Guest Author - Denise J. Hoffman

Visiting the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Seattle, Washington, is an educational, fun and interesting way to entertain the family. Best of all, there is no entry fee. Enjoy the water view and stroll through the Carl S. English Botanical Garden.

The locks, also known as the Ballard locks, are located in the Lake Washington Ship Canal northwest of downtown Seattle, Washington. The ship canal is a busy thoroughfare for hundreds of boats and cargo ships traveling between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. The locks are designed hold back saltwater from the Puget Sound and avoid mixing with the freshwater in Lake Washington. There are two locks, a larger one for cargo ships, and a smaller one for general boat traffic. It is always fascinating watching the behavior of boat owners, with a variety of experience levels, squeezing among each other in the confinement of the lock, and then holding the boat steady through the water turmoil. Visitors can walk from one side of the canal to the other on the locks. A bell warns when the gates are opening. A fish ladder is on the north side with an underwater observation center, although no fish crossed my path when I visited. Tours are available during most of the summer months.

Carl S English Botanical Garden and Visitor Center
Directly across from the locks, on the south side of the canal, is the Carl English Botanical Garden. Visit the gift shop, get a map of the gardens, and view a short film about the history. In early summer, watch the profusion of blooms waking up from winter. In the summer, outdoor concerts play at scheduled events for visitors in the grassy areas. Call ahead for visitor center hours.

Fishermen’s Terminal
For a break or lunch, drive east a couple miles along the Canal to the Fishermen's Terminal. The terminal is the home base for many of the commercial fishing boats that comb the Pacific for seafood. You can buy fish directly from a boat at the dock, or from the fish market. The terminal hosts several restaurants but if you just want a quick snack, the shrimp cocktail found at the fish market is perfect.

In the Neighborhood
If you visit in late July, plan your trip to coincide with the Ballard Seafood Festival, in the historic Seattle neighborhood of Ballard. Another side trip, which incorporates memorable views of Puget Sound, is going to Discovery Park in the Magnolia neighborhood, southwest of the locks. In addition to miles of trails, Discovery Park includes a play area for families, and is the home of the Daybreak Star Cultural Center.