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Pike Place Market Gum Wall
Categories: Local Flavor Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Local Flavor, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
Pike StSeattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood: Downtown
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
146 reviews for Pike Place Market Gum Wall
Review Highlights
"You'll see huge arched sign "Post Alley" to the left."
(in 12 reviews)
"Check it out, very fun thing to do with the kids."
(in 22 reviews)
"I still have yet to leave my mark on the wall."
(in 6 reviews)
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146 reviews in English
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Review from Kristen S.
San Diego, CA
1/29/2012
So, so gross.
But just as how I am intimately tied to Chicago (see my review on "The Bean"!), I am forever connected with Seattle because, well, I left my saliva there. My chewed-up wintermint teems up and down of bacteria and other unknowns with the best of 'em. -
Review from Christopher W.
Nutley, NJ
2/9/2012 1 Check-in Here
So nasty and funny. If you can believe it, nutjobs have conspired to cover two+ walls with gum. The smell of freshly-chewed wintergreen is olfactorily surreal. The most interesting pieces, in my estimation, are the ones twenty or so feet off the ground. I'm thinking slingshot?
Next time I am in Seattle, I'll know to contribute. -
Review from Chris D.
1/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
You know what I didn't expect? The delicious smell of gum.
Reading all these other reviews makes me realize how big of a sissy you all are. Just think, you're probably ten kisses away from every piece of gum on there! I hope you like the taste of hand sanitizer. -
Review from Sara S.
1/29/2012 1 photo
Something created from ugliness can be beautiful.
The perfect place to take pictures in Seattle. It photographs like a dream. (see ex.)
In a slightly hidden walkway across from Alibi Room (great bar and pizza), the gum wall is a landmark in Seattle. We like it that way.
Just watch out ladies - it's on a very steep incline complete with wide and deep cobblestones, so don't wear super tall stilettos. I've learned the hard way... -
Review from Rachel H.
Seattle, WA
1/29/2012
Bring your hand sanitizer, your warm gum (ew!), and leave your judgements at the door!
If there is such a thing as "cool gross" the Post Alley Gum Wall would add another disgusting and awesome activity to the list.
Hey, don't knock it till you try it! Kids of all ages (including mine) think this place is pretty darned "cool gross!" -
Review from Eric R.
1/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Pretty neat. I think the Gum Alley in San Luis Obispo,CA may have this beat, but the location of this one is a little neater.
All I could think about was Elf have a great time eating all of this gum. -
Review from Sara Q.
2/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
besides being a nice background for photos, i don't really understand the gum wall. i didn't chew any gum to add to the wall either. people are making it expand though. there were some stragglers walking towards the wall and past the wall, but hey. im sure it will all merge one day.
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Review from Jason R.
12/28/2011 2 photos
Um. EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!
I didn't touch it. NEVER. Definitely not. Would never, ever touch that. Nope, not me. The hand sanitizer I brought for the conference floor stayed in my pocket. Odd how sanitizer isn't related to sanity.
And people say folks in Seattle are cold and uninterested. They cared enough about this wall to shelter it from the sound's cold wind. -
Review from FoodFight.TV ..
Seattle, WA
1/24/2012 1 photo
Free Gum!!! (help yourself!)
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Review from Jason P.
11/23/2011 5 photos
Check out the Market Theater Gum Wall, a local landmark in Post Alley, under the Pike Place Fish Co. which is a brick alleyway covered in chewing gum and saliva.
Appreciate the artwork, you'll see things spelled out, some I rather not mention, but again, take it as a piece of art. The sweet aromas and vibrant colors are fascinating and really draws your eye. Go ahead, chew a piece of gum and stick it on the wall. Add to the wall, what thousands others already have.Listed in: Hello Seattle
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Review from Nick A.
San Francisco, CA
12/21/2011
Gross, seriously this place is beyond nasty.
I'm sure I've been somewhere more disgusting, but I can't think of one. I look at this wall and all I see is a gigantic mountain of germs. I don't know how anyone touches this wall. Even though I find it repulsive, I have to admit it is very unique.
Come check it out, you will be strangely drawn it by its disgusting charm. -
Review from Pam L.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
I came, I saw, I chewed, I stuck!
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Review from Thao N.
One word: Germs.
I can't imagine how many germs are on the wall. This was definitely an interesting place to see. I was told that Jennifer Aniston put her gum somewhere on the wall before. Anywho, check out the peace sign that me and my friend created on the window. -
Review from Cindy T.
11/20/2011
Ew, but awesome...
People in Seattle are creative :) -
Review from Alyson C.
San Francisco, CA
10/11/2011
I was pretty excited to see this place and on the way I was chewing gum to get mark my territory on the famous wall
Then I got there and got disgusted at the sight and smell of chewed gum and saliva. Stuck my piece of gum, took some photos and headed out.
Definitely a unique sight to see. -
Review from Derek M.
9/9/2011 3 Check-ins Here
The Gum Wall is a great spot to stop by when you're entertaining guests from out of town that's not too far off the beaten path.
Everyone wants to see the fishmongers at the market throwing salmon around, so why not nudge your friends and family to walk 30 seconds out of the way to check out this form of ever-changing, ever-growing public art?
Sure, it's gross, but it's also fascinating. As a testament to mankind's need to leave his mark on the world, it's interesting to have a wall collecting gum from people all over the world. It's a microbe-laden Facebook, collecting tooth imprints, thumbprints, DNA, saliva, various diseases, and more!
Over the years, it's grown from a single portion of the brick wall, to a large swath in the alleyway, surrounding doors, jumping across the street to the opposing wall.
I have still yet to contribute, but perhaps some day I will. -
Review from Chad Y.
6/24/2011
Wait..you want me to go visit what?
You're telling me that people chew gum and then stick it on a wall?
I'm sorry...what!?
Isn't that kind of gross?
Those are probably first lines you will hear if you were to tell someone that you want to go visit a "Gum Wall." Well, while a bit off-putting if you happen to be in the neighborhood, it is definitely a great place to stop on by to experience something different.
They say in the early 90's, patrons who would visit Seattle Productions "Theater Underspots," would later place gum filled with coins on that wall. After a few attempts by the theater staff to remove it, they eventually gave up and the rest is history.
Certainly not one of the most hygienic attractions in the world (it was ranked as one of the top 5 germiest attractions, second to the Blarney stone), but certainly one of the coolest. Be sure to leave your piece on the wall, it ain't going to kill you. Wait, retract that statement, you might get mono or something else and that might kill you...ok I'll just say the odd of you dying from visiting are rather low. -
Review from Jenny O.
Bakersfield, CA
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
My inner artist says: oooohhh...what a neat piece of art! Kudos to all those people who can use this medium that is difficult to manipulate to create art.
My practical side says: I hope my tetanus shot is current. -
Review from Kevin L.
6/28/2011 4 photos
I wouldn't say this was the highlight of my Pike Place trip, but it's so... cool and a unique piece of art! See it for yourself (or follow the smell!). Don't forget to contribute!
It's located downstairs (off a ramp) in Post Alley right behind the place where they toss fish. On Google Maps, search for "Market Spice" in Post Alley.
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Photos:
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http://www.yelp.com/bi...Listed in: Sights from Pike Place Market
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Review from Michael F.
Phoenix, AZ
Eeew. Miss Jackson, can you say nasty? This wall is actually revolting, but I had to see it.
Jennifer Aniston's movie "Love Happens" was shot here and it's famous for wedding photographers, so I had to see what the fuss was all about.
Bizarre, but romantic. Couples and newlyweds like to get their pictures taken here hoping that they would stick together forever.
It has achieved some sort of fame thanks to people who are fascinated with the strange and unusual. -
Review from Olivia T.
6/1/2011
After few times I visited Seattle, finally I found the Gum Wall!!!
The Gum Wall is awesome. I dare you to touch these dried up gums or even better slobber all over them. :D.
We managed to chew our Green Apple gums and stick them on the wall. I wonder if they will still be there the next time we will come back to visit. It's kinda cool to think that I left a mark in Seattle :). -
Review from Kymberli C.
Concord, CA
You can smell the bubble gum from here from a few feet away. I've been to Seattle a couple times, but never to the gum wall til my last visit. I was a little confused to where it was until we asked someone... from there I could just smell the gum. Of course the hubby had to leave his mark on the wall, and luckily there's a gum ball machine right there to do just that!
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Review from Tom B.
4/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's certainly not any more esoteric than the name and any good photo would suggest. It's the underside of an elementary school desk spun 90 degrees and writ large for the attempted bemusement of tourists (and locals, too, evidently). In a way, it has achieved a strange synthetic beauty as all that artificially colored flotsam and jetsam from the mouths of strangers comes to rest. There's nothing about it that should be appealing or interesting, but there it is.
In a way, this thing is kind of what my own personality needs Yelp for. I passed this wall countless times and thought "wow, that's peculiar, and pretty gross." But opening access to the hive mind and letting everyone weigh in on what a peculiar process this represents, that makes me step back and realize just how memorable this is. And today, when I am in the market with younger folks or anyone else whose sense of humor would dig on the gum wall, I remember now to ask them if they've seen it. -
Review from Karen M.
8/1/2011
What??
Gross.
Ew.
Yuck.
....
Wait a sec, I want to take a picture!
It's gum left by thousands of anonymous people on a wide expanse of wall near Pike Place Market. What do you expect? -
Review from Elizabeth R.
Seattle, WA
7/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Although this place can be quite disgusting knowing how many different people have stuck their gum wads on this wall... it's always nice to visit for a different type of backdrop.
The boyfriend and I have taken a lot of his family members here as a mini stop in Pike Place down Post Alley. And no... I still have yet to leave my mark on the wall. -
Review from Kellie L.
4/19/2011 1 photo
LOOOOVE IT. As long as you dont think to much about the disease that might be on this wall. We decided it might be hepatitis. And dont run you fingers along the wall like a little kid. Thats just nasty.
They did say that when they powerwash it to clean it off, they use Coca Cola instead of water.
Hmm... interesting.Listed in: Where I get my sugar on!
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Review from Laura M.
3/18/2011 2 photos
Have you SEEN this lately?!
When I moved to Seattle as a naive freshman in college about 10 years ago, there was supposedly this "WALL OF GUM" downtown. Hmm. How intriguing. I searched out this so called gum wall and when we found it I think we were all excited about the 100 square foot patch of COLORFUL splotches of GUM. Great. CHECK that off my list of things to do before I die. I wonder who put that FIRST piece of gum on the wall?
BUT, have you SEEN this lately?! It's HUGE and is now gum WALLS! Beautiful walls of gum in the CENTER of Seattle, complete with windows covered in gum and other gummy details. I love how the MOSAIC highlights the 1920s architecture. A true WIKI work of art that has really grown over the years and I would **officially** call this a DESTINATION. Go check it out AGAIN and ponder that age-old question "who put that FIRST piece of GUM on the wall"!!! -
Review from chuck m.
Waipahu, HI
3/30/2011
I loved it. This would be a germaphobes living nightmare. It's probaly miles of chewed up gum that who knows where and who they came from.
Pictures really came out awesome with of all the different colors just hoping I don't fall back into it.
It's kind of out of the way so heres a fast direction. It's to the left of Pikes Place down the stairway to your left. Can't get any easier than that.
Look for my gum. It's the one on the bottom and it's from hawaii..Cheehoo.... -
Review from Lana M.
Seattle, WA
8/11/2011
Interesting, but seriously horrific. Sure it's cool that a bunch of people "left their mark" on the wall, thereby spawning "community art."
What I can't get past is contemplating of all those pieces of chewing gum; how many were infected with...Cytomegalovirus, HIV, Hepatitis B and/or C, Mono, Syphilis, Strep, Flu, common cold, or a myriad of other diseases spread through saliva...
I see thousands of bacteria swirling about a microscope slide within each one of those special little contributions. Disgusting...yet I always drag the out of town visitors down to see it. Next time, I might just bring my latex gloves so my mark might be left too... -
Review from Kristin C.
Redmond, WA
4/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
There is Gum. Lots of gum. On A Wall. It's pretty gross.
I had heard of the Gum Wall, and I accidentally came upon it the last time I was at Pike Place. I was lost. But in the process I got a see a cool piece of (art?) at Pike Place.
I used to live in San Luis Obispo, CA which has a gum wall also. They look the same. So I wasn't that impressed. Sadly, I didn't have any gum to put on the wall.
I guess it's fun for tourists. Mostly though, I just think its gross. -
Review from Kathy W.
Pretty gross but totally awesome. It was a bit hard to find for me but it's located in an alley. If facing the Pike Public Market sign, go downstairs and make a left into Post Alley and you'll see the DNA extravaganza. There was construction going on when I was there in mid-October 2011 but one can still see the gum wall. Some people get artistic and make symbols or artwork with the gum. I saw the Space Needle, in gum form which was pretty cool. Other than looking at it for 5 seconds there isn't anything else special. Gum Wall you've received your 5-seconds of fame.
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Review from Angeline L.
Burlingame, CA
4/17/2011 1 photo
Totally gross...and fun/colorful!
Finally made it out here :)
Directions: (there are 2 ways I know)
The Gum Wall is in Post Alley between Pike & Union.
1. At the intersection of Western & Union, walk up Union. You'll see huge arched sign "Post Alley" to the left. Walk up into the alley and you'll see the Gum Wall on your right.
2. (Shorter) Intersection of Pike & 1st, the narrow downhill street running parallel to the left of Pike St. The street turns to the left, and wha-la, the Wall!
Gum-tastic! -
Review from Johnny W.
5/2/2011
One of the hidden sights (calling it a gem would be pushing it) of the city, the Gum Wall is tucked down a little alley to the left of the Market. Someone must have thought leaving gum on the wall was a good idea - followed by another someone, and then another someone, and so on, because the sheer amount of gum on this wall is breathtaking (that, or I was just afraid to breathe in any potential germs).
The wall makes for a good photo op too, with all the gum leading to some neat and colorful photos. And if you look around carefully, you'll notice some pretty awesome designs, including an American flag made out of various pieces of gum.Listed in: Seattle Tourism
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Review from Grace L.
Los Angeles, CA
5/6/2011
Haha. Kinda gross.
I like that there's a gumball machine in the middle of it. My friend and I each bought, chewed, and stuck a piece onto the wall - leaving our mark on Seattle forever. -
Review from Jennie C.
4/26/2011
Came upon this by accident.
How does one get gum so high on a wall...? -
Review from London B.
Kirkland, WA
10/31/2011
The first time I've ever uttered the words "ewwww" and "let's take a picture" in the same breath.
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Review from Jeff J.
9/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Second visit to this sticky place ... This time I brought a small table and began selling bubble gum. Wow, I made a killing! Most people only want one stick for 50 cents, but sell them the whole pack for "just" $1 and they'll indulge every time. Gotta love the tourists! It was so nice to leave that place four hours later knowing that, this time, I really left my mark on this wall. All I can say is please don't fully chew your gum, so that others may enjoy the flavor for years to come!
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Review from Michelle F.
Seattle, WA
3/7/2011
Oh, the horror. It's a giant germ-filled wall of pre-chewed gum.
DO: Check it out. It's weird enough to be neat and memorable.
DO NOT: Touch it. You will probably die of GonnoherpasyphilAIDSititis. -
Review from Emily T.
3/31/2011 2 photos
How can a concept so disgusting, hold such a magnificent charm at the same time??
Indeed, the Pike Place Gum Wall is a "local flavor" in Seattle. Unique, colorful, repulsive, amazing. I saw giant hearts and "Happy Birthday" drawn in with several pieces of red gum. I saw seemingly endless gooey strings of gum hanging from the ledges of the wall.
I made sure to leave my mark as well, in the form of grape bubble gum. Will you leave yours? -
Review from grace l.
San Carlos, CA
6/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
BYOG! Bring your own gum. If you're lucky there might be a pack of gum stuck on the wall that you can borrow from, but you're best bet is to bring your own gum, make a creation and leave a lasting mark in the alley. There's a nearby public restroom up a flight of stairs if you need to wash your sticky hands afterward.
I thought I would be able to make the face of Hello Kitty out of gum and jelly beans, but my jaw got tired of chewing before I had enough white and red gum to make her face. Instead I left the wall with just Hello Kitty's bow.
