One of the most offbeat attractions in the United States, the Seattle Gum Wall is also one of the most germ infected tourist spot in the world.
Located in Post Alley, under Park Place Market, the Gum Wall has its beginning in the early 1990s, when people, irritated that they had to wait in line to get tickets to the theater, stuck chewing gum on the wall. At first, they would use the gum to stick small coins to the wall, but in time, the tradition of the coins disappeared, and the gum remained.
Theater attendants scraped the Gum Wall twice, but gave up in 1999, when it became a certified tourist attraction of Seattle. Now it is filled with thousands of pieces of chewing gum, of any color imaginable. And, as the wall grows, the chewing gum art becomes more sophisticated. You’ll find names written with pieces of gum, and symbols like hearts or the peace sign.
But, the Seattle Gum Wall is also one of the germiest tourist destinations on Earth. In a ranking made by Trip Advisor, it came in second place, after Ireland’s Blarney Stone.
I’m privileged, as a Seattle resident, to have seen this myself!
BTW, it should be “Pike Place Market,” not “Park Place Market.”
Thanks for the great photos!
Just check out my profile picture.
Behind me… the beautiful sticky attraction.
Thanks for using my image.
I go take pictures of Post Alley every year when I go to Seattle to take pictures, but I haven’t heard much about the history…
thanks for this article.
San Luis Obispo has “Bubblegum Alley”, which is basically the same thing as this, but more impressive, I think. It’s an alley with gum stuck all over two walls, and there is gum art and everything! It’s just as good as this one, I think! I don’t have any good pictures of it, but hopefully it can get more recognition as a tourist attraction because it’s really awesome
thats really cool but gross! my cuzin collects her gum in a metal bucket
You should see the one in san luis obispo, ca. its been there since the 70s.
That's disgusting
That's disgusting
In Sri Lanka, you would be caned until the top two layers of flesh tore from your buttocks for this.
I have a few photos of this wall in my own collection!
The most disgusting display of texture, color, and carnuba wax I have ever seen!
dam you seattle for stealing our idea!! come to san luis obispo to see a better bubble gum alley
This passes for culture in the US.
Kinda Gross, but awesome nonetheless
My college roommate ate a piece off the wall in 2007. Frankly, I’m surprised he didn’t puke.
My stomach did a cartwheel when we seen this because it seemed gross but it was fun to put my own creative chewed masterpiece to the wall.
I linked to you today. Great photos. Wonderful story about the history of the ooey, gooey place.
Its a great attraction but abit minging. If that happened in UK it would be cleaned up!!