Seattle tourism drops at major attractions: Pike Place Market, MoPOP, zoo see fewer visitors

While still 31% of the adult population in Seattle has visited Pike Place Market, the No. 1 ranked tourist destination in the city, at least once in the last 12 months, surveys conducted by The Seattle Times found a drop in overall visitation in the city’s most popular spots.

From February 2019 to February 2020, approximately 41% of the adult population visited the market, a 10% drop.

Seattle Sounders games, the Pacific Science Center, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Great Wheel, events at Lumen Field, Seattle Mariners games, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Woodland Park Zoo, and the Museum of Flight all have had less foot traffic and visitors compared to five years prior.

“The Pacific Science Center, that’s a gem. The Seattle Center, that’s a gem in the city,” KIRO host Ursula Reutin added. “The Giant Wheel, the big wheel. I haven’t even done that.”

“I’m glad you brought up the big wheel,” KIRO host Gee Scott said. “The big wheel is down 10% in the last five years.”

A combination of crime in the areas where these tourist destinations are located, higher prices, and pandemic hangovers could all be contributing to the drop in traffic.

“For me, it’s parking,” Ursula said. “I know for a lot of people, too, they just don’t have as much money to spend. All these things cost money.”

“That’s true,” Gee said. “And parking starts that, and then all activities surrounding it. I will say, there is some nice public transit you can get on if you do get a chance.”

Of the common Seattle tourist destinations that saw an uptick in traffic, the Seattle Aquarium experienced 11% growth, while Seattle Seahawks games increased by 15% and Seattle Storm games rose an astonishing 115% since 2020.

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.