When we travel, we always hunt for the fun, quirky, off-the-beaten-path spots that make for the best stories. My friends always laugh when I tell them where we’re headed next—but once we return, with outrageous stories and vibrant photos in hand, they’re suddenly full of awe... and maybe a little jelly.

On a recent trip, we ventured back to Alaska—this time with our two middle schoolers in tow. Since we were flying from the East Coast to catch a cruise out of Washington State, we figured: why not spend a few days in Seattle and soak in the sights?

We hit the classics, of course—snapped selfies from the top of the Space Needle, caught a flying fish at Pike Place Market—but it was a sticky little alleyway surprise that ended up stealing the show: The Gum Wall.

Yep, you read that right. A wall. Covered in chewed-up gum. And yes, it’s just as weird, gross, and totally amazing as it sounds.

I’d first discovered it on one of my go-to quirky travel websites: Roadside America. (Pro tip: You can search by state and city to uncover all kinds of local oddities!) When I told the kids we were going to chew gum and stick it to a wall, my "Mom coolness" rating instantly skyrocketed. 

So what’s the story behind this gooey landmark?
Back in the early 1900s, the Market Theater (located at 1530 Post Alley, just below Pike Place) put out a stern sign: “No gum under the seats.” So what did people do? They headed outside and stuck it on the wall instead. The city tried to clean it up more than once, but gum kept reappearing—until Seattle finally gave in and declared the Gum Wall an official tourist attraction in 1999.

Not being regular gum-chewers, we had to prepare. After school, we’d stop at the local Jiffy store and test out different flavors and brands. Who knew gum selection could be such a serious decision? My son picked bright blue Hubba Bubba (Blue Raspberry), and my daughter went with neon pink Bubblicious (Watermelon). After a week of bubble-blowing trials, we were finally ready.

When we arrived, the scent hit first.
A mash-up of fruity sweetness—grape, strawberry, cinnamon, tutti-frutti. And the visuals? A chaotic rainbow mosaic of gum globs, stretched, stacked, and splattered across the alley walls in a mesmerizing swirl of color and texture. It was a total sensory overload… in the best way possible.

We chewed carefully, achieving the perfect texture for maximum stickiness. Then came the big moment: where to place our contribution? High? Low? In a hidden corner or smack in the center? There’s no right or wrong on the Gum Wall—just pure, silly, creative fun.

And now, a little piece of Savannah, Georgia lives forever (or at least until the next power wash) in the heart of Seattle.

So next time you’re in Seattle, do yourself a favor:
Chew some gum, embrace your inner child, and leave your mark on one of the weirdest, most wonderful landmarks around. It’s five-star fun—worth every sticky second.