Photo by Carla Christian
If you’ve spent any time in Seattle, you’ve probably wandered through Pike Place Market — watched fish fly through the air, listened to street musicians, or walked out with a paper-wrapped bouquet of flowers. The market has been the city’s gathering place since 1907, featuring a mix of farmers, craftspeople, and small food makers who define the concept of “local.”
But for decades, the market sat beside the old Alaskan Way Viaduct highway. You had to cross under the elevated highway if you wanted to reach the waterfront.
That’s all changed now.
After years of debate and construction, Seattle moved the highway underground. Now, there’s a stunning new public waterfront where the viaduct once stood. The space is filled with life. For the first time in generations, Pike Place Market is physically connected to Elliott Bay, and visitors can walk from the market’s brick arcades straight down to the water.
How Seattle Moved a Highway
The transformation began after the 2001 Nisqually earthquake damaged the viaduct. Engineers warned it wouldn’t survive another major quake, and the city faced a big decision: rebuild or rethink. After years of public debate, Seattle chose to replace it with a deep-bore tunnel — one of the largest infrastructure projects in city history.
The work took years and came with plenty of headaches. The massive tunnel-boring machine, nicknamed Bertha, broke down underground and sat idle for nearly two years. But the project pushed forward, and in 2019, the tunnel opened to traffic. Soon after, crews began dismantling the viaduct piece by piece, revealing the open stretch of waterfront that before you could only imagine.
The Market is Reconnected
Even before the viaduct came down, Pike Place Market was preparing for the change. The MarketFront expansion, completed in 2017, added a new wing on the west side with local food stalls, artist studios, and public terraces overlooking Elliott Bay. What had been a parking lot became one of the best viewpoints in the city.
What’s New Along the Water
The new waterfront covers about 20 acres between the Seattle Aquarium and the Olympic Sculpture Park. Wide walkways, bike paths, seating areas, and overlooks invite you to linger. There are new green spaces, art installations, and restored habitat for salmon and other marine life.
Pier 62
One of these rejuvenated spaces is Pier 62, one of the first pieces to open. It’s a popular draw for both locals and visitors, with free events like live music, yoga classes, dance nights, and community festivals. There’s a floating dock for a unique waterfront experience, chairs and tables where you can relax, and flexible public spaces for recreation, live performances, free events, and markets.
Photo by Carla Christian
Overlook Walk
Overlook Walk is a stunning pedestrian connection between Pike Place Market and the waterfront. Elevated above the Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion, this beautiful path features cascading steps, gathering spaces, and plenty of seating, all with breathtaking 360-degree views of Waterfront Park, Downtown Seattle, and the mountains.
Pier 58
At Pier 58, you’ll find a dynamic space for people to gather. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy free events, play on a marine-inspired playground with an 18-foot-tall Jellyfish tower, relax in the shady tree grove, or hang out with friends on the large lawn.
The Park Promenade
The Park Promenade is a linear pathway from Pioneer Square to Pier 62 that offers access to waterfront activities. You’ll find wooden seating benches among garden beds, art installations by local artists like Oscar Tuazon, Buster Simpson, and Shaun Peterson, protected two-way bike lanes and pedestrian boardwalks, and play structures. The Joshua Green Fountain by George Tsutakawa at Columbia Street is a striking accent to the new space. Plus, you’ll find public restrooms located near Pier 58.
Pioneer Square Habitat Beach
Pioneer Square Habitat Beach is designed for both marine life and people. The man-made beach supports the waterfront ecosystem, including enhancing the salmon corridor by adding rocks and nearshore vegetation. It’s the perfect spot to relax and grab a scoop from Molly Moon’s Ice Cream at the historic Washington Street Boat Landing Pergola.
All this new space means you can now make a full day of exploring: start at Pike Place Market, have lunch overlooking the Sound, visit the aquarium, and then walk north to the sculpture park — all without crossing a busy street.
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- Photo by Carla Christian
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- Photo by Carla Christian
Still Pike Place Market, Only Better
Through all the change, Pike Place Market hasn’t lost what makes it special. It’s still a working market where farmers sell their produce, fishmongers shout orders across the counter, and craftspeople display their handmade goods. Locals come for groceries or lunch, and visitors come for the experience — that exhilarating mix of color, sound, and people.
It’s the same place you love, but there’s more to enjoy now. You can buy a coffee, walk out to the MarketFront terrace, and watch ferries head for Bainbridge Island. You can wander through the market’s lower levels and step right into the new waterfront park. The two spaces flow together naturally; what was once noisy and closed off is now open and walkable.
The new downtown is a great reason to visit Seattle again. Pike Place Market has weathered change for more than a century, and this latest transformation just might be its most exciting yet.
