Are you a foodie and a traveler, looking for that next exciting destination that satisfies both your passions? Consider this list of the world's best farmers markets. You'll find a multicultural explosion of regional cuisine, fresh produce, wholesome foods, preserves, cheeses, wines, entertainment, art and social interaction.
Farmers markets are places where local producers gather to sell meat, fruit, fish, vegetables, herbs, honey, preserves or other food products on a regular basis. Consumers visit the market to obtain quality fresh foods and produce. Farmers markets in their finest form become thriving centers of regional culture, entertainment and cuisine. The farmers market goes around the middleman and sells directly to the consumer. Some farmers markets have ascended to such lofty heights, they can rightfully be called "world-famous" Here are five of the world's best and biggest farmers markets.
Pike Place Market
Listed in the national register of historic places, Pike Place Market is a public farmer market that overlooks Elliott Bay in downtown Seattle, Washington. More than a farmer market, Pike Place Market is a true cultural experience.
Built on a hill with a main level and lower levels underneath, Pike Place Market has craft stalls, fresh produce stands, fishmongers, restaurants, antique shops, arcades, and much more. This Seattle farmer market is extraordinary in a number of ways.
From May to October, there are approximately 40,000 visitors on Saturdays alone. Individual shops have varying business hours, but farmers sell all year long from tables at the market.
Everything from candy stores to jewelry stores, musicians, and zucchini stands will keep you entertained for hours. Your taste buds will be tantalized with the wide variety of cuisine.
Pike Place Market began in 1907 with farmers selling fruit and vegetables from trucks and wagons. But unlike most farmer markets, Pike Place Market had 10,000 visitors on its first day of business. Pike Place Market grew to encompass nine acres and the farmer market quickly became the number one tourist attraction in Seattle, Washington. Don't miss Pike Place Fish Market.
Contact & Hours:
85 Pike Street, Room 500
Seattle, WA 98101
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Ph. 206.682.7453
Tsukiji Market
Tsukiji Market in Tokyo specializes in the wholesale and retail fish trade, with nearly 1,700 stalls covering a huge 54-acre site. In 1993, the Tokyo Central Wholesale Market handled 787,782 tons of marine products and more than 450 kinds of fish – unparalleled anywhere else. The marine products are set up in three markets, Tsukiji, Ohta and Adachi. Tsukiji Market handles 87 percent of the marine products, making it one of the largest markets in the world. Additional products include produce and other items. For a true flavor of the city and culture, this market is a "must see" on any visit to Tokyo. Public guided tours are only available for school students.
Contact & Hours
The market opens at 3:00 a.m. as wholesalers deliver and arrange an array of fish. The tuna auction begins at 5:00 a.m. It is usually finished by 7:00 a.m. Tourists are currently not allowed to enter the tuna wholesaling areas. From 7:00 a.m. to noon, the market is filled with activity. By 1:00 p.m., it winds down.
Ph. 03-3541-2640
Directions: Toei Subway TSUKIJI-ICHIBA / Tokyo Metro TSUKIJI
LA Farmers Market
Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax is a Los Angeles landmark and world-class tourist destination. The idea for the farmers market began when Roger Dahlhjelm and Fred Beck approached E.B. Gilmore with an idea to turn his expansive acreage near L.A. into a Village Square for artisans. The stalls were intended to surround a central market for farmers to sell their produce. The idea took off and the LA Farmers Market became a central meeting place for Angelenos. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in L.A. You can find most anything at the LA Farmers Market, from fresh fish to zucchini, every type of vegetable, ethnic produce and foods, music, live entertainment, great cuisine and of course, people from all over the world. You might brush elbows with movie stars, truck drivers, singers, executives or housewives at this market. It will take you an entire day to take it all in. Come hungry and wear comfortable shoes.
Open daily, the LA Farmers Market features live music Thursdays and Fridays.
Contact & Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
6333 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Ph: 323.933.9211
Dane County Farmers Market, Madison, WI
The largest producer-only farmers market in the country, Dane County Farmers Market is held every Saturday, year-round (except the last Saturday of December). Certain city festivities may cause the market to close early so check the schedule ahead of time.
The main farmers market is situated in downtown Madison, Wisconsin surrounding the state capitol building. All produce is Wisconsin-grown. The producer is the person behind the stall – they do not allow resellers, making it distinctly unique. Items that are a "must try" are Wisconsin cheeses. It is to be noted here that the flow of the crowd always goes counter-clockwise. If you go the wrong way, you are in "bad form." (When in Rome…)
Contact & Hours
Saturday Address: Capitol Square, Madison, WI
Saturday Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday Address: 200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Wednesday Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Ph: 608.455.1999
Union Square Greenmarket, New York, NY
Union Square in Manhattan is a national historic landmark – that's reason enough to see the place. Historic Union Station is a second reason. Last but not least is the greenmarket. The Union Square Greenmarket offers gourmet produce grown within a radius of 200 miles, which includes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The market offers more than 1,000 varieties of fruits and vegetables, and serves around 250,000 customers weekly.
Contact & Hours
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., year-round
17th St. at Broadway, New York, NY
Ph. 212.633.2026
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