A map for every occasion

From the fresh produce and meats to the incredible cornucopia of restaurants, food is the very best thing about living at Pike Place Market, hands-down. That being said, there are many other treasures to be found within the Market, and Metsker Maps is one of them.

There are too many maps to adequately describe in this short writeup - general navigation maps, marine navigations maps, sky maps, street maps, satellite images. There are maps that are purely fanciful, like the world map prominently displayed in a front window: instead of simple linework, the shapes are created with musical notations (and yes, "The World" is a playable composition).

Stop in here for new ways of looking at the world (upside-down map, pacific-centered map) and new ways of understanding issues (world population map) or history (world history timeline). Or get ready for your next adventure with hiking maps, wine maps, and travel maps. Explore faraway places, discover hidden local gems - all these things and more have been committed to maps.


Here is a small portion of one of my favorite maps: "Seattle Central Business District" by Kroll Map Company. Don't let my cell-phone photo fool you - this detail-packed map is highly readable and utterly lacking in clutter or any overwrought graphic flourishes.

In fact, many of my favorites are local maps: the shaded relief maps of the Puget Sound are beautiful, historic maps of Seattle and the Market area are fascinating, and of course there's an embarrassment of wealth if you're seeking maps for a hike or backpacking trip in the northwest.

Globes of all sizes fill one corner of this spacious shop. Rows of shelves carry travel guides covering places around the world. Compasses and travel gear round out the offerings.

Metsker Maps of Seattle
1511 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 623-8747
www.metskers.com