Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
Great little place to get coffee that isn't the usual Starbucks.
54 locals recommend
Ballard Beer Company
2050 NW Market StGreat little place to get coffee that isn't the usual Starbucks.
Just about the best croissants in Ballard. Family-friendly, but be prepared to wait in line.
155 locals recommend
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWJust about the best croissants in Ballard. Family-friendly, but be prepared to wait in line.
Comfortable and convivial place for conversation and yummy baked goods.
7 locals recommend
Fresh Flours Ballard
5313 Ballard Ave NWComfortable and convivial place for conversation and yummy baked goods.
Crazy delicious authentic Mexican (not Tex-Mex). Usually a long wait for dinner, but try it for lunch!
100 locals recommend
La Carta De Oaxaca
5431 Ballard Ave NWCrazy delicious authentic Mexican (not Tex-Mex). Usually a long wait for dinner, but try it for lunch!
BEST place for brunch, if you enjoy Mexican food (Tex-Mex style). Kid-friendly, but be prepared for long lines on the weekend. On the up side, the line is very chatty and friendly.
62 locals recommend
Senor Moose Cafe
5242 Leary Avenue NorthwestBEST place for brunch, if you enjoy Mexican food (Tex-Mex style). Kid-friendly, but be prepared for long lines on the weekend. On the up side, the line is very chatty and friendly.
Great breakfast, burgers, and cocktails Family-friendly, noisy and bustling on the weekends, Best part? You can see the words "EAT" in big green letters from my living room window at night. :-)
34 locals recommend
The Hi-Life
5425 Russell Ave NWGreat breakfast, burgers, and cocktails Family-friendly, noisy and bustling on the weekends, Best part? You can see the words "EAT" in big green letters from my living room window at night. :-)
Just a few blocks from the apartment. Brilliant cocktails, extremely talented bartenders. The food is served tapas-style, with unique and delicious Mediterranean flavors.
7 locals recommend
Golden Beetle
Just a few blocks from the apartment. Brilliant cocktails, extremely talented bartenders. The food is served tapas-style, with unique and delicious Mediterranean flavors.
Shopping
Walk down Old Ballard Avenue - great shops, drinking & eating establishments & live music venues. The real reason Ballard is so awesome :-).
17 locals recommend
Old Ballard
Walk down Old Ballard Avenue - great shops, drinking & eating establishments & live music venues. The real reason Ballard is so awesome :-).
Essentials
My favorite grocery store - a little upscale, a little gourmet, and it has everything you need for a nice dinner in or a nice picnic out!
149 locals recommend
Ballard Market
1400 NW 56th StMy favorite grocery store - a little upscale, a little gourmet, and it has everything you need for a nice dinner in or a nice picnic out!
Entertainment & Activities
Nice place to sit on the grass & have a picnic. Close to the library. Skate park means there's always something interesting to see.
10 locals recommend
Ballard Commons Park
5701 22nd Ave NWNice place to sit on the grass & have a picnic. Close to the library. Skate park means there's always something interesting to see.
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NHow can I not recommend this? It's the ZOO!
Voted the #4 best Farmer's Market in the whole USA! Gorgeous produce and handmade wares, plus kids, dogs, buskers and a generally festive atmosphere. Like a fair in the neighborhood every Sunday!
220 locals recommend
Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
5345 Ballard Ave NWVoted the #4 best Farmer's Market in the whole USA! Gorgeous produce and handmade wares, plus kids, dogs, buskers and a generally festive atmosphere. Like a fair in the neighborhood every Sunday!
Arts & Culture
One of the best live music venues in the city. Often has a rockabilly or acoustic bent, but lots of different & eclectic groups play here.
165 locals recommend
Tractor Tavern
5213 Ballard Ave NWOne of the best live music venues in the city. Often has a rockabilly or acoustic bent, but lots of different & eclectic groups play here.
Sightseeing
Golden Gardens - a beautiful beach right in Ballard! Watch the sailboats, dig your toes in the sand, wade in the water (brr) and don't miss the spectacular sunset!
41 locals recommend
Golden Gardens Park Road
Golden Gardens Park RoadGolden Gardens - a beautiful beach right in Ballard! Watch the sailboats, dig your toes in the sand, wade in the water (brr) and don't miss the spectacular sunset!
A short walk away, watch the boats as they move from one waterway (the Ship Canal) to another (Puget Sound) via the Locks. Don't miss the Salmon Ladder and the Botanical Gardens in the same area.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StA short walk away, watch the boats as they move from one waterway (the Ship Canal) to another (Puget Sound) via the Locks. Don't miss the Salmon Ladder and the Botanical Gardens in the same area.
Just outside the 'hood towards downtown. Lots of interactive exhibits and the IMAX Theatre. Located in the Seattle Center, a cultural hub for theatre & dance, plus the International Fountain.
271 locals recommend
Pacific Science Center
200 2nd Ave NJust outside the 'hood towards downtown. Lots of interactive exhibits and the IMAX Theatre. Located in the Seattle Center, a cultural hub for theatre & dance, plus the International Fountain.
Drinks & Nightlife
Fabulous selection of Scotches & whiskeys...what's not to like?
19 locals recommend
Macleod’s Scottish Pub
5200 Ballard Ave NWFabulous selection of Scotches & whiskeys...what's not to like?