Ballard

Proud of its Scandinavian heritage, Ballard has one of the strongest neighborhood identities in Seattle. Historic downtown boasts brick streets and fanciful shops.

Golden Gardens/Shilshole Bay
Popular sandy beach for picnickers and sun worshipers.

Nordic Heritage Museum
Extensive collection of Scandinavian artistry.

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Boats and barges make their way from Lake Washington to the Puget Sound. The largest salmon fish ladder in the Pacific Northwest.

Fisherman's Terminal
At the south end of the Ballard Bridge, watch fishermen ready their nets for the next catch. Winter home to the Alaskan fishing fleet.

Lake Union

A colorful neighborhood of houseboats, sailboats and kayaks in the heart of Seattle. View restaurants hug the shores offering ringside seats to the comings and goings of seaplanes on their way to the San Juans and British Columbia.

Center for Wooden Boats
Boat rentals and a floating display of over 100 wooden boats dating from 1900.

Gas Works Park
A kite flyer’s nirvana. One of the best views of the Seattle skyline and Lake Union maritime activities.

Green Lake

Green Lake is a classic outdoor neighborhood. Whatever the season, Seattleites keep fit by running, skating or cycling around the lake. Bike and skate rentals.

Woodland Park Zoo
One of the biggest (92 acres) and best in the world. See animals roam free in their own natural habitats.

Fremont

Fremont is the epicenter of funkiness in Seattle. Residents and visitors to this free-thinking district enjoy microbreweries, a host of intriguing eateries and retro shops. Ask a Fremont local where to find the troll.

University District / Montlake

Home to the University of Washington campus overlooking Lake Washington and Mount Rainier. The district is a vibrant collection of ethnic restaurants, bookstores, coffeehouses and shops. Routes 71, 72, 73. Just over the historic Montlake Bridge is the Arboretum and Museum of History & Industry.

Burke Museum (on campus)
An impressive collection of rare North Coast Indian artifacts.

Husky Stadium
On the shore of Lake Washington, 72,500 football fans cheer on the Dawgs.

Museum of History & Industry
Documents the region’s early years with a vast array of Americana.

Washington Park Arboretum / Japanese Tea Garden
A year-round discovery of color, texture and inspiration.