We took a (free) guided tour at the locks ($4-5 for parking). What an incredibly interesting and beautiful place! Loved the trees, flowers and scenery, and we got to see the lock in action, as well as the salmon. I recommend taking the tour.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle
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Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
3015 NW 54th St, Seattle, WA 98107
(Ballard)
206 783 7059
Update attraction details
As featured in Seattle for free
144 visitor photos
Ranked #11 of 194 attractions in Seattle
Type: Landmarks/ Points of Interest, Wharfs/ Piers/ Boardwalks, Bodies of Water
Fee: No
Recommended length of visit: 1-2 hours
Owner description:
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (locally known as the Ballard Locks) is a waterway system that connects the saltwater of the Puget Sound to the fresh...
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Owner description:
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (locally known as the Ballard Locks) is a waterway system that connects the saltwater of the Puget Sound to the fresh water of the Ship Canal, which sits about 20 feet above sea level. Boats enter the locks, the gates close and the water rises or falls to the level of the destination waterway. Watching boats pass through the locks, exploring the 7 acres of botanical gardens and looking for fish on the fish ladder is fun and free entertainment that draws locals and tourists alike.
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Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
Reviewer
Dublin, Ireland
2 reviews
OK this isn't a wow factor activity like the space needle or an expensive tour, but its free and its FREE and a great place to spend an hour or so with a packed lunch. You could spend ages just staring at boats going in and out of the locks. The FREE visitor centre has some cool interactive models upstairs....
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Salt Lake City, Utah
Senior Contributor
Had a great time at the Locks. They offer two tours a day, so be sure to jump on one to get a Locks Employee explaining everything that is happening and show you the fish in the fish ladder. Takes about 1 hour for the tour.
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See 11 more reviews by SpencerClan for Seattle
Adelaide
Senior Contributor
We stumbled across the Locks accidently as we were looking for something else at the time. I am so glad we did as it was interesting to see how the locks work. We didn't do the free guided tour, but strolled around ourselves. It is a beautiful part of Seattle and well worth going to.
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See 3 more reviews by rat68 for Seattle
Flagstaff
Senior Contributor
Visiting the locks and watching the boats and salmon is a great...and free thing to do in Seattle. It is located in Ballard so about 10 minutes from downtown.
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See 4 more reviews by JourneysTraveler for Seattle
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Top Contributor
Watching the commercial boats and pleasure craft go through the locks is very entertaining and the landscaping on the grounds is gorgeous. Try to make the time to visit, and then go have a drink and some food at the excellent and atmospheric Lockspot Cafe right out front!
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See 6 more reviews by droppinout for Seattle
St. Augustine, Florida
Reviewer
It is well worth a visit to the Ballard district to visit the locks. It is so interesting watching the variety of boats enter the locks and watching the process. Very enjoyable!
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See 3 more reviews by cajunt for Seattle
Rockville Centre, New York
Top Contributor
If you are in the Seattle area May through September, take a couple of hours and visit these locks. The grounds are beautiful with lovely gardens and the views of the waterways are special. To see how the boats are placed in the locks and go in and out of the sound is very unique. It is so close up....
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See 11 more reviews by TomWall60 for Seattle
Oregon
Senior Contributor
The guided your with Deborah was great. We were able to see both the large snd small locks in action. The talk at the fish ladder about the life cycle of the salmon was very educational.
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See 3 more reviews by Roseburger for Seattle
Senior Reviewer
It is really cool to watch those big ships pass through the locks. The salmon ladder is also great if you are there during salmon run.
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