- Distance and Travel Time (from downtown Seattle): 6.3 miles (19 min)
- Parking
Parking lot (paid) on 54th St in front of the Ballard Locks
- When to Go
Any time of year (in June ~ Oct you can see lots of salmon)
- Things to Do
Stroll around the locks, see fish and seals, watch how the locks work, watch boats going from Lake Union to the Puget Sound and vice versa, enjoy seasonal blooms in the garden, play on the grassy hill, etc.
- Tips
1) There is a grassy hill next to the locks in the Carl S English Botanical Garden where kids love to run up and down. It is a good way to burn off some energy.
2) Prepare some cash for parking in case the lot is full and you need to park in a cash only parking zone.
3) Visiting Golden Gardens Park and/or Green Lake Park (both nearby) in one day is also a good option.
A Link between Sea and Lake
Small Lock
Big Lock
Movable Bridge
Fish Ladder Plaza
Visitor Center Exhibits