I know my way around the best things to do in Ballard Seattle given that I’ve lived here for over a decade. If you’re not familiar, Ballard is about 15 minutes north of downtown. It’s location minimizes tourist traffic while still feeling close to the city hustle.
Ballard also has the privilege of water access, which means you’ll find a lot of parks, beaches, and restaurants overlooking the docks. It’s these docks that first drew Nordic immigrants to the area, and their culture is kept alive with museums, architecture, and Nordic-inspired restaurants.
Locals and travelers alike visit Ballard for its thriving shopping scene, restaurants, bars, and breweries. Since there is so much to do in Ballard, I’m going to break down all of the best Ballard activities.
Things to do in Ballard Seattle
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’m always adding to this list as I uncover more of the top must-do Ballard activities!
Visit the Ballard Farmers Market
website | get directions | best for: local produce & foraged goods
There are enough Seattle farmers markets that you could visit a new one every day of the week. If you happen to be in the area on Sunday from 9 AM – 2 PM, visit the Ballard Farmers Market. It’s Seattle’s first year-round farmers market and has over 100 vendors ranging from wineries to produce, foraged mushrooms, locally canned tuna, and pastries.
Eat at all the best restaurants
I take pride in Ballard’s food scene, so much so that I even wrote a self-guided food tour of Ballard with 8 of my favorite Ballard restaurants plus numerous worthy mentions. I update it all the time to include new spots and tips on when to visit and what to order.
Whether you’re after a quick lunch in Ballard or you want something fancier, here are some of my favorites.
Delancey
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: pizza
I’ve been frequenting Delancey since I first moved to Seattle, and it remains one of my favorite pizza places in the city. They make Brooklyn-style pies reminiscent of the ones I grew up with on the east coast. They’re wood fired which gives the crust a subtle char, and their long fermented sourdough adds that essential tang factor.
Spice Waala
website | get directions | price: $ | best for: Indian street food
Spice Waala is one of the best lunch spots in Seattle that’s actually doing Indian street food justice. They make kathi rolls with chicken, lamb, paneer, or potato, which are perfectly seasoned and satisfying. They also low key have some of the best soft serve ice cream.
Un Bien
website | get directions | price: $ | best for: Caribbean sandwiches
Un Bien is owned by the ex-owners of Paseo, another equally delicious Caribbean spot in Fremont. Still, I think Un Bien wins by a hair with their Caribbean roast sandwiches that are flavorful, overstuffed, and expertly seasoned.
Pro tip: They have some picnic benches, but if you go to their location near Golden Gardens take your sandwich to Point Shilshole Beach across the street for pretty views.
Secret Congee
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: hearty soup
Restaurants focused just on congee is a rarity in Seattle, which is interesting since there are plenty of Chinese restaurants in the city. If you’re unfamiliar, congee is a savory rice porridge served in a broth with protein. Secret Congee’s version is the best I’ve had. The soup is layered with umami flavor, and the various creative mix-ins melt in your mouth. It’s some of my favorite soup in Seattle!
Stoneburner
website | get directions | price: $$$ | best for: Italian
Stoneburner is the place to go for handmade pasta in Ballard. They were one of the first places I included in my self-guided Ballard food tour, most notably for their bountiful portions of tender noodles and impressive salads. They also make a mean steak tartare!
Pro tip: If you’re visiting Ballard, Stoneburner is located inside Hotel Ballard and offers room service!
Copine
website | get directions | price: $$$$ | best for: fine dining
Copine is one of the best fine dining restaurant in Seattle and definitely worth the splurge. They focus on locally sourced ingredients served as a 3-course pre-fixed menu for ~$140 pp, served alongside a curated wine and cocktail list.
Walk around the shops
Ballard is one of my favorite shopping neighborhoods in Seattle. There’s a proper mix of stores selling kitchenwares, local gifts, and vintage clothes, with none of the kitschy shops you find downtown. Here are some of my favorites.
Annie’s Art & Frame
website | get directions | best for: local art and custom frames
Whenever I get a new piece of art, I always go to Annie’s for a custom frame. It’s also one of my favorite gift shops in Seattle for unique prints and one-of-a-kind posters I can surprise my family with over the holidays.
Prism
website | get directions | best for: modern clothes & gifts
Prism is a hip boutique shop with his and her clothing lining the exterior of the store, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find an array of custom jewelry, ceramics, crystals, and homeware.
re-souL
website | get directions | best for: funky shoes
Re-souL is the place to go if you want shoes no one else has. They’re importing smaller brands from Europe and have everything from clunky heels to mary janes and sneakers, plus a small selection of clothing and rainwear.
Bask in the sun at Golden Gardens
website | get directions | best for: beach
Golden Gardens may technically be in Sunset Hill, but it’s close enough (and pretty enough) that it deserves a mention on this list of the best things to do in Ballard Seattle. It has miles of rugged coastline and offers one of the best views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains, easily catapulting it to the list of best Seattle parks.
Check out the Ballard Locks
website | get directions | best for: salmon run
The Ballard Locks are a great family-friendly destination. If you visit between May and September, you can watch the salmon head towards the Pacific Ocean. If you visit any other time of year, you can explore the botanical gardens or watch the ships come in.
Bike the Burke-Gilman Trail
website | get directions | best for: paved bike path
Formerly a railway, the Burke-Gilman Trail has since been converted into a paved walking and biking trail. It runs approximately 20 miles from Golden Gardens Park along the Sound to Blythe Park, where it winds around Lake Washington before ending in Woodinville. Expect a smooth, paved, albeit busy path.
Sip your way around the breweries
If I had to pick one thing that sets Ballard apart from other Seattle neighborhoods, it’s the brewery scene. There are nearly two dozen in the neighborhood, and most congregate within a one-mile radius of Ballard’s Brewery District. That makes going on a brewery crawl on of the best things to do in Ballard Seattle!
Check out my guide to planning a Ballard brewery tour. In the meantime, here are some favorites.
Fair Isle Brewing
website | get directions | best for: mixed-culture saisons
Fair Isle is a unique brewery in that they only make farmhouse ales, specifically saisons. They’re made with native yeasts and wild ferments, giving each beer a unique “funk” and sourness that ranges from subtle to puckering.
Cloudburst Brewing
website | get directions | best for: IPAs
Cloudburst used to be a tiny taproom in Pike Place, but they’ve gained a following and now have a spot down the street from the Ballard Farmers Market. They specialize in refreshing IPAs and other ales, and their permanent food truck, Dump Truck, serves some of the best food trucks in Seattle.
Obec
website | get directions | best for: malty beers
Obec is one of the smaller breweries in Ballard’s Brewery District. They’re around the corner from the cult breweries Reueben’s and Great Notion, but I prefer Obec for their laidback vibe and diverse tap list. They also have a massive outdoor seating area and newly renovated event space.
Check out the bar scene
As the sun sets, Ballard comes alive with cocktail bars boasting creative drinks in a cool, hip ambiance. Here are some of the best bars in Ballard.
Bar Sabine
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: creative cocktails
Sabine is part Middle Eastern-inspired cafe, part cocktail bar. They used to have a speakeasy-type bar in the back called Bar Sabine, but they’ve since turned it into a private event space and moved their cocktail program up front to the cafe. Now, they’re serving classic brunch and espresso by day, and by night, they’re making mezze-style small plates alongside a funky cocktail menu.
Rupee Bar
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: Sri Lankan food & bar
Rupee Bar is one of the cutest restaurants in Seattle, with a sleek Sri Lankan aesthetic and food menu paired alongside a fun cocktail menu that highlights South Asian ingredients like curry leaves, tamarind, and fenugreek.
Percy’s & Co.
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: southern comfort food & cocktails
Percy’s is one of my go-to spots in Seattle when I’m meeting a large group and need good grub and good drinks. Their food menu is elevated southern comfort, and their cocktail menu is lengthy and fun, with house-infused spirits and a mix of house and specialty drinks.
King’s Hardware
website | get directions | price: $ | best for: dive bar vibes
On the nights when a “Damn Good Margarita Pitcher” is calling your name, head to King’s Hardware. They’re a classic pub serving burgers and fries in a dimly lit, brick-lined pub with bar games and taxidermy lining the walls. But don’t let the grunge fool you; their cocktails (and burgers) are legit.
Rough & Tumble
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: women’s sports
This is one of the only bars in Seattle dedicated solely to women’s sports. Come to catch a game, trivia, and good beers.
Hazelwood
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: chef spotting
If you’re looking for the most low-key cocktail bar in Ballard, Hazelwood is it. This spot is a popular spot for chefs to hang after work. It’s unpretentious, but they’re making seriously good cocktails.
Baker’s
website | get directions | price: $$ | best for: craft cocktails & small plates
While technically in Sunset Hill, Baker’s deserves a mention for their thorough wine list, aperitifs, and well-executed classic cocktails. They’re a legit pocket bar serving some of the best small plates in town, making them a true Seattle hidden gem.
Explore the Nordic Museum
website | get directions | price: ~$20pp | best for: Nordic history
Ballard was founded by Nordic immigrants, and they’ve kept the culture alive through the National Nordic Museum. The exhibits showcase the lives of Ballard’s first settlers alongside authentic Viking artifacts and artistic photography. It’s one of the free museums in Seattle on the first Thursday of the month, though reservations are required in advance.
Go vintage shopping
I’ve been thrifting in Seattle since I got here, and I’ve been lucky enough to see the vintage scene explode in Ballard. Here are some of the best vintage clothing shops I’ve found to date.
Lucky Vintage
website | get directions | best for: upscale vintage
Lucky Vintage has two locations, one in the U-District and one in Ballard. I like that they don’t jam as much as possible onto their racks, which I think invites chaos. Instead, it’s a well-curated collection of clothing including vintage wedding dresses, accessories, and elaborate kimonos.
Editor Consignment
website | get directions | best for: high-taste women’s clothing
Editor began as a pop-up in the Fremont Sunday Market before gaining enough steam to open their shop in Ballard. They do consignment and offer a wide array of more modern pieces and accessories, all of which are surprisingly affordable.
Ballard Consignment
website | get directions | best for: furniture and decor
One of my go-to stores for furniture is Ballard Consignment. It’s huge and has multiple floors of reasonably-price home decor items, some new and some on consignment.
SPARKLEBARN
website | get directions | best for: mid century modern decor
This stunning store is one of the best antique shops in Seattle. While pricey, they’re curating high quality mid mod decor in great condition.
Partake in the Ballard Art Walk
website | get directions | price: free | best for: supporting local businesses & local artists
The Ballard Art Walk is one of the best things to do in Ballard Seattle for art lovers. Here’s how it works: local Pacific Northwest artists exhibit their pieces in downtown Ballard businesses that stay open late to feature their work. It runs every second Saturday of the month from 6-9 PM and is free to the public, though you’re encouraged to support the local businesses you visit.
Catch a show at Tractor Tavern
website | get directions | price: $ varies | best for: live music
Tractor Tavern is a live music venue with strong ties to the Ballard community for nearly 30 years. In addition to an eclectic lineup of live music, they also host weekly Sunday Makers Markets (free, but 21+ only) and are one of the venues hosting Freakout Fest, a 4-day autumn music festival across 8 venues.
Attend the Ballard SeafoodFest
website | get directions | price: free | best for: seafood festival
Each summer, the Ballard Alliance hosts a free weekend of live music, arts and crafts, and kids activities, plus a beer garden and tons of fresh, local seafood. It’s one of the quintessential things to do in Ballard Seattle!
Play board games at Mox Boarding House
website | get directions | price: free to play | best for: board games & cafe
If anyone’s wondering what to do in Ballard, I always send them to Mox Boarding House. It’s a big game store with board games for all ages, but unlike other game stores, you can try before you buy. There’s a cafe with coffee and beer where you’re encouraged to grab a game and play a round. If you don’t like it, you can set it aside and look for another until you’re satisfied.
More things to do near Seattle
After you make your way through this list of the best things to do in Ballard Seattle, check out my guides to other nearby areas.
