This is one of the best hidden secrets in Seattle, especially when the salmon are running at the end of the summer. You can see all of the salmon in the in the viewing windows trying to move their... More

This is one of the best hidden secrets in Seattle, especially when the salmon are running at the end of the summer. You can see all of the salmon in the in the viewing windows trying to move their way up the ladder. A few times I have seen sea lions waiting for the fish at the bottom of the ladders. I even saw a kingfisher plucking minnows for dinner. The garden on the way in is beautiful and a great place for a picnic!
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This is definitely on my to do list when guests are in town. There is a fish ladder where you can see salmon jumping up through the locks, and you can often spot seals in the water. It is also... More

This is definitely on my to do list when guests are in town. There is a fish ladder where you can see salmon jumping up through the locks, and you can often spot seals in the water. It is also fascinating to see how the locks work.
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to visit once or twice...just to say you've been. You can watch the salmon climb up the ladders, and watch the boats go through the locks which transfers them from the salt water to the fresh... More

to visit once or twice...just to say you've been. You can watch the salmon climb up the ladders, and watch the boats go through the locks which transfers them from the salt water to the fresh water, and vice versa. While interesting the first or second time, it gets boring after that.
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The Locks are where salt water and fresh water meet and all kind of water vessels pass through. It was very amazing to see the water levels go up and down right before your eyes. They have steps... More

The Locks are where salt water and fresh water meet and all kind of water vessels pass through. It was very amazing to see the water levels go up and down right before your eyes. They have steps that the salmon jump to go to spawn. The Chittenden gardens are gorgeous, if you time your visit during the spring. They also have some huge birds that next in the garden trees. A wonderful place to learn. PROS: Great place to take the entire family and it's free. CONS: parking can be difficult, gotta get there early or else you park far.
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The Ballard Locks are just great. There is a fish ladder here so you can see the salmon coming back from the ocean and going to their fresh-water birthing grounds. It's very interesting. There are... More

The Ballard Locks are just great. There is a fish ladder here so you can see the salmon coming back from the ocean and going to their fresh-water birthing grounds. It's very interesting. There are huge park grounds which are perfect for lazing on a summer's day or havinga picnic. Bring some bread and feed the geese or sea gulls. The most fascinating part is the locks themselves. They divide the park into the Ballard Side and the Magnolia Side, and its the way all the boats get from Lake Union into Elliott Bay, and how the big fish/crab boats from Fisherman's Terminal get out to open water. IT's very neat to see. Highly reccomended and it's FREE FREE FREE
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This place is unbelievable. The locks themselves are fun to watch. It's basically water gates that regulate the difference of water level in Lake Union (higher) and Pudget Sound (lower). The ships... More

This place is unbelievable. The locks themselves are fun to watch. It's basically water gates that regulate the difference of water level in Lake Union (higher) and Pudget Sound (lower). The ships come in from one of the sides, then they are locked up in a pool-like structure, the water level is lowered or raised to match the level of the other (exit) gate, the exit gate is open, and the ship continues on its way. They do it for both smaller boats and bigger ships. (They have two different sizes of locks). This is very fun to watch! Besides that, they have a botanical garden with trees from all over the world. You can get a self-guided tour brochure from the Visitor Center so that you know that trees/plants you are looking at. They also have plenty of wild life around. We've seen a number of great blue hurons, some harbor searls, a bunch of salmon (jumping out of the water!), some other birds (don't know all of them). As far as salmon goes - they have a salmon ladder for them to
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I've never been to the locks on the weekend so I'm not sure how crowded they get, but during a weekday this place is great. I love to go down and watch the boats and the birds. Its got a great... More

I've never been to the locks on the weekend so I'm not sure how crowded they get, but during a weekday this place is great. I love to go down and watch the boats and the birds. Its got a great calm feeling about it. The surrounding area is pretty and well maintained, good for a walk on a sunny afternoon. Seeing the locks in action always takes me back to middle school science class and I enjoy that everytime. Check it out! Pros: Relaxing, free
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I recently went there with my parents and we enjoyed watching the locks open/close, fill/empty and see the seagulls in action, eating. Be prepared for the stench when you walk over from the locks to... More

I recently went there with my parents and we enjoyed watching the locks open/close, fill/empty and see the seagulls in action, eating. Be prepared for the stench when you walk over from the locks to the salmon ladder. We did see salmon in one ladder, but never saw one switch from one ladder to the next. The free visitor's center has a small amount of interesting exhibits (the hands-on ones all seemed broken), a small gift shop, and a short film.They offer free, guided tours, but we did not take one. If you park on the Ballard side of the locks you have to walk partially through the Botanical Gardens/park to get to the locks. The park was not crowded and it would be a good spot to have a picnic. Pros: lots of different things to see (locks, ladder, park, visitor's center) Cons: not easy for people who have a hard time walking far.
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Bring a picnic and dont forget to stop by the visitors center and the rose garden. You might just see someone famous going through the locks. Plan to spend hours here, you will be amazed at how... More

Bring a picnic and dont forget to stop by the visitors center and the rose garden. You might just see someone famous going through the locks. Plan to spend hours here, you will be amazed at how fast the time goes by. Pros: free, free, free
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I have lived near the locks all my life, and have always been fasinated with it. It is so much fun to just go and spend a relaxing day there watching boat traffic and the fish go through the latter,... More

I have lived near the locks all my life, and have always been fasinated with it. It is so much fun to just go and spend a relaxing day there watching boat traffic and the fish go through the latter, and the occassional train rolling over the nearby trainbridge. Discovery Park (Magnolia Side) and Golden Gardens Beach (Ballard Side) are very close as well. Hit up all of these places to make your day perfect. Pros: fun, interesting, free
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