Guidebook for Seattle
Food Scene
A Seattle favorite! Some may argue the best bakery in Seattle! Try the seasonal fruit danish...so delicious! This place gets packed so go early to wait in line. An easy 5 min stroll away.
155 locals recommend
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWA Seattle favorite! Some may argue the best bakery in Seattle! Try the seasonal fruit danish...so delicious! This place gets packed so go early to wait in line. An easy 5 min stroll away.
2-3 blocks walk. Waffles and sandwiches are fabulous! Adorable cafe perfect for the whole family to enjoy! Highly recommend!
Salt and Sugar Cafe and Bakery
5615 24th Ave NW2-3 blocks walk. Waffles and sandwiches are fabulous! Adorable cafe perfect for the whole family to enjoy! Highly recommend!
Fantastic oyster bar! Won James Beard award in 2016. Beautiful space. Quintessential Seattle restaurant- a must try!
246 locals recommend
The Walrus and the Carpenter
4743 Ballard Ave NWFantastic oyster bar! Won James Beard award in 2016. Beautiful space. Quintessential Seattle restaurant- a must try!
Charming, semi-kid friendly french restaurant. A darling place with great food - in the middle of bustling Ballard’s historic downtown.
84 locals recommend
Bastille Cafe & Bar
5307 Ballard Ave NWCharming, semi-kid friendly french restaurant. A darling place with great food - in the middle of bustling Ballard’s historic downtown.
Easy and delicious Korean American take out. A block away- can’t get easier than that! I recommend the Kim chi fries!
15 locals recommend
Kimchi House
5809 24th Ave NWEasy and delicious Korean American take out. A block away- can’t get easier than that! I recommend the Kim chi fries!
One of the oldest restaurants in Seattle with one of the best views of the water! Great for families and a romantic night out. For a more casual dining option but equally great food and views, try Ray's cafe on the 2nd floor.
188 locals recommend
Ray's Boathouse
6049 Seaview Ave NWOne of the oldest restaurants in Seattle with one of the best views of the water! Great for families and a romantic night out. For a more casual dining option but equally great food and views, try Ray's cafe on the 2nd floor.
Only 1 block away next to Cafe Besalu. Grab your pastry then hop over to Java Bean for some coffee where the locals hang!
27 locals recommend
Venture Coffee Co
5819 24th Ave NWOnly 1 block away next to Cafe Besalu. Grab your pastry then hop over to Java Bean for some coffee where the locals hang!
Great work space and luxurious place to lounge or meet friends. Coffee is top notch quality and a must experience in Seattle! Located in the heart of Ballard’s historic district
89 locals recommend
Caffe Umbria
1201 Westlake Ave N Great work space and luxurious place to lounge or meet friends. Coffee is top notch quality and a must experience in Seattle! Located in the heart of Ballard’s historic district
Handmade, deliciously interesting ice cream! This popular ice cream shop should not be missed! Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. New and unique flavors are featured every month. Due to its popularity, lines could get long during peak hours (weekends and weeknights). You can take home pints instead - no need to stand in line when purchasing pints.
95 locals recommend
Salt & Straw
714 East Pike StreetHandmade, deliciously interesting ice cream! This popular ice cream shop should not be missed! Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. New and unique flavors are featured every month. Due to its popularity, lines could get long during peak hours (weekends and weeknights). You can take home pints instead - no need to stand in line when purchasing pints.
Rustic-chic sweet shop for homemade molten cakes, caramel sauces, creative cookies & sandwiches. Our personal favorite - Smoked and Chocolate Whiskey cake!
98 locals recommend
Hot Cakes - Molten Chocolate Cakery
5427 Ballard Ave NWRustic-chic sweet shop for homemade molten cakes, caramel sauces, creative cookies & sandwiches. Our personal favorite - Smoked and Chocolate Whiskey cake!
Or go to Pho restuarant - fast, cheap and consistently good. Always hits the spot on a cold, rainy day.
12 locals recommend
Pho Big Bowl
2248 NW Market StOr go to Pho restuarant - fast, cheap and consistently good. Always hits the spot on a cold, rainy day.
An Ethan Stowell restaurant. Italian inspired. Try the chef's tasting menu - you can't go wrong!
59 locals recommend
Staple & Fancy
4739 Ballard Ave NWAn Ethan Stowell restaurant. Italian inspired. Try the chef's tasting menu - you can't go wrong!
Enjoy a great cup of coffee while people watching from this neighborhood coffee shop.
54 locals recommend
Ballard Beer Company
2050 NW Market StEnjoy a great cup of coffee while people watching from this neighborhood coffee shop.
Family friendly, casual dining. Wide variety of menu items - there's something for everyone in your group. Check out their happy hour menu - great food and value!
34 locals recommend
The Hi-Life
5425 Russell Ave NWFamily friendly, casual dining. Wide variety of menu items - there's something for everyone in your group. Check out their happy hour menu - great food and value!
Not your usual Thai restaurant. They specialize in Isan Thai cuisine. The larb and kao soi are delicious!
51 locals recommend
Pestle Rock
2305 NW Market StNot your usual Thai restaurant. They specialize in Isan Thai cuisine. The larb and kao soi are delicious!
Sushi Bar/Japanese food. Check out their happy hour menu. Happy hour every day until 7 pm.
38 locals recommend
Billy Beach Sushi & Bar
5463 Leary Ave NWSushi Bar/Japanese food. Check out their happy hour menu. Happy hour every day until 7 pm.
Asadero Ballard
5405 Leary Ave NWMexican steakhouse for all the meat lovers out there!
Another Ethan Stowell favorite. Get the fried chicken and biscuits - you won't regret it!
9 locals recommend
Bramling Cross
5205 Ballard Avenue NorthwestAnother Ethan Stowell favorite. Get the fried chicken and biscuits - you won't regret it!
Pink Bee
2010 NW 56th StGreat place for Thai takeout. Generous portions, authentic flavors!
Unique take on burgers. You must try the nori fries and wagyu sliders!
25 locals recommend
Katsu Burger
6538 4th Ave SUnique take on burgers. You must try the nori fries and wagyu sliders!
Yummy cupcakes for adults and kiddos. They also have a good selection of ice cream.
163 locals recommend
Cupcake Royale
1111 E Pike StYummy cupcakes for adults and kiddos. They also have a good selection of ice cream.
El Borracho Ballard
5465 Leary Ave NWMexican food, great margaritas!
La Isla
2320 NW Market StLatin American/Puerto Rican cuisine. Try the mofongo con pernil!
Sightseeing
Located on the north shore of Lake Union, the park has excellent water views and a spectacular, unobstructed view of the city skyline. It is a popular spot for concerts.
22 locals recommend
Gasworks Park Marina
2143 N Northlake WayLocated on the north shore of Lake Union, the park has excellent water views and a spectacular, unobstructed view of the city skyline. It is a popular spot for concerts.
The Ballard Locks is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions, especially during the sunny months. The grounds also feature a fish ladder and the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden — one of the most beautiful park settings in Seattle.
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StThe Ballard Locks is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions, especially during the sunny months. The grounds also feature a fish ladder and the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden — one of the most beautiful park settings in Seattle.
The famous Pike Place Market! Experience the best Seattle has to offer - fresh fruits, fresh flowers, first Starbucks, views of the water. Enjoy!
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveThe famous Pike Place Market! Experience the best Seattle has to offer - fresh fruits, fresh flowers, first Starbucks, views of the water. Enjoy!
Space Needle
400 Broad StVisit the iconic and newly renovated Space Needle!
Admire and experience Chihuly's blown glass masterpieces!
723 locals recommend
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StAdmire and experience Chihuly's blown glass masterpieces!
There's always something going on at the Seattle Center! There's also an amazing playground for kids!
362 locals recommend
Seattle Center
305 Harrison StThere's always something going on at the Seattle Center! There's also an amazing playground for kids!
The Museum of Pop Culture is a leading-edge nonprofit museum, dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture.
674 locals recommend
Museum of Pop Culture
325 5th Ave NThe Museum of Pop Culture is a leading-edge nonprofit museum, dedicated to the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary popular culture.
Keep the kiddos happy and occupied at the Seattle Children's Museum!
51 locals recommend
Seattle Children's Theatre
201 Thomas StKeep the kiddos happy and occupied at the Seattle Children's Museum!
Parks & Nature
A gorgeous view of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle & the water. This is definitely a place to start snapping away! Plus a great historical neighborhood to explore too! Located in neighborhood of Queen Anne
881 locals recommend
Kerry Park
211 W Highland DrA gorgeous view of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle & the water. This is definitely a place to start snapping away! Plus a great historical neighborhood to explore too! Located in neighborhood of Queen Anne
The sunsets are amazing! Beautiful beach with a fantastic playground for the kiddos with an extensive climbing structure.
728 locals recommend
Golden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NWThe sunsets are amazing! Beautiful beach with a fantastic playground for the kiddos with an extensive climbing structure.
Amazing zoo right in the middle of the city! A short uber/lyft ride away.
625 locals recommend
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NAmazing zoo right in the middle of the city! A short uber/lyft ride away.
Shopping
A 10 minute walk to the heart of Ballard’s historic downtown area where you can experience fresh produce and flowers, live music, local artisans shops and people browsing with the cutest pet dogs! This is a must experience when coming to Ballard!
220 locals recommend
Ballard Sunday Farmers Market
5345 Ballard Ave NWA 10 minute walk to the heart of Ballard’s historic downtown area where you can experience fresh produce and flowers, live music, local artisans shops and people browsing with the cutest pet dogs! This is a must experience when coming to Ballard!
Essentials
0.1 miles away they give you a heart rate monitor that shows on several TV monitors so you can maximize your HIIT workout” --yelp review
FIT36 - Ballard
5603 24th Ave NW0.1 miles away they give you a heart rate monitor that shows on several TV monitors so you can maximize your HIIT workout” --yelp review
QFC is the closest grocery store, only 1 block away from our townhouse! There is a Starbucks inside as well.
165 locals recommend
QFC
11100 Roosevelt Way NEQFC is the closest grocery store, only 1 block away from our townhouse! There is a Starbucks inside as well.
Bartell Drugs
6401 12th Ave NELocally owned drugstore/pharmacy
Drinks & Nightlife
“The BEST herbalicious cocktails EVER, attentive servers, good eats.” --yelp review
67 locals recommend
Percy's & Co. Seattle
5233 Ballard Ave NW“The BEST herbalicious cocktails EVER, attentive servers, good eats.” --yelp review
King's Hardware
5225 Ballard Ave NWAlcoholic drinks and Skee-Ball! So fun and such a unique space!
Tractor Tavern
5213 Ballard Ave NWLively music spot in the middle of it all in Ballard
Daily live music, great beer - awesome hang out spot!
22 locals recommend
Lagunitas Brewing Company TapRoom & Beer Sanctuary
1550 NW 49th StDaily live music, great beer - awesome hang out spot!
Great selection of beers. They also have a nice outdoor patio. They usually have food trucks onsite.
115 locals recommend
Reuben's Brews
5010 14th Ave NWGreat selection of beers. They also have a nice outdoor patio. They usually have food trucks onsite.
Like a coffee shop, but for beer. Nice selection of beers, great for big groups looking for a spot to get together and hangout.
54 locals recommend
Ballard Beer Company
2050 NW Market StLike a coffee shop, but for beer. Nice selection of beers, great for big groups looking for a spot to get together and hangout.
Super charming spot for a glass of wine with friends!
20 locals recommend
Little Tin Goods & Apothecary Cabinet
5335 Ballard Ave NWSuper charming spot for a glass of wine with friends!
Limited seating, always busy but there's a reason - great tapas and sangrias!! Fun fact - Anthony Bourdain filmed his Seattle episode at Ocho.
62 locals recommend
Ocho
2325 NW Market StLimited seating, always busy but there's a reason - great tapas and sangrias!! Fun fact - Anthony Bourdain filmed his Seattle episode at Ocho.
Entertainment & Activities
Small but cute Movie Theater walking distance from our townhouse!
96 locals recommend
Majestic Bay Theatres
2044 NW Market StSmall but cute Movie Theater walking distance from our townhouse!