It’s free, it’s fascinating, and kids absolutely love it: the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, better known as the Ballard Locks, where boats rise and fall between Puget Sound and Lake Union.
Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, these working locks move more boat traffic than any other lock in the nation. Watch yachts and fishing boats fill the chamber and lift up or down, then visit the underwater fish ladder viewing room to see salmon migrating upstream in summer and fall.
Perfect for families, engineering fans and nature lovers. Tip: the salmon ladder is busiest July through October. Combine your visit with the adjacent botanical gardens — all free, and parking is easy on weekdays.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / PNWtransit
