Ballard

Nestled along Salmon Bay in between fleets of commercial fishing boats and sailing ships is Ballard. It's a neighborhood that embraces its maritime and Nordic heritage as well as the eclectic music venues and fashionable eateries that call Ballard home. It used to be that this area was better known for its lutefisk and Scandinavian bakeries, but in recent years, Ballard residents have rejuvenated this district's downtown with art galleries, specialty boutiques and wine bars. Ballard is home to two of Seattle's most popular music venues: the Ballard Fire House and the Tractor Tavern; both establishments feature a wide range of local and national acts. Many people come to Ballard to stroll around the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks where they can watch boats pass through or view migrating salmon and the occasional sea lion. And just north of the locks is Golden Gardens, a popular Seattle park with sandy beaches and spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains.

Though Ballard is four miles west of the U-District, many University students choose to live in this neighborhood because of its affordable rental houses and apartments. The west end of the Burke Gilman Trail starts in Ballard and many commuters bike along it for the 20-minute ride to campus.

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