The area we refer to as Ballard is bounded on the north by NW 85^th Street and the east by 8^th Avenue NW, and to the south and west are Salmon and Shilshole bays.

This area includes several residential neighborhoods as well as commercial districts. Busy 15^th Avenue NW is mostly lined with small businesses and chain restaurants while popular Market Street and Ballard Avenue are better known for galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and pubs.

The map to the left shows the location of the Ballard Neighborhood in Seattle. Ballard is shown in RED. The downtown area is to the right of the “Elliot Bay” letters.

Click here – To see a street map of Ballard. This is a large file over 200K. It will load slowly on dial-up.

History

Ballard, rich in Scandinavian heritage, has a unique history. It was first settled in 1852 but didn’t really begin to grow until a flood of immigrants came escaping famine in Scandinavia. These immigrants provided skilled workers for the lumber and shingle mills as well as the fishing fleets. The growing community incorporated in 1890, annexing to Seattle in 1906 for access to water and other basic services. The community maintained its distinctive culture and still celebrates its heritage with Norwegian Day and other local activities.

Recommended Attractions

Museums
Nordic Heritage Museum 3014 NW 67th Street Seattle, WA 98107 phone: (206)789-5707 www.nordicmuseum.com Housed in a 1907 red brick school, the Nordic Heritage museum highlights the contributions of immigrants from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden to the Pacific Northwest. To learn more, visit the Nordic Heritage Museum.
Parks
Golden Gardens Park Golden Gardens Park 8498 Seaview Pl. NW Seattle, WA 98107 General Parks Information: 206-684-4075 Visit the park website. This park offers beautiful views and sandy beaches a rugged coastline, hikes through the forest, fishing from a pier, off-leash dog area, and a boat launch.	Ballard Farmer’s Market They close Ballard Avenue on Sundays from spring through harvest for the Ballard Farmer’s Market. This is a great place to get the freshest produce or local art and craft items.
Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Garden Hiram M. Chittenden Locks Visitors Center 3015 NW 54th St. Seattle, WA 98107 phone: (206) 783-7059 visit the website This garden located by the locks is a tribute to the devotion of Carl S. English, Jr. who worked for the Corps of Engineers for over 40 years and transformed the empty lawn left from constructing the Locks into a beautiful botanical garden. The garden features over 500 species of trees, plants and shrubs from around the world as well as those native to the Pacific Northwest.	The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) Visitors Center 3015 NW 54th St. Seattle, WA 98107 phone: (206) 783-7059 Visit their web site. This is one of the most popular sites along the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The locks, an amazing engineering feat, allow vessels to pass from Lake Washington’s fresh water into the salt water of Puget Sound. On site are two navigational locks, a dam and spillway, a fish ladder which frequently attracts sea lions and harbor seals, and the Carl S English, Jr. Botanical Garden. The visitor center offers free guided tours from March 1 through November 30. Call the Visitor Center for tour times and additional information.
Visitor Information
Ballard Chamber of Commerce 2208 NW Market Street #100 Ballard, WA 98107 206-784-9705 http://www.ballardchamber.com

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