We applied PIV method to obtain instantaneous and ensemble averaged velocity fields from the first row to the fifth row of a staggered tube bundle. The Reynolds number based on the tube diameter and the maximum velocity was set to be 4,000. Remarkably different natures are observed in the developing bundle flow. Such differences are depicted in the mean recirculating bubble length and the vorticity distributions. The jet-like flow seems to be a dominant feature after the second row and usually skew. However, the ensemble averaged fields show symmetric profiles and the flow characteristics between the third and fourth measuring planes are not so different. comparison between the PIV data and the RANS simulation yields severe disagreement in spite of the same Reynolds number. It can be explained that the distinct jet-like unsteady motions are not to be accounted in th steady numerical analysis.