Ballard
Seattle

getting there
activities

Ballard

Once known as a Nordic neighborhood full of retirees (see this Almost Live video about the Ballard driving school) and fisherman, Ballard has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. The quaint old Ballard Avenue has retained its early 19th century charm, but is now filled with restaurants and bars, and while the brewery district in Ballard certainly still has an industrial feel to it, that is changing as an ever increasing number of breweries continue to open shop in Ballard. Throw in beautiful Puget Sound views from the beach at Golden Gardens Park and watching migrating salmon in the Locks, and Ballard is a popular spot for both tourists and residents alike.

Ballard is comprised of five sub-neighborhoods : Located on the western side is aptly named Sunset Hill, providing sunset views over the Puget Sound. Heading east of Sunset Hill is Loyal Heights and then Whittier Heights, which are predominately residentials parts of Ballard. Adams is what most people refer to as Ballard, containing Ballard Avenue, the Nordic Museum and the Locks. To the east of Adams lies West Woodland, a mix of residences, some industry and breweries.

Getting There

Depending on where you are coming from, Ballard is not the easiest place to get to as it's tucked away in Northwest Seattle. When we lived in Ballard and had friends move to West Seattle, we joked it was quicker to get to Canada then visit each other. While plans are underway, and have been underway for well over 10 years, to add light rail to Ballard, that isn't happening anytime soon. So your only option for public transit is the bus - getting downtown and to the stadiums via bus is straightforward via the RapidRide D line, and if you need to head east towards the University District, check out route 44. But getting to Ballard from other neighborhoods, such as Capital Hill or West Seattle, via public transportation requires some planning.

activities

Ballard Locks

Hiram H. Chittenden Locks, commonly called the Ballard Locks, were completed in 1917 and are listed on the register of National Historic places. The locks were constructed to provide passage between Lake Washington and the Puget Sound, and now are the busiest locks in terms of number of boats in the United States. In addition to watching the locks rise and fall, there is a visitor center, a fish ladder with a viewing room and an extensive botanical garden with lawn areas suitable for picnicking. And during the summer months, there are free concerts on the weekend (donations encouraged).

Golden Gardens

Golden Gardens Park is an 87 acre park with stunning views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. Best known for its large sand beach with volleyball courts, firepits and water access, the park also contains wetlands, a basketball court, play structures and swings for children, hiking trails and a one acre dog park.

Breweries

While there are great breweries all throughout Seattle, Ballard's unofficial brewery district has become synonymous with beer in Seattle,with an impressive array of award winning and unique breweries. Visitors travel from around the region for this beer destination, with the likes of Rubens and Stoup gaining recognition and distribution well outside of Seattle and Washington State. A number of out-of-town breweries like Great Notion and Bickersons Brewhouse have opened tasting rooms in Ballard, as have Seattle breweries from other neighborhoods like Old Stove Brewing and Cloudburst Brewing. If you have a group looking to experience Ballard's breweries and want to mix in some exercise, consider a cycle saloon adventure!

Breweries in Ballard

Things to Do

Ballard offers a plethora of activities in addition to those mentioned above. For a deeper dive into the area’s Nordic roots, the National Nordic Museum showcases Scandinavian history and culture. Ballard is also known for its vibrant dining and craft beer scene. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood at local favorites like The Walrus and the Carpenter, or sip on locally brewed beers at Reuben’s Brews and Ballard Beer Company. The Ballard Farmers Market, held every Sunday, is a great place to sample local produce, artisanal goods, and street food.

Things to Do in Ballard

Ballard Seattle