City: Seattle, WA

Category: Shopping

Telephone: (206) 682-5844

Address: 1001 Alaskan Way, on Pier 54 (Central)

Description: This shop, at more than a century old, has been around almost as long as Seattle has. The history of Ye Olde Curiosity Shop dates to the Civil War, when Joseph Standley opened the small curio shop on the waterfront in 1899, turning his childhood passion for collecting natural and Indian artifacts into a business. Joe’s ethnological collection of rare Alaskan Indian and Eskimo carvings, tools, and ivories won a gold medal at the 1909 Exposition; he was active in the shop until his death in 1940. Since that time family members have taken over, and today Ye Olde Curiosity Shop is run by fourth-generation Andy, Tammy, and Debbie. It carries an amazing variety of Northwest items including totem poles, shrunken heads, blow guns, player pianos, whale and walrus oosiks, masks, jewelry, artwork, and much more. Terrific and unusual souvenirs from Seattle and Washington can also be found; the shop promises your visit will be fun, educational, and entertaining.