The Gum Wall
The Gum Wall
3.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tours & experiences
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The area
Address
How to get there
- University St • 5 min walk
- Westlake Hub • 6 min walk
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1,853 within 3 miles
Attractions
415 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
2,281 reviews
Excellent
624
Very good
738
Average
640
Poor
147
Terrible
132
Ron T
Greenville, SC3,734 contributions
Aug 2021
Interesting quirky alley to see....just don't touch anything. I saw this several years ago - I have heard the city periodically power washes off the old gum and then fans start to apply gum again.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT1,740 contributions
Nov 2022
This alleyway is proof that sometimes, tourist attractions arise out of the strangest habits. People have been sticking their chewed gum on these walls since the 1990s, and yet after years (and several inches of chewed gum), this place is a popular place to visit. In all honesty, this should be called Gum Alley, since gum covers both walls and extends most of the way down the alleyway, and even though they cleaned this place a few years ago, you can't really tell anymore. It's definitely a popular part of Seattle local culture and worth a visit - just try not to touch it much.
Written November 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
k1d2
Wichita, KS153 contributions
Dec 2019
Stumbled across the gum wall as I was leaving the Pike Place Market. I had heard about the gum wall and was mildly amused by the thought of it, but had no plan to seek it out. That said, I am glad I did happen upon it. It’s hard to imagine the volume of gum on these brick walls, which, per a family member who works at the market, are scraped clean at least once a year. It is its own weird kind of art and reminded me of a lot of a Jackson Pollock painting. *Tip from the family member: Visit it on cooler days because it smells pretty bad on warmer days.
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kunfushuss
Pennsylvania385 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
My daughter (9) thought this would be worth seeing... So we went down the steps from pike place.
What a waste of time. It's a bunch of gum stuck to walls. The most generous reading of this would be that it is collective abstract art, but I haven't been able to find meaning in it which justifies that interpretation.
Rather, it's a bunch of gross chewed gum all over the walls in a dirty alley. One of the worse things I've ever been led to.
What a waste of time. It's a bunch of gum stuck to walls. The most generous reading of this would be that it is collective abstract art, but I haven't been able to find meaning in it which justifies that interpretation.
Rather, it's a bunch of gross chewed gum all over the walls in a dirty alley. One of the worse things I've ever been led to.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CJ
Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany8 contributions
Aug 2021
Located in Seattle's Pike Place Market on Post Alley some may consider this wall gross, interesting or both. Thousands upon thousands of dried pieces of chewing gum covers the red brick walls to form a rainbow of germs. If courageous enough to place your gum on the wall chances are high you will touch gum already there. Yuck! It's an interested sight yet gross.
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sammiches
Dallas, TX295 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Unusual and offbeat; it’s a cool place to take pictures. If you really take the time, you can see some pretty cool art mixed in with all the gum. It does have an icky odor, but the cool atmosphere and scope of the gum wall(s) is pretty incredible!
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BTN Explorer
Brighton and Hove, UK32 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
This alley is easy to miss. It is tucked beneath Pike Place Market, Seattle. Buy some gum, chew it then go and stick your pieces onto this huge gum wall. A fun atmosphere and not stinky! Fun place for photos.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waltj-Seattle
Lynnwood, WA1,238 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
The most exciting gross thing you will see in Seattle. It’s actual fun on the walls yet very colorful and artful. Tons of people visiting, taking pictures and places gum on the wall. If at pike place market this is a MUST see, don’t miss this.
Written January 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ben F
Bloomington, IN1,289 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
The Gum Wall has to be one of the top spots for photo-ops in Seattle, and that’s the case for a reason. Who sees historic, red-brick walls enclosing a narrow, steep, cobblestone alley with thousands of vivid splotches of gum plastered on either side? Who sees that everyday? The Gum Wall is super iconic to the city and the greater icon of the Market.
When I paid a visit in January, the crowds were quite manageable. People will be snapping selfies, group photos, and all kinds of Instagram-worthy pics, but I doubt it will be too overwhelming. Note that this attraction comprises solely of a famous alley whose walls are covered with gum from visitors across the globe...so as a response to other reviews pointing out a lack of comprehensive sites to see, please know that this is only one portion of an unmissable landmark: Pike Place Market.
Note my remarks about wheelchair accessibility: the alley is at a significantly steep incline, and the cobblestone path is definitely bumpy. My power (electric) wheelchair could handle it, but if possible, bring someone to manually push you if you’re in a manual chair.
The Gum Wall is totally worth a few minutes of your time. Photogenic atmosphere, a tradition to Seattle, and perhaps a spot to stick your finished gum. Highly recommended.
When I paid a visit in January, the crowds were quite manageable. People will be snapping selfies, group photos, and all kinds of Instagram-worthy pics, but I doubt it will be too overwhelming. Note that this attraction comprises solely of a famous alley whose walls are covered with gum from visitors across the globe...so as a response to other reviews pointing out a lack of comprehensive sites to see, please know that this is only one portion of an unmissable landmark: Pike Place Market.
Note my remarks about wheelchair accessibility: the alley is at a significantly steep incline, and the cobblestone path is definitely bumpy. My power (electric) wheelchair could handle it, but if possible, bring someone to manually push you if you’re in a manual chair.
The Gum Wall is totally worth a few minutes of your time. Photogenic atmosphere, a tradition to Seattle, and perhaps a spot to stick your finished gum. Highly recommended.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FunMom4Boys
Des Moines, IA95 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
I took my kids here on our vacation and I was taking senior pictures of my son here. You duck down an alley just beneath the famous Pikes Place sign. I was able to park a block away and street parking is so convenient. It's cheap and you can pay through the app. We could smell the Gum before we could see it. It was crowded, but people were all respectful, waiting for their turn along the wall to take pictures. It's a quick, fun, and quirky place to stop while going to Pikes Place.
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa
Mukilteo, WA
Is there a fee ?
C M
Howard, OH3,306 contributions
No, it's in an alley below/underneath the Pike Place Market, just down from the Market Theater. If you are looking at the main entrance to the Pike Place Market, you will find stairs at the left of the fish market. When you go down those steps, you will see the Market Theater. The Gum Wall is in the alley to the left of the Market Theater. It's not a long walk, and an interesting thing to see.
Annie C
Washington
Why is the gum wall there?
CasualHockeyFan
San Jose, CA747 contributions
Great question, too which I don't know the answer. Whatever the reason, go check it out. It's gross but interesting.
When was it started
Matt C
Austin, TX55 contributions
About 20 years ago, but the city of Seattle is taking it all down soon. I just saw it in the news last week.
The Gum Wall (Seattle) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about The Gum Wall
- The Gum Wall is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking The Gum Wall tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 5 The Gum Wall tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience The Gum Wall:
- Seattle Scavenger Hunt Adventure (From $20.52)
- Haunted Seattle Ghost and Pub Walking Tour (From $38.67)
- Seattle Pike Place Market Food Tour (From $69.00)
- Preserving Pike Place: Market Community Tour (From $49.00)
- Seattle Showdown Scavenger Hunt (From $28.00)
- Hotels near The Gum Wall:
- (0.03 mi) The Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle
- (0.07 mi) Four Seasons Hotel Seattle
- (0.08 mi) The State Hotel
- (0.11 mi) Inn at the Market
- (0.10 mi) Palihotel Seattle
- Restaurants near The Gum Wall:
- (0.01 mi) Crepe De France
- (0.01 mi) Honest Biscuits
- (0.01 mi) Pasta Casalinga
- (0.01 mi) La Vaca Mexican Restaurant
- (0.01 mi) Mariscos Mexico