Seattle, Washington
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, commonly known as the Ballard Locks, are a complex of locks located in the Salmon Bay neighborhood of Seattle. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the locks carry more vessel traffic than any other lock in the U.S., connecting the saltwater of Puget Sound with the fresh water of the Ship Canal and Lake Union.
Visitors can watch boats of all sizes navigate the locks and observe migrating salmon through viewing windows at the fish ladder. The site also includes the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, a beautiful park with rare trees and plants, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals.