Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks — Attraction in Seattle

Fairly high on the 'must-visit' Seattle attractions, I would call this place deeply historic - where most attractions want to claim that title, this is a very important place in the region and completely interesting. If you live in the area - please visit! It's not a museum (maybe a good thing?)(update: that was during Covid lock down - after looking at the pictures, it looks like here are all kinds of exhibits and even tours!), but never a wasted trip. The grounds are the real show in sunny times, besides the workings and story of the locks, and they are kept immaculately. Gardens upon gardens. For flower lovers, there is a good amount to find there - highly interesting hybrids and cultivars we had never seen, even a small carnivorous plant exhibit!

We went on the most beautiful day of the year, and there was still plenty of room for picnics and gatherings. People were polite and in good spirits, the views were incredible, and the smell of Spring blossoms was really quite magical. My very pregnant wife was wheelchaired around successfully (by yours truly) throughout the whole place. And there was plenty of very affordable public parking. (so that right there may make the decision for you)

The park is centrally located to Seattle's Beach (Golden Gardens and surrounding) and it positively bustles on a sunny day - play some bright music, visit a good restaurant, drive the strip. Excellent. Great for dates and family. Not a lot to do but wander paths (only 3 main circuits), and play on lawns - so I'd recommend visiting as a part of your day, or for lunch, rather than as your main event.

Certainly qualifies as an essential piece of Seattle tourism and 'seeing the sites'. I might do Seattle Center for midday rest, if you only have one day. The UW arboretum is more glorious, but less a tourist 'to-do' and a bit more out of the way. If you're headed to Golden Gardens, I'd actually recommend stopping here to establish some peace in your soul, before going to play Frisbee and take off your shoes.

If you just want to check it off the list, you can do it in 15 minutes easy. If you want to take it in, that still only takes 30-45.

Update 7/21: returned, this time with family. I actually had not even visited the LOCKS portion! This time we skipped the nature walk (I suspect many do, so they can see the locks. That is a mistake! See the grounds, they are beautiful!) and went to see the water works. Highly impressive, hives you a great old-world patriotic feeling, grandparents have nostalgia, make memories. You can walk on cool catwalks across a water way, see a salmon ladder and engineering feats in the dam, and go over Magnolia. They have very unique, enormous tarraced green hillsides to just sit and watch from. Quintessential summer afternoon. We had the opportunity to see one boat lifted, one lowered, and then a super yacht come get lifted! That was a cool experience in itself - strange to be feet away from someone's life - looking in their windows, seeing their boat. There was a yacht behind them in the same load that looked tiny, and a sailboat as well. We didn't see this second half due to covid, last time. Trying to see both the grounds and the locks would take a lot more time. So I feel torn. How could you choose? I suspect people just go with the locks - but the gardens are...

I love visiting the Locks - especially during summer and early autumn. During the summer, there are weekly concerts that are free and open to the public. Check the Locks website for schedule and details.

I usually see at least one seal / sea lion whenever I visit the locks (even in winter). On a lesser frequency, I see Baron the Blue Heron (my own name for the herons) near the dam.

There's plenty of green space if you want to sit for a bit and enjoy the view. Bring a picnic! I also recommend bring a thicker towel or blanket if you want to sit for a while on the grass. It can be a bit soggy and covered with geese droppings. 😅

The visitor center is worth a visit to learn about how the locks work and why it was built. The rangers are super nice and knowledgeable.

The Locks is a great place for a photoshoot. Especially when the rose garden is in bloom and the little garden area right by the rose garden.

You can also hold your wedding in the park! The process is super easy and affordable.

There's a Pagliacci Pizza right by the park. Lockspot Cafe has a to-go ordering window and their coffee shack has breakfast burritos. All good options if you want to picnic in the park.

If you want a chance to see salmon going through the fish ladder, visit the park in late June through Sept (sometimes Oct). July and August are usually the best times to see them.

Of course, there's watching the boats going through the locks. Summer months are the best months to see lots of boats go through. But on long weekends, you can usually see some boats go through.

I could go on and on about the park. It is a great date / hangout place since there's pretty views and places to sit and chat (especially if you bring a...

Visiting the Ballard Locks is an absolute must when you're in Seattle! It's not just a marvel of engineering but also a scenic spot that beautifully merges functionality with natural charm. Watching boats of all sizes navigate through the locks is surprisingly captivating and offers a real insight into Seattle's maritime culture. It's fascinating to see how the locks balance the water levels between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater lakes, making it both an educational and enjoyable experience.

But it's not all about the boats; the surrounding gardens are a tranquil oasis. The meticulously maintained Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden is perfect for a peaceful stroll or a picnic, adding a lovely green space to the urban environment. The fish ladder is another highlight, allowing you to witness salmon making their incredible journey upstream. This place is a unique blend of man-made ingenuity and natural wonders, making it a great spot for anyone interested in technology, nature, or just looking for a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Don't miss out on this quintessential...