Located in the north-west of Seattle, Ballard is a historic Scandinavian neighbourhood along the edge of Shilshole Bay in Puget Sound. It is wedged between the suburbs of Crown Hill, Greenwood, Phinney Ridge and Fremont, as well as the Lake Washington Ship Canal which stretches to the south-east.
While Ballard is largely a residential area, it is home to the popular Hiram M Chittenden Locks, allowing boats to pass from the saltwater of Puget Sound through the Lake Washington Ship Canal to freshwater Lake Union. Visitors can witness the annual salmon migration from its viewing gallery and there’s a small botanical garden located alongside. The Nordic Heritage Museum recognises Ballard’s international roots, documenting the cultural history of Scandinavian immigration to Seattle, while the Ballard Seafood Festival celebrates its cultural heritage with parades, a salmon barbeque and a traditional Scandinavian lutefisk-eating competition. The district’s western coast is occupied by Shilshole Bay Marina and Golden Gardens Park, home to walking trails and a beach with beautiful views across Puget Sound, or head to picturesque Greenlake Park to the east which is a popular place to swim. A Farmers Market takes place on historic Ballard Avenue and is a great place to pick up locally-made crafts and seasonal produce.
Ballard is connected to Downtown Seattle along numerous different public bus routes, with its compact size meaning it can easily be negotiated on foot. The Burke-Gilman Trail hugs the waterfront to Ballard’s west and south, providing a popular cycling route that passes through the district’s historic lock area.
The Shilshole Native American tribe were the indigenous inhabitants of the lands surrounding Shilshole Bay, prior to European settlement in 1853. It wasn’t until the late 19th century with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway that industry began flourishing in Ballard, with lumber and shingle mills established, together with residential dwellings for their workers.