Overview
Ballard is a neighborhood in northwest Seattle. The trendy neighborhood for dining and nightlife is near the Ballard Locks connecting Lake Union to Puget Sound. Nearby smaller neighborhoods 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.
3 sights · 13 things to do · 20 places to eat · 14 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ballard
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
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 ladd…
National Nordic Museum
Documents the history of Scandinavian immigration to Seattle, with rotating art exhibits and a permanent collection of historical artifacts. Julefest includes discounted admission and a Christmas market.
Edith Macefield "Up" House
Edith Macefield received worldwide attention in 2006 when she turned down an offer of $1 million to sell her house to make way for a five-story commercial development. Instead, the Ballard Blocks project was built surrou…
Ballard Commons Park
Ballard Commons Park features a playground, skate bowl, water feature, engaging public art, relaxing seating areas and lawns and ADA accessible walkways.
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 …
Greenlake Park
The focal point of the Green Lake neighborhood. The 2.8 mi loop path around the lake is frequented by cyclists, runners, rollerbladers, and walkers. The lake is swimmer friendly; algae growth and closures were sometimes …
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Wettest: Nov and Jan. (climate data from nearby Seattle)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BFI King County International Airport - Boeing Field, Seattle — 11 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
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 (it changes names from Western Ave to Elliot Ave to 15th Ave) until you cross the Ballard Bridge. The center of Ballard is just to the west, via Leary Way or Market St.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $100–$140 a night (typical $140), from 3 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$220, comfortable ~$310.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, National Nordic Museum, Sunset Tavern
- Lunch Indian Bistro
- Afternoon Ballard Seafoodfest, Freakout Festival
- Dinner La Carta de Oaxaca
- Evening Old County Bar
Day 2
- Morning Edith Macefield "Up" House, Sacred Rain Healing Center, Julefest
- Lunch Mike's Chili Parlor
- Afternoon Egan's Ballard Jam House, Conor Byrne Pub
- Dinner The Walrus and The Carpenter
- Evening Jolly Roger/Maritime Pacific Brewing Company
Day 3
- Morning Ballard Commons Park, Greenlake Park
- Lunch Red Mill Burgers
- Afternoon Greenwood/Phinney Art Walk, Greenwood Classic Car Show
- Dinner Ridge Pizza
- Evening Prost!
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Ballard has all kinds of restaurants. Places on Ballard Ave tend to be upscale, places on Market St and 15th Ave tend to be casual. Greenwood Ave and the northeast side of Green Lake also have a variety of options.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Historically, Ballard was a working-class area supported by several sawmills and a fishery, and the original home of Seattle's Scandinavian immigrants. As a result there's hardly a Seattleite who hasn't heard of lutefisk (preserved whitefish) or lefse (a flatbread made with potatoes). Due to its close proximity to Downtown Seattle, Ballard's property values have soared and many long-time residents have been displaced by a young and diverse population. Though now trendy and upscale, Ballard still clings on to its working waterfront and its Scandinavian roots.
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 (it changes names from Western Ave to Elliot Ave to 15th Ave) until you cross the Ballard Bridge. The center of Ballard is just to the west, via Leary Way or Market St.
For the Phinney-Greenwood corridor, take Aurora Avenue north across the Aurora 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 about 6AM and 9AM during the morning and about 3:30-6:30PM 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.
By bicycle
The Burke-Gilman Trail runs along the Ship Canal east of 15th Ave to Fremont, the University of Washington, and then along the western rim of Lake Washington. Despite the hilly surroundings, the track is flat as it used to be a railway line.
See
See Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks)
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.
See Edith Macefield "Up" House
Edith Macefield received worldwide attention in 2006 when she turned down an offer of $1 million to sell her house to make way for a five-story commercial development. Instead, the Ballard Blocks project was built surrounding her 108-year-old farmhouse. While production of the film Up, based on a strikingly similar premise, started two years before, Disney acknowledged the story with a promotional tie-in.
Do
Do 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.
Do Greenlake Park
The focal point of the Green Lake neighborhood. The 2.8 mi loop path around the lake is 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.
Festivals
Music
Buy
Ballard
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.
Phinney Ridge/Greenwood
Eat
Ballard has all kinds of restaurants. Places on Ballard Ave tend to be upscale, places on Market St and 15th Ave tend to be casual. Greenwood Ave and the northeast side of Green Lake also have a variety of options.
Budget
Eat Bad Albert's Tap & Grill
Cheap yet good quality pub grub: burgers, excellent fries, hot sandwiches, soups and salads.
Eat Gordito's Healthy Mexican Food
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.
Eat Larsen's Danish Bakery
Famous throughout Seattle, this is the best Scandinavian-style bakery in town.
Eat Mike's Chili Parlor
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. Cash only!
Eat Red Mill Burgers
Good old-fashioned burgers, fries, and shakes with both indoor and outdoor seating. Cash or card, closed Mondays.
Eat El Moose
Authentic Mexican cooking from Mexico. Try the pork carnitas.
Eat Taquería Tequila Authentic Mexican Food
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.
Eat Valhalla Sandwiches
Features tasty sandwiches, tots, beer and cider.
Mid-range
Eat La Carta de Oaxaca
Cheap and good Oaxaca-style Mexican food.
Eat Indian Bistro
Reasonably priced and delicious. Friendly owner and a definite go-to for any Indian food lover.
Eat Lockspot Cafe
This is an old breakfast and lunch (burgers, mostly) spot that's mostly patronized by local workers and very popular with them.
Eat Matador
Somewhat pricier, more upscale Tex-Mex fare, though their happy-hour bar food menu is more reasonable.
Eat Delancey
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.
Eat Ridge Pizza
Neighborhood pizza joint. Pizza varieties named after local shops and restaurants.
Eat Old Salt
House-made bagels with in-house smoked fish.
Eat Rachel's Bagels & Burritos
House-made bagels, biscuits, and burritos.
Splurge
Eat The Walrus and The Carpenter
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.
Eat Rupee Bar
Intimate bar presenting modern cocktails & small plates inspired by Sri Lanka & India.
Eat Copine
Classic French technique meets local ingredients in a breezy, sophisticated space. Menu is typically prixe fixe only, with bar seating with a smaller menu.
Eat Ray's Boathouse and Ray's Cafe
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.
Drink
Breweries
The Ballard Brewery District is an association of small craft breweries that are within comfortable walking district of each other and the historic Ballard downtown area.
Drink Jolly Roger/Maritime Pacific Brewing Company
The Jolly Roger serves as the taproom for Maritime Pacific Brewing Company, the oldest brewery in Ballard, with upscale pub food, in-house beers & pirate-themed decor.
Drink Fair Isle Brewing
Brewery and taproom specializing in lagers and mixed-culture saisons using farmed and foraged ingredients such as fireweed, raspberries, elderberries, madrone bark, etc. The brewery also has a restaurant with snacks, small plates, and mains with vegetarian, seafood, and meat options.
Bars
Drink Angry Beaver
Said to be the only Canadian-themed bar in Seattle. Great poutine, perfect for hockey fanatics. Full bar.
Drink Prost!
Great little Bavarian-style German pub loaded with great German beer and all beers served in their appropriate glassware.
Drink Bleacher's
Standard sports bar, stiff drinks.
Drink Gainsbourg
French fare with great variety of wine, beer, cocktails, and absinthe.
Drink The Baranof
Classic dive. A Greenwood institution. Go for the karaoke.
Drink Little Tin
Cocktail bar with Tiki and Hawaiian-inspired drinks and snacks.
Drink Olaf's
Relaxed neighborhood watering hole featuring a wide selection of draft beers & elevated bar bites. Two televisions usually showing sports.
Drink Old County Bar
Sports bar with full bar, several beers on draft, one pool table and darts. Several televisions usually showing sports.
Coffee and tea
Drink Miro Tea
A contemporary tea house with a large selection of beverages and food.
Drink Valentinas Cafe
Delicious Mexican-inspired coffee and tea drinks and pastries in a whimsical, floral-themed space.
Drink Victrola Coffee Roasters (Ballard Coffee Works)
Excellent spot to grab a drink, get a little work done, or peoplewatch at the popular corner of Market and 22nd.
Drink Venture Coffee Co
Eco-conscious, counter-serve coffeehouse featuring varied fair-trade blends & light fare.
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.
Stay Hotel Ballard
Mediterranean-style hotel in the heart of Ballard. 29 rooms and suites with marble and carpet tiles in lavish rooms. It also hosts Stoneburner, an in-house pizzeria, in the lobby, and a rooftop pavilion. For pampering or sports, an athletic club with swimming pool, gym, and spa is just next door.
Nearby
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