Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
Old Ballard (located primarily on Ballard Ave) is a lively area full of great restaurants with tons of outdoor seating. Checking it out at night is a must-do during your stay.
One of the best places to get oysters anywhere. Modern/light northwest cuisine that is heavy on fish options.
Really special and fun space, they don't take reservations but if they are busy you can put your name in and get a drink at one of the million bars in the area while you wait.
This place is a must.
246 locals raden deze aan
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWOne of the best places to get oysters anywhere. Modern/light northwest cuisine that is heavy on fish options.
Really special and fun space, they don't take reservations but if they are busy you can put your name in and get a drink at one of the million bars in the area while you wait.
This place is a must.
Popular Pizzeria with really good italian style pizza. There can be a wait, but it's worth it and you can get a fancy cocktail next door at Essex.
123 locals raden deze aan
Delancey
1415 NW 70th StPopular Pizzeria with really good italian style pizza. There can be a wait, but it's worth it and you can get a fancy cocktail next door at Essex.
Great breakfast spot and old school dive bar up front.
45 locals raden deze aan
Hattie's Hat Restaurant
5231 Ballard Ave NWGreat breakfast spot and old school dive bar up front.
One of the best bakeries I've ever been to. Classic french style. There will be a line - you should wait in it. Definitely try their cardomom twists and croissants with jam. Their Quiche is amazing too.
155 locals raden deze aan
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWOne of the best bakeries I've ever been to. Classic french style. There will be a line - you should wait in it. Definitely try their cardomom twists and croissants with jam. Their Quiche is amazing too.
Great Mexican steak house. Expect a wait (you can get a drink in a nearby bar) -- but it's 100% worth it. Reasonable and very tasty.
40 locals raden deze aan
Asadero Ballard
5405 Leary Ave NWGreat Mexican steak house. Expect a wait (you can get a drink in a nearby bar) -- but it's 100% worth it. Reasonable and very tasty.
Great place for coffee/pastries/or lunch. Nicely designed with a huge outdoor area for seating.
16 locals raden deze aan
Sabine Café Bar & Market
5307 Ballard Avenue NorthwestGreat place for coffee/pastries/or lunch. Nicely designed with a huge outdoor area for seating.
Drinks & Nightlife
The Sunset Tavern
5433 Ballard Avenue NorthwestGreat smaller music venue.
Great music venue known as one of the birthplaces of "Alt Country."
165 locals raden deze aan
Tractor Tavern
5213 Ballard Ave NWGreat music venue known as one of the birthplaces of "Alt Country."
Classic Ballard dive bar. Go get a strong drink and talk to some locals. Really lively on the weekends in particular.
8 locals raden deze aan
Ballard Smoke Shop
5439 Ballard Ave NWClassic Ballard dive bar. Go get a strong drink and talk to some locals. Really lively on the weekends in particular.
Larger brewery with great beer and great outdoor space. Rotating food truck outside for snacks.
110 locals raden deze aan
Stoup Brewing
1108 NW 52nd StLarger brewery with great beer and great outdoor space. Rotating food truck outside for snacks.
Great brewery with a huge outdoor space out back. Vegan food truck in residence.
58 locals raden deze aan
Peddler Brewing Company
1514 NW Leary WayGreat brewery with a huge outdoor space out back. Vegan food truck in residence.
Parks & Nature
Great park and beach -- people have bonfires here in the summer -- always super active.
Seattle music fun fact: This is where the video for "I'm going hungry" was filmed.
728 locals raden deze aan
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWGreat park and beach -- people have bonfires here in the summer -- always super active.
Seattle music fun fact: This is where the video for "I'm going hungry" was filmed.
This park is about a 45 minute round trip walk from the house through the neighborhood. Great views of the water and the boats at Shilshole marina and you can listen for the Sea Lions who flock to the locks for easy pickings and are regularly exported to elsewhere so they don't eat all the salmon.
83 locals raden deze aan
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NWThis park is about a 45 minute round trip walk from the house through the neighborhood. Great views of the water and the boats at Shilshole marina and you can listen for the Sea Lions who flock to the locks for easy pickings and are regularly exported to elsewhere so they don't eat all the salmon.
Great large NW park with trails and a great beach. Typically less crowded than Golden Gardens.
251 locals raden deze aan
Carkeek Park
950 NW Carkeek Park RdGreat large NW park with trails and a great beach. Typically less crowded than Golden Gardens.
Sightseeing
The Ballard locks are a scenic park and great to see any time of the year, but when the salmon are running (generally spring, but check their website) they have a great fish ladder you can watch them make their way up. Definitely worth checking out.
774 locals raden deze aan
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Sluizen
3015 NW 54th StThe Ballard locks are a scenic park and great to see any time of the year, but when the salmon are running (generally spring, but check their website) they have a great fish ladder you can watch them make their way up. Definitely worth checking out.
Trail runs from Ballard up to Kenmore and mostly hugs the water. Runs right by Gasworks Park and several breweries. A great day excursion (and they are many on demand rental bike options available from Ofo/Lime/Spin.)
233 locals raden deze aan
Burke Gilman Trail
Burke-Gilman TrailTrail runs from Ballard up to Kenmore and mostly hugs the water. Runs right by Gasworks Park and several breweries. A great day excursion (and they are many on demand rental bike options available from Ofo/Lime/Spin.)
Arts & Culture
National Nordic Museum
2655 NW Market StBrand new fancy museum in Ballard.
The largest art museum in Seattle is just a short bus ride away.
1072 locals raden deze aan
Seattle Selfie Museum
92 Union StThe largest art museum in Seattle is just a short bus ride away.
Essentials
Ballard Market
1400 NW 56th StThe best grocery store in Ballard. Great produce.