Cool Local Landmarks in Ballard, WA
Photo Credits: Visit Ballard
Major Ballard Landmarks (Historic, Cultural, Architectural)
1. Ballard Avenue Historic District
Still the heart of the neighborhood, Ballard Avenue’s historic district preserves the districts early-20th-century commercial character and charm. The brick storefronts, old transom windows, and slightly uneven facades all hint at Ballard’s mill-town past. Walking the street, you see how these independent places fit naturally into the old architecture. The buildings feel preserved, but the businesses make the district feel very much alive. This district roughly bounded by NW Market Street at the south end and NW Dock Place at the north end, all along Ballard Avenue NW
2. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks)
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks—better known as the Ballard Locks—are one of the easiest landmarks in Seattle to see up close, and they’re surprisingly fun to visit. Most people start by watching boats move through the lock chambers, where the water level rises or falls to move vessels between Lake Union and Puget Sound. There are railings and viewing platforms along the edges, so you can get a clear look at the process without needing a tour. From there, you can follow the paths through the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, check out the fish ladder, and step inside the underwater viewing room to watch salmon swim upstream during migration season. Also check out the Salmon Waves sculpture, created by artist Paul Sorey and installed in 2001, a series of stainless-steel “currents” that mimic the motion of salmon moving upstream.
Visit at: 3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107
3. Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden
A 7-acre historic garden with 1,500+ plant varieties, the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden sits right beside the Ballard Locks. It feels like a quiet, green counterpoint to all the engineering activity next door. It’s easy to wander in—there’s no gate or admission—and the paths take you through more than a thousand plant varieties collected from around the world. Many visitors bring a picnic, find a bench overlooking the water, or simply use the garden as a calm spot to take a break between watching boats and checking out the fish ladder.
Visit at: 3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107
4. National Nordic Museum
The National Nordic Museum is one of Ballard’s standout landmarks, both for its architecture and the experience inside. The building itself is worth the visit: clean lines, light-filled halls, and a central “fjord” walkway that guides you through the exhibits. Once inside, you can explore galleries on Nordic history, immigration to the Pacific Northwest, contemporary Scandinavian art, and rotating cultural shows that often highlight design, craft, or regional storytelling. Visitors typically spend time moving between the permanent exhibits, the temporary installations, and the museum’s quieter reading and reflection areas. The cafe and museum shop is also worth a few minutes; it’s one of the better places in Seattle to find Scandinavian home goods, books, and small design items without feeling touristy.
Visit at: 2655 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107
5. Golden Gardens Park
Golden Gardens Park is one of the few places in Seattle where you can get a true sandy-beach experience, and it’s an easy, worthwhile stop if you’re already in Ballard. Walk the shoreline first for the full sweep of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, then pick your pace: the central area is active with picnics and volleyball, while the north end stays quieter. A short path behind the beach leads to wetlands and a small pond that feel more tucked away. If you’re visiting later in the day, it’s also one of the best places in the city to catch a sunset.
Visit at: 8498 Seaview Pl NW, Seattle, WA 98117
6. Shilshole Bay Marina
Shilshole Bay Marina is one of the best places in Ballard to get a close look at Seattle’s boating life without needing to be on a boat yourself. Visitors usually start with the waterfront promenade, a long, flat path that runs alongside rows of sailboats and gives you wide views of Puget Sound and the Olympics. It’s an easy walk, and there are plenty of spots to pause, watch the marina traffic, or check out the public art placed along the water. If you wander toward the north end, you’ll reach the breakwater area, which is great for photos and catching the late-day light. It’s also a nice jumping-off point if you’re heading to Golden Gardens next door.
Visit at: 7001 Seaview Ave NW #100, Seattle, WA 98117
7. Fishermen’s Terminal
Fishermen’s Terminal gives you a look at the working side of Ballard’s maritime history, and it’s one of the easiest places to see commercial fishing vessels up close. Visitors typically start by walking the main dock area, where long rows of moored boats—many of them active in Alaska’s fishing fleets—create a behind-the-scenes feel you won’t get at Shilshole or the Locks. You can read the boat names, watch crews repairing nets or loading gear, and get a sense of how much the fishing industry still shapes the neighborhood. There’s also a memorial dedicated to fishers lost at sea. A few local cafés and seafood spots sit along the edges of the terminal.
Visit at: 3919 18th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119
8. Ballard Carnegie Library (1904)
The 1904 Ballard Carnegie Library is one of the clearest reminders of Ballard’s early civic life, back when the neighborhood was still an independent city. Funded by Andrew Carnegie, the Classical Revival building originally served as a public library, then later hosted school library services, community lending, and language and naturalization classes for new immigrants. Today, the structure has been adaptively reused and now houses Kangaroo & Kiwi, one of Ballard’s most popular local sports pubs, along with a few small businesses.
Visit at: 2026 NW Market St, Seattle, WA WA 98107
9. Norvell House (Swiss Chalet/Viking Revival)
The Norvell House is one of Ballard’s more unusual landmarks, especially if you’re interested in early residential architecture with personality. Built in 1908, it reflects the Swiss Chalet–style influence that was popular at the time, but in Ballard it also reads as a nod to the neighborhood’s strong Scandinavian roots—hence the “Viking Revival” nickname locals sometimes use. The house sits on a quiet residential block. Note: This building is private property. It is not open for tours.
Located at: 3306 NW 71st S, Seattle, WA
10. Bergen Place Park
Bergen Place Park is a small but meaningful stop in the center of Ballard, and it’s one of the easiest places to see the neighborhood’s Scandinavian roots in everyday life. The park sits at the intersection of Ballard Avenue and Leary Way, and most people encounter it while moving between shops, cafés, and the farmers market. It’s essentially a triangular plaza with benches, trees, and a bit of open space, but the cultural layer is what makes it interesting: the site honors Ballard’s sister city of Bergen, Norway. The “Stepfrae” mural brings a bright, modern to the setting.
Visit at: 5450 22nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Other Cultural, Creative, and Quirky Attractions
11. Ballard Farmers Market (every Sunday on Ballard Ave)
The charming Ballard Farmers Market takes over the length of Ballard Avenue every Sunday. It’s one of Seattle’s oldest year-round markets, and the setting—historic brick storefronts packed with vendors—makes it especially memorable. You’ll find Pacific Northwest farms selling produce, flowers, local cheeses, seafood, and baked goods, along with street musicians, small-batch makers, and neighborhood restaurants spilling out onto the sidewalks.
Visit at: 5345 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
12. The Ballard Bell Tower (Salmon Bay Park)
The Bell Tower at Salmon Bay Park is small, but it’s one of those landmarks that has been part of the neighborhood for generations. The bell itself dates back to the early 1900s and originally hung above Ballard’s old city hall before the neighborhood was annexed into Seattle. Today it stands in Salmon Bay Park on a simple wood tower, marking the site as a piece of Ballard’s civic past.
Visit at: 2001 NW Canoe Pl, Seattle, WA 98117
13. Secret Scuba Diver Statue (Shilshole Bay Marina)
The “secret” scuba diver statue is an underwater art piece located near the breakwater at Shilshole Bay Marina. Most visitors don’t know it’s there—you need to be a diver or catch it at very low tide to see it. The statue was installed by local divers as a playful marker on the seabed, and over time it has become a quirky bit of Ballard lore.
14. Loyal Heights Community Center & Surrounding Walks
The Loyal Heights Community Center has been part of Ballard’s fabric for nearly a century, with WPA-era architectural touches and a layout that reflects the neighborhood’s older civic planning. While the building itself is modest, it anchors a network of walkable residential streets, pocket parks, and tree-lined blocks that show off one of Ballard’s most established areas.
Visit at: 2101 NW 77th St, Seattle, WA 98117
15. The Cured Salmon Weathervane (Ballard Ave)
Perched on top of a historic building along Ballard Avenue, this metal salmon acts like a tongue-in-cheek mascot for the neighborhood’s fishing heritage. It’s most easily spotted if you look up while walking between the middle blocks of the historic district.
More Parks & Green Spaces
16. Salmon Bay Park & Bell
Salmon Bay Park is a century-old neighborhood green space that still reflects pieces of its early 20th-century design. The open lawns, WPA-era stonework, and mature trees give it a calm, established feel, making it a quiet counterpoint to the busier parts of Ballard. Near the center of the park, you’ll find the Ballard Bell—a historic bell that once hung above Ballard’s old city hall before the neighborhood was annexed into Seattle.
Visit at: 2001 NW Canoe Pl, Seattle, WA 98117
17. Ballard Commons Park + Skate Feature
Ballard Commons Park has gone through different chapters, but it remains a notable part of the neighborhood’s public space network. The skate feature is the standout: a compact, well-designed bowl and street section used by kids, teens, and adult skaters throughout the day.
Visit at: 5701 22nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
18. Sunset Hill Park
Sunset Hill Park sits along the edge of a quiet residential bluff and offers some of the best views in Ballard. The park itself is simple—just a sloping lawn, benches, and a few trees—but the vantage point is outstanding. From here, you can look out over Shilshole Bay, the marina, and the Olympic Mountains, with constant movement from sailboats and working vessels below. It's also a popular spot for wedding ceremonies.
Visit at: 7531 34th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
19. North Beach Natural Area
The North Beach Natural Area is a small, lightly marked viewpoint near 32nd Ave NW that feels almost hidden compared to other Ballard parks. A short path leads to a quiet bluff above the shoreline, offering water views without the crowds.
Visit at: 8999 24th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117
20.Marvin’s Garden Park (Historic Ballard Arch Sign & Plaza)
Marvin’s Garden is a small plaza at the south end of Ballard Avenue, best known for the iconic BALLARD arch sign that marks the entrance to the historic district. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the neighborhood, thanks to its role as the “gateway” into Ballard’s historic commercial core.
Visit at: 5423 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
