Things to Do in Ballard, Seattle

Known for its historic Nordic heritage, with the Ballard Locks allowing boats to pass between Puget Sound and Lake Union while also providing a chance to see salmon migrating. The Sunday Ballard Farmers Market is a must for fresh local produce and artisanal goods.

Ballard LocksLandmark
Ballyhoo Curiosity ShopAntique Market
Lucca Great FindsHome Goods

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Top things to do in Ballard

Ballard Locks
★ 4.7 · 10.2k
Landmark★
Waterway with opportunities for viewing salmon during the summer & park with unusual shrubs & trees.
Every day
7 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop
★ 4.9 · 259
Antique Market
A curiosity shop offering a variety of antiques, natural specimens including bugs, bones, and taxidermy, and geological items such as fossils and polished stones.
Mon–Fri
12 PM – 7 PM
Sat
11 AM – 7 PM
Sun
11 AM – 7 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Lucca Great Finds
★ 4.7 · 134
Home Goods
Whimsical shop offers an array of gifts such as handmade paper, vintage home goods & unique curios.
Mon–Fri
11 AM – 6 PM
Sat
11 AM – 6 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Julefest
★ 4.6 · 2.3k
Museum
Open Oct–Dec
Neighborhood museum covering Scandinavian immigration, culture, art & history.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Wed
10 AM – 5 PM
Thu
10 AM – 8 PM
Fri
10 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Ballard Farmers Market
★ 4.8 · 1.9k
Market
Year-round greenmarket with 100-plus vendors for organic, handmade & locally grown foods.
Mon–Fri
Closed
Sat
Closed
Sun
9 AM – 2 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Sonic Boom Records
★ 4.7 · 651
Record Store
Music specialist for new & used vinyl, CDs & DVDs plus turntables, books & live performances.
Website ↗Map ↗
National Nordic Museum
★ 4.6 · 2.3k
Art Museum
Neighborhood museum covering Scandinavian immigration, culture, art & history.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Wed
10 AM – 5 PM
Thu
10 AM – 8 PM
Fri
10 AM – 5 PM
Sat
10 AM – 5 PM
Sun
10 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗

Where to eat & drink in Ballard

Tractor Tavern
★ 4.6 · 1.5k
Live Music· $
From roots rock to reggae to folk to country, performances vary at this down-home music club & bar.
Website ↗Map ↗
Un Bien
★ 4.8 · 2.3k
Caribbean· $10–20
Colorful shack offering Caribbean sandwiches made with roast pork & served on Macrina bread.
Website ↗Map ↗
Indian Bistro
★ 4.7 · 1.6k
Indian· $$
Reasonably priced and delicious. Friendly owner and a definite go-to for any Indian food lover.
Mon–Fri
11 AM – 1:30 AM
Sat
11 AM – 1:30 AM
Sun
11 AM – 12 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
El Moose
★ 4.6 · 1.8k
Mexican· $20–30
Modern Mexican eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a space that's especially lively on weekends.
Mon
9 AM – 9 PM
Tue–Thu
9 AM – 3 PM, 5 PM – 9 PM
Fri
9 AM – 9 PM
Sat
9 AM – 9 PM
Sun
9 AM – 3 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Old County Bar
★ 4.7 · 165
Sports Bar· $10–30
Sports bar with full bar, several beers on draft, one pool table and darts. Several televisions usually showing sports.
Mon
10 AM – 2 AM
Tue–Fri
12 PM – 2 AM
Sat
12 PM – 2 AM
Sun
12 PM – 2 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Brimmer & Heeltap
★ 4.7 · 604
Bistro· $50–100
Vibrant neighborhood pub offering inventive bistro fare in a Pacific Northwest-themed space.
Mon–Tue
Closed
Wed–Fri
4 PM – 9 PM
Sat
4 PM – 9 PM
Sun
4 PM – 9 PM
Website ↗Book ↗Map ↗
Hattie’s Hat
★ 4.4 · 1.6k
Brunch· $20–30
This longtime local cafe offers 3 meals a day plus drinks & live events in funky down-home digs.
Mon–Tue
10 AM – 12 AM
Wed–Fri
10 AM – 2 AM
Sat
9 AM – 2 AM
Sun
9 AM – 12 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
The Walrus and The Carpenter
★ 4.5 · 2.2k
Oyster Bar· $50–100
Oysters & other seafood plus American plates & specialty cocktails in a small, simple space.
Mon–Thu
4 PM – 9 PM
Fri
4 PM – 10 PM
Sat
4 PM – 10 PM
Sun
4 PM – 9 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
La Carta de Oaxaca
★ 4.4 · 1.1k
Mexican· $20–30
Oaxaca Mexican cuisine served up in a modest space with black-&-white photos on the brick walls.
Mon
Closed
Tue–Thu
11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Fri
11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Sat
11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Sun
Closed
Website ↗Map ↗