Located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, and commonly called the Ballard Locks, are the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. The locks prevent the mixing of salt and fresh water while letting boats pass from Puget Sound's salt water to the fresh water of the Ship Canal that connects to Lake Washington and Lake Union. Visitors can watch boats of all sizes pass through, as operators adjust the water levels in the locks.
Parking and public transportation at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
A small parking lot has metered parking that is $2.00 an hour for a maximum of three hours. Parking payment is required Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. King County Metro buses also serve the surrounding area.
When to go to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Summer is a popular time to visit the locks, especially since the grounds around the locks include the Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Garden.
Admission to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Admission is free. The grounds around the locks are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The visitor center, which has displays on the history and operations of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May through September. From October though April, the visitor center closes at 4 p.m. and is also closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Must see/do at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Also at the locks is a fish ladder, where fish (mostly salmon) can pass between fresh and salt water. You can watch the fish as they swim through the ladder from a viewing room below the water line.
Other places to visit near the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Also in Ballard is the Nordic History Museum, or you can head a little north to Golden Gardens Park, which has a beach on Puget Sound.
Insider tip for visitors to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
The best time to see the most salmon on the fish ladder is in September, although the fish do migrate up the ladder from mid-June through October.
Author's bio: Carol Wiley is a Seattle freelance writer who offers services ranging from articles and blog posts to customer case studies and white papers.
The Shoreline Historical Museum was established in 1975 in anticipation of the United States' bicentennial in 1976. For the last 35 years it called the Ronald School near the campus of Shorewood High School home, before moving in December 2010. The museum features more than 10,000 objects and 8,000 photos. The museum's executive director for the past 20 years has been Vicki Stiles.
The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), located on South Lake Union in Seattle, is the largest private heritage organization in the State of Washington. The museum collects, preserves and presents the history of the Puget Sound region. With a collection of more than four million historic objects, documents and photographs, MOHAI is a great place for anyone interested in the history of the region.
Best and worst time to go to Museum of History & Industry
To avoid crowds, visit MOHAI on a weekday during the school year. For free admission, go on the first Thursday of the month.
Must see/do at Museum of History & Industry
MOHAI is home to the Bezos Center for Innovation. Interactive exhibits, along with community and educational programs, let you explore how innovation and big ideas shaped Puget Sound.
Admission to Museum of History & Industry
MOHAI is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and closes early at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Adult admission is $17, seniors 62 and over are $15, students and military cost $14, and children 14 and under are free with an adult admission. MOHAI members also receive free admission. Teens 13 to 19 can get $5 admission with a valid TeenTix pass. Group rates are also available.
Parking and public transportation at Museum of History & Industry
MOHAI visitors can park in the AGC Lot, located 0.36 mile from the museum at 1200 Westlake Avenue N, for $5 with ticket validation from the MOHAI front desk. The area also has other paid parking lots. The museum has an adjacent lot exclusively for ADA-accessible needs. A number of King Country Metro buses serve the area, as does the South Lake Union Streetcar. Want to arrive by boat? Moor your boat at the Historic Ships Wharf in South Lake Union Park.
Food at Museum of History & Industry
MOHAI has the Compass Café by Northwest Catering. The menu focuses on local ingredients and includes sandwiches, salads, soups, hot entrees, desserts, espresso drinks and local wines and beers. The Café has views of Lake Union Park, the Space Needle and nearby historic docks.
Insider tip for visitors to Museum of History & Industry
Admission to the museum is free on the first Thursday of every month. If MOHAI is hosting a special traveling exhibition, it may have an admission fee. MOHAI also hosts youth and adult public programs throughout the year.
Author's bio: Carol Wiley is a Seattle freelance writer. She offers services ranging from articles and blog posts to customer case studies and white papers for businesses.