Ballard

Explore

Enjoy the expansive beach, forest trails, and wildlife spotting at Golden Gardens Park. Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s reclaimed wood troll sculpture, Frankie Feetsplinters, welcomes you into the contrastingly sleek and modern National Nordic Museum, which digs into the deep connections between Scandinavia and the Pacific Northwest. Stroll the Ballard Locks to watch boats on their way between fresh and salt waters, then admire the 7-acre Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden. In July, check out the annual Ballard Music and Seafood Fest.

Eat and Drink

Start with seasonal breakfasts at Cardoon or shakshuka and Turkish eggs at Mediterranean Sabine Café and Bar. On Sunday mornings, sour-beer specialists Urban Family Brewing host 9th and Hennepin at the coffee bar, serving pillowy, crispy doughnuts straight from the fryer. For lunch, dinner, or in between, there’s the always-excellent wood-fired pizza at Serious Pie; soak in panoramic views at classic seafood house Ray’s. Check out Lebanese-Mexican Situ Tacos or deliciously juicy Caribbean slow-roasted and marinated pork sandwiches from Un Bien. Staple & Fancy serves simple and seasonal Pacific Northwest dishes. Cloudy Cafe offers French-style baked goods spiked with Indonesian flavors. Catch all the women’s sports over a drink and elevated comfort food at Rough & Tumble.

Shop

Smål Market spotlights local makers; at Mox Boarding House, browse, purchase, or play hundreds of games in the café and bar. Woodland Mod stocks artful lifestyle goods from Japanese and Scandinavian designers. Find minimalist jewelry designs at Baleen and maximalist weird treasures at Ballyhoo Curiosity Shop. Fashionable folks head to Horseshoe, where you can also enlist a personal stylist, while outdoor enthusiasts gear up at the flagship KAVU Ballard.