Ballard Adventure Day

If you find yourself wandering through Ballard with a day to spare, how would you spend it? For me, it would be a mix of café hopping, lots of walking, and exploring some of my favorite spots.

I’d start my morning at Sabine Café, indulging in their shakshuka or a breakfast sandwich, paired with one of their delicious pastries and a matcha or steamer with a seasonal syrup. Ideally, I’d snag a seat in their enclosed outdoor patio—perfect for catching up with friends or reading on my Kindle.

After a leisurely breakfast, I’d explore some of Ballard’s charming shops. Fair Trade Winds is a must-visit for beautifully handcrafted goods—it's also one of my sister’s favorite places to shop for Christmas ornaments. Further down, Good Well Supply and Field Essentials offer unique finds, while Ballard Consignment is the kind of place where you might stop in for 15 minutes… or lose track of time for hours. Don’t forget to check out Summit and Terrace for amazing candles.

At this point, I’d be ready for a break. Miro Tea is my go-to for an incredible tea selection and a cozy space to relax or get some work done (their WiFi is great!).

For lunch, I’d head to Cookie’s Country Kitchen for crispy fried chicken and creamy mac and cheese or grab a banh mi or vermicelli bowl from Crackle Mi.

Next, I’d make my way to the Nordic Museum to see Frankie the Troll, an art installation by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. There are six of these trolls in the Pacific Northwest—five of them in the Seattle area! If the weather is nice, I’d continue down to the Ballard Locks to watch the boats pass through. On a cold or rainy day, I’d stay inside the museum to explore its exhibits.

On the way back, I’d stop by Cardoon for their highly-rated chocolate chip cookie and brick toast. This cozy café, with its Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic, closes at 4 PM—so plan accordingly!

For a drink, I’d visit Percy’s, King’s Hardware, or Little Tin Goods & Apothecary Cabinet, each offering a unique vibe and craft cocktails.

Dinner options in Ballard are endless. For an upscale date night, I’d recommend San Fermo (Italian). If I’m craving Thai, Pestle Rock never disappoints, and for sushi, Moshi Moshi is a solid choice.

To end the night on a sweet note, Hot Cakes is the place for decadent molten chocolate cake, while Salt & Straw serves up incredible ice cream flavors.

And if the timing works out, I’d drive down to Golden Gardens to catch a stunning sunset—because there’s no better way to wrap up a perfect day in Ballard.