A Local’s Weekend in Ballard: Where to Go
Ballard rewards people who slow down and actually explore it, rather than rushing through on the way somewhere else. Here are some suggestions on how to make the most of a Ballard weekend.
Saturday morning: the Locks and the Nordic Museum
Start at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, better known around here as just “the Locks.” Watching boats rise and drop between Puget Sound and the freshwater canal never quite gets old. Right now, at the end of summer, the fish ladder is worth the walk down, where salmon are still making their runs upstream through underground viewing windows. The grounds are open early, from 7am, so this is an easy stop before the neighborhood fully wakes up.
From there, it is a short walk to the National Nordic Museum, where you will be greeted outside by Frankie Feetsplinters, a towering troll sculpture built from recycled wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. He is a genuine must-see on his own, and a fitting welcome into a museum that tells the story of Ballard’s Scandinavian roots. Plan on an hour or two if you want to actually read through the exhibits rather than just pass through them.
Saturday afternoon: Ballard Avenue and the brewery district
Ballard Avenue is the heart of the historic district, brick paved and lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants that reward wandering without a plan. If you are the type who likes a beer with your afternoon, the brewery district sits just south of Market Street, with a dozen or so taprooms close enough together to treat as one long stop rather than a single destination.
Saturday evening: Golden Gardens, or a sunset with a view
End the day at Golden Gardens, one of the best beaches in Seattle and easily the best spot in Ballard for a sunset. It’s a sandy beach rather than the rocky shoreline you find at most Puget Sound parks, with fire pits available first come, first served if you want to stay past dark. If you have a dog with you, the off-leash area up on the wooded ridge above the beach is a favorite for letting them run before you settle in. The western end of the Burke-Gilman Trail also starts here, in case a bike is more your speed than a blanket, and following it east is an easy, mostly car-free way to reach Fremont, loop around Lake Union, and continue toward downtown on another day.
If you would rather trade sand for a view with a drink in hand, the Ballard Elks Lodge sits right on Shilshole Bay with a wide-open look at the Sound and the Olympic Mountains, and a social room that keeps drinks reasonably priced.
Sunday morning: the Farmers Market
Sunday belongs to the Ballard Farmers Market, running year-round on Ballard Avenue from 9am to 2pm. It is the largest Sunday market in Seattle, with Washington produce, local seafood, and a strong lineup of artisan food vendors. Go early if you want first pick of what’s in season, or go a little later and treat it as a slow morning out rather than an errand.
Sunday afternoon: back to the Locks, for the music
Circle back to the Locks one more time. On Sundays, the grounds often turn into an informal concert venue, with live jazz drawing people to sit in the grass near the water. It’s a low-key way to close out the weekend, and a good reminder that the Locks are worth more than one visit.
A neighborhood worth the wander
Most of this is walkable, or bikeable, if you start at the Locks and let the Burke-Gilman carry you the rest of the way. Ballard is a neighborhood built for people who like to be outside, know their neighbors, and take their weekends at an unhurried pace. If that sounds like your kind of place, we would love to help you find your way into it.
