15 Best Things to Do in Ballard (By a Local)
👉 Jump to: Best Things | Food & Drink | Entertainment | Art, Culture, & Shopping
I’ve lived in Seattle for over a decade, and Ballard has been one of my favorite places since I moved here.
It’s obvious why Ballard is one of Seattle’s best neighborhoods. It’s got trendy restaurants and cafes, a walkable shopping district, some of the best beer in the city, and several of Seattle’s top attractions.
The neighborhood is popular with locals, but I think more visitors should give it a chance, too. This list covers some of the best things to do in Ballard, so let’s dive in!
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15 Best Things to Do in Ballard
Ballard Farmers Market
Peruse produce and munch tasty treats at a large and lively weekly market.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9 am – 2 pm Sunday, Closed Monday – Saturday
The Ballard Farmers Market is one of my favorite markets in the city. It has a massive selection of fresh produce, vendors, makers, and amazing food.
This is a great place to load up on souvenirs. You’ll find artisans selling things like ceramics, jewelry, and candles. Plus, the market is right in the heart of Ballard’s main shopping district, so you’re just steps away from other local businesses.
I’m convinced the hot, cinnamon sugar-coated mini donuts are reason enough to visit this Sunday farmers market. But you can also find things like bao, tacos, or pizza from one of the food trucks if you’re not in the mood for donuts.
Find the best produce here. Take home Rainier cherries, apples, Walla Walla onions, and mushrooms. Don’t miss out on the donut peaches if you visit during the summer!
Ballard (Hiram M Chittenden) Locks
Check out the ships and salmon jumping upstream at a relaxing waterfront park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 780-2500 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm daily | 👉 Book a Locks Cruise on Viator
The Ballard Locks are one of Seattle’s top attractions. This engineering marvel was constructed in the early 1900s and is an example of one of many ways Seattle’s natural landscape was altered to make it more “liveable.”
The locks allow boats to move from freshwater Lake Washington into saltwater Puget Sound without either body of water mixing. Visitors can walk atop the locks and watch the boats from above. Or book a Ballard Locks cruise to experience the “boat elevator” firsthand!
Whenever I come here, I like to wander through the pretty (but small) botanical garden on the north side of the locks. Don’t miss the Fish Ladder at the south end, either. Here, you’ll watch salmon jumping upstream during the spawning season, typically from about June through September.
Finally, make sure you visit the Locks Visitor Center and Museum for a deep dive into how and why the Locks were built and exactly how they work.
Golden Gardens Park
Sunbathe, play volleyball, and watch sunsets at a gorgeous beach park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 684-4075 | Website | Hours: 4 am – 10:30 pm daily
Golden Gardens is by far one of Seattle’s prettiest beaches. Come here for a perfect day of sunbathing, beachcombing, bonfires, and barbecues. Unlike most beaches in the city, Golden Gardens is more sandy than rocky. It’s almost enough to make you feel like you’re lounging on a beach somewhere in Southern California and not the PNW.
Summer is the best time to come, but know that everyone in the city thinks so, too. You’ll need to get here early if you want to visit on a sunny summer weekend because the parking lot fills up fast, and this isn’t the easiest beach to bus to.
While the beach is the main attraction, Golden Gardens also has a forest area with hiking trails and a dog park. During cold weather visits, you can come here to explore the tide pools, spot seals and sea lions from the shore, or admire one of the incredible sunsets the park is known for.
📚 Related Reading: Golden Gardens is also one of the best Seattle parks. Read this article next to see what else made the cut!
Food & Drink
Ballard Brewery District
Grab incredible stouts, sours, and IPAs at some of the city’s best breweries.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Want great beer? Don’t miss the Ballard Brewery District! It’s the number one spot in the city for a beer crawl. There are over 10 breweries within a one-mile radius here, so you can sample plenty of brews at once.
My favorite brewery in Seattle is here: Lucky Envelope. You’re in for a treat no matter what you love, but I’m partial to the stouts, which are always creative and fun. I still dream about the Peanut Butter Cream stout I had here once.
Other breweries in the area have their own specialties. Sip unique sours from Urban Family, get a perfectly hoppy IPA from Stoup, or try a little bit of everything at Rueben’s Brews.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? Ballard is one of my top recommended areas for where to stay in Seattle. Hotel Ballard is my #1 choice if you want to be in this hip neighborhood.
Miro Tea
Sip tea lattes and find your new favorite blends at this cozy and modern tea house.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 782-6832 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm Sunday
You can pretty much guarantee I’ll be at Miro Tea if it’s a cold day and I’m in Ballard. Miro Tea is a gem. I adore the tea lattes — the matcha and the pink chai have no business being as good as they are. But you’ll enjoy the selection here even if you’re less into lattes and more into loose-leaf blends.
Miro typically has several teas you can sample on the counter when you walk in. Try them to help you make a quick decision. Even if the samples don’t suit your fancy, there are tons of other options. The big wall of canisters on the back wall has just about every tea you’d want.
Tea aside, this is a great place to come and read a book, meet up with friends, or do some work. Just know that this spot is a gem, but it’s by no means hidden. There’s always a bit of a crowd here (especially during the farmers market), so you may have to take your drink to go.
The Walrus and the Carpenter
Eat fresh seafood in a bright and airy restaurant on Ballard Avenue NW.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 395-9227 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm Sun-Thurs, 4 pm – 10 pm Fri & Sat
The Walrus and the Carpenter deserves its spot on my list of the best restaurants in Seattle. After all, it serves some of the freshest and tastiest seafood in the city. Show up early. It’s right on the bustling Ballard Avenue NW and has limited seating. It’s first come, first served, and there are no reservations.
The menu is seasonal and changes daily, but make sure you always get the oysters! It’s the restaurant’s specialty, and they’re sourced from the best oyster farms on Puget Sound.
Some other tasty items you might see on the menu include the scallop crudo, grilled sardines, and steak tartare. Start with these if you can’t make up your mind!
San Fermo
Enjoy a romantic Italian dinner in a cozy converted house.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 342-1530 | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm daily
San Fermo is a cozy escape for a romantic Italian dinner, even though it’s on the busy Ballard Ave NW. My husband and I tried this place on a whim one day and were surprised and delighted by how charming it is. Request a seat on the patio if you come here for a date night.
San Fermo serves traditional Italian dishes like bolognese, carbonara, and burrata. But it puts a creative spin on them by using locally sourced, regional ingredients. The restaurant accepts a few walk-ins daily, but I recommend making a reservation to guarantee a meal here.
Spice Waala
Order some of the best Indian street food in the city — you’ll be tempted to get everything on the menu!
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 457-8691 | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 9 pm Tuesday, 11 am – 2:30 pm & 5 pm – 9 pm Wednesday – Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday
Make sure you’re hungry when you go to Spice Waala because you’ll be tempted to order everything on the menu. Everything here is reasonably priced, so it’s not hard to do.
Spice Waala’s specialty is its delicious Indian roll-ups. Try the chicken tikka and paneer bhaji rolls, which are crowd-pleasers. The restaurant also serves some of the best crispy French fries in the city. Other food includes snacks like chana chaat and bhel puri. Everything is flavorful and tasty… just be prepared for spice!
Un Bien
Pig out on delicious Caribbean sandwiches in north Ballard.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 588-2040 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Wednesday – Saturday, 11 am – 8 pm Sunday, Closed Monday – Tuesday
Un Bien is in north Ballard in a neon pink building — it’s impossible to miss. It’s a little far from some of Ballard’s other attractions, but it’s worth the trek. Un Bien serves the best Caribbean sandwiches in the city.
I think I’d be tempted to grab lunch here at least once a week if I lived a little closer! The Caribbean Roast sandwich is made with pork shoulder slow-roasted in a flavorful marinade. It’s Un Bien’s specialty and my favorite thing on the menu.
Also try The Press, which has pork, smoked ham, banana peppers, and Swiss cheese. Add a side of the fire-roasted corn, and you’re in for one of the best meals you’ll have in the city.
Entertainment
Tractor Tavern
Enjoy live music and a great night out at an intimate and popular Ballard venue.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 789 3599 | Website
Tractor Tavern is one of Seattle’s great live music venues. It’s been around for over 25 years and has shows daily, featuring artists across all genres. Indie, alt-rock, country, reggae, folk, and Americana bands have all graced the stage. It’s the perfect place to get plugged into Seattle’s local music scene.
Tractor Tavern is small and intimate, with standing room only. Tickets are reasonable — most shows are priced at $15 to $25. The drinks are strong and the atmosphere is upbeat. Come at night for an entertaining show.
Or you can show up for Tractor Tavern’s Makers Market if you’re around on the second Sunday of the month. The market features designers, illustrators, culinary artists, jewelry-makers, and, of course, live entertainment.
Mox Boarding House
Play board games with friends and sip a beer at a casual gaming cafe.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 523-9605 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm Mon – Thurs, 11 am – 12 am Fri, 10 am – 12 am Sat, 10 am – 10 pm Sunday
I adore Mox Boarding House! This game store and cafe is an awesome place to bring friends for a casual night of board games and beers. Buy or rent games to play in a private room or at your table in the cafe.
Mox serves local beers and cider. It also has mead and creative cocktails like the Holiday in Kazan, which has salted caramel Kahlua, apple brandy, and oat milk. Food options include garlic parmesan tater tots, sandwiches, and a delicious oven-baked mac and cheese.
There’s another Mox Boarding House on the Eastside. It’s one of the best things to do in Bellevue, so check it out if you’re headed that way.
Dog Yard Bar
Drink beer and hang out with adorable pups at a dog park bar.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 491-9741 | Website | Hours: 1 pm – 8 pm Mon-Thurs, 1 pm – 9 pm Fri, 12 pm – 9 pm Sat, 12 pm – 8 pm Sun | Entrance: $16 to bring your dog, free to visit without a dog
Seattleites love their dogs (after all, there are more pups in Seattle than kids!). This love is exemplified in Dog Yard Bar, which is part dog park and part bar. Bring your dog along for some socialization, or come to watch dogs play as you sip beer and eat snacks.
Dog Yard Bar is a haven for dog lovers. When I visited, all of the dogs were well-behaved, their owners were attentive, and the staff was working hard to keep the place clean. The bar also hosts breed-specific meet-up events for dog owners and their pups, as well as trivia nights for casual bar attendees.
Art, Culture, & Shopping
National Nordic Museum
Learn about Ballard’s Nordic heritage, history, and culture at this popular museum.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (206) 789-5707 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday – Sunday, until 8 pm on Thursday, Closed Mondays | Entrance: $20, adults, $10 youth (5-18), free, children 0-4; free for all on the first Thursday of the month
Ballard has a strong Nordic influence. Many Scandinavian immigrants emigrated to this area between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before Ballard was part of Seattle. The National Nordic Museum is the best place to learn about the neighborhood’s Nordic heritage.
The National Nordic Museum is not far from the Ballard Locks, so it’s a good follow-up to that attraction. The museum has tons of exhibits on Nordic culture. Popular ones include stories about the Vikings and the journey from Scandinavia to Seattle. There’s also Project Aurora, an exhibit designed to mimic the Northern Lights.
Like several Seattle museums, you can visit for free if you go on the first Thursday of the month! Also, don’t miss the chance to take a photo with one of Seattle’s resident trolls, The Way of the Bird King. It’s right outside the entrance.
Ballard Artwalk
Support local artists in a longstanding neighborhood art show.
🌐 Website | Hours: 6 pm – 9 pm, 2nd Saturday monthly
Artwalk is a monthly event in various Seattle neighborhoods. It’s one of the best free things to do in Seattle. Ballard’s Artwalk is held in the neighborhood’s main commercial district on the second Saturday of every month.
Businesses stay open late and crowds mingle during Artwalk. People walk from one cool shop to the next to admire and purchase art from featured local artists. A few of the participating businesses are art galleries, but others include restaurants, wine shops, and even salons.
Ballard Avenue NW and NW Market St
Go shopping at some of the coolest local businesses in Seattle.
Ballard Ave NW and NW Market St are some of the best places to shop in Seattle, especially if you want to support small businesses. These two walkable streets in downtown Ballard have just about every type of gift you could wish for.
Grab art supplies, indie comics, and zines at Push/Pull. Indulge in fudge, truffles, and candies at Sweet Mickey’s Candy Shoppe. Gold Dogs is the place to go if you’re looking for vintage cowboy boots!
Prism is one of my favorite shops for jewelry, textiles, and candles. It’s the type of place where you’ll find gifts you don’t know you need until you see them. The list of shops goes on, and the options are endless. The best way to explore is to simply wander around and pop into any spot that looks promising.
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The Ballard area is truly one of Seattle’s best, which is why I recommend coming here if you have a few days in Seattle. Have fun exploring!
