Guidebook for Seattle
Essentials
Love this library, great for kids too.
17 locals recommend
Ballard Branch - The Seattle Public Library
5614 22nd Ave NWLove this library, great for kids too.
I go here to get my haircut and i see Allison and she is great! Nice place for a haircut, color, spa day, etc.
Habitude Salon & Day Spa: At the Locks
2801 NW Market StI go here to get my haircut and i see Allison and she is great! Nice place for a haircut, color, spa day, etc.
This is by far the best pedicure. And at $25 the price cannot be beat. They have 2 locations and typically can get you in quick, although I would call in advance for a large party.
Jenny Nails Too
9776 Holman Rd NWThis is by far the best pedicure. And at $25 the price cannot be beat. They have 2 locations and typically can get you in quick, although I would call in advance for a large party.
We love Two Smiling Feet and the price can't be beat - $30 + tip for 60 minute reflexology massage (double check price). There is one in Fremont and in Ballard. Call ahead to check wait, walk-ins welcome. We go to Ballard location and love it.
8 locals recommend
Two Smiling Feet
600 N 36th StWe love Two Smiling Feet and the price can't be beat - $30 + tip for 60 minute reflexology massage (double check price). There is one in Fremont and in Ballard. Call ahead to check wait, walk-ins welcome. We go to Ballard location and love it.
Trader Joe's
1700 E Madison StGrocery Outlet Bargain Market
8700 15th Ave NWQFC
11100 Roosevelt Way NEI prefer the FM on 85th street, especially with kids b/c you can hop over to the Top Ten Toys post shopping trip.
278 locals recommend
Fred Meyer
915 NW 45th StI prefer the FM on 85th street, especially with kids b/c you can hop over to the Top Ten Toys post shopping trip.
This is pretty much where you will find 80% of Ballard residents shopping..this and Trader Joe's. Great place.
149 locals recommend
Ballard Market
1400 NW 56th StThis is pretty much where you will find 80% of Ballard residents shopping..this and Trader Joe's. Great place.
Food Scene
Great little spot, awesome Beach Time/Happy Hour menu. Recommend going early as it can get busy quick. Double check but my understanding is BB is closed on Mondays.
38 locals recommend
Billy Beach Sushi & Bar
5463 Leary Ave NWGreat little spot, awesome Beach Time/Happy Hour menu. Recommend going early as it can get busy quick. Double check but my understanding is BB is closed on Mondays.
We love Senor Moose and the best item on the menu is Camarones Enchipotlados IMO. And great guacamole and queso fondido. Good brunch too. Recommend going early as they do not take reservations and there is often a line.
62 locals recommend
Senor Moose Cafe
5242 Leary Avenue NorthwestWe love Senor Moose and the best item on the menu is Camarones Enchipotlados IMO. And great guacamole and queso fondido. Good brunch too. Recommend going early as they do not take reservations and there is often a line.
Amazing dessert. We love the Dark Decadence and the salted carmel milkshake. This is a good place to order your own dessert and to not share! If you go on a weekend expect to wait in a long line. Limited seating.
98 locals recommend
Hot Cakes - Molten Chocolate Cakery
5427 Ballard Ave NWAmazing dessert. We love the Dark Decadence and the salted carmel milkshake. This is a good place to order your own dessert and to not share! If you go on a weekend expect to wait in a long line. Limited seating.
The Blue Glass
704 NW 65th StNice place, good food, great dessert and drink options.
Great spot for families, they use to have Bingo night, which was amazing, although I think this is no more.
51 locals recommend
The Barking Dog Alehouse
705 NW 70th StGreat spot for families, they use to have Bingo night, which was amazing, although I think this is no more.
Love this restaurant, awesome outdoor area. I would go for a date night and maybe not with our kids. Reservation recommended.
72 locals recommend
Brimmer & Heeltap
425 NW Market StLove this restaurant, awesome outdoor area. I would go for a date night and maybe not with our kids. Reservation recommended.
By far the littlest restaurant, perfect for night out, dinner with friends, date night etc. Reservations recommended. Great to grab dinner and then walk around Greenlake.
49 locals recommend
mkt.
2108 N 55th StBy far the littlest restaurant, perfect for night out, dinner with friends, date night etc. Reservations recommended. Great to grab dinner and then walk around Greenlake.
Awesome restaurant, go right when they open or expect to wait in line (unless you have a reservation, but have to have a party of a certain size). I would not recommend for young children. The brooklyn and crimini mushroom pizza = unbeatable!
123 locals recommend
Delancey
1415 NW 70th StAwesome restaurant, go right when they open or expect to wait in line (unless you have a reservation, but have to have a party of a certain size). I would not recommend for young children. The brooklyn and crimini mushroom pizza = unbeatable!
Good to grab a drink after a zoo outing or shopping on Greenwood. Don't let the train table fool you - I would not consider this place kid-friendly AT ALL. Food is mediocre, awesome carmel latte.
28 locals recommend
Phinney Market Pub & Eatery
5918 Phinney Avenue NorthGood to grab a drink after a zoo outing or shopping on Greenwood. Don't let the train table fool you - I would not consider this place kid-friendly AT ALL. Food is mediocre, awesome carmel latte.
Fresh Flours Ballard
5313 Ballard Ave NWUnbelievably amazing baked goods. Go early/right when open to avoid long lines (line starts as early as 8:30/9 a.m.) and absolutely worth waiting in line for. Hours limited, double check before you go.
155 locals recommend
Cafe Besalu
5909 24th Ave NWUnbelievably amazing baked goods. Go early/right when open to avoid long lines (line starts as early as 8:30/9 a.m.) and absolutely worth waiting in line for. Hours limited, double check before you go.
Great menu, kid-friendly and nice for large groups. Perfect for individuals with dietary restrictions as gluten-free, vegan and standard options available.
24 locals recommend
RAZZíS PIZZERíA GREENWOOD
8523 Greenwood Ave NGreat menu, kid-friendly and nice for large groups. Perfect for individuals with dietary restrictions as gluten-free, vegan and standard options available.
Great burgers, good atmosphere, family friendly. Love this place. On the pricey side for a burger (Totem House/Red Mill and Dick's for inexpensive alternative).
19 locals recommend
Giddy Up Burgers
4600 Leary Way NWGreat burgers, good atmosphere, family friendly. Love this place. On the pricey side for a burger (Totem House/Red Mill and Dick's for inexpensive alternative).
Awesome burger spot. Closed Mondays. Go early to avoid long lines and best to call in order and take home during peak times. Good milkshakes too. I think this is a hard spot to eat at w/kids (unless it is nice out and you can eat outside) but that is just maybe me...easy to grab burgers and walk over the Ballard Locks.
21 locals recommend
Red Mill Totem House
3058 NW 54th StAwesome burger spot. Closed Mondays. Go early to avoid long lines and best to call in order and take home during peak times. Good milkshakes too. I think this is a hard spot to eat at w/kids (unless it is nice out and you can eat outside) but that is just maybe me...easy to grab burgers and walk over the Ballard Locks.
People I know who shall remain anonymous claim this to be as good or better than IN-N-OUT (it is not). But this is a decent on the go burger and worth checking out. Can get busy, go early. This may be cash only (double check), no alterations and no place to really sit and eat.
337 locals recommend
Dick's Drive-In
115 Broadway EPeople I know who shall remain anonymous claim this to be as good or better than IN-N-OUT (it is not). But this is a decent on the go burger and worth checking out. Can get busy, go early. This may be cash only (double check), no alterations and no place to really sit and eat.
Love, love, love Gorditos. Super family friendly, lovely restaurant with great food and gigantic burritos.
55 locals recommend
Gorditos
213 N 85th StLove, love, love Gorditos. Super family friendly, lovely restaurant with great food and gigantic burritos.
Great place to check out the food scene, lots of awesome restaurants, parking can be a challenge.
344 locals recommend
Capitol Hill
Great place to check out the food scene, lots of awesome restaurants, parking can be a challenge.
Moshi Moshi Sushi
5324 Ballard Ave NWGood happy hour, nice atmosphere, fun spot.
Porkchop & Co.
5451 Leary Ave NWNice brunch spot!
Stoneburner
5214 Ballard Ave NWBastille Cafe & Bar
5307 Ballard Ave NWPercy's & Co. Seattle
5233 Ballard Ave NWFrēlard Pizza Company
4010 Leary Way NWPestle Rock
2305 NW Market StGood, inexpensive vegetarian thai place. Fantastic buffet.
35 locals recommend
Araya's Place University Way NE
5240 University Way NEGood, inexpensive vegetarian thai place. Fantastic buffet.
Great pizza spot -we use to order from here all the time and it is amazing.
53 locals recommend
Veraci Pizza
500 NW Market StGreat pizza spot -we use to order from here all the time and it is amazing.
Woodinville Wine Country is a perfect way to spend a day away from the city.
81 locals recommend
Woodinville Visitors Center
13590 Northeast Village Square DriveWoodinville Wine Country is a perfect way to spend a day away from the city.
Entertainment & Activities
Wonderful zoo, I would avoid on weekends due to really crowded/way too many people. Open later during spring/summer, good for rainy day (zoomazium).
625 locals recommend
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave NWonderful zoo, I would avoid on weekends due to really crowded/way too many people. Open later during spring/summer, good for rainy day (zoomazium).
Great spot, nice to go on Sunday and not pay for parking (provided you can find parking).
390 locals recommend
Seattle Aquarium
Great spot, nice to go on Sunday and not pay for parking (provided you can find parking).
Great place with something for everyone. Go on Sunday when they 1st open to find free street parking and avoid crowds. Great kids play area, fun exhibits, can easily spend the day here.
271 locals recommend
Pacific Science Center
200 2nd Ave NGreat place with something for everyone. Go on Sunday when they 1st open to find free street parking and avoid crowds. Great kids play area, fun exhibits, can easily spend the day here.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison StCool spot, fine for kids and fun to go and check out.
Seattle Center
305 Harrison StLots to do here and worth checking out.
Parks & Nature
One of our favorite places in Ballard, easy walk from the house, quick drive, live music on weekends in summer (double check this).
774 locals recommend
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
3015 NW 54th StOne of our favorite places in Ballard, easy walk from the house, quick drive, live music on weekends in summer (double check this).
Carkeek Park
950 NW Carkeek Park RdDiscovery Park
3801 Discovery Park BlvdGolden Gardens Park
8498 Seaview Pl NW
Green Lake
Walk, run, bike, or just relax, this place is a must-see!
Drinks & Nightlife
Great spot, good happy hour, kid-friendly (double check) and firepit.
15 locals recommend
Shelter Lounge Ballard
4910 Leary Avenue NorthwestGreat spot, good happy hour, kid-friendly (double check) and firepit.
Shopping
University Village
2623 NE University Village StCan get super crowded, sometimes hard to navigate w/kids. Great /must see.
2310 locals recommend
Pike Place Market
1531 Western AveCan get super crowded, sometimes hard to navigate w/kids. Great /must see.
Great Outlet Mall - go early to avoid crowds, especially on the weekend.
142 locals recommend
Seattle Premium Outlets
10600 Quil Ceda BlvdGreat Outlet Mall - go early to avoid crowds, especially on the weekend.
Everything Else
Bainbridge Island
Fun day trip