While recent development has turned this one time blue-collar community into a hip and happening urban village; the place to be and be seen, Ballard still maintains its quality storefronts, pedestrian-friendly and family oriented atmosphere. Ballard Avenue, a nationally registered historic district, is home to many trendy restaurants, boutiques, home décor shops, gifts stores and an active nightlife. Every Sunday Ballard Avenue closes down to accommodate Ballard’s Farmers Market, where residents can purchase local fresh produce year round. Ballard’s business district is housed on and around Market Street. Easily walkable from Bespoke Ballard, this area also features unique stores, coffee shops, quaint restaurants with outdoor seating and the renovated Majestic Bay Theatre, which serves the best movie popcorn in the city.
Ballard is unique in that it has a working waterfront, Fisherman’s Terminal and several recreational waterfront parks. People flock to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Shilshole Bay Marina as well as Golden Gardens, an expansive beachfront park. Ballard’s popular neighborhood amenities coupled with the close proximity to major employers as well ease of transportation make Ballard one the most sought after Seattle neighborhoods to live in.
