Welcome to Ballard
Hip waterfront enclave brimming with fun activities
Located northwest of Seattle, Ballard is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Seattle. Offering a feel of quintessential West Coast culture, this historic community offers top-tier urban conveniences alongside ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. In its early days, Ballard thrived in various industries, notably fishing, lumber, and shipbuilding.
With a cluster of restaurants, chic shops, microbreweries, and art galleries spread across its historic main street, Ballard boasts a highly walkable destination with the basic necessities of day-to-day life at arm’s reach. Easy access to excellent local schools and several lush parks have increasingly popularized the neighborhood with families, couples, and young professionals seeking abode amid its wealth of beautiful architectural offerings, from Tudor-style homes to single-family craftsman and Queen Anne-style homes.
What to Love
- Robust food scene
- Vibrant nightlife
- Reputable schools
- A quick hop to downtown
- Incredibly walkable
Local Lifestyle
Ballard is a booming urban paradise surrounded by water and the Olympic Mountains. Boasting ample outdoor space with evergreen landscapes, over 200 restaurants, shops, and trendy businesses, there are plenty of opportunities for recreation, dining, and wholesome shopping here. It is one of Seattle’s hottest real estate markets, new homes, apartments, and condos rising due to the increase in population, yet there are enough fantastic amenities to let each resident live a high-quality lifestyle.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Enjoy the taste of Mediterranean meals served with trendy cocktails at the intimate Stoneburner, offering guests a menu of grilled octopus smeared with sauce, rigatoni, and breakfast eggs. Small plates rule the roost at Sawyer, a rustic eatery plus bar offering New American comfort cuisine with an option to enjoy your meal on a scenic patio. Go for their hearty cinnamon roll monkey bread or experience the divine taste of their spicy tuna crudo with a refreshing cocktail. Craving homemade Italian dishes in a charming, historical setting? No place beats San Fermo. Head down to Hot Cakes for yummy desserts, molten chocolate, caramel sauces, and creme brulee. The rustic-chic outfit of the shop will make you feel at home as each bite of molten cake melts on your tongue.
Craft beer lovers would love a stop at the bustling Stoup Brewing with its outdoor beer garden and whimsical murals or perhaps, Urban Family Brewing, where the menu features everything from mimosa to Irish coffee, New England IPA, sour beers, and even juice. Relish inventive bistro fare at Brimmer and Heeltap, and take your family out for a grand seafood feast on the dockside at Ray’s Boathouse.
Things to Do
Come stand on any side of the platform at Ballard Locks and watch boats of various shapes and sizes get loaded into the locks to move across the canal. If you’re looking for more excitement, you can pick Salmon season for this, and just cross over to find the salmon ladder on the other side of the locks, from where you can spot iridescent salmon splashing in and out of water. Be sure to bring your kids along!
Kick back on a sandy beach at Golden Gardens Park — one of Seattle’s favorites, offering miles of trails to catch stunning views of the water, forest, and mountains. There are fire pits, fishing areas, and even a boat launch for your spontaneous adventure into the sunset. With Ballard’s remarkable maritime heritage, it’s no surprise that Seafoodfest is a major hit with residents! July brings the food trucks flocking in with drool-inducing seafood menus and a Beerfest Beer Garden to sip the bounties of locally crafted brew while enjoying plates of barbecued salmon. Other festivals include the Fishermen's Fall Festival, Yulefest, and Viking Days.
Schools
Ballard is home to some of Washington’s highly-rated schools, both public and private. Top educational opportunities include: