'''Ballard''' is a neighborhood in northwest Seattle. While mostly residential, the '''locks''' are a major tourist attraction.
Understand
Known locally as "Snoose Junction," 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.
Get in
'''By car:''' from downtown Seattle, the simplest way is to drive north on 1st Ave, veer left at the foot of Queen Anne Hill (where 1st Ave, 1st Ave N and Denny Way meet), then follow the arterial northward until you cross the Ballard bridge. Turn left on NW Market St.
'''By bus:''' Catch the northbound Metro Transit[http://transit.metrokc.gov/] route 15 or 18 on 1st Ave, or the route 17 on 3rd Ave.
'''Route 15''' continues along 15th Ave NW, Exit the bus at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St then walk a few blocks westbound on NW Market St.
'''Route 18''' goes west on Leary Way NW, meets NW Market St at Ballard Ave NW then turns right and continues on 24th Ave NW. Exit at Market and Ballard Ave. This route takes you to the heart of Ballard's shopping, dining and entertainment district.
'''Route 17''' takes you the closest to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Golden Gardens beach park and Shilshole Marina. It then continues along 32nd Ave NW.
'''Route 44''' goes from the University District (where it connects to, or turns into, the 43 to Capitol Hill and Downtown) to Ballard via N. 45th St and continues down Market.
See
The '''Hiram M. Chittenden Locks''' [http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/tour/locks.htm] (a.k.a. Ballard Locks): boats, a salmon ladder, and beautiful gardens, just west of the built-up center of the Ballard neighborhood.
'''Nordic Heritage Museum'''[http://nordicmuseum.org], 3014 NW 67th St., (206) 789-5707. Documents the history of Scandinavian immigration to Seattle; the only museum of its kind in the U.S.
Do
The '''Ballard Sunday Farmers Market''' [http://fremontmarket.com/ballard/] is one of the only year-round outdoor markets in Seattle, and takes place on historic Ballard Avenue on Sundays. Buy seasonal produce and local crafts, this is the sister to the '''Fremont Sunday Market''' [http://fremontmarket.com/fremont/] in nearby Fremont.
'''Golden Gardens Park''' [http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/parkspaces/Golden.htm] is a wonderful salt-water 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, watch wind surfers and ships go by. If it's clear 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.
'''Connor Byrne's Pub'''[http://www.conorbyrnepub.com/] (5140 Ballard Ave NW, (206) 784-3640) and The '''Tractor Tavern'''[http://tractortavern.citysearch.com/] (5213 Ballard Ave NW, (206) 789-3599) are two major live music venues in Seattle featuring local bands as well as many world music and other bands on tour. The '''Sunset Tavern'''[http://www.sunsettavern.com/] (5433 Ballard Ave, (206) 784-4880) is another, more recent music venue/night spot.
'''The Ballard Jazz Festival'''[http://www.ballardjazzfestival.com/] is held every mid-November. Several music venues participate, and all may be accessed by buying a single ticket from '''The New York Fashion Academy'''[http://www.newyorkfashionacademy.com/]. Cost is $15.
'''The Ballard Seafood Festival'''[http://www.seafoodfest.org/2006/index.shtml] takes place in late July and features a parade, a salmon barbecue, local musicians and a lutefisk-eating contest. Most businesses along NW Market St participate by holding sidewalk sales as well.
Visit '''Fisherman's Terminal'''[http://www.portseattle.org/seaport/marinas/fishermensterminal/] by walking across the Ballard bridge southbound. 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 '''Fisherman's Memorial'''[http://www.portseattle.org/community/resources/fishermensmemorial.shtml] dedicated to all of those who have lost their lives at sea while engaged in commercial fishing.
Buy
'''Archie McPhee''' [http://www.mcphee.com], 2428 NW Market Street, (206) 297-0240. Probably the best novelty store in the entire U.S., this is the place for fake mustaches, giant tiki figures, Magic 8-balls, rubber insects, and other essentials of post-modern life.
'''Blackbird''' [http://helloblackbird.blogspot.com], 5410 22nd Ave NW (206) 547-2524. This is a mid-priced menswear boutique. Awards include: Top 100 Men's Stores - GQ 2006, Best Men's Store - Seattle Magazine 2006, Best New Men's Store - Seattle Magazine 2005. Brands include: Band of Outsiders, Nom de Guerre, A.P.C. (France), Acne Jeans (Sweden), Filippa K (Sweden), Skull (Japan), Crate Denim (L.A.), Orthodox, Uppercut A.P. (Canada), B.son (San Francisco), (Malin+Goetz), Sharps, and Baxter of California.
'''Ballard Goodwill store''', 6400 8th Avenue NW, (206) 957-5544. As long as you're here you might as well see if you can find a bargain or a treasure.
'''Great Harvest Bread Company'''[http://www.greatharvestsea.com/index.htm], 2218 NW Market Street, (206) 706-3434. Pop in, have a sandwich and soup or just buy a loaf of great, fresh baked bread.
'''Sonic Boom Records'''[http://www.sonicboomrecords.com/], 2209 NW Market St, (206)297-2666
Eat
Vera's. 417 22nd ave NW. 06-782-9966. Cheap and well-rounded breakfast and lunch. Open From 8am-2:30pm M-Sat 8:00am-2:00pm Sunday.
A Ballard institution. Weekend breakfast bustles with families, hipsters, and locals.</eat>
'''The Totem House''', 3058 NW 54th St, (206) 784-2300. Buy greasy but delicious fish and chips, then walk across the street and railroad tracks into the locks, and feed your extra fries to the gulls.
'''Ray's Boathouse and Ray's Cafe'''[http://www.rays.com/], on Shilshole Bay. Great views and, in the downstairs Boathouse restaurant some of the best seafood cooking in the city, priced accordingly. Upstairs, the Cafe is more casual, the food is good but not comparable to downstairs, and you can keep it to $20 a person.
'''Madame K's Pizza''', 5327 Ballard Ave NW, (206) 783-9710. Located in a building that once housed a brothel (hence the name), Madame K's offers gourmet pizzas and Italian cuisine in a semi-romantic, sexy atmosphere. Under $20. Dinner only. Open until 10 weeknights, until 11 Friday and Saturday nights, until 9 Sundays. Children are not welcome.
'''Louie's Cuisine of China''', 5100 15th Avenue NW, (206) 782-8855. Pretty standard Chinese-American fare. The locals like it though, and it's been there for many years.
'''Lockspot Cafe''', 3005 N.W. 54th St, (206) 789-4865. This is an old breakfast and (burgers, mostly) lunch spot that's mostly patronized by local workers and very popular with them.
'''La Carta de Oaxaca''', 5431 Ballard Ave NW, (206) 782-8722. Cheap and good Oaxaca-style Mexican food.
'''Matador''', 2221 NW Market St, (206) 297-2855. Somewhat pricier, more upscale Tex-Mex fare though their happy-hour bar food menu is more reasonable at $4 per plate.
'''Mike's Chili Parlor''', 1447 NW Ballard Way, (206) 782-2808. 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.
'''Patty Pan Grill''', 5402 20th Ave NW, (206) 782-1558. Features all-vegetarian Mexican fare featuring homemade roast-tomato and pepper salsa.
'''Zesto's''', 6416 15th Ave NW, (206) 783-3350. An old Seattle landmark, Zesto's has been here since the 1950s and their restaurant shows it: red naugahyde upholstered booths, an old Wurlitzer jukebox, local high school pictures and pennants on the walls, and until fairly recently they had a (working) 1957 Chevy coupe on the roof! They feature fresh fish and chips, burgers (with "beefallo" as an alternative to regular beef), fries, milkshakes and malteds in a wide variety of flavors. A good family place. You'll want to drive or take the route 15 bus as it's rather far to walk from downtown Ballard and back. Try the Triple Everything burger and curly fries, but you'll want to share it with someone. Under $15. Open 10am-10pm daily.
'''Larsen's Danish Bakery'''[http://www.larsensbakery.com/], 8000 24th Ave NW, (206) 782-8285. Famous throughout Seattle, this is ''the'' best Scandinavian-style bakery in town. Drive or ride the route 18 bus. It's worth the trip.
'''Senor Moose''', [http://www.senormoose.com] 5242 Leary Ave NW, (206) 784-5568. Authentic Mexican cooking from Mexico. Open daily Breakfast and Brunch 8 am- 3 pm, Dinner 5 pm-9 pm.
'''The People's Pub'''[http://www.peoplespub.com/] (Die Volksknelpe), 5429 Ballard Ave NW, (206) 783-6521. Hearty German and Hungarian pub grub fare. Dinner served until 10pm, pub fare until 1:30am every day, happy hour food specials. Under $20 with many items under $10.
'''Bad Albert's Tap & Grill''', 5100 Ballard Ave NW, (206) 782-9623. Cheap yet good quality pub grub: burgers, excellent fries, hot sandwiches, soups and salads.
'''The Dish''', 4358 Leary Way NW, (206) 782-9985. New American cuisine. Home of the Slacker Special: scrambled eggs or tofu, cheese, tortilla chips, enchilada sauce and sour cream served with potatoes and toast. Although you might see a line outside, it never takes long to be seated and it's worth the wait.
'''Dish Delish'''
'''Old Town'''
'''Hatties Hat'''
'''Snoose Junction Pizza'''
'''Dante's'''
Drink
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MIRO Tea. 305 Ballard Avenue. ww.mirotea.com. A contemporary Tea House with an exc eptional selection of beverages and food
Sleep
MIRO Tea. 305 Ballard Avenue. ww.mirotea.com. A contemporary Tea House with an exc eptional selection of beverages and food
Volterra. 410 Ballard Avenue. t the intersection of 22nd Street & Ballard Avenue. ww.volterra.com. Some of the best Italian Cuisine in Seattle
There are no accommodations in Ballard itself, see the main Seattle article.
Hostel Seattle. 200 Seaview Ave. n.w.. 06-706-3255. ttp://www.hostelseattle.com. International Youth Hostel accomodations.
Contact