Ballard Things To Do
Things To Do in Ballard
Ballard, one of Seattle's most charming and dynamic neighborhoods, offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and modern attractions. Originally a Scandinavian fishing village, Ballard still embraces its maritime heritage while boasting trendy shops, craft breweries, and a thriving arts scene. A must-visit is the Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden Locks), where you can watch boats pass through and see salmon navigate the fish ladder. Nearby, the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden provides a serene escape. 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. For outdoor lovers, Golden Gardens Park offers stunning waterfront views, sandy beaches, and hiking trails. Whether you’re exploring its historic roots, enjoying great food and drinks, or relaxing by the water, Ballard is a must-visit destination in Seattle.
things to do
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).
Fish Ladder
The fish ladder is part of the locks, but warrants its own mention on accord of being a great place to take kids to watch the salmon returning to freshwater to spawn in the fall. There is a glass viewing area where you can get up close to three different kinds of salmon : Sockeye, King and Coho. While there is no guarantee you will see salmon in the ladder, the best time to visit is from June through September.
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.
Nordic Museum
The National Nordic Museum showcases Nordic history and culture over the last twelve thousand years and features items both from its proprietary collection as well as on loan from five Nordic countries' National Museums. The Museum also has a gift shop, as well as the Freya Cafe with sweet and savory treats.
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!
Farmer's Market
The Ballard Farmers Market occurs every Sunday on Ballard Avenue throughout the year from 9am to 2pm and is one of the largest farmers markets in Seattle. There is a variety of produce from Washington State farmers, meat and seafood from local companies, and handicraft and food vendors as well.
Restaurants and Bars
The historic Ballard Avenue has a large number of bars and restaurants and makes for a popular night out in Seattle. From long term staples like the mexican restaurant La Carta de Oaxaca to relative newcomers like the Rough & Tumble Pub, you will find a array of cuisines and price points. Covered street seating on Ballard Avenue was introduced during Covid, and fortunately extended providing more space for dining. Ballard also has a number of small clusters of restaurants and bars outside of Ballard Avenue, including Delancey and Essex on 70th, Joli and others on 65th (also known as Stumbletown) and Picolinos and Baker's in Sunset Hill.
Live Music
You will find live music at a number of bars throughout Ballard, but three small venues on Ballard Avenue have been hosting live music for years : the first is Conor Byrne Pub, which happens to be where The Head and The Heart got their start. Tractor Tavern has been hosting live shows since 1994 and this smallish musical venue features a mix of local and national acts, providing the perfect place to get up close and personal with your favorite musician. And finally, the Sunset Tavern has been in Ballard since 1976, with a front bar called Betty's room, and a music space in the back known as the Dragon Room.
Shilshole Marina
Shilshole Marina is operated by the port of Seattle and one of the larger marinas in the Puget Sound. In addition to moorage for boats, there is a small commercial space with a cafe and shops, a well landscaped plaza with a picnic area and even a bocce ball court.
Paddleboard & Kayak
Given its proximity to both the Puget Sound and Salmon Bay, it should be no surprise kayaking and paddleboarding are popular activities around Ballard. Ballard Kayak and Paddleboard offers rentals as well as tours. If you have your own gear, the boat ramp at Golden Gardens is a popular spot, as well as the 28th Ave NW Street End Park, which has a kayak and paddleboard launch.
Ballard FC
Even though Ballard FC actually play at the Interbay Soccer Field, which is just across the Ballard Bridge, their home base is considered Ballard. Ballard FC was formed in 2001, played their first match in 2022 and have already built up a strong supporter base. They compete in the USL League 2, which is a semi-professional development soccer league, and made the conference finals in 2022. If you are in Ballard, enjoy soccer and can't catch a Sounders game, consider attending an ever lively Ballard FC game.
