The My Little Pony Baking Book and Smart Cookie, and the co-author of Peeps-A-Licious.
Interested in working with Christi? please contact her by email.
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our disclosure policy.

Home » #Life » Travel » Pike Place Market Tour

#LoveFromTheOven Travel
October 9, 2014 by LOVE FROM THE OVEN

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  1. Angela SHen says

    October 9, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    Thanks for joining us on the Early Access VIP tour of Pike Place Market, Christi! I am going to forward a link of your lovely piece to all of the VIP tour partners, as I’m sure they will love reading your kind words. Come see us again the next time you’re in Seattle!

    Reply
  2. Leessa says

    October 9, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    I agree – one of the funnest things to do. I went on one of these tours for a work Christmas party. We were looking for something different and this was perfect! We all had such a great time. I have also found that I use my camera on my phone more often then my real camera. I have the same phone as you do (just a different carrier)and I found a setting that can easily be turned on and off when you are in camera mode that lightens things up. It is at the top of the screen in camera mode. I used it quite a bit when I went on a hike in the woods. The pictures turned out great!

    Reply
  3. Sara Hawkins says

    October 9, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    I never would have thought those were cell phone camera photos they’re so fabulous! Sure, you’re a great photographer. But crappy equipment doesn’t turn out photos this good.

    Reply
  4. Heather says

    October 17, 2014 at 9:19 am

    What a great post! Thank you for sharing, My family and I are going to Seattle in May, I am even more excited now! 😉

    Reply
    • Christi says

      October 17, 2014 at 11:12 am

      Heather, I hope you guys have a great trip, I wish I could have stayed longer!

      Reply
  5. Emily @ Life on Food says

    October 20, 2014 at 3:43 am

    What a fun tour! I have always wanted to go to Pike Place Market. You definitely hit all of the spots I have heard are amazing.

    Reply
  6. Melissa says

    November 20, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    I grew up in Seattle (Bellevue) and I never knew all this stuff! I only went to the fish market like twice, and I feel like I missed out on all of it! If I ever go back to Seattle, I will definitely have to do this tour!

    Reply
  7. Cathy Brock says

    May 21, 2016 at 8:16 am

    Great review. We are going in July, escaping torrid Texas for whatever weather comes our way. The tour sounds like an amazing opportunity to see the people and experience what Pikes Market has to offer. We were there a couple of years ago, but just sort of roamed around. This tour sounds like a wonderful way to start our trip, especially since we are staying at the Inn at the Market. One question. Is it constant standing and walking for two hours or are there tables/chairs in some of the stops? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Christi says

      May 25, 2016 at 9:51 am

      Cathy, it was pretty constant standing or moving. I only recall sitting for a few moments. It certainly qualifies as a walking tour.

      Reply
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