Seattle Free Walking Tours — Local services in Seattle

This review are for 2 separate Seattle Free Walking Tours, The Market Experience AND Seattle 101. I thought that I would be able to post 2 separate reviews for each tour, but they were not listed separately. Both tours are free and the "payment" are the tips to the guide. No tip is required so if you truly did not enjoy the experience, you don't have to pay anything. Some free tour guides may suggest a specific dollar amount but in my experience, most do not. I appreciated that our tour guide did not specify an amount but I will say that in most cases, people tip $15-20 per person on average. The Market Experience focused on Seattle's world famous Pike Place. It is a great introductory tour as it not only provides history but also gives you a general sense of the area should you want to return and explore on your own. The guide on both tours was Amalia and she was great. She was friendly, enthusiastic, provided great info, and was open to any and all questions. Pike Place is huge and the tour is only 1 hour long so there is only so much that Amalia can show you but she does take you to the more famous places in the marketplace. Onto the Seattle 101 tour. This tour was 2 hours long also led by Amalia and once again, it's a great introductory tour of Seattle. You stay in the Downtown area and Pike Place so you don't wander too far, but there are a couple of parts that are uphill so it can be a little straining. This tour covers some more famous places but it is a nice way to see some of Seattle via this walking tour. I don't normally sign up for 2 walking tours back to back but both places started at the same place and the tour was only 30 min. apart so why not. It allowed for me to end the Market Experience tour with some info on places to eat, so I enjoyed some snacks while waiting for Seattle 101 to start. Both great tours to get...

Seattle Free Walking Tour is a free Tour, but tips are always welcome! Remember the free tour is able to continue because of your tips! Don't be cheap, even a buck or two helps...more the better!

Jake (the BOSS) was a wonderful, easy going tour guide. I went on both tours since I had an open morning in Seattle. Market tour starts at 9:30 AM; Seattle 101 starts at 11 AM.

Meet: Victor Stienbruek Park (2000 Western Ave) at the corner of Western Ave and Virginia St. At the north entrance to Pike Place Market....Jake tends to have everyone wait by the little island (looks like an old bus stop) between the park and Starbucks, but he will check the park before starting his tour.

I would definitely recommend both tours, but the Market Experience is a MUST! Since Jake knows most of the vendors, you will be able to get 10% off and yummy samples from every vendor that Jake takes you. He will also give you a history of the market and bits of information about each vendor that you visit. Since I was solo on my first tour, it was a VIP experience meeting the vendors.

My Market Experience included:

Starbucks How and History of the Market Setup The tiles on the floor and history Smoked Fish at City Fish (Willy) Fresh Jam and Jelly Pickled Goods along with Black/Smoked Garlic Fresh Produce (Taylor Gold's Pear / Apple) The Gold Pig Dehydrated Fruits and Veggies (Simple the Best) The Gummy Salmon with the Fish Thrower (Monkfish Surprise) Gum Wall

Seattle 101 included:

Starbucks Truffle Cafe Walk around town w/ History info Tips with Manhole (never get lost!) Best Fish and Chips and Happy Hour Info Sample of Clam Chowder and Fries (crazy birds) Pier Gum Wall The Pike Brewing Co

A great tour with a great guide! Jake was focused and informative during my tour; thanks for the great insight to Seattle. I hope your streak continues onto 2014,...

Let me preface with the fact that I was a tour guide for a large public university on the east coast for three years. By no means does this make me an expert but I posses a very clear understanding of the nuances of the field.

Anyone can be a tour guide but only few can actually master it. An even smaller few can hone their style and, most importantly, it’s unique that someone can capitalize on that mastery by offering it for free and go on to amass a damn respectable business. But Jake has!

I took two of his tours on a sunny Friday morning in March. The market experience and Seattle 101. Both highly, indubitably, and ridiculously recommended. Especially if you can appreciate the thoughtfulness and utter passion that Jake brings to each tour. He takes absolute pride in his city. As he should! Seattle is a gorgeous, quaint and delightful city and I myself can’t wait to return.

Creating a tour like this is no easy feat. I was overwhelmed by the efforts and passion allocated to crafting such an experience for all that wish to listen, and hopefully, learn. And he succeeds—with personality, wit, thoughtfulness, sincerity, humor, ingenuity, and a uniqueness that is so fresh and welcomed.

As a native New Yorker, people like Jake are rare.

Take the man’s tour and tip generously—because HIS generosity...