Seattle Culture
Best Neighborhood: Ballard
By Seattle Mag November 20, 2024
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Seattle magazine.
We asked. You answered. Our annual Readers’ Choice awards highlights the best of the city in numerous categories. From neighborhoods to restaurants and all in-between, these are your picks about what makes the city tick.
Ballard was a separate city before Seattle annexed it in 1907, and you can still see the old city street names carved into sidewalks across the neighborhood. The Historic District along Ballard Avenue features beautiful, preserved buildings more than a century old, and the Ballard Locks and Golden Gardens Park are major attractions. The year-round Sunday Ballard Farmers Market is among the largest and most vibrant in a city with 17 of them.
Hot Tip
The neighborhood is very pedestrian-friendly. If you’re driving, be prepared for unique pedestrian walkways and heavy traffic. Parking can be a challenge. The Ballard Bridge can get crowded, especially because of all the recent construction.
Staff Pick
Wallingford boasts tree-lined streets, charming bungalows, a quick walk to Green Lake and Gas Works Park, plus sushi, ramen, pizza, Dick’s, ice cream, swanky bars, old-school dives, and even a sock shop. — Sarah Stackhouse, assistant digital editor
About Best of the City
Every year, our annual Readers’ Choice Awards round up Seattle’s best — from standout burger joints to the city’s most scenic spots. Whether you’re after fresh seafood, cocktails with a view, or a place to unwind, these are the places to be.
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