Visit Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks in Seattle
Our family had a wonderful time exploring several museums and iconic sites around Seattle. While making plans to visit the National Nordic Museum, we noticed a spot a short distance west from the museum that looked like an unique spot to explore. The Ballard Locks, also known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, is something you don’t see in Utah, so we added it to our itinerary.
If you’re planning to visit Seattle, here’s a rundown on what you can expect in planning a stop at Ballard Locks.
Getting to Ballard Locks and Parking
Ballard Locks is roughly 5 miles northwest of the Space Needle in Seattle. The locks can be accessed from either the north side or the south side of Salmon Bay. If you’re wanting to visit from the north side, 15th Avenue (east of the Locks) has a bridge to get you over Salmon Bay. If you’re in downtown Seattle, Aurora Avenue is probably the fastest route to take over the water – then head west. The best way to identify the route you should take to Ballard Locks is via Google Maps.
Parking is available on both sides of the locks as well. There is free parking available in the neighborhoods, but that may be limited. We used a paid parking lot just northwest of the north entrance. It provided easy access to the Ballard Locks and only cost a few dollars.
Watch the Ballard Locks in Motion
Our first stop in the area was to see the Ballard Locks in motion. When we got to where the magic happens, we crossed one of the walkways and found a spot. To be honest, there wasn’t a lot of action. It was like watching and waiting for a bathtub to fill up or drain. But the concept was pretty cool.
I’ll walk you through what you’ll see during your visit. But depending on when you arrive, you may end up starting at any given point in the process. I’ll explain it for boats heading west through the Ballard Locks. The process is reversed for those heading east, so you’ll get the idea.
- Boats large and small enter the lock heading downstream (i.e., west). The west doors are closed, while the east doors are open.
- Once the lock is full of boats, the east doors close behind them.
- The water is slowly drained from the area between the two doors.
- When the water level inside the lock reaches the water level of the downstream portion, the west doors are open and the boats slowly make their way downstream.
- Once all the boats are out of the lock heading downstream, the boats wanting to head upstream enter the lock through the open doors.
- When the boats are all tied down inside the lock, the doors on the west close and the water level slowly rises until it’s level with the water on the east side.
- The east doors are then opened and the boats continue upstream.
NOTE: When the doors are closed, they become walkways across the water. Be patient as you find your path across the locks and over to the south side to explore the next portion of Ballard Locks – the fish ladder and underwater viewing gallery.
Visit the Fish Ladder Education Center
During our visit to Ballard Locks last July, the education center was closed for renovations. You could wander around the exterior of the area and see the fish ladders, but from above, there wasn’t much to see. We did find schools of fish in the areas near the fish ladders and below the dam part of the locks. It was difficult to know which type of fish they were, but the seals playing in the water nearby probably just saw them as food – regardless of the type of fish they were. 😉
Inside the newly-renovated Fish Ladder Education Center you can see into the ladders through thick sheets of glass. During peak seasons of Pacific Salmon spawning, as the fish travel upstream, you’ll be able to see three species, including:
- Sockeye (Red): Peak viewing is from mid-June to mid-July
- Chinook (King): Peak viewing is in August
- Coho (Silver): Peak viewing is in September
Many factors influence your ability to see fish using the ladder to navigate upstream. That means it’s possible that during your visit, you won’t see any fish in the ladder.
NOTE: Mid-May, the ladders are closed, drained, cleaned and repaired annually for about two weeks. If you’re planning to visit during this time, visit the Ballard Locks Salmon Ladder website to check status.
Inside the Education Center at Ballard Locks, there are screens and exhibits to help you learn more about the fish that call the area home.
Stop into the Visitor’s Center, Museum and Gift Shop
Did you know that pumps are not used to raise and lower the water level? Do you know how big ships make their way upstream (or downstream) using the locks – and I’m talking really big ships? Then I highly recommend touring the Visitors center and Museum to find answers to those questions, and so many more.
The Ballard Locks visitors center and museum has two levels. The main floor includes the information desk, gift shop, bookstore and theater. Inside the theater you can watch on-demand, short videos to learn more about Ballard Locks and the river. These short videos are part of the Locks Talks series.
Venture up to the second floor for an additional mini theater to learn more about the locks, and explore interactive exhibits and displays. You’ll learn about the fish that live in the river, along with the operations of how locks actually work.
Wander the nearby Botanical Gardens
On the north side of Ballard Locks you’ll find the Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Garden. During our visit, we didn’t find too many blooming flowers. Scattered throughout the 7-acre gardens are exotic trees and plants with several walking paths. We did find families and a bride and groom taking photos in the green space. It does make a nice spot for family photos.
During the summer months, there are organized concerts in the park. You may also find a wedding taking place. It’s a wonderful outdoor venue for a variety of activities.
If you brought a picnic lunch – or stopped by a Subway on the drive over – the botanical gardens is a great spot to sit down and enjoy the relaxing nature of the area. You can sit by the river and watch boats move up and down through the locks. Or you can simply relax on a patch of grass underneath the shade of the trees. Either way, it’s a great spot to enjoy nature.
Where to Stay in Seattle
There are several hotels throughout Seattle and the area. My recommendation is to find a hotel in downtown Seattle so you can be closer to the majority of sites you want to visit.
During our stay, we booked two rooms at the Courtyard Seattle Downtown/Pioneer Square. The two rooms allowed us plenty of space for our family of seven. Four of the kids (the older ones) slept in their own room and loved having it all to themselves. The younger one loved having a bed to himself, even though it was in the same room as his parents.
There was also a pool in the basement of the hotel, which we visited a time or two during our stay. The parking structure across the street provides parking, but there is a daily fee to park there. We were within walking distance of Pike’s Market and the Seattle Aquarium. The monorail to Seattle Center (Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass and MoPop) is within walking distance as well.
The Details
Address: 3015 NW 54th Street, Ballard, WA 98107
How long to spend: 45 minutes to two hours
Cost: There is no cost to visit any part of the Ballard Locks.
Hours: The grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The visitor center hours are variable, depending on current COVID status. Call (206) 783-7059 to get hours specific to the day and time of your visit.
Website: https://www.ballardlocks.org/
Phone: (206) 783-7059
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