A visit from dear old Dad always brings the inevitable panic over what the hell you're going to do with him. If he's anything like mine, he's only happy when his wallet remains securely in his pocket. That's why the totally free Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard are a sure bet. What is it about dads and locks? You'd think Jesus himself was out there raising the water. Invariably you'll find moms smiling politely and nodding along while dads crowd around the wandering Locks workers, pumping them for information before calling excitedly over their shoulders, "I'm going to go over here and get a better look!" Cap it with a walk by the salmon ladder's underwater viewing window, and you've just scored yourself a seriously good Christmas present, or at least dinner at a pretty nice restaurant.—Suzie Rugh