Metsker Maps
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sat-Sun 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
30 Reviews for Metsker Maps
People expect you to be fussy over clothes or food, but not many understand when you want to comparison shop the best map of a region. Metsker Maps has a wide selection and many options for popular types of maps. You can walk in not just wanting, say, a US map. One has the option of wanting an area, a projection, a stylistic look, etc. For me that's the best part. I didn't need to order out, but I'm glad I had the option of looking even further. Plenty of different types of maps (parks, novelty, etc) mean everyone is entertained. Don't be afraid to be picky! Though you should anticipate spending a pretty penny on each map (as much as a band poster or more).
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
This is the most amazing map store ever. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before, but my apartment needs a lighted globe so badly! The salespeople are totally helpful about telling you what latitude and longitude you're in for your stargazing guide, just try 'em!
They also have tons of gorgeous political maps of vary sizes with beautiful illustrations that make them educational and decorative. Everything was very reasonably priced, including some very pretty papier mache globes.
Everyone could stand to know a little more about their world, and Metsker is a good place to start.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (2)
After a totally chill stroll through the market this weekend, I found my way into this cool map shop...who knew maps could be so much fun!!
Well, being the geek that I am, I fell in love with the place. A very helpful staff, really cool maps and such and just a good place to check out what they have to offer. There is a little bit of everything as far as map stores go...current events, historical maps, and other fun stuff. This is definitley a "must check out" place for residents and visitors.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Terabithia?
Azkaban?
The Bog of Eternal Stench?
Opak-re?
Mordor?
The Buffyverse?
Sliding Albion?
Mr. Roger's Neighborhood?
Talamasca Motherhouse?
Lake Wobegon ?
Xanadu ?
or Fantasia?
The clerk said nary a one!
... and you call yourself a map store.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (28)
Cool (6)
When I tell people I'm a professional geographer, they usually assume I mean that I'm a cartographer. Geography today has come to encompass pretty much anything involving space, place, humans, and the environment (think about all the different articles in a "National Geographic"), but Metsker Maps harkens back to the grand age of paper and cartographic representation. This is the kind of store that embraces your inner geek, thrilling it with a plethora of options and excellent customer service.
When I found out that they didn't stock just the right kind of map of the Rhine region (yes, I was hoping for one giant map, from Switzerland to the Netherlands), one of the gentlemen brought me the wholesale master catalog and let me browse through its dense pages. Said they'd order me anything in the book.
Other highlights of the store are the nautical and recreational maps, including ones for kayaking and hiking the Northwest. The variety of international maps is stellar, especially if you're still planning a trip and want to consider maps of biking routes in foreign countries.
They've also got a nice little selection of travel gear. Oh! And the selection of map pins and tacks is astonishing. Go, get a map, start plotting. To get to Metskers, go find the giant red PUBLIC MARKET sign. Then walk away from the ocean, uphill, and look along First Street (to your left), between Pike and Pine. Their little green sign is hanging from the awning.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (3)
Looking for gift-wrapping ideas? Searching for a mesmerising map that will ease stomach pains whilst in the loo? Do you want to see how your hometown looked like 149 years ago? Then you've serendipitously wandered into the right place at Metsker Maps. A cartographer's heaven on an earth full of dead ends, round-abouts, wayward detours, and long, empty highways.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (3)
Cool (2)
Unbelievable map store. They have never disappointed and have things that just blow my mind. One of Seattle's true gems.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Metsker Maps made me feel like a local "in the know." (The two giant maps I purchased to help me navigate my new town help as well.) They're awesome. Enough said.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
Another positive review - yawn, right?
But I can't resist the urge to pontificate on the loveliness the exudes from this gem near the Pike Place Market.
Perhaps I am swayed to a comforting lull when I enter Metzger's because a friend works here or perhaps it's the knowing nod of other map fans, but this is a place I could really kick back and hang out. And the fact that for even an hour, I can pour over old maps of Havana fantasizing about strolling Malecon with the exhaust of classic American cars flooding my lungs, but I just get so carried away here.
But back to reality, if you ever need maps to add a little flavor to your armchair travels or you need them because you are lucky enough to travel abroad, this is THE place to do it.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Metsker Maps is a usual stop on our Sunday market strolls, to the point of my having a favorite terrestrial globe I can lust after.
This store is great place to take your out-of-state visitors who will be spending a week or two in town: you can pick up not only--you guessed it--maps, but also guides for virtually any activity in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, from backpacking to epicurean pursuits. Don't forget about awesome cartographic gifts, as well as some of the most beautiful local postcards in the vicinity of Pike Place Market.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
When I was a little girl my dad used to make random surprise stops at the map store on the way home from picking me up from school. It was a huge treat, and it stayed with me my whole life. He used to get excited about all of the old and strange maps, especially the ones of Egypt. I began to love Geography and Cartography, and ended up studying both a bit in college (for five minutes).
These days, a visit to the map store means a special treat for me filled with wonderful memories of my father. A week before I went to Europe last year I stopped by Metsker to look for a couple of guides, and they have a nice selection.
I love the maps of Western Washington, and all the dreams of hiking that and I can enjoy while on the premises. I highly recommend Metsker Maps for a nice hour of relaxation.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Ironically, I had some trouble finding this place because the maps of Pike Place Market were just not up to snuff. If I had looked more closely at the Yelp map it wouldn't have been a problem, but having never been to the Market, I just assumed I'd head over there and be able to wander around until I found the map store.
I had actually given up on finding Metsker's and met up with at a friend a bagel joint, and about 3 steps after getting our bagels we stumbled across Metsker's completely by accident.
Once we actually found the place, it was rad. I could leaf through travel guides all day, and there was plenty else to browse through if that's not your thing. Worth finding.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
I stopped in here on a whim after first moving here to see if they had the Seattle neighborhood map so I could figure out where everything was in relation to wherever I would be...er you know what I mean.
The old man behind the counter was friendly and new exactly what I wanted. $25 bucks will get you a map of the Seattle neighborhoods. This was a nice store for a reprieve from all the tourists near Pike's Place
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Cool (1)
I'm also a map geek and I also miss the Pioneer Square location. Lots more light there. However, this is still THE place to get your maps. And atlases and globes... A staggering amount of cartographical information. Don't overlook the nautical charts and space posters. You can also get your maps laminated. If you love maps this won't be a quick stop. Plan to spend some serious browsing time.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
My staggering levels of geekdom were sealed the first time I walked into Metsker's. I love maps. Let me clarify - I collect them from everywhere I travel - road maps, transit maps, touristy maps... all kindsa maps. So when I moved to the Pacific Northwest, finding Metsker's was like walking into a little Valhalla. It gave me endless amounts of information about my new environs, as well as hours and hours of inspiration for new travels. It's an excellent place for tourists (sans children, probably) to enjoy learning about the area, and planning new things to do while in the area. I always learn something new about Seattle when I'm here, and always look forward to heading back for more!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
All a map store should be -- the Elliott Bay Book Co of map stores, the Taj Mahal of terra graphica, the... well, you get the idea.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
The only map you won't find here is a map to my heart, because you don't need one, my heart is at Metsker Maps! Seriously though, this place has ANY map you can imagine or need. Lots of PNW maps too, historical and topo as well. Get here for all of your cartographic needs!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
How can you give anything less than five stars to a map store who has any map you could possibly want? I went in for a map of Seattle but found maps of every country and every city. They have globes of all sorts and maps to hang on your wall, complete with map tacks to trach where you go. The staff is friendly, a little cookey, but they get the job done :)
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
Maps, maps, and more maps. If you are new to Seattle and need a Thomas guide or are travelling to another state for a road trip or on a European adventure, this map store is for you! Very helpful staff and a great location in the market. There are old maps, new maps, laminated maps. You name it three is a map for it!
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
This was a fun store to browse in. Maps of every place one can think of!
My boyfriend's mom picked out the neatest poster/map and bought it for us: it's a map of the world in the form of a musical score! It's so cool looking, with landforms made with faster notes that use more black ink. I'll have to take a picture of it and post it later so you can see what I'm talking about. I put it up in my classroom. The students LOVE it. Great integration of geography, art, and music!
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
Metsker Maps is a great place to find that strange, unusual, and perfect map. I went there before I took a trip to Africa and was able to browse around and find exactly what I was looking for, of course I didn't get it thinking I would find it elsewhere, but thats another story. Its a great place to go if you want travel in your own mind and never leave Seattle.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I love this atmosphere! The variety of maps here is phenomenal! Plus, I love the globe marbles. They make great souvenirs. It's fun, informative, and unique in here.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
You have to ASK for help here, but once you do, you won't be disappointed. Staffers really know their stuff!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Ah, Metskers! A wonderland of maps. If you don't like maps, don't go here. If you love maps, come here to browse for a long time. Their maps range from the touristic to the practical to the historical, with, of course, a focus on the Pacific Northwest.
I liked their original location in Pioneer Square better. The new place at Pike Place Market seems kind of dark and uninspiring (the old place had two or three levels and was on a corner with lots of windows). But the inventory and the staff are as great as ever.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I'm not really into maps. I mean, I know they have a function and that some people are avid collectors, but I still don't really get it.
With that said, I can still appreciate this place. Maps from all over the world, definitely a stop when you are planning a vacation. Some really nice books on travel, though I didn't find a lot to my liking.
The older maps are quite interesting and reasonably priced. The only maps I was a little interested in were ocean floor ones and they only had a limited selection. But I was very pleased that they did try to find me some.
I would definitely shop here for gifts and I plan to come back and pick out some maps for my next vacation.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
I liked the old Pioneer Square location better, but Metzger's is a landmark, an institution, a must-visit.
my experience at metsker's was sort of cosmic if you ask me. literally the night before i had been explaining to someone the exact type of maps i wanted to put up in my new condo...the next day i am showing a visitor around the market and we stumble upon a map store...i go inside and start sort of aimlessly flipping through a selection of maps and find the perfect thing....the staff was great, allowing us to browse and then quick to ring me out once i had decided. i will definitely return.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
I love maps and they have so many beautiful ones here, your eyes will glaze over.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
amazing map shop! i often come here to buy gifts for friends and find cool stuff to hang in my apartment. they even have cool toys and models. i somehow feel smarter every time i come in here.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Love it! Best place to go for a gift for someone you wish would leave town.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
My reviews to make you…
I write all of my reviews quickly and with little… -
Get your Nerd on
These are places that I reach out and touch my… -
You're In For It
The stuff I intend to make my visiting family… -
The Very Best in Service
These are businesses that provide exceptional… -
Pike Place Market Tour
While you have to browse all the stalls and…
Hot and New
- Molly Moon's Ice Cream
137 reviews
Neighborhood: Wallingford
- Paseo
21 reviews
Seattle, WA
- Paseo
328 reviews
Neighborhood: Fremont
- Mike's Noodle House
41 reviews
Neighborhood: International District
- Black Bottle
147 reviews
Neighborhood: Belltown
