Ballard
Ballard is a neighborhood in northwest Seattle. While mostly residential, the ship canal locks are a major tourist attraction. Nearby smaller neighborhoods sometimes falling under Ballard's umbrella include Phinney Ridge and Greenwood, extending to the northeast, and Crown Hill directly north. A small commercial district extends along Greenwood and Phinney Avenues.
Further to the east, the Greenlake neighborhood surrounds, reasonably enough, Green Lake (both spellings are common). The lake and its surrounding park are one of Seattle's best places to jog, rollerblade, swim, and rowboat.
Understand
Map of Seattle/Ballard
Ballard has traditionally been the home of Seattle's Scandinavian immigrants, and as a result there's hardly a Seattleite who hasn't heard of lutefisk (preserved whitefish) or lefse (a flatbread made with potatoes). Historically a working-class area supported by several sawmills and a fishery, Ballard now has an increasingly young and diverse population. Due to its close proximity to Downtown Seattle, Ballard's property values have soared, causing many long-time residents to move elsewhere. Though becoming increasingly trendy, Ballard still manages to preserve its blue-collar image as well as its Scandinavian atmosphere to a great extent.
Phinney Ridge and Greenwood are residential satellites of Ballard, with a single shared commercial strip running along Phinney and Greenwood Avenues (forming a single street with a jog in the road at 67th Street).
Get in
By car
From Downtown Seattle, the simplest way into Ballard is to drive north on 1st Avenue, veer left at the foot of Queen Anne Hill (where 1st Avenue N and Denny Way meet), then follow the arterial northward until you cross the Ballard bridge. Turn left on NW Market Street to get into the center of Ballard.
For the Phinney-Greenwood corridor, take Aurora Avenue north across the bridge, then exit at Green Lake Way; take a left on 46th Street, then four blocks later take a right onto Greenwood Avenue.
By bus
In Downtown, you can catch all northbound King County Metro routes to Ballard on 3rd Avenue.
- RapidRide Route D is the new primary Ballard-Downtown connector, continuing north along 15th Ave NW. Exit the distinctive red-and-yellow bus at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St, then walk a few blocks westbound on Market.
- Route 40 heads north from Downtown along Westlake Ave N before crossing the canal and turning west on Leary Way NW, meeting NW Market St at Ballard Ave NW (the heart of Ballard's shopping, dining and entertainment district) before turning right and continuing north on 24th Ave NW.
- Route 17 EXPRESS connects Ballard to Downtown Seattle with limited stops in between operating between ~6am-9am during the morning and ~3:30pm-6:30pm in the evening.
- Route 44 runs East-West connecting the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks through Market Street in Ballard, continuing east via N 45th Street to the University District (where it connects to, or turns into, the 43 to Capitol Hill and Downtown).
- For Phinney Ridge and Greenwood, Route 5 offers the most direct connection from Downtown, running from 3rd Avenue in Downtown up via Fremont before continuing along Phinney Ave N and Greenwood Ave N. The RapidRide Route E skirts the east side of both neighborhoods along Aurora Ave N, making a useful stop at 85th St N. Route 48 cuts east-west through Greenwood along 85th St N, continuing southeast through Green Lake to the University District and the Central District.
By boat
The Ballard Locks are the only watercraft connection between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, operating free of charge to all boaters, 24 hours a day. While anyone may pass through the locks, it is forbidden to leave or board a boat in the locks area. Expect delays during sunny summer weekends, when whole flotillas of less-experienced boaters pack into the locks.
- 1 Shilshole Bay Marina (VHF: Channel 17), 7001 Seaview Ave. N.W., Suite 100, ☏ +1 206 787-3006, toll-free: +1-800-426-7817 ext 3006, fax: +1 206 787-3391, sbm@portseattle.org. Seattle's largest marina, offering guest moorage for vessels up to 250 ft. Accessible on Puget Sound with full facilities including electrical up to 100 amp, pump outs, showers, wifi, locked security, fuel, garbage and full service repairs. between $0.85-2.00 per foot depending on length and season.
- 2 Shoreline Street End #145 (28th Ave NW Street End Park), 5301 28th Ave NW. The nearest public kayak launch to the Ballard Locks. This site offers seating, a kayak launch, and habitat enhancements.
See
- 1 Hiram M Chittenden Locks, 3015 NW 54th St (At junction with 32nd Ave, served by bus route 44), ☏ +1 206 783-7059. 7AM-9PM. Linking the freshwater Lake Union and the salt-water Puget Sound across a height difference of 22 feet, the locks allow boats to cross the Lake Washington Ship Canal, relying solely on the force of gravity. A salmon ladder with a viewing gallery allows visitors to witness the salmon migration, which with different species allow for viewing throughout most of the year, but preferably mid to late summer. Adjacent is the Carl S English, Jr Botanical Garden. Guided tours weekdays 1PM and 3PM; weekends 11AM. Free.
- 2 National Nordic Museum, 3014 NW 67th St, ☏ +1 206 789-5707. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Su-M noon-4PM. Documents the history of Scandinavian immigration to Seattle; the only museum of its kind in the U.S. $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children above 5 yrs, under 5 free.
- 3 Fishermen's Terminal (south across the Ballard Bridge). Carefully wander the docks (avoiding stepping on ropes or nets) and look at the boats. Many of them sell fresh crab or fish right off of the boat in season. Visit the Fishermen's Memorial dedicated to all of those who have lost their lives at sea while engaged in commercial fishing.
Do
- 1 Golden Gardens Park. A wonderful saltwater beach park in Ballard, past the locks and Shilshole Marina. Water around here is too cold to swim except for crazy and determined kids during the hottest months, but you can wade a little, walk the beach, make sand castles, claim a fire pit, and watch wind surfers and ships go by. On clear days there is a magnificent view of the Olympics on the other side of Puget Sound. Kids of all ages have endless muddy fun trying to dam up or re-route the fresh water stream flowing across one end of the beach.
- 2 Greenlake Park. The significant feature of the Green Lake neighborhood, this park includes a loop walk around Greenlake frequented by cyclists, runners, rollerbladers, and walkers. The lake is swimmer friendly; algae growth and closures were sometimes a problem before 2004, when the City of Seattle performed a comprehensive cleanup, and it is now one of the cleanest public swimming areas in the Seattle area.
- 3 Seattle Metaphysical Library, 2220 NW Market Street, Lower Level (near the intersection of Ballard Ave NW and NW Market Street), ☏ +1 206 329-1794. afternoons. A member-supported non-profit library open to the public, the Seattle Metaphysical Library has been in Seattle for over 50 years. It specializes in books you can't find at the public library - books on astrology, UFOs, secret societies, shamanism, chakra meditation, astral projections, Tarot cards, anthroposophy, alternative energy, 2012, and many other esoteric topics. There is also an extensive collection of DVDs, VHS and audio tapes, and magazines on similar topics. Check the website for open hours. You can also sign up for their newsletter to learn about events and classes. Free.
- Sacred Rain Healing Center, 1100 NW 50th Street, ☏ +1 206 7896288, info@sacredrainhealing.com. 10AM-10PM every day. Connect with yourself. Seattle's only indoor/outdoor, all-gender clothing-optional hydrotherapy spa. Therapeutic massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathic physician, yoga, sacred music, nature-bathing. 18 and older. $35.
Festivals
- The Ballard Jazz Festival. Mid-Nov. Several music venues participate, and all may be accessed by buying a single ticket. $15.
- The Ballard Seafood Festival. Late Jul. A parade, a salmon barbecue, local musicians and a lutefisk-eating contest. Most businesses along NW Market St participate by holding sidewalk sales.
- Greenwood Classic Car Show. Jun. Draws more people than you would expect.
- Greenwood/Phinney Art Walk. Showcases hundreds of local artists.
- Art Up Greenwood-Phinney. Second Friday of each month. A monthly art walk.
Music
- 4 Connor Byrne's Pub, 5140 Ballard Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 784-3640. A major live music venue.
- 5 Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 789-3599. A major live music venue.
- 6 Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 784-4880. Another music venue/night spot.
- 7 Egan's Ballard Jam House, 1707 NW Market St, ☏ +1 206 789-1621. A small intimate music supper club with mostly jazz (vocal and instrumental) and other styles of live music offered. Open mic (vocal jam) every other Wednesday evening.
Buy
Phinney Ridge/Greenwood
- 1 Greenwood Pencil Box, 8414 Greenwood Ave. NW, ☏ +1 206 725-2625, store@greenwoodpencilbox.com. Tu-Th noon-6PM, F Sa noon-7PM, closed Su M. The elaborate facade actually conceals a creative writing center for children and teenagers. Sells items designed to inspire creativity and imagination.
- 2 Pema Kharpo, 8554 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206 297-2054. Exotic Tibetan, Nepali and Buddhist items coming straight from the region. Get ready for the smell of incense and a greeting from one of the two female owners as you enter.
- 3 Snapdoodle Toys, 120 N 85th St (tucked behind Bartell Drugs), ☏ +1 206 782-0098. The most complete toy store in Seattle, with a huge selection for both kids and adults. Don't expect your typical fast food toy giveaways. Formerly Top Ten Toys, sold to Snapdoodle but basically the same store in spirit with the same merchandise.
- 4 Phinney Books, 7405 Greenwood Ave. N, ☏ +1 206-297-2665, info@phinneybooks.com. M-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su noon-5PM. A local neighborhood institution; carries a well-curated selection of books across many categories, including children's books.
- 5 Seattle ReCreative, 8408 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206-297-1528, info@seattlerecreative.org. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. A really cool creative reuse shop selling tons of repurposed materials (yarn, fabric, art supplies, even recyclables) and donated books.
- 6 Couth Buzzard Books, 8310 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206 436-2960, couthbuzzard@gmail.com. M Tu 10AM-6PM, W-Su 10AM-9PM. A bookstore selling both new and used books; accepts trade-ins. They also have a small cafe and feature events and concerts.
- 7 The Fiber Gallery, 8212 Greenwood Ave. N, ☏ +1 206-706-4197, info@fibergallery.com. Tu-Sa 11AM-2PM & 3-6PM; closed Su M. Greenwood's LYS (local yarn store) has a wide variety of quality yarn, notions, tools and books. It offers online knitting classes as well.
- 8 Labels Consignment Clothing, 7220 Greenwood Ave. N, ☏ +1 206 781-1194. M-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Women's consignment store with good quality women's clothing, shoes and accessories.
Ballard
- 9 Blackbird, 5410 22nd Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 547-2524, info@blackbirdballard.com. A mid-priced menswear boutique.
- 10 Ballard Goodwill Store, 6400 8th Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 957-5544. As long as you're here you might as well see if you can find a bargain or a treasure.
- 11 Sonic Boom Records, 2209 NW Market St, ☏ +1 206 297-2666. Record store
- Various along Market Street and Ballard Ave. Wander along Market Street and then down to Ballard Avenue, and you'll find a plethora of boutiques and boutique spa/salons for every price range.
Eat
Central Ballard collects most of the area's restaurants, on or near Market Street. 15th Avenue NW and Greenwood Avenue house most of the rest. Many of Seattle's best Mexican restaurants are found here.
Budget
- 1 Bad Albert's Tap & Grill, 5100 Ballard Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 782-9623. Su-Th 7AM-11PM, F Sa 7AM-2:30AM. Cheap yet good quality pub grub: burgers, excellent fries, hot sandwiches, soups and salads. Lunch $7-10, dinner $10-13.
- 2 Gordito's Healthy Mexican Food, 213 N 85th St, ☏ +1 206 706-9352. F Sa 10:30AM-9:30PM, Su-Th 10:30AM-9PM. Huge servings, a fast but sometimes long line, way-cheap prices, amazingly tasty burritos that most folks can't finish in one sitting (the "Baby burrito" is about the size of an actual baby), lots of homemade salsas (on the salsa bar), and an outdoor patio. If you ask most people in Seattle where the good Mexican food is, they'll either say Gordito's or the Taco Bus that drives around town (but good luck finding that). $3-9.
- 3 Larsen's Danish Bakery, 8000 24th Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 782-8285. M-F 5:30AM-7:30PM, Sa 5:30AM-7PM, Su 6:30AM-6PM. Famous throughout Seattle, this is the best Scandinavian-style bakery in town. Up to $8.
- 4 Mike's Chili Parlor, 1447 NW Ballard Way, ☏ +1 206 782-2808. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F 11AM-midnight, Sa noon-midnight, Su noon-6PM. Located just east of the Ballard bridge, this combination dive tavern/chili parlor is a good place to grab a spicy, cheap meal. They do chili burgers and dogs too. $6-12.
- 5 Red Mill Burgers, 312 N 67th St, ☏ +1 206 783-6362. Tu-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su noon-8PM. Good old-fashioned burgers, fries, and shakes. Cash or check only! $4-9.
- 6 El Moose, 5242 Leary Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 784-5568. M-Sa 9AM-9PM Su 9AM-3PM. Authentic Mexican cooking from Mexico. Try the pork canitas. Entrées $10-$22.
- 7 Taquería Tequila Authentic Mexican Food, 301 NW 85th St, ☏ +1 206 784-4699. Daily 9AM-10PM. The name might be deceiving, but this place takes its Mexican food just as seriously as it takes being a place to drink. Cheap burritos, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas. $1-5.
- 8 Valhalla Sandwiches, 8202 Greenwood Ave. N, ☏ +1 206 257-0658, kendra@valhallasandwiches.com. M-W 11AM-4PM, Th-F 11AM-7PM, Sa 11AM-3PM. Closed Sundays.. Features tasty sandwiches, tots, beer and cider. Near the Greenwood Public Library. Around $10/Sandwich.
Mid-range
- 9 La Carta de Oaxaca, 5431 Ballard Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 782-8722. Tu-Sa 11:30AM-3PM, M-Th 5PM-11PM, F-Su 5PM-midnight. Cheap and good Oaxaca-style Mexican food. $8-16.
- 10 Indian Bistro, 2301 NW Market St, ☏ +1 206 783-5080. Su–Th 11:30AM–9PM, F Sa 11:30AM–9:30PM. Reasonably priced and delicious. Friendly owner and a definite go-to for any Indian food lover. Lunch buffet $9, Mains $10-15.
- 11 Lockspot Cafe, 3005 NW 54th St, ☏ +1 206 789-4865. M-F 11AM-2PM. This is an old breakfast and lunch (burgers, mostly) spot that's mostly patronized by local workers and very popular with them. $9-16.
- 12 Matador, 2221 NW Market St, ☏ +1 206 297-2855. Daily 11AM-2PM. Somewhat pricier, more upscale Tex-Mex fare, though their happy-hour bar food menu is more reasonable at $4 per plate. $8-15.
- 13 Rosita's Mexican Restaurant, 7210 Woodlawn Ave NE, ☏ +1 206 523-3031. M-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30AM-11PM, Sa 11:30AM-10:30PM, Su 4PM-9PM. Some of the best margaritas in town, as well as good Happy Hour eats. The nachos are great. Dedicated cantina (bar) section in the establishment. $10-15.
- 14 The Walrus and The Carpenter, 4743 Ballard Ave NW (at the back of the Kolstrand Building; follow the hallway), ☏ +1 206 395-9227. Daily, 4-10PM. Excellent oyster bar in a restored historic building. No reservations; the wait is often 1-2 hours unless you get there very early. The adjacent Barnacle bar is a great place to wait while sipping Italian aperitif cocktails and antipasti. Oysters at market price, others $8-15.
- Delancey, 1415 NW 70th St, ☏ +1 206 838-1960. New York-style pizza that rivals anything you could find in New York city. Delancey is the product of NY transplants and its attention to detail shows. The menu is simple and well executed, basically just pizza and salad.
- 15 Ridge Pizza, 7217 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206-687-7621, matt@ridgepizza.com. M-Th 3-10PM, Sa noon-11PM, Su noon-10PM. Neighborhood pizza joint in Phinney Ridge. Pizza varieties named after local shops and restaurants. $24/12" Pizza.
- 16 49th Street Beast, 936 NW 49th St (Inside Fair Isle Brewing). Spearheaded by executive chef Jaimon Westing and supported by Beast & Cleaver butcher shop on NW 80th St, the food at 49th St Beast is a marriage of fermented foods, dry aged meat, and classical French & English techniques with a modern twist.
Splurge
- 17 Ray's Boathouse and Ray's Cafe, 6049 Seaview Avenue NW, ☏ +1 206 782-0094. Su-Th 11:30AM–10PM, F Sa 11:30AM–11PM. On Shilshole Bay. Great views and, in the downstairs Boathouse restaurant, some of the best seafood cooking in the city, priced accordingly. Upstairs, Ray's Cafe is more casual, the food is good but not comparable to the Boathouse downstairs, and you can keep it to $20 a person. Entrées $15-35, bite sizes $9-17.
Drink
Breweries
- Jolly Roger/Maritime Pacific Brewing Company, 1111 NW Ballard Way, ☏ +1 206 782-6181. The Jolly Roger serves as the taproom for Maritime Pacific. It's basically a 1990s brewpub that has branched out into double IPAs. There is also food.
- Ballard Brewery District[dead link]. Ballard is home to an association of small craft breweries that are within comfortable walking district of each other and the historic Ballard downtown area.
- 1 Fair Isle Brewing, 936 NW 49th St, ☏ +1 206 428-3434. Brewery and taproom specializing in lagers and mixed-culture saisons using farmed and foraged ingredients such as fireweed, raspberries, elderberries, madrone bark, etc. Inside the brewery is 49th Street Beast, a restaurant from local butcher shop Beast & Cleaver offering burgers, dry-aged meats, and fermented foods. 21+ only.
Bars
- 2 Angry Beaver, 8412 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206 782-6044. M-Th 4AM-2AM, F 1PM-2AM, Sa Su 11AM-2AM. Said to be the only Canadian-themed bar in Seattle. Great poutine, perfect for hockey fanatics. Full bar. $5-14.
- 3 Prost!, 7311 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206 706-5430. M-F 3PM-2AM, Sa Su 1PM-2AM. Great little Bavarian-style German pub loaded with great German beer and all beers served in their appropriate glassware. $5-6 for half a liter, $10-12 for a liter of beer.
- Bleacher's, 8560 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206 783-9919. Daily 3PM-2AM. Standard sports bar, stiff drinks. Food less than $10.
- 4 Gainsbourg, 8550 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206 783-4004. M-Th 4PM-midnight, F Sa 4PM-2AM, Su 10AM-midnight. French fare with great variety of wine, beer, cocktails, and absinthe. Meals $8-16, drinks from $4.
- 5 The Baranof, 8549 Greenwood Ave N, ☏ +1 206 782-9260. Daily 6AM-2AM. Classic dive. A Greenwood institution. Go for the karaoke.
Others
- 6 MIRO Tea, 5405 Ballard Avenue NW, ☏ +1 206 782-6832. M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 8AM-8PM. A contemporary tea house with a large selection of beverages and food. $2-8.
Sleep
There are few hotels in the Ballard area since it's primarily residential, although the area has its fair share of bed and breakfasts. Along the northern segment of Aurora Ave, there are some sketchy hourly rate motels — use at your own risk.
- 1 Greenlake Guest House, 7630 E. Green Lake Dr. N., ☏ +1 206 729-8700. A 4-room bed and breakfast overlooking Green Lake. The couple who own the place cook breakfast and constantly chat with guests. From $140 per night.
- 2 Hotel Ballard, 5216 Ballard Ave NW, ☏ +1 206 789-5012. Mediterranean-style hotel in the heart of Ballard. 29 rooms and suites with marble and carpet tiles in lavish rooms. It also hosts an in-house Mediterranean restaurant in the lobby and a rooftop pavilion. For pampering or sports, an athletic club with swimming pool, gym, and spa is just next door. From $150 per night.