Ballard, Seattle

Ballard is a city unto itself. And I’m not exaggerating and I’m not saying this in that “nod to annexation” kind of way, I’m saying that there is a humorously subversive element that really demonstrates Ballard’s sense of community. Until recently, the novelties store Archie McPhee’s was ground zero for the “Free Ballard” movement… until they moved—which was sort of disappointing.

Ok, ok, free Ballard, yeah. But seriously, Ballard is an established community that has its own library branches, five elementary schools, a high school, live music, and strip club. Despite the strip club Ballard is a mild-mannered, family friendly type of place. The living arrangements are diverse and range from ramblers to condos. Recently, around a dozen condo/retail locations were in development that, all told, contributed about two thousand or more new households to the area.

There’s definitely a lot for visitors and residents can do. Ballard’s Majestic Bay Theater has been renovated and serves as a big-deal triplex. The boutique, artsy feel of local shops is really attractive, and the waterfront offers much in the way of seaside play and sports. Visit the locks or Golden Gardens Beach, or go take sailing lessons. And if you love all of the waterfront play, you’ll definitely want to check back in the summer for Seafood Fest. Your belly will thank you.

A flavorful array of personality, taste and attitude—this “seaport” community is located due north of Magnolia (http://bitly.com/cWwQE0) and Queen Anne (http://bitly.com/9FJ1Dg). More specifically, it occupies an area encapsulated by 24th Avenue NW on the west, NW 61st Street on the north, 8th Avenue NW on the east, and the Ship Canal (http://bitly.com/dniouN) on the south.

History

After changing hands a couple of times, amidst a lost coin toss, Ballard began its establishment in the Salmon Bay district. The real growth occurred after the Great Seattle Fire in 1889 (http://bitly.com/aYN1qN), which forced many urban dwellers to move into its confines and begin work in the mills. Along with its rich heritage, several structures are among the National Register of Historic Places (http://nps.gov/nr). Among these structures are: Ballard Avenue Historic District (http://bitly.com/dANtJi), Ballard Carnegie Library (http://bitly.com/bvhR0o), and Fire Station No. 18 (http://bitly.com/dz2Cya).

Demographics and Income

A young population, with the majority being singles in their 20s and 30s, define Ballard’s vibrance. Young marrieds also find solace here, with the majority not having children. Ethnicity is fairly uniform, with a predominance of Whites. This comes as no surprise, considering its strong Scandinavian roots. Household incomes are average, by Seattle standards. Incomes are generally higher in the northern portion of the community, where there is a larger presence of single-family homes.

Culture

It is difficult to unpack the distinctive culture of Ballard in one review. A place rich in historic pride, with several well-known landmarks to prove it. The Ballard Avenue Historic District is a fascinating street to stroll in this regard. Other eye-catching buildings can be found along and near Market Street, which is the main east-west drag for the community. A couple of these older structures house dynamic restaurants, deepening the surreal experience. The second Saturday of every month features an Art Walk (http://bitly.com/cJzFzg), hosted by several venues in and around Market Street. The Nordic Heritage Museum (http://bitly.com/9DfApz), founded in 1980, occupies the building used as an elementary school for over 70 years.

Real Estate

Spacious homes and large, sprawling yards are definitely not trademark in Ballard. With over 50% of homes being Condominiums, at less than 1400 Sq. Ft., living space is a precious commodity. Evidences of the neighborhood’s transience is found with the 65% of renters who dwell here. This population density is new, as the average construction date for homes (Mainly condos) is 1999, much newer than Seattle’s average of 1948. Home values have dropped nearly $100,000 since the Summer of 2007. Some stabilizing occurred over 2009 and halfway into 2010, with another dip in prices the latter half of that year. For further details and current values, visit Zillow (http://bitly.com/9ERfAE).

Local Business Tour (Restaurants, Pubs, Coffee Shops and other Amenities)

Restaurants are not far and few between on these streets. Several to highlight are: The Hi-Life Grill (http://bitly.com/butFS3) - Occupies an old Ballard Firehouse, serving a tasty American menu with an open and energetic atmosphere; Senor Moose Cafe (http://senormoose.com) serves incredible burritos greasy spoon style—not Azteca or Taco Bell stock, but authentic Mexican cuisine; Vera's Restaurant (http://bitly.com/9BOPSE) - Serving up traditional American dishes, grease and all, with fast service, filling food, and extreme taste—on 22nd Avenue and Market St.; and Cupcake Royale (http://cupcakeroyale.com) - A favorite treat place for my wife and I, serving Verite coffee and unique cupcakes in the same venue.

Small businesses are everywhere in Ballard. The Ballard Market (http://bitly.com/ajN266) - Located near 15th Avenue and Market Street is the flagship store, as the QFC (http://qfc.com) is to Wallingford. Blocks away lies a large branch of the Swedish Medical Center (http://bitly.com/cDAq1Q), providing great health care to this bustling environment.

Running along the southern edge is the Burke Gilman Bicycle Trail (http://bitly.com/b9XkAC), which connects areas of Lake Washington with the rest of North Seattle. Interestingly, in Southwest Ballard, the trail lacks definition and has been the source of contention due to dangerous conditions riders face with truck traffic. The trail does pick up again west of the 15th Avenue Bridge, continuing up towards Shilshole Marina (http://bitly.com/caUHxy). To reduce the chaos of this controversy, stop into the Dutch Bike Company (http://dutchbikeseattle.com) on Shilshole Ave for a quick tune up from those rough roads. Also, coming soon, will be a partnership featuring a cafe, pub and oysters (Courtesy of The Walrus and the Carpenter (http://thewalrusbar.com)).

Some cool activities for many kids and teens can be found at the Ballard Commons Park (http://bitly.com/a1pLf2) near 57th and 22nd Avenue. Featured is a full skateboard area, water fountains and wading pool. With so many amenities nearby on Market Street, parents can create a morning or afternoon adventure enjoyed on all fronts. If the kids get tired of skating and swimming, walk them to the Ballard Public Library (http://bitly.com/chEYa5) for some time to read and reflect. It becomes apparent that you forgot to send that letter or package to your parents, stop in at the Ballard Sip and Ship (http://sipandship.com) to get that accomplished. All this, while enjoying a quality cup of espresso. A generous selection of pastries, along with some Odwalla for the kiddos. If you find the day is getting on and no time stands for homemade dinner, trek over to Egan's Ballard Jam House (http://ballardjamhouse.com) for dinner and jazz.

After a great time tapping your feet to the snare and swaying to the saxophone, you realize your return home will be rocky - the car is dead. No problem, High Road Automotive (http://high-road.com) is a few blocks away with years of experience working on cars. Our friends own this place and run a top-notch operation we would recommend to anyone.

Your friends agree to take your three for the night so you and your loved one can enjoy a creative music show at The Tractor Tavern (http://tractortavern.com). This, fortunately, has been a superb end to a tumultuous evening.

After getting the car crankin' again, the kids are excited about taking the boat out to the Sound in the morning. However, you recall the engine defect and wonder how things will pan out. Not to worry, as Ballard Marine Service (http://ballardmarineservice.com) is a stone's throw away to remedy the problem. The young ones are satisfied they will still hit the water, even if it is only an afternoon adventure.

After a hot and tiring afternoon on the high seas, you are ready for a large meal that you can control. Not far from the docks is The Counter (http://thecounterburger.com), a Burgerville (http://burgerville.com) for the new generation. You'll be given a clipboard to style your own masterpiece. There are more combinations than the grains of sand still adhered to your feet from the beach.

Now full with your own devise, take a few steps southeast to Todd Martin Glass (http://toddmartinglass.com) and enjoy the glass creations for every taste. If there is money left over from the day, consider taking a unique souvenir from this establishment. However, upon walking to the car you realize that a vintage shelf would house that vase nicely. Not to fear when The RE Store (http://re-store.org) is near. Head north a few blocks and pick out some pre-owned materials to construct a one-of-a-kind product.

Accommodations

Upon purchasing the shelf materials, you receive a call from your brother. He wants to join you for another Ballard adventure and prefers to stay in the neighborhood. You have to break the news regarding limited hotel options, encouraging him to stay in nearby Queen Anne. But wait, if he’s into Bed and Breakfasts, then he can try the houseboat experience with Joyfull Adventures (http://joyfulladventures.com). A fifty-four foot pontoon houseboat, complete with a propane fireplace, awaits.

Schools and Recreation Facilities

A number of different schools and educational centers can be found in Ballard. Here are a few: Sylvan Learning Center (http://sylvanseattle.com) - Tutoring programs for children in a variety of subjects; New York Fashion Academy (http://newyorkfashionacademy.com) - One of the most up-to-date fashion design curricula anywhere; Seattle Maritime Academy (http://seattlecentral.com/maritime) - Fully accredited by the U.S. Coast Guard—the only maritime program of its kind in Washington or Alaska; Divers Institute of Technology (http://diversinstitute.edu) - Become a certified commercial diver in seven months, poised to labor in aquatics virtually anywhere; Ahimsa Dog Training (http://ahimsadogtraining.com) - Non-violent training, featuring a “clicker” or voice marker; Zoom Language Center (http://zoomlanguage.com) - Engaging activities and sensitivity to each child’s pace with Spanish language learning; and St. Alphonsus School (http://saintalsseattle.org) - Catholic education for preschool through 8th grade.

A wide variety of recreational choices exist. Here is an abbreviated list: Ballard Health Club (http://ballardhealthclub.com) - A community oriented, supportive atmosphere for exercise and relaxation since 1998; World Martial Arts & Health (http://worldmartialarts.org) - One of the best martial arts programs in the world—Founded by Grandmaster Solomon Yun; Ballard Commons Park (http://bitly.com/a1pLf2) - Mentioned earlier; and Gilman Playground (http://bitly.com/9dSNzR) - Several sports facilities, including a water feature for kids.

Shopping and other Amenities

The places to spend money in Ballard are just as creative and outlandish as its culture. A few to note are: Market Street Shoes (http://marketstreetshoes.com) - A full-service shoe store for men, women and children; Blackbird (http://blackbirdballard.com) - Creative apparel for men; Clover Toys (http://clovertoys.com) - Unique toys, furnishings and clothing for children; Homestead Book Company (http://homesteadbook.com) - The oldest counter-culture book distributor in the world; Majestic Bay Theatres (http://majesticbay.com) - A triplex movie theatre that features older style architecture, with modern innovations; Ballard Street Metal (http://ballardstreetmetal.com) - A leader in the construction industry, featuring numerous types of architectural work; Studio 3 Signs (http://studio3signs.com) - A sign company offering indoor signage, outdoor displays, and a wide range of other options; and Zerene Salon (http://zerene.com) - Featuring hair grooming, colour care, and bridal services.

Medical Facilities

Unequivocally, the best place to receive medical attention in Ballard is Swedish (http://swedish.org/Locations/Ballard-Campus). This is one of the five major Swedish campuses around Seattle, providing a myriad of services—even a state-of-the-art childbirth facility with single-room maternity care. Other medical amenities, to name a few, around Ballard are: Full Bloom Acupuncture (http://fullbloomacupuncture.com) - Maureen M. Conant MTCM, L.Ac. offers gentle acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine services; Ballard Hearing & Speech Center (http://ballardhearing.net) - A variety of healthcare services, including hearing assessments and rehabilitiation, education and counseling; Eye Associates Northwest, P.C. (http://eanw.net) - Deliver exceptional medical and surgical care through advanced technology, continuing education and access to multiple sub-specialists; The Sports Medicine Clinic (http://thesportsmedicineclinic.com) - A team of eleven medical staff and six therapists provide care for secondary schools, collegiate and professional athletes, local industries and for those in all walks of life; Ballard Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (http://seattleoralsurgeon.com) - Dr. John K. Tidwell, DDS provides multiple oral-related procedures in a friendly and safe environment; and Ballard Family Dentistry (http://ballarddentistry.com) - Featuring the expertise of Dr. Jonathan Su, a Seattle native and graduate of The University of Washington School of Dentistry (http://dental.washington.edu).

Spiritual Centers and Churches

An institution, probably one of the largest in Seattle, that focuses on spiritual health, having also grown immensely in the last decade, is Mars Hill Church (http://marshillchurch.org). Here, you can find Mark Driscoll speaking to an audience of several thousand, with satellite churches all over the city. Other centers for spiritual growth are, to name a couple: Interfaith Community Church (http://interfaithcommunitychurch.org) - A collective group of faith-oriented people, representing a variety of disciplines; and Ballard Seventh-day Adventist Church (http://bitly.com/94SCT0) - A place to understand God’s character, and thus, ultimately, to experience His love.

Access

The location of Ballard proves challenging, especially for east-west commutes, with a lot of stop-and-go through either Wallingford (http://bitly.com/cO972f) or Fremont (http://bitly.com/abPBcR). No direct route exists to the Interstate, and the streets that do eventually reach this main transportation artery are usually backed-up during the work commute hours. The arterial streets, however, do a good job with access either north towards Crown Hill or south into Queen Anne (http://bitly.com/c3diBe), and ultimately downtown.

Summary

A plethora of tastes and experiences, well-rooted in a strong Scandinavian heritage—Ballard continues to be a main driving force of Seattle culture. Any trip to Seattle for tourists or outing for locals should not overlook this neighborhood wonder. The additional driving time to reach the main drag, Market Street, will be well worth the wait.

Ballard is one of the most distinctive neighborhoods in Seattle. Also one of the oldest areas of the city, Ballard was historically a working-class neighborhood settled by Scandinavians employed in the fishing, canning, and lumber industries. In recent decades they have been replaced by young Seattleites drawn by the active nightlife and newly built condos. Still, Ballard retains much of its earlier Scandinavian charm.

This historic district has become a center of ethnic cafes, lively bars, and unique local merchants. While in Ballard, be sure to check out the year-round Ballard Sunday Farmers Market on Ballard Avenue. Ballard High School is the oldest high school in the city. There are several elementary schools in the neighborhood, as well as the Ballard Public Library, making this area of the city popular for those with children. Today, Ballard's population is young and diverse, and the area is becoming increasingly trendy.

One of Seattle's hottest neighborhoods for shopping, dining, and drinking, the boundaries of this hip and exciting neighborhood are Crown Hill and NW 8th Street to the north, the Greenwood, Fremont, and Phinney Ridge neighborhoods along the east, the Lake Washington Ship Canal to the south, and Shilshole Bay and Puget Sound to the west. Most of the shopping and dining opportunities are found along Ballard Ave and Market Street.

Ballard's historic business district is popular among locals and tourists alike. Tourists will find that there are few hotels within the Ballard neighborhood, although the area is easily reached from downtown Seattle and other areas of the city. Popular attractions in Ballard include the Fishermen's Terminal, Golden Gardens Park, and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, known to locals as the Ballard Locks. Many visitors find that Ballard reminds them of visiting the San Francisco waterfront.

Ballard is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the Seattle area. It was settled by Danish and Finish immigrants in the early 1800s and today its Scandinavian roots are reflected in its rich historic landmarks and winding streets.

There are trendy cafes, neighborhood pubs, and unique shops which have made Ballard a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. Stores range from home design shops that focus on “green living” to the latest in chic apparel. Visitors can find a wide range of ethnic restaurants in Ballard, from popular Thai cuisine to upscale dining.

Ballard’s pubs, like its restaurants, are often known as much for their unusual settings as for their excellent fare. Converted hardware stores, historic buildings and Ballard’s famous library have become settings for unique meeting places, adding to the attractive atmosphere that makes up one of Seattle’s most popular neighborhoods.

The neighborhood overlooks Salmon Bay and is known for its panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains, sandy beaches, and winding forest trails that are great for hiking. Golden Garden Park is found in Ballard and includes an off-leash dog park, fishing pier, and boat launch.

Owning a home in Ballard provides you with quick access to 15th Avenue West, which takes you straight into Queen Anne, Belltown, and Downtown. There is also efficient and quick access to Highway 99.

There have been many new condos built in Ballard recently. Some of the Ballard condos are within blocks of Market Street which will give many new residents quick access to many fun things.