Ballard or Bust
Once upon a time, there was a small seafaring community from Scandinavia in the north end of Seattle. It was called "Ballard," after Captain William Rankin Ballard, who received the "undesirable" tract of land when he lost a coin toss. Luckily, Ballard has come up in stock over the years. And, while the fishing community has dwindled, the offbeat reverence for Nordic culture remains strong. Hop on the number 17 bus from campus and head into Ballard.
Ballard is a hot spot for Seattle's foodie scene. And while the standard plate of poulet roti and salmon tartine may be a bit on the pricey side, there are still some great affordable eats in the hood. At the Other Coast Café, you'll find delicious grinders, made with toasty bread to create that satiating crunch. Their Ragin' Cajun was even named one of Seattle's best sandwiches in Seattle Magazine. Pho Than Brothers will warm up your belly faster than you can say "under 6 bucks." Pho has become the staple meal for the thrifty student; the big Vietnamese bowl of soup also happens to be a great example of comfort food. When the occasion calls for a hearty eggs and bacon breakfast, try out Vera's. It's a classic and unpretentious diner — '70s décor and all — and they never skimp on coffee refills. Even the most famous chef in Seattle, Tom Douglas, eats at Vera's! Some prefer the sweeter things in life, so right across the street from Vera's is Cupcake Royale. Flavors range from chocolate and vanilla, to lavender, salted caramel, and lemon drop. Pair it with a short double-foam latte, and call it a day. For the piece-de-resistance, two words: chocolate croissants. Three more words: at Cafe Besalu. Go in the morning and get them warm and fresh out of the oven; you'll be in a Paris-state-of-mind in no time.
But Ballard isn't just about getting your grub on. At Golden Gardens, you can play Frisbee, build bonfires, throw some burgers on the barbecue, and watch the sunset over the Olympic Mountains. The Hiram Chittenden Locks has grassy hills to sunbathe on, a fish ladder to witness one of nature's coolest stunts — salmon swimming upstream to lay their eggs — and lots of boats coming to and fro through the locks. On Sundays, visit the Farmer's Market, which stretches along Ballard Avenue, for local fruit and vegetables, freshly made crepes and pizza, and lots of people (and dog) watching. It runs all year long, rain or shine. Speaking of that pesky precipitation: Take shelter in the Majestic Bay, one of the West Coast's oldest movie theaters. They keep it classy with red carpeting and dramatic music as a soundtrack in the restrooms.
Ballard also knows how to throw a party. In the summer, Seafood Fest celebrates the maritime and Scandinavian heritage of the neighborhood with the help of delicious things such as salmon tacos, crab cakes, and gumbo. During the holidays, ships decorated with Christmas lights pass through the Ballard Locks and the neighborhood comes out to sing carols together. And Syttende Mai, or the 17th of May, honors Norwegian Constitution Day with a parade on Ballard's main street. With so much to do in Ballard, you might not want to leave this Nordic neighborhood.
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