Ballard

Ballard Sunday Farmers Market

The Ballard Sunday Farmers Market (http://fremontmarket.com/...) is one of the only year-round outdoor markets in Seattle, and takes place on historic Ballard Avenue on Sundays. Buy seasonal produce and local crafts, this is the sister to the Fremont Sunday Market (http://fremontmarket.com/...) in nearby Fremont.

Golden Gardens Park

(http://www.cityofseattle....) is a wonderful salt-water beach park in ballard, past the locks and shilshole marina. water around here is too cold to swim except for crazy and determined kids during the hottest months, but you can wade a little, walk the beach, make sand castles, claim a fire pit, watch wind surfers and ships go by. if it's clear there is a magnificent view of the olympics on the other side of puget sound. kids of all ages have endless muddy fun trying to dam up or re-route the fresh water stream flowing across one end of the beach.

Greenlake Park

(http://www.seattle.gov/pa...), a significant feature of the neighborhood. includes a loop walk around greenlake frequented by cyclists, runners, rollerbladers, and walkers. the lake is swimmer friendly. algae growth and closures were sometimes a problem before 2004 when the city of seattle performed a comprehensive cleanup. it is now one of the cleanest public swimming areas in the seattle area.

A member-supported non-profit library open to the pubic, the Seattle Metaphysical Library has been in Seattle for over 50 years. It specializes in books you can't find at the pubic library - books on astrology, UFOs, secret societies, shamanism, chakra meditation, astral projections, Tarot cards, anthroposophy, alternative energy, 2012, and many other esoteric topics. There is also an extensive collection of DVDs, VHS and audio tapes, and magazines on similar topics. Check the website for open hours. You can also sign up for their newsletter to learn about events and classes.