The gum wall near Pike Place Market is by far Seattle’s stickiest attraction, and some may also argue it’s also the city’s grossest attraction. The downtown landmark started creeping up in the 1990s around the Market Theater and it’s now a huge tourist attraction in Seattle.
There’s not much to the gum wall at all. It’s literally a brick wall with people’s chewed up gum stuck to it. It’s located in Post Alley, right below Pike Place Market. Here are some easy directions:
– Head to the main entrance of the Pike Place Market (located on 1st and Pike)
– Look for the market’s full size brass piggy bank named Rachel (right below the neon “Public Market Center” sign)
– From the pig, go down the stairwell to the left and around the corner.
– The gum wall is located on your left, right next to (or covering) the Market Theater.
The gum wall started about 20 years ago when people started leaving their chewed up gum on the wall. They would then tuck coins inside the chewed gum. The Market Theater staff originally tried to clear off the gum, but the tradition eventually stuck (literally) and the staff gave up.
By 1999, Pike Place Market named the gum wall an official tourist attraction. Today, people flock to the wall just as much as any other attraction in town.
I remember visiting for the first time back in high school. It’s incredible to think about what it looked like back then. I really wish I had a picture, so I could compare it to what the wall looks like today. Every time I visit, I see more and more gum. The area where gum is stuck to the wall is always expanding. In fact, people have even started sticking gum to the wall on the opposite side of other the theater on Post Alley. Some people even make “works of art” with their chewing gum.
Who ever thought used gum would bring so many people to a small alley? I always enjoy taking friends and family just to see and hear their reactions. Everyone is always in awe of it, probably because it is so out of the ordinary, and also a little gross. It was once named one of the germiest tour attractions in the world (listed only after the Blarney Stone in Ireland), which is not the most desirable thing following a global pandemic.
If you make a stop at Pike Place Market (which you should), then a visit to the wall is totally worth your time (because it’s right there). Just make sure you don’t forget your bubble gum.
Have you ever visited Seattle’s famous gum wall? Do you think it is gross? Did you leave your mark on the wall? We’d love to hear from you. Leave us message or connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more fun places to check out around the Emerald City.